Cheesy garlic pepperoni biscuit cups are easy, crowd-pleasing snacks made in a muffin tin with biscuit dough, mozzarella, and butter.
Pizza is a great food for a time of need, and it's been clutch for me on many a night. But there's just something about taking a familiar food like pizza and turning it into a finger food that brings me comfort and joy, and these cheesy garlic pepperoni biscuit cups hit the mark.
Honestly, if I had to tally the number of times pizza has taken on a new form in my kitchen, I’d likely need a calculator. First, there was deep-dish pizza cooked in a cast iron. Then, there were pepperoni pizza rolls. But these biscuit cups just might take the cake. Store-bought biscuit dough turned into pillowy cups filled with melted mozzarella and pepperoni, all brushed with garlic herb butter for that aroma and flavor.
I make sure each bite has everything: biscuit, pepperoni, and mozzarella. The outside develops a slight crunch while the inside stays moist and tender. They're like individual servings of pizza bread but with far less effort.
I prepare these cups for game day watch parties, casual dinner parties, or anytime I need an appetizer plate to be a guaranteed hit. They pair well with two of my other favorite party starters. Air fryer jalapeño poppers for guests who enjoy a bit of heat and air fryer fried cheese curds for the cheesy bites. The preparation takes just 20 minutes, followed by 25 minutes of baking time, making them manageable even when preparing multiple dishes.
My first time making these was for a last-minute movie night. We were all in our pajamas when the kids asked to watch Frozen 2 (again). There are still 2 minutes left on my phone timer, but my kids already have their small plates ready for their share. That's when I'm reminded that some recipes just know how to bring everyone to the kitchen before the timer even goes off.
Then, they made an appearance in a Game Day appetizer line-up, and were gone within 10 minutes. And now, we're making them for an upcoming Father's Day brunch. A pizza appetizer that can work double-duty? Yes, please!
Ingredients
- Biscuit dough – The base for the muffins, giving them a soft, pillowy texture. I use store-bought dough for convenience, which crisps beautifully around the edges once baked.
- Pepperoni slices – Adds a savory, slightly spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with the cheese. I like to chop the slices into quarters for more even distribution throughout the muffins.
- Grated mozzarella – This cheese creates that melt-in-your-mouth gooey texture. I prefer whole milk mozzarella because it melts better and gives a creamier finish.
- Unsalted butter – Used to brush the muffins for a golden, buttery finish. Cutting the butter into small chunks before baking allows it to melt evenly on top, adding richness to the muffins.
- Garlic salt – Brings a savory, garlicky flavor to the muffins that complements the pepperoni and cheese. I’ve tried using regular garlic powder, but garlic salt is the perfect balance of seasoning.
- Dried parsley flakes – Adds color and a mild, herbal note that helps freshen the flavor. Fresh parsley works as well, but dried parsley is perfect for this recipe when I’m short on time.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
Step-by-step Instructions
These cheesy garlic pepperoni biscuit cups are quick, easy, and perfect for any occasion. Packed with savory pepperoni, gooey mozzarella, and topped with a buttery garlic finish, these bite-sized treats are sure to be everyone's favorite.
Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Muffin Tin
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it heats up, prepare a large muffin tin by coating it with non-stick cooking spray. This makes sure the biscuit cups come out easily after baking.
Prepare the Biscuit Base
Take the raw biscuit dough and divide each one into four pieces. Place these pieces into a large mixing bowl. This step helps the biscuit dough bake more evenly and gives each cup a light, airy texture.
Add Pepperoni and Cheese
Chop the pepperoni slices into quarters and add them to the biscuit pieces. Then, add the grated mozzarella cheese. Toss everything together until well combined, making sure each piece of biscuit is coated with cheese and pepperoni.
Fill the Muffin Tin
Scoop about 6 pieces of the biscuit mixture into each muffin cup. Spread the mixture evenly to make sure each cup has roughly the same amount of dough, cheese, and pepperoni.
Add Butter
Slice half a stick of butter into 12 small chunks. Place one piece of butter on top of each muffin cup. The butter will melt and help the biscuits achieve a golden brown finish while adding richness to the flavor.
Bake the Biscuit Cups
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Check the muffins toward the end of the baking time. They should be golden brown, and the cheese should be bubbling.
Make the Garlic Butter Mixture
While the muffin cups bake, melt the remaining butter in a small dish. Stir in the garlic salt and dried parsley flakes to create a flavorful garlic butter mixture.
Finish the Biscuit Cups
Once the biscuits are done baking, remove them from the oven and immediately brush each muffin cup with the garlic butter mixture. This step adds a savory, garlicky finish to the muffins.
Cool and Serve
Let the cheesy garlic pepperoni biscuit cups sit for a couple of minutes to cool slightly before removing them from the muffin tin. Serve them warm and enjoy!
Storage
To store leftover cheesy garlic pepperoni biscuit cups, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. They can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, these biscuit cups can be frozen. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they will keep for up to 1 month. To reheat, simply warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or microwave individual cups for 20-30 seconds. If frozen, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Top Tips
Even filling distribution: When adding the biscuit pieces, cheese, and pepperoni into the muffin tin, make sure each cup has an equal amount of the mixture. This ensures even baking and prevents some cups from being too doughy or lacking cheese and pepperoni.
For extra crispiness: If you like a crispier bottom, consider preheating your muffin tin in the oven for a few minutes before adding the biscuit mixture. This will help the biscuits crisp up faster during baking.
Customize the toppings: Feel free to adjust the garlic salt and parsley to suit your taste. You can also add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
Cheesy Garlic Pepperoni Biscuit Cups
Equipment
- Large muffin tin
- Sharp knife
- Chopping surface
Ingredients
- 1 tube store-bought biscuit dough
- 15 slices pepperoni
- 2 cups grated mozzarella
- 8 tablespoons ½ cup unsalted butter
- Dried parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic seasoning salt
Instructions
- Get your oven heating to 375°F (190°C) and coat your large muffin tin with non-stick spray.
- Divide each raw biscuit into four pieces and toss them into a mixing container.
- Chop the pepperoni slices into quarters and add to your biscuit chunks along with the grated mozzarella. Toss everything together until well combined.
- Scoop about 6 biscuit pieces with their cheese and pepperoni coating into each muffin hollow, making sure all cups have roughly the same amount.
- Slice half your butter into 12 small chunks. Top each filled cup with one butter chunk.
- Slide the tin into your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until they're golden and the cheese is bubbling.
- While they bake, melt the remaining butter in a dish, then stir in the garlic salt and parsley flakes.
- Once baked, immediately paint each hot cup with your seasoned butter mixture.
- Let them sit briefly to cool before carefully removing. Enjoy while still warm.
Nita says
I'm going to make it this coming weekend 🤪
Ksenia Prints says
Hope you liked it!