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Hot Pepperoni Pizza Dip is a delicious and cheesy appetizer that brings all the classic pizza flavors. Loaded with melted cheeses, tangy marinara sauce, creamy cream cheese, and plenty of crispy pepperoni, this party dip is perfect for game days, potlucks, or get-togethers. It’s an easy appetizer recipe that can be whipped up in no time with minimal effort. The hot pepperoni pizza dip pairs well with homemade pizza dough rolls.
This is one of my favorite easy dip recipes because it is super simple to throw together and it is so cheesy and tastes just like a pepperoni pizza with less work. Since the Super Bowl is coming up this week, this is the perfect dip to bring to the party!
I am a sucker for pepperoni pizza and have shared how to make homemade pepperoni pizza, easy pepperoni pizza sliders, and pepperoni French bread pizzas so we are turning all of those recipes into a hot pizza dip recipe.
This Pepperoni Pizza Dip with Pizza Crust Dippers is the ultimate Super Bowl Food.
Hot Pizza Dip Ingredients:
We are turning pepperoni pizza into a rich, cheesy dip. The pepperoni pizza dip is made with cream cheese, pizza sauce, oregano, red chili flakes, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. The pepperoni is crisped up in the oven ahead of time to bring out its flavor. Pizza dough is rolled into small balls, dipped into garlic butter and all baked together in a cast iron skillet. The garlic butter pizza crust dippers are used to dip into the pepperoni pizza dip. Yes!!
- Sliced Pepperoni: My favorite sliced pepperoni is from Boar’s Head.
- Cream Cheese: I suggest using full-fat block cream cheese.
- Pizza Sauce (or Marinara Sauce): Use your favorite pizza sauce or a jarred marinara sauce like Rao’s.
- Dried Oregano
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Add more if you want a spicier pizza dip.
- Mozzarella Cheese: If you freshly grate the mozzarella cheese, it will be more melty.
- Parmesan Cheese: I suggest using freshly grated parmesan cheese. You can also substitute mozzarella cheese for the parmesan cheese.
- Fresh Basil: Add fresh basil ribbons for a touch of freshness.
How to make Pepperoni Pizza Dip:
This is a recipe I have been tweaking and play with for months, after seeing something similar on America’s Test Kitchen. I tried the recipe, but wanted the dip to have more flavor! The addition of oregano, red chili flakes, and parmesan cheese made a huge difference.
- In mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese and pizza sauce. Stir in oregano and red chili flakes. Stir in half of the mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese, and 3/4 of crisp pepperoni. Set aside remaining pepperoni and cheeses.
- Spoon pepperoni pizza dip into the cast iron skillet or baking dish. Cover with remaining cheese. Bake in oven until dip is heated through and the pizza crusts are golden brown — about 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and add remaining pepperoni. Cook for 1 minute longer.
- Top with fresh basil ribbons and serve immediately.
How to Make Rolls Using Dinner Rolls or Pizza Dough
The pizza dough is dipped into garlic butter rather than garlic oil….we want layers of flavor with this dish! The pizza crust dippers are partially baked for 10-12 minutes before adding the pepperoni pizza dip to the cast iron skillet. The pizza dip is then heated through and the rolls become a golden brown color.
- Using Dinner Rolls:
- Buy a pack of premade dinner rolls (frozen or refrigerated).
- Place them in a baking pan and follow the package’s instructions (often involves thawing and letting them rise if frozen) or place them in a circular pattern on a pizza stone or baking sheet (to allow the cast iron skillet to be in the center).
- Bake until golden brown (usually around 350°F for 15–20 minutes).
- Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder or Italian herbs for extra flavor before serving.
- Using Pizza Dough:
- Purchase or make your own pizza dough.
- Divide into small balls (about 1–2 ounces each) and shape into rolls.
- Arrange on a greased baking sheet, leaving space for them to rise.
- Cover and let the dough rise for about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the dough’s instructions.
- Bake in a 400°F oven for 12–15 minutes, or until golden on top.
- Optionally brush with melted butter or garlic-herb seasoning after baking.
Having freshly baked rolls on hand makes dipping even more fun and delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I Make It Ahead of Time? Yes! You can prepare the dip (without baking) and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake as directed (you may need a few extra minutes if it’s cold).
- Can I Use Different Meats? Absolutely. Try Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled. Just ensure the meat is fully cooked before adding to the dip.
- How Spicy Can I Make It? Feel free to add red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a spicy marinara sauce for extra kick. Pepperoni already provides some spice, but you can amp it up if desired.
- How Do I Store Leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
More Hot Dip Recipes:
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Pepperoni Pizza Dip
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons Butter
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 lb. Pizza Dough
Pizza Dip:
- 4 ounces Sliced Pepperoni
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese
- 1 cup Pizza Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
- Fresh Basil
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cook pepperoni in 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat until crisp, 4-6 minutes. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate.
- In microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in microwave. Stir in garlic powder.
- See notes below for more dipper options. Place pizza dough on lightly floured counter. Pat into square and cut into approximately 20-24 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball. Coat each ball with garlic butter.
- Place each dough ball around edges of cast iron skillet, leaving the center of skillet open. Stagger the dough balls on top of each other. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 20 minutes.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- In mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese and pizza sauce. Stir in oregano and red chili flakes. Stir in half of the mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese, and 3/4 of crisp pepperoni. Set aside remaining pepperoni and cheeses.
- Remove dough from oven and drizzle any garlic butter that has pooled into the center of the skillet onto the pizza crust. Spoon pepperoni pizza dip into the cast iron skillet or baking dish. Cover with remaining cheese. Bake in oven until dip is heated through and the pizza crusts are golden brown — about 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and add remaining pepperoni. Cook for 1 minute longer.
- Top with fresh basil ribbons and serve immediately.
Notes
- Using Dinner Rolls:
- Buy a pack of premade dinner rolls (frozen or refrigerated).
- Place them in a baking pan and follow the package’s instructions (often involves thawing and letting them rise if frozen) or place them in a circular pattern on a pizza stone or baking sheet (to allow the cast iron skillet to be in the center).
- Bake until golden brown (usually around 350°F for 15–20 minutes).
- Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder or Italian herbs for extra flavor before serving.
- Using Pizza Dough:
- Purchase or make your own pizza dough.
- Divide into small balls (about 1–2 ounces each) and shape into rolls.
- Arrange on a greased baking sheet, leaving space for them to rise.
- Cover and let the dough rise for about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the dough’s instructions.
- Bake in a 400°F oven for 12–15 minutes, or until golden on top.
- Optionally brush with melted butter or garlic-herb seasoning after baking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This Pepperoni Pizza Dip with Pizza Crust Dippers is fabulous for parties or when you need a delish appetizer.
I made this for my football playoff’s watching party and everyone was obsessed. It was so cheesy and super easy to make!
I am so glad everyone loved this recipe, Tyler! Thank you for making it.
A great appetizer!!!
Such a fun appetizer! Everyone loved!