I can never make enough of these cheesy pepperoni pizza muffins, because they disappear the second they hit the table. One bite and you’ll see why King’s Hawaiian Rolls are the secret behind this crowd favorite.

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I’m obsessed with these Pepperoni Pizza Muffins because they hit that salty, saucy, snacky craving without turning dinner into a whole production. The King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls bring that soft, slightly sweet bite I can’t stop picking at, and pepperoni makes every muffin feel like the best part of a pizza.

I love them for parties, lazy lunches, after-school snacks, or those nights when I just want something fun on a plate. And yes, I absolutely count them as dinner when the mood hits.

Bite-sized. Cheesy.

Ridiculously easy to love. I always end up grabbing one more.

Maybe two.

Ingredients

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King’s Hawaiian rolls make everything soft, sweet, and weirdly snackable in the best way.
Eggs help hold the muffins together so they’re not a saucy mess.
Milk keeps the inside tender, kind of like a savory bread pudding.
Mozzarella brings that stretchy, melty pizza pull you’re definitely here for.
Parmesan adds salty, nutty flavor without trying too hard.
Pepperoni gives the muffins their classic pizza vibe and little crispy edges.
Pizza sauce makes them saucy, tangy, and perfect for dipping later.
Italian seasoning does the heavy lifting, flavor-wise.
Basically, it tastes like pizza.
Garlic powder adds that cozy takeout-pizza smell.
Plus, it’s easy.
Butter makes the tops glossy, golden, and a little more irresistible.
Fresh basil or parsley adds color and a fresh little finish.

Ingredient Quantities

12 King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls

2 large eggs

1/3 cup milk

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup diced or torn pepperoni

1/2 cup pizza sauce plus extra for serving

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons melted butter

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley optional

How to Make this

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1. Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line with silicone liners.

2. Tear each Kings Hawaiian roll into bite sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.

3. In a separate bowl whisk together 2 large eggs, 1 3/3 cup milk, 1/2 cup pizza sauce, and 2 tablespoons melted butter until smooth.

4. Stir 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper into the egg mixture.

5. Pour the egg mixture over the torn rolls and press gently so the bread absorbs the liquid; let sit 2 minutes.

6. Fold in 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, and 1 cup diced or torn pepperoni until evenly combined.

7. Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full; top each with a little extra mozzarella and a pepperoni slice if desired.

8. Bake 18 to 22 minutes until muffins are puffed, set, and golden on top.

9. Remove from oven and brush tops with any remaining melted butter, then sprinkle with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley if using.

10. Cool 5 minutes, serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. 12-cup muffin tin or silicone liners
3. Large mixing bowl
4. Medium mixing bowl
5. Whisk
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
8. Pastry brush for melted butter
9. Box grater or pre-shredded cheese container (if shredding your own)
10. Cooling rack

FAQ

What is the baking time and temperature? Bake at 350°F for 15 to 18 minutes, until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Can I make these ahead of time? Yes. Assemble and refrigerate the filled muffin tin, covered, up to 24 hours; bake straight from the fridge, adding 2 to 4 minutes to the bake time.

How should I store and reheat leftovers? Store cooled muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or microwave for 40 to 60 seconds until warm.

Can I freeze them? Yes. Fully cool baked muffins, wrap individually, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

What are good substitutions for ingredients? Use plain dinner rolls or brioche if you do not have King’s Hawaiian. Swap pepperoni for cooked sausage, diced ham, or chopped vegetables. Use a dairy free cheese and milk alternative to make them dairy free.

How do I prevent soggy bottoms? Avoid excess sauce inside each muffin. Brush the tops with the melted butter before baking for a crispier finish, and make sure the egg and milk mixture is well combined so the bread soaks evenly but not overly saturated.

Pepperoni Pizza Muffins Recipe Substitutions and Variations

King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls: use 12 soft dinner rolls, 12 pieces of brioche bread torn into chunks, or 12 slices of pizza dough pressed into muffin cups
2 large eggs: substitute 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup silken tofu blended, or 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg (use 2 flax eggs total)
1 1/3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: swap for provolone, a mild cheddar, or a dairy free mozzarella-style shreds
1 cup diced pepperoni: replace with chopped salami, cooked crumbled Italian sausage, diced ham, or sliced mushrooms for a vegetarian option

Pro Tips

1. Let the torn rolls sit a full 5 minutes after you pour the egg mixture over them, gently pressing a few times so every piece soaks up the custard. That extra soak makes the centers custardy instead of dry.

2. Use silicone liners or a nonstick spray and fill cups only to about 3/4 full. They release so much easier and you avoid overfilling, which keeps the tops from getting soggy or spilling.

3. For a little crunch and flavor pop, pat the pepperoni slices dry on paper towel before adding some to the tops. They will crisp and curl slightly in the oven and look more like pizza pepperoni.

4. If you like gooey cheese running through the middle, reserve about 1/4 cup of mozzarella to tuck into the center of each muffin before baking. For a drier, more set result, mix all the cheese into the base mixture.

5. These reheat and freeze well. Cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a bag. Reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes to regain crispness and warmth.

Pepperoni Pizza Muffins Recipe

Recipe by Nikoli Athen

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

288

kcal

Equipment: 1. Oven
2. 12-cup muffin tin or silicone liners
3. Large mixing bowl
4. Medium mixing bowl
5. Whisk
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
8. Pastry brush for melted butter
9. Box grater or pre-shredded cheese container (if shredding your own)
10. Cooling rack

Ingredients

12 King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls
2 large eggs
1/3 cup milk
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup diced or torn pepperoni
1/2 cup pizza sauce plus extra for serving
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line with silicone liners.
Tear each Kings Hawaiian roll into bite sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.
In a separate bowl whisk together 2 large eggs, 1 3/3 cup milk, 1/2 cup pizza sauce, and 2 tablespoons melted butter until smooth.
Stir 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper into the egg mixture.
Pour the egg mixture over the torn rolls and press gently so the bread absorbs the liquid; let sit 2 minutes.
Fold in 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, and 1 cup diced or torn pepperoni until evenly combined.
Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full; top each with a little extra mozzarella and a pepperoni slice if desired.
Bake 18 to 22 minutes until muffins are puffed, set, and golden on top.
Remove from oven and brush tops with any remaining melted butter, then sprinkle with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley if using.
Cool 5 minutes, serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.