Description
Easy Zucchini Pizza Bites made with fresh zucchini rounds, pizza sauce, melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and Italian seasoning. A quick, cheesy, low-carb snack or appetizer with classic pizza flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce or thick marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup mini pepperoni or chopped pepperoni
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Wash and dry the zucchini, trim the ends, and slice into approximately 1/4-inch-thick rounds.
- Arrange the zucchini rounds in a single layer and gently blot them with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Season the zucchini lightly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Spoon a small amount of pizza sauce onto each zucchini round, keeping the sauce away from the edges.
- Top each round with shredded mozzarella cheese and pepperoni or your preferred pizza toppings.
- Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is fully melted.
- For extra browning, broil for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and let the bites rest for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Finish with Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, or additional Italian seasoning if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- Blotting the zucchini before baking helps prevent soggy pizza bites.
- Use a thick pizza or marinara sauce to reduce excess moisture.
- Do not overload the zucchini rounds with sauce or toppings.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the pepperoni and use mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or onions.
- For a firmer texture, pre-bake the plain zucchini rounds for 3 to 4 minutes before adding toppings.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in an oven, toaster oven, or air fryer for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 34 mg