25 Easy Pizza-Based Appetizers You HAVE To Try

Whether you are hosting a get-together with your friends or your children are having a slumber party with their school friends or cousins, pizza-based appetizers can bring a lot of fun to the evening. 

Homemade pizza dishes can often fill people with dread because they can be fiddly and complicated.  However, these 25 easy pizza-based appetizers you have to try will help change your mind. 

Many of the recipes on this list are so easy and simple that you can get your children to help you make them in advance.  

1. Easy Christmas Tree Pizza Appetizer

This is a great appetizer option for those fun, relaxed get-togethers that you have around the holiday period. 

If you are having a potluck or inviting friends and family over, this tear-and-share Christmas tree pizza appetizer can be the perfect way to whet your guests’ appetites without having to get everyone to sit down at the table. 

This also makes it the perfect choice for getting kids to eat something delicious without interrupting playtime.  

2. Pepperoni Pizza Bites

Another delicious pizza appetizer that is perfect for a buffet table is pepperoni pizza bites.  This recipe is super easy to follow and best of all, they only take 25 minutes to make from scratch. 

Another great thing about this recipe that has earned it a place on this list is the fact that it can be made using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen which can save you a trip to the grocery store, even if you need to make these last minute.  

3. Jet Swirl Pizza Appetizers

These delicious and easy pizza swirls were inspired by the New York Jets and are similar to meat-filled calzones but in miniature. 

If you are hosting a football get together for your friends or your children, these pizza swirls could be just what you need to fend off any hangry feelings. 

They only take 35 minutes to make so it’s possible to prepare and cook this tasty appetizer during time outs and halftime of the game,  

4. Hawaiian Pizza Sliders

We know that Hawaiian pizza is a contentious choice when it comes to food preferences, however, this pizza slider recipe can be made with any kind of pizza topping.  So, don’t let the pineapple put you off. 

You can just as easily make these sliders with pepperoni pizza, margarita pizza, or veggie pizza toppings if you prefer.  The best thing about these sliders is that it is easy to make a selection of pizza topping options. 

This is great for larger gatherings where people have their own preferences.  You could add a Hawaiian one just as a fun surprise. 

5. Cauliflower Pizza Bites

If you are looking for a healthy, low-carb pizza appetizer option, we have you covered.  If you are on a specific diet, you don’t have to worry about missing out on the fun of pizza appetizers. 

These cauliflower pizza bites are the perfect option for anyone who is trying to reduce their carbohydrate or calorie intake.  The cauliflower base helps to create a delicious, crispy appetizer that everyone can enjoy. 

Again, you can top these bites with any pizza toppings of your choice. Creating a variety is always a good choice for a party.  

6. Puff Pastry Pizza Bites

When we think of finger food, puff pastry bites always come to mind.  You can easily create delicious pizza bites with puff pastry following this recipe.  The range of toppings you choose can be endless, the only limit is your imagination. 

You can use store-bought and even pre-rolled puff pastry to make this recipe super quick and easy.  However, if you want to make your own puff pastry from scratch, there are plenty of easy recipes that you can follow online.  

7. Pepperoni Pizza Stackers

If you want to create a pizza appetizer that is likely to pique your guests’ interest, these pepperoni pizza stackers are a great option.  They are essentially like a deconstructed pizza on a cocktail stick. 

If you are short on time or your oven is being used to prepare other tasty treats for your get-together, this can be the perfect option. 

All you need to do for this recipe is stack small pizza dough triangles with mini pepperoni rounds, sliced baby tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese slices. 

The only cooking required for this recipe is baking the dough in the oven before stacking but this can be done a day in advance if needed.  

8. Cheesy Skillet Pizza Dip

If you don’t want to make mini pizzas or pizza bites, creating a pizza dip can be the perfect pizza appetizer.  This cheesy skillet pizza dip is super quick and easy to make. 

Best of all, you can serve it in the skillet you made it in which reduces washing up.  All you need to do to make this into the perfect appetizer is to provide something to dip in it. 

You can use crackers, toasted bread, and even crudites. Breadsticks are also a great option to make this the ultimate pizza appetizer.  

9. Pepperoni Pizza Dip Bites

If you want to put a little bit more effort into your pizza dip appetizer, you can create these gorgeous pepperoni pizza dip bites to accompany your skillet dip. 

These dip bites are super easy to make and can be baked at the same time that you are making your dip. 

They are also a great way to keep the pizza theme of your appetizer for anyone who doesn’t want to partake in the dip that you made.  Another positive of this appetizer is that it is super cheap to make to help you stay within your budget.  

10. Pepperoni Pizza Crescents

If you want a pizza-based appetizer that can keep your guests satisfied while the main dish is cooking, these pepperoni pizza crescents are a great option.  There are so many different pizza toppings that you can use as fillings. 

If you are doing a mix of meat options and vegetarian options, you can differentiate them by simply poking some holes with a fork in either the meat or veggie versions. 

This can be a really easy way to cater to the preferences of all of your guests with one simple appetizer.  

11. Hot Pizza Dip

Another great pizza dip option is this hot pizza dip.  If you and your guests enjoy pizza and spicy food, this is the perfect appetizer for you. 

You can also serve a garlic and herb pizza crust dip on the side for anyone who finds the sauce too hot to keep with the theme. 

If you have the time and space in your oven, you can serve this dip with baked pizza dough rolled into crust shapes.  This can give your guests the full pizza flavor experience without just serving a simple frozen pizza.  

12. English Muffin Pizzas

A fun and super easy pizza appetizer recipe is this English muffin pizza recipe.  This recipe is perfect for both adults and children alike. 

For the adults, they can be reminiscent of the types of pizza that were served for lunch at school when you were a kid.  For the children, these pizzas can be a fun new way to enjoy one of their favorite meals. 

Because these English muffin pizzas are so quick and simple to make, you can make different toppings to order for your guests. 

You can also get your kid and their friends involved in making their own toppings before you bake them for them.  This can entertain them and feed them in one go.  

13. Air Fryer Pizza Rolls

Air fryers are such a handy appliance to have in the kitchen.  They can create crispy, fresh food in no time at all.  These air fryer pizza rolls are no exception. 

If you want a delicious, warm, and comforting pizza appetizer for your guests, this could be the recipe you have been looking for.  You can fill these rolls with any kind of pizza topping that you want. 

Simply cook them in your air fryer for 8 minutes to produce stunning, piping hot, crispy pizza roll appetizers. 

The rolls only take 30 minutes to prep too so you can prep them ahead of time and simply pop them in the air fryer when you want to serve them.  

14. Texas Toast Garlic Bread Pizza

If you have ever had Texas toast before, you will already be excited about the prospect of this appetizer.  The addition of garlic bread and pizza toppings is just the icing on the cake for this recipe. 

The thick slices of bread provide a beautiful crunch to this appetizer that is sure to be a hit with your guests. 

The combination of the garlic butter from the garlic bread and the tomato, cheese, and pepperoni from the pizza create a taste sensation.  

15. Zucchini Pizza Bites

If you are looking for a much healthier and lower-calorie alternative to the pizza appetizers mentioned already in this list, then this could be what you have been waiting for. 

These zucchini pizza bites are the perfect low-carb, low-calorie alternative to heavy pizza bites.  These are perfect if you are trying to adopt a more healthy diet without missing out on flavor. 

They also work well as an appetizer before a heavier meal so your guests aren’t too full. 

16. Cheesy Muffin Pizzas

Very few things beat individual savory muffin appetizers for informal events.  These mini cheesy muffin pizzas are the perfect addition to your next gathering with your friends. 

They will also go down a treat at your kid’s next slumber party or birthday party.  The addition of pepperoni to the muffins adds a tangy kick to the muffins that really makes them taste like pizza.  

17. Mini Pizza Cups

A similar but slightly more grown-up alternative to the cheesy muffin pizzas are these gorgeous mini pizza cups.  These are slightly bigger than the muffins, so they are perfect for adults and older kids. 

You can also add more ingredients to them so you don’t have to stick to just pepperoni.  You can make any combination of typical pizza toppings to make these pizza cups extra appetizing.  

18. Mini Pizza Bread Appetizers

These mini pizza bread appetizers made on rye bread are actually surprisingly healthy considering how good they taste. 

The rye bread makes the perfect base for this appetizer as it is sturdy and can withstand the moist toppings that you might want to add. 

This can also be a great way to get your younger guests to eat something slightly more nutritious than a standard pizza base.  

19. Cheesy Hasselback Zucchini Pizzas

If you want the pizza flavor but want to stay away from anything that visually resembles a pizza, these cheesy Hasselback zucchini pizzas could be the perfect option.  This has to be one of the most visually appealing appetizers on this list. 

The bright, vibrant colors of the fresh ingredients make it very inviting.  This appetizer also looks a lot more complicated than it is which adds to its appeal.  

20. Party Sausage Pizza Rolls

Very few parties that have finger food are complete without some sort of sausage roll.  However, sausage rolls can be a little bit boring. 

With this recipe, you can make your sausage rolls stand out from the crowd and introduce a pizza element to them.  This can be a really fun pizza appetizer for adults and kids alike. 

These are also great for making ahead of time and reheating when you need them. 

21. Pizza Puff Pastry Twists

If you want to create a pizza appetizer that really grabs the attention of your guests, this pizza puff pastry twist could be what you need. 

Although this appetizer will look complicated and like you spent hours on it for your guests, it is actually really simple and quick. 

Using store-bought puff pastry and pizza sauce makes this a super low-effort, high-reward appetizer that can be ready in as little as 35 minutes.  

22. Sushi Pizza Bites

If you want to really shake up the idea of pizza appetizers, this sushi pizza bites recipe is perfect.  This appetizer is the ultimate fusion dish to prepare for your guests. 

It is a slightly more complicated recipe than the others on this list but it is still classed as medium rather than hard. 

The base of the sushi pizza bites is made from breaded, fried sushi rice patties and is the most complicated part of the dish but isn’t too hard. 

Simply cook the rice, allow it to cool, shape the bases with a cookie cutter, and bread them with panko breadcrumbs before frying in a pan.  

23. Pizza Pinwheels

If you are looking for a more classic pizza appetizer, these pizza pinwheels are the perfect addition to your party. 

These are super easy to make and can be made ahead of time and served cold or warmed through in the oven for a hot savory treat. 

You can get creative with the pizza topping combinations that you use with these pinwheels.  As long as the ingredients fit inside the wheels it’ll work well.  

24. Spinach And Artichoke Dip Pizza

This is a pizza appetizer that utilizes one of the most popular dip options that you will find at a buffet table.  The spinach and artichoke dip topping for this pizza appetizer is full of nutritional benefits. 

However, the best thing about this is that the combination of flavors is super moreish and delicious. 

This is a pizza appetizer that is likely to be more of a hit with grown-up guests than younger taste buds, but it is a great option for holiday parties and summer get-togethers.  

25. Wonton Pizza Cups

The final pizza appetizer on this list is this stunning wonton pizza cup recipe.  The paper-thin wonton pastry creates a delicate but crispy treat that perfectly complements the softness of the melted cheese and tomato sauce. 

Although these pizza cups look sophisticated and grown-up, they are likely to be just as popular with your younger guests as they are with older ones.  You can get creative with the pizza topping fillings that you choose.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Pizza Appetizers Have To Use Pizza Dough?

As you can see from the list of appetizers above, not all pizza-based appetizers have to use pizza dough.  In fact, the majority of the appetizers in this article don’t involve pizza dough at all. 

Many pizza appetizers use some sort of pastry with puff pastry being the most popular.  However, you don’t even have to use any kind of pastry for your pizza appetizers.  

If you are concerned about the calorie content of the appetizers or carbohydrate content, you can make pizza appetizers with zucchini or cauliflower bases instead of dough, pastry, or bread. 

This can be a great way to create healthy appetizers that don’t make people too full before the main course of the party.  

Should Pizza Appetizers Be Finger Food Friendly?

Not all pizza-based appetizers need to be finger food friendly. 

If you are hosting a gathering where people are going to be sitting around a table, you can make appetizers that require a knife and fork such as the Hasselback zucchini recipe mentioned above. 

If you are having a party where people aren’t going to be sitting down to eat, there are also plenty of finger food options for you to provide.  

Final Thoughts

Pizza-based appetizers are a great option for so many different types of get-togethers. 

There are ways to make the pizza appetizers fun and easy to eat on the go, or you can make them a little more sophisticated and create a perfect dinner party accompaniment.