These Keto Pizza Bites are a delicious and easy-to-make snack that caters to both keto enthusiasts and anyone looking for a tasty, gluten-free alternative to traditional pizza. Whether you call them gluten-free pizza bites, mini pizza bites, or pizza chips, these little morsels are guaranteed to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
Why Keto Pizza Bites?
If you've been following a keto diet for any length of time, you're likely familiar with the concept of "fat b*mbs"-small, high-fat, low-carb snacks designed to keep you feeling full and satisfied between meals. These Keto Pizza Bites offer the same benefits with a familiar and comforting pizza flavor. They're savory, satisfying, and perfect for popping, making them an ideal low-carb snack or party appetizer.
What Makes These Pizza Bites So Good?
These aren't just any ordinary keto snack; they're packed with flavor and boast a texture that will leave you craving more. The combination of cheese, herbs, and your choice of toppings creates a taste sensation that rivals traditional pizza, without the carb overload.
As one satisfied maker noted, "These really do taste like Totinos pizza rolls, and so easy to make."
Versatile and Customizable
One of the best things about these Keto Pizza Bites is their versatility. Feel free to adjust the ingredients and toppings to suit your preferences.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Ingredient Swaps and Additions
- The Cheese: If you don't have mozzarella on hand, an Italian cheese blend works just as well.
- The Italian Seasoning: Substitute a teaspoon each of basil and oregano.
- The Pepperoni: Use Hormel mini pepperoni instead of chopping up larger slices.
- Switch up the Meat: Top pizzas with sausage instead of pepperoni. Remove a link of sweet or spicy Italian Sausage from its casing. Crumble and brown it up in a fry pan. Use it in place of the pepperoni or better yet, use a combo of pepperoni AND sausage!
- Cheese Only: Make them with just the cheese and herb mix.
- Roasted Garlic Powder: Use it as often or more than regular garlic powder. It has more flavor.
- Extra Mix-ins: Use this as a base recipe for “supreme pizza” bites and have included bell pepper, black olives, and mushrooms.
Recipe Variations
Looking for some inspiration? Here are a few variations to try:
- Salami Crust Pizza Bites: Use slices of salami as the base for your pizza bites instead of traditional dough. Top with pasta sauce (choose a low-carb variety), mozzarella cheese, and your favorite toppings.
- Fathead Dough Pizza Bites: Fathead dough, inspired by the Tom Naughton documentary “Fat Head”, is a versatile keto dough that can be used for everything from crackers to pizza crust. Combine shredded mozzarella, almond flour, cream cheese, and Italian seasoning, then microwave until melted and smooth. Press the dough into a mini-muffin tray and bake until golden brown.
- Keto Pizza Chips: Bake mounds of mozzarella cheese until crispy and golden brown, then top with pepperoni and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Dip in pizza sauce for the ultimate keto-friendly chip.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Keto Pizza Chips
Here's a simple recipe for Keto Pizza Chips:
- Preheat oven to 375 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Form 12 flat mounds of mozzarella (2 cups) on the prepared baking sheet, leaving 1" between each mound. (You may need to do this on 2 baking sheets depending on the size of your pan.)
- Sprinkle each with Italian seasoning (1/2 teaspoon).
- Then top with a slice of pepperoni (12 slices).
- Bake for about 12 minutes-you’ll know your bites are done when the edges are golden brown.
- Allow them to cool before removing them from the baking sheet (they'll continue to crisp as they cool).
- Enjoy!
Recipe for Keto Crustless Pizza Bites
These easy Keto Pizza Bites are loaded with Italian sausage and mozzarella!
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup coconut flour (or almond flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Low-carb marinara sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a mini muffin tin.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked Italian sausage, softened cream cheese, coconut flour, baking powder, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning.
- Add the eggs and shredded mozzarella cheese to the bowl. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared mini muffin tin, filling each cup to the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pizza bites are golden brown and set.
- Let the pizza bites cool slightly in the muffin tin before removing them.
- Serve warm with low-carb marinara sauce for dipping.
Tips and Tricks
- Using a Mini Muffin Tin: A mini muffin tin is ideal for creating bite-sized pizzas. If you don't have one, a standard muffin pan works fine.
- Pressing the Cheese: Use a muddler to press the cheese into the pan for no-crust pizza bites.
- Cooking Time: Cooking time will vary by oven. Place the muffin tin on one of the lower racks of your oven and do NOT use convection.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve these bites with low-carb marinara sauce, pesto, or garlic butter for dipping.
Addressing Common Concerns
- Shredded Cheese: Some people avoid shredded cheese on keto due to the added ingredients that prevent clumping, which can increase the carb count. If you're concerned, opt for a block of cheese and shred it yourself.
- Dextrose in Processed Meats: Be mindful of dextrose (corn sugar) in salami and pepperoni, as it can affect some individuals.
Meal Prep and Storage
These Keto Pizza Bites are perfect for meal prep. They reheat well in the microwave in 20-second increments.
- Freezing: While best fresh, you can freeze them for up to a month.
- Advance Preparation: The keto-friendly pizza bites can be assembled and baked in advance.
Perfect for Everyone
These Keto Pizza Bites are a crowd-pleaser, perfect for snacks, light dinners, or parties. As one commenter noted, "We had pizza night with friends one evening, and I made these for myself, but my friend ended up eating half of these instead of the regular pizza!"
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
A Southern Twist
Lynda, the creator of SouthernKissed.com, would surely approve of these keto-friendly bites. Her love for food and Southern flair shines through in dishes that celebrate comfort and flavor, making these pizza bites a perfect addition to her repertoire.
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