Best Pepperoni Pizza Rings Recipe
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I’ve always been a sucker for fun, bite-sized party food, and this pepperoni pizza rings recipe hits every note. It’s cheesy, crispy, and loaded with flavor, plus it comes together in a donut pan which makes it look way fancier than the effort it takes.
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I make these pizza rings for game day spreads, quick weeknight snacks, or whenever I want to bring something unique to a party that always gets people asking for the recipe.
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If you’re looking for a snack that combines the flavors of pizza in a handheld bite, this is it. Pizza rings are crunchy on the outside, gooey in the middle, and packed with pepperoni and melted cheese. They’re basically the best of both worlds: the taste of pizza without the hassle, prep time of dough.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These pizza rings come together fast with just a few ingredients you probably already have on hand. They’re easy to customize with different cheeses, seasonings, or toppings so you can make them exactly how you like them. Best of all, they’re a guaranteed hit with family and friends – whether you’re hosting a big game, making an after-school snack, or pulling together a last-minute appetizer.
Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to make this pepperoni pizza rings recipe. You’ll want buttery crackers like Ritz or something similar since they crush easily and give the rings their crunchy base. Shredded mozzarella is the perfect melty cheese, but you could use a blend if that’s what you have.
Mini pepperonis are ideal because they fit neatly into the donut pan without overwhelming the size. For seasoning, I like to go with a pizza seasoning blend or classic Italian seasoning – it’s simple but delivers tons of flavor.
Ingredients:
15 Buttery Crackers Ritz, or similar
6 oz Mozzarella Cheese shredded
8 oz Mini Pepperonis
Pizza or Italian Seasoning
Tools:
Donut pan (this is the secret weapon)
Plastic bag for crushing crackers
Mixing bowl
Measuring spoons
How to Make It
Preparation
Start by preheating your oven to 400F so it’s ready to go. Place the crackers in a plastic bag and crush them into a grainy powder. You don’t want fine breadcrumbs, just enough texture to act as a solid base for the rings. Grease your donut pan lightly so nothing sticks. Cover the bottom of each section with the crushed crackers, then add a layer of shredded mozzarella. Sprinkle on your seasoning and top with mini pepperonis or any toppings you love.
Cooking
Once the pan is ready, slide it into the oven and bake for about 5–7 minutes. You’ll know the pizza rings are ready when the cheese starts to bubble and the outside edges are turning golden brown. That browning is the sweet spot – it means you’ll get crisp edges that hold their shape once cooled. The best cook time is 5–7 minutes at 400F, depending on your oven.
When you take the pan out, let the pizza rings rest for 15–20 minutes before serving. This step is key. Not only does it prevent burnt mouths, but it also helps the cheese set up so the rings hold together when you pop them out of the pan.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve these pizza rings with a side of marinara, ranch, or garlic butter for dipping. They’re amazing for game day spreads, movie nights, or even as an appetizer before a big family dinner. If you want to make them part of a meal, serve with a fresh salad or even some garlic knots on the side. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or air fryer to bring back the crispiness.
Recipe Notes and Pro Tips
Don’t skip letting the pizza rings cool – it makes all the difference in texture. If you want extra crunch, you can mix a little parmesan into the crushed cracker base before baking. I’ve also found that using mini pepperonis works best because they distribute evenly, but you can chop regular pepperoni if that’s what you have. These pizza rings are easy to experiment with, so don’t be afraid to try new seasonings or toppings.
Variations
There are endless ways to switch up this pepperoni pizza rings recipe. Vary your cheese up if you’d like. Swap the pepperoni for the topping of your choice You could also try seasoning blends like garlic parmesan, Cajun, or even taco spice to give them a whole new vibe.
If you’re a fan of spice, add sliced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes. These little pizza rings are basically a blank canvas for whatever flavors you’re craving.
Other Recipes You’ll Love:
- Garlic Bread Pizza – Easy Texas Toast Pizza Recipe
- Croissant Pizza Roll Ups – Easy Snack Recipe
- How to Make Homemade Pizza Rolls – Easy Recipe!
- Pizza Appetizer! Pizza Biscuit Bites
- Pepperoni Pizza Stuffed Biscuits
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Ingredients
- 15 Buttery Crackers Ritz, or similar
- 6 oz Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- 8 oz Mini Pepperonis
- Pizza or Italian Seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F
- Place crackers in a plastic bag and crush into the consistency of a grainy powder.
- Grease a donut pan and cover the bottom of each section with the crushed crackers. Layer on cheese then add seasoning. Add pepperoni or desired topping.
- Place donut pan in oven and allow to bake for 5-7 minutes. You'll notice the outside edge of the cheese starting to turn brown – that's what you want.
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow to sit and cool for 15-20 minutes. This will crisp up the rings allow them to cool so nobody burns their mouth!
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
