Low Carb Pepperoni Cups
Low Carb Pepperoni Cups – a fun, easy-to-make 5-Ingredient party snack to help curb your cravings so you keep your resolution this year.
Pepperoni Cups
The worst part of any diet is the snacks.
Am I right?!
I can deal with light low carb breakfasts. I can deal with salad and protein for lunch. I can even deal with (and often enjoy the challenge of) lean healthy dinners.
However, when it comes to quick snacks, carrot sticks, and raw almonds get old really fast.
Low Carb Pepperoni Pizza Cups, AKA Mini Pizzas
If your new year’s resolution was to cut carbs this year, I’ve got a party snack that will help you stay on the straight and narrow, right on through Super Bowl!
Today’s Low Carb Pepperoni Pizza Bites require only 5 simple ingredients to make and satisfy serious pizza cravings in one bite.
These Pepperoni Cups are extremely low in carbs and are also gluten-free. Plus, once the cups are baked, drain them on a paper towel to remove extra fat!
You can even make a paleo version by using almond or cashew cheese.
Pepperoni Cups Ingredients
These keto pizza bites use just a few ingredients that you might already have on hand! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 24 slices pepperoni, “sandwich style” (2+ inches wide)
- 24 small basil leaves
- 1 jar pizza sauce/Marinara/tomato sauce (small jar)
- 24 mini mozzarella cheese balls
- black olives sliced (optional)
How Do You Make Pizza Cups in the Oven?
- Start with large “sandwich style” pepperoni slices that are at least 2 inches wide. You can find them in the deli section at the grocery store.
- Snip 4 – 1/2 inch cuts to help the pepperoni fit down into mini muffin pans better. (You can skip this step and just press them down in the muffin pans, but the cups won’t be as nicely shaped and won’t drain as well.)
- Bake the pepperoni cups for 5 minutes. Cool for a few minutes in the pan so they firm up. Then move the cups to a paper towel to drain off the grease.
How Do You Make Mini Pizzas in the Oven? (cont.)
- The cups can now be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Or you can fill them with any filling you like and enjoy right away!
- For the Low Carb Pepperoni Pizza Cups, wipe the grease out of the pan and place the cups back in. Put a small basil leaf in the bottom of each cup, followed by a little bit of pizza sauce, a mini mozzarella ball, and an olive slice.
- Bake the cups again for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese, then dive in!
Crispy Pepperoni Cups
You might be tempted to skip the pre-baking and pepperoni cup cooling, and just add all the ingredients into the cups at the beginning.
I encourage you to resist the temptation. Low Carb Pepperoni Pizza Cups are much crispier and hold their shape better if you prebake the cups before you fill them.
However, you can drain the cups at the end to save time. It’s up to you.
Perfect for Sharing
5-Ingredient Low Carb Pepperoni Pizza Crust Bites are a life-saver during diet season.
Take them to office events, cocktail parties, and of course to your Super Bowl party. They will help you resist the chip bowl all evening long!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Store Pizza Cups?
After the first initial bake to make the cups crispy, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week and make them as you need/want them.
Or you can fill them with any filling you like and enjoy right away!
How Do I Reheat Pizza Bites?
Here’s where it gets a little tricky. In order to reheat them so they are nice and crispy, I recommend reheating them in a warm oven, toaster oven or air fryer! You can also use the microwave but they won’t be as crispy.
Can I Substitute Out the Fresh Basil?
Absolutely! Use any fresh herbs you like, or just omit the basil altogether. Let me know how your customizations turn out in the comments below!
Is There A Paleo Adaptation?
Make a paleo-friendly version using almond or cashew cheese instead of the mozzarella balls.
What Other Pizza Toppings Can I Use?
You can make these as personalized as you want! These pizza dough-free mini pizzas can hold:
- Onions
- Ham
- Peppers
- Pineapple
- Spinach
- Sausage
- Mushrooms
- Cheddar Cheese
- Oregano
- Chicken
- Provolone Cheese
- Vegetables
See The Recipe Card Below For How To Make Low Carb Pepperoni Pizza Bites. Enjoy!
Other Snacks You Might Like:
- Low Carb Cauliflower Crackers
- Bacon Wrapped Avocado (Low Carb!)
- Healthy Baked Carrot Chips
- Stuffed Baby Peppers by Ditch the Carbs
- Easy Mini Pizza Bagels by The Comfort of Cooking
Check the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, protein, cholesterol, sodium, fiber, and calcium percentages. Make sure to share this recipe on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
Low Carb Pepperoni Cups
Ingredients
- 24 slices pepperoni, “sandwich style” (2+ inches wide)
- 24 small basil leaves
- 1 jar pizza sauce small jar
- 24 mini mozzarella balls
- black olives sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Using kitchen shears, snip four 1/2 inch cuts around the edges of each pepperoni slice, leaving the center uncut. Each pepperoni should look like a circular cross. (See post image for clarification.)
- Press each pepperoni down into a mini muffin pan. Bake for 5-6 minutes, until the edges are crispy, but the pepperoni is still red. Let the pepperoni cool in the pans for 5 minutes to crisp, so they hold their shape. Then move the cups to a paper towel lined plate to remove excess oil.
- Wipe the grease out of the muffin pan with a paper towel, then return the cups to the pan. Place a small basil leaf in the bottom of each cup, followed by 1/2 teaspoon of pizza sauce, a mini mozzarella ball, and an olive slice.
- Place back in the oven for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese starts to melt. Allow the cups to cool again for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Just wondering if you tried to freeze these and re cook them
Easy, fun and so good ! Subbed salami for pepperoni and worked out great.
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This looks so simple and delicious! Do you think this recipe could work in the microwave? I’d love to make this in my dorm room.
What is the macro (protein/fat/carb) breakdown for these? I made them yesterday and they were delicious and am currently doing Keto diet and need to know for tracking, thanks!
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Just made these! Awesome! I suggest leaving the completed snacks in the muffin tin for five minutes, not two or three. I had better luck with them holding their shape. Great flavor, thanks for the recipe!
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These are so cute — perfect for next time I go on a low carb kick :-)
Oh my gosh, I can’t wait to try these!!
Love this idea Sommer!!
This is such a fun treat! Perfect for party and after school snack :)
This is a perfect solution for my son’s birthday that is getting closer. I would maybe use the mild version of salami slices. Great! Thank you !