If you’re craving a fun, irresistible, cheesy snack that satisfies every pizza craving in one bite, these Gooey Pepperoni Cheese Bombs are exactly what you need. Each golden, fluffy bomb is stuffed with melty mozzarella and savory pepperoni, then brushed with garlic butter and baked until perfectly soft, gooey, and aromatic. They’re everything you love about cheesy bread, garlic knots, and pepperoni pizza rolled into one addictive bite-sized treat. Perfect for parties, game day, movie night, or weeknight cravings, these cheese bombs disappear the moment they hit the table. They’re simple, quick, and unbelievably delicious — the kind of recipe you’ll end up making again and again.
Why You’ll Love Gooey Pepperoni Cheese Bombs
These cheese bombs have a warm, gooey center and a delicious buttery-garlic exterior that makes them impossible to resist. They’re easy to assemble with minimal ingredients, kid-friendly, and completely customizable. Whether served as an appetizer, side, or main snack, they always leave guests asking for more.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
This recipe takes everything you love about pizza and packs it into mini, handheld, pull-apart bites. They require less than 20 minutes in the oven and use store-bought dough for convenience, making them perfect for beginners or busy cooks. They feel like comfort food but look impressive enough to serve at gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cheese Bombs:
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough or pizza dough
- 1–1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese (cubed or shredded)
- 20–25 slices pepperoni
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
For the Garlic Butter Topping:
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
- Optional: crushed red pepper flakes, parsley
For Serving:
- Marinara sauce
- Garlic aioli or ranch
How to Make Gooey Pepperoni Cheese Bombs
- Prep the Dough: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment. Divide biscuit or pizza dough into portions and flatten each piece slightly.
- Add Filling: Place 1–2 pepperoni slices and a cube of mozzarella (or a pinch of shredded mozzarella) in the center of each dough round.
- Seal the Bombs: Carefully pinch the dough edges together and roll into a smooth ball, ensuring no gaps remain.
- Coat with Garlic Butter: Place bombs seam-side down on a baking sheet. Brush generously with melted butter mixed with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle with grated Parmesan for extra flavor and crispiness.
- Bake: Bake 14–18 minutes until puffy, golden, and lightly crisp on top.
- Serve: Serve warm with marinara sauce or your favorite dip.
Nutritional Information (Estimated per cheese bomb)
- Calories: 160
- Protein: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fat: 9g
- Fiber: <1g
- Sodium: 350mg
Tips for the Best Gooey Pepperoni Cheese Bombs
- Use mozzarella cubes instead of shredded cheese for a stronger cheese pull.
- Seal dough VERY tightly so the cheese doesn’t leak.
- Brush with garlic butter both before and after baking for extra flavor.
- Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like a spicy kick.
- Serve immediately for maximum gooeyness — they’re best warm.
Variations & Substitutions
- Stuffing Options: Try ham + Swiss, sausage + mozzarella, jalapeño + cheddar, or spinach + ricotta.
- Dough Alternatives: Crescent roll dough, homemade dough, or pizza crust.
- Cheese Varieties: Pepper Jack, provolone, cheddar, or a pizza cheese blend.
- Sauce Add-ins: Add a small teaspoon of marinara inside each bomb for “pizza pocket” style bombs.
What to Serve with Gooey Pepperoni Cheese Bombs
- Warm marinara or pizza sauce
- Ranch or garlic dip
- Caesar salad or antipasto platter
- Tomato basil soup
- Garlic butter pasta
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Under-sealing the dough: This causes cheese to ooze out.
- Overstuffing: Too much cheese = leaking.
- Not using parchment paper: Helps prevent sticking and burning.
- Using cold cheese: It doesn’t melt evenly — let cheese soften slightly.
- Skipping the butter coating: Garlic butter creates the signature flavor.
Storing Tips for the Recipe
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in air fryer or oven for best texture.
- Freeze unbaked bombs for up to 2 months; bake straight from frozen.
- Freeze baked bombs and reheat at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
Conclusion
These Gooey Pepperoni Cheese Bombs are everything you want in a warm, cheesy, comfort-food snack — soft dough, melty mozzarella, savory pepperoni, and fragrant garlic butter. They’re fast, addictive, and guaranteed to be devoured within minutes. Whether for parties, family movie night, or quick appetizers, these little pizza-inspired bites always deliver huge flavor with minimal effort.
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I air fry these?
Yes! Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 6–8 minutes until golden.
Can I use shredded cheese?
Yes, but cubes melt better and give that perfect cheese pull.
Can I prep these ahead?
Yes — assemble, refrigerate, and bake within 24 hours.
Why did my cheese leak out?
The dough wasn’t sealed tightly or was slightly torn after stuffing.
What kind of dough works best?
Refrigerated biscuit dough is fluffier; pizza dough gives a chewier texture.
Can I add sauce inside?
You can add a small spoon of marinara, but don’t overfill or it may leak.