Crispy Muffin Tin Deep-Dish Pizza Cups Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For a more intense flavor, try brushing the outer rim of the dough with a little garlic-infused oil before baking.

This simple addition adds an extra layer of savory depth to the crust, making every bite of the pizza cups even more delicious and aromatic when they come out of the oven.

If you find that the dough is shrinking back while you are pressing it into the tin, let it rest for five minutes at room temperature.

Relaxed gluten is much easier to work with and will hold its shape perfectly against the walls of the muffin cups throughout the entire baking process.

Variations

• Veggie Delight: Replace the pepperoni with finely diced bell peppers, onions, and sliced black olives. Sauté the vegetables briefly before adding them to the cups to remove excess moisture and ensure they cook perfectly within the short baking time.
• Four Cheese: Mix mozzarella with equal parts shredded provolone, parmesan, and fontina for a more complex, gooey cheese blend. The addition of parmesan specifically helps create an even crunchier, more caramelized frico edge around the top of the dough.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freeze the unbaked, dough-lined cups; bake from frozen by adding 5 minutes to the total time.

Reheat

Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes until warmed through and crisp.

Store any leftover pizza cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will remain fresh for up to three days. When you are ready to eat them again, it is best to reheat them in a conventional oven or a toaster oven to restore the crispiness of the crust.

You can shape the dough into the muffin tin and fill the cups ahead of time. Keep the prepared tin covered in the refrigerator for up to two hours before baking.

If you need to prepare further in advance, freeze the dough-lined cups first, then add the fillings right before baking.

Serving ideas

Serve these pizza cups warm, ideally within ten minutes of taking them out of the oven. They are best enjoyed as a finger food, so place them on a platter with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping if desired, which enhances the overall pizza eating experience.

To elevate the presentation, arrange the cups on a wooden board and garnish generously with fresh basil leaves.

This creates a vibrant, professional look that is perfect for casual entertaining. Serve alongside a simple side salad to balance the richness of the cheese and the savory pepperoni crust.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Crispy Muffin Tin Deep-Dish Pizza Cups

Prep 15 minCook 20 minRest 5 minTotal 40 minServes 12

Ingredients

• 1 lb pizza dough, divided into 40-gram balls
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 24 slices pepperoni
• fresh basil leaves, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Lightly grease each cup of a 12-cup muffin tin with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray to ensure the pizza cups release easily after baking. This step is essential for achieving that characteristic crispy, golden exterior on the dough.
2. Press each 40-gram dough ball into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared muffin cups. Ensure the dough is distributed evenly to create a uniform crust for each pizza cup. The dough should be thick enough to hold the fillings without leaking.
3. Add a layer of mozzarella cheese into the bottom of each dough-lined cup. Top with a spoonful of marinara sauce and finish with two slices of pepperoni. Transfer the tin to the preheated oven and bake until the crust is puffed and golden brown, and the cheese is melted and bubbling, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Ensure the pepperoni is cooked through and reaches at least 160°F (71°C) to be safe for consumption.
4. Remove the muffin tin from the oven and allow the pizza cups to rest for 5 minutes. Use a butter knife to gently loosen the edges of each cup from the pan before lifting them out. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving while warm.

Contains: gluten, milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

210

Protein

8.5 g

Carbohydrates

22 g

Fat

10 g

Fiber

1.5 g

Sugar

1 g

Sodium

450 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.