Description
Festive Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Pizza Bites bring holiday cheer to appetizer tables with their playful design and irresistible flavors. Simple ingredients and clever assembly make these bite-sized treats perfect for entertaining, ensuring guests will delight in each cheesy, festive morsel.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Garnish and Finishing:
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare workspace by preheating oven to 375°F and lining baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place puff pastry on flat surface and transform into Christmas tree triangle shape using sharp knife.
- Apply thin, even layer of pizza sauce across pastry, maintaining small perimeter border.
- Distribute shredded mozzarella cheese uniformly over sauce surface.
- Arrange pepperoni slices or preferred toppings strategically across cheese layer.
- Create tree “branches” by carefully cutting vertical strips from bottom triangle edge.
- Enhance pastry edges with egg wash to achieve golden, crisp exterior during baking.
- Transfer decorated pastry tree to prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until pastry turns golden and cheese melts completely.
- Remove from oven and decorate with fresh basil leaves to mimic tree trunk aesthetic.
- Allow slight cooling before slicing into festive bite-sized segments.
- Serve immediately while warm for optimal flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Customize toppings by swapping pepperoni with vegetarian alternatives like bell peppers, olives, or mushrooms for a meat-free version.
- Prevent soggy pastry by patting wet ingredients like tomatoes dry before adding to prevent excess moisture.
- Ensure crispy edges by using cold puff pastry straight from the refrigerator and avoiding overloading with toppings.
- Make ahead by preparing the tree shape and storing it in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours before baking to maintain pastry integrity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg