If you liked my Crazy Puffs experiment there are tons of variations of the recipe on the internet. All it takes is a quick search for Crazy Puffs. This one caught my eye because instead of using pizza dough, it calls for frozen bread balls. Like I said in my previous post , I haven’t tried this one but it looks much less messy, just drop a frozen dough ball in the muffin tin and let it thaw out. Take a look!
This recipe uses frozen bread dough balls (such as Rhodes or similar) to create a copycat version of Little Caesars Crazy Puffs, featuring a garlic-butter crust, pepperoni, mozzarella, and a marinara-filled center.
Ingredients
- 12 frozen dinner rolls (thawed but not fully risen)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (plus extra for topping)
- 24-30 slices of pepperoni (or turkey pepperoni)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Garlic Butter: 1/4 cup melted butter (1/2 stick), 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, optional 1 tbsp dried parsley
Instructions
- Thaw and Prepare Dough: Place frozen dough balls into a well-greased muffin tin. Cover with plastic wrap and let them thaw at room temperature for 1–2 hours until soft and puffy.
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Create Puffs: Once thawed, use a small, greased glass or your fingers to press down the center of each dough ball, creating a well to form a cup shape.
- Add Flavor and Fillings:
- Brush the insides of the dough cups generously with the garlic butter mixture.
- Place a small amount of mozzarella cheese in the bottom of each cup.
- Add a teaspoon of pizza sauce to each.
- Add 2-3 slices of pepperoni and more mozzarella cheese on top.
- Sprinkle the tops with Parmesan cheese and extra Italian seasoning.
- Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Finish: Remove from the oven and immediately brush the tops with the remaining garlic butter.
- Serve: Let them cool slightly in the pan for 5 minutes before removing to serve.
Tips for Success
- Prevent Sticking: Ensure the muffin tin is heavily oiled or sprayed with cooking spray to make removing the cheesy puffs easier.
- Extra Crispy: For a crispier texture, use a higher temperature of 400°F–425°F for 12-15 minutes.
- Filling Option: To prevent filling leakage, you can fill the dough balls and pinch them shut, then place them in the muffin tin and brush with garlic butter.
