Pin It Fun, bite-sized mini pizzas shaped like basketballs—perfect for game day snacks or parties. These cheesy, customizable treats are easy to make and guaranteed to score big with kids and adults alike.
This recipe quickly became a favorite at our parties, and kids love decorating the basketball lines themselves.
Ingredients
- Dough: 1 lb (450 g) pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
- Sauce & Cheese: 1/2 cup (120 ml) pizza sauce, 1 1/2 cups (150 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Toppings & Decoration: 24 slices pepperoni (optional for filling), 1/4 cup (25 g) finely grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons cornmeal (for dusting), 2 tablespoons black olives thinly sliced (for basketball lines), 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional for basketball color)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly dust with cornmeal.
- Step 2:
- Divide pizza dough into 24 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten gently into a 2-inch (5 cm) round.
- Step 3:
- Place a small spoonful of pizza sauce and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese in the center of each round. Add a pepperoni slice, if desired.
- Step 4:
- Pinch edges to seal and roll gently back into a ball. Place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 5:
- Brush each ball lightly with olive oil. For a deeper basketball color, brush with a bit of tomato paste mixed with olive oil.
- Step 6:
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Step 7:
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until golden brown and cheese is bubbling.
- Step 8:
- Let cool for 2 minutes. Use thin strips of black olive to create basketball lines on each bite.
- Step 9:
- Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Pin It Letting the kids help decorate the basketball lines has become a cherished family tradition during game nights.
Required Tools
Baking sheet, parchment paper, rolling pin, pastry brush, sharp knife
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), dairy (cheese), possible soy (pizza sauce). May contain eggs (depending on dough), processed meats (pepperoni). Always check ingredient labels if allergens are a concern.
Nutritional Information
Calories 70, Total Fat 3.2 g, Carbohydrates 8 g, Protein 2.5 g per pizza bite
Pin It These basketball pizza bites are sure to be the MVP of your next party.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do I shape the dough for basketball bites?
Divide the dough into small balls, flatten gently into rounds, add fillings, seal edges, and roll back into balls for even baking.
- → What toppings work best with these mini pizzas?
Mozzarella and pizza sauce are staples; pepperoni, olives, or sautéed veggies can be added for variety and flavor.
- → How do I create the basketball lines on each bite?
Use thinly sliced black olives placed on top after baking to mimic basketball stitching and enhance appearance.
- → Can I prepare these bites gluten-free or vegetarian?
Yes, using gluten-free dough and opting for vegetarian fillings makes these mini pizzas adaptable to dietary needs.
- → What is the ideal baking temperature and time?
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes until golden brown and cheese is bubbly for perfect results.