Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Pizza Puffs

These pizza puffs make an excellent one-bite appetizer that only takes minutes to prepare. The original recipe uses pepperoni but my family prefers ham on their pizza. You can get creative and mix in your favorite pizza toppings. Try these with ham, diced green pepper, and pineapple for a Hawaiian flavored twist!

I like to make a double batch of pizza puffs and freeze them for a quick snack. Freeze the baked puffs in a single layer on a baking sheet then transfer to a freezer bag to store. To reheat, bake the frozen puffs on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes until warmed through.


Pizza Puffs

¾ cup flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¾ cup whole milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
4 ounces cooked ham, cut into small cubes (about 1 cup)
½ cup Fifteen Minute Tomato Sauce or store-bought pizza sauce
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 24-cup mini-muffin pan.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning and garlic powder; whisk in the milk and egg. Stir in the mozzarella and ham. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Stir the batter and divide among the mini-muffin cups. Bake until puffed and golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, microwave the tomato sauce until warmed through, then stir in 1 tablespoon basil. Sprinkle the puffs with the remaining 1 tablespoon basil.

Serve the puffs with the tomato sauce for dipping.