Description
These pizza bites burst with savory flavors and golden, slightly charred edges, making them a perfect quick, delicious family meal or party appetizer. This customizable version offers a unique Mediterranean twist, featuring feta, za’atar, and pomegranate molasses.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound store-bought pizza dough
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for brushing
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 200 g crushed tomatoes or tomato passata
- 0.5 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 150 g low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 50 g feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon za’atar spice blend
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- 20 g unsalted pistachios, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves, sliced
Instructions
- Make Savory Sauce: In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Saute minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce slightly thickens. Let it cool completely.
- Preheat Oven and Prep Pan: Preheat your oven to 200 C (400 F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shape the Dough Squares: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to about 30 cm x 40 cm (12 inches x 16 inches) and 3 mm (1/8 inch) thick. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut into 24-28 squares, each roughly 5 cm x 5 cm (2 inches x 2 inches).
- Assemble Pizza Bites: Place about 1 teaspoon of the cooled tomato sauce in the center of each dough square. Top with a pinch of shredded mozzarella and a crumble of feta. Bring the four corners together over the filling, then pinch and seal all seams tightly to form a small, neat ball.
- Season and Arrange Bites: Arrange the sealed pizza bites seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each. Lightly brush the tops with olive oil, then generously sprinkle with Za’atar spice blend.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pizza bites are puffed, beautifully golden brown, and show slight charring on the edges.
- Drizzle and Garnish: Transfer the baked pizza bites to a platter. Drizzle the pomegranate molasses in a zig-zag pattern. Scatter the roughly chopped pistachios and thinly sliced fresh mint leaves over the top.
Notes
Ensure sauce is thick enough; simmer longer if needed after cooling. Take care to seal dough seams tightly to prevent filling from escaping. For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the cheese filling.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 bites (60 g)
- Calories: 220 calories
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: pizza bites, easy dinner, party appetizer, Mediterranean, quick meal, family-friendly, customizable, Za'atar, feta, savory snack