This page may contain affiliate links, in which I get a commission for recommending a product to you.

Watch Me Make It

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but if you haven’t tried a crazy puffs recipe yet, you are seriously missing out. These little bites are like a mashup of pizza rolls, muffin pan magic, and pure cheesy bliss. Inspired by those Little Caesars Crazy Puffs that went viral, this copycat recipe is my favorite way to bring the pizza party straight into my own kitchen.

Squares of sliced bread without crusts are arranged on a wooden surface. The bread slices are laid out in rows, showcasing their soft texture and light color.

I’ve been playing around with homemade a crazy puffs recipe for a while now, and this is hands-down the best way to do it. All you need is a shallow 12 cup muffin tin, some pizza dough, and that cheesy, saucy filling that makes the first bite downright addictive. I love how easy it is to whip up a batch on a busy weeknight or serve ’em up on game day.

Click Here to Print this Recipe and save for later

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These pizza puffs get that crispy, golden brown crust thanks to a quick bake in a greased muffin pan.
They’re stuffed with melty mozzarella cheese, slices of pepperoni, and topped with a buttery, seasoned crust that’s just like the original Little Caesars crazy puffs recipe. The best part of this copycat version of Little Caesar’s recipe? You can make this crazy puffs recipe right in your own kitchen with just a few simple steps.

Muffin tin filled with unbaked miniature pizzas. Each cup contains dough topped with tomato sauce and shredded cheese. Wooden surface beneath the tin.

Ingredients / Tools You’ll Need

1 pizza dough ball (store-bought or homemade pizza dough) OR tube of Pillsbury pizza dough
20 pieces of pepperoni or better quality Italian sausage if you’re feeling fancy
1 cup pizza sauce
8 tablespoons butter
1–2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Pinch of garlic powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese or even muenster cheeses
Cooking spray
Muffin tin or muffin pan

Instructions for this Crazy Puffs Recipe

Preparation

If using fresh dough, start by letting your pizza dough ball come to room temperature—it’s so much easier to work with this way. Lightly grease your muffin pan or muffin tin with cooking spray so nothing sticks.

If you’re using fresh dough, lay a dollop of flour down on your entire surface, if you’re using Pillsbury, it’ll be greasy enough that it won’t stick. Cut dough into 3″ squares, just big enough to press into the bottom of each muffin cup. Make sure you’re using a prepared muffin tin – I sprayed mine with some canola oil before use.

A seasoning bottle with an illustration of cartoon turtles rests on a wooden surface. Behind it, a muffin tin is filled with cheese and toppings, ready for baking.

Get the seasoning on Amazon

Drop a little mozzarella cheese into the dough cup first, then a couple slices of pepperoni.
Top with more cheese so it almost reaches the top of the muffin cup.You want each piece of dough to feel like a mini pizza bomb waiting to go off in the best way.

Click Here to Print this Recipe and save for later

Cooking

Melt the butter and stir in garlic powder or garlic salt for an easy version. For more ingredients use: Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and a dash of black pepper. For a deeper taste add parsley, onions, or even some crispy bacon! Drizzle that garlic butter mixture all over the tops of the dough. Pop the tray in a preheated oven at 375°F and bake for 18-20 minutes on the bottom oven rack or until the tops are nice and golden brown.

If you want a crispier top – broil for 1-2 minutes. Make sure to watch it, it’ll burn quickly.

NOTE: Don’t pack the cups with cheese to the top before cooking – if they do you run the risk of overflowing into your oven and will make a mess unless you have a baking sheet underneath.

Muffin tin filled with baked egg and cheese muffins in a metal tray inside an oven. The muffins are golden brown with melted cheese on top. Some cheese has spilled over the edges of the tin.

When they’re done, let them rest in the tin for about 5–10 minutes. The cheese settles, the edges crisp up a bit more, and they hold together better when you lift them out. You can even use a little piece of aluminum foil to lift them out if they’re being stubborn.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these with warm pizza sauce on the side for dipping. Sprinkle a bit of parmesan cheese and some extra Italian seasoning right on top before serving. These are the ultimate snack for parties, lazy weekends, or just when that craving hits hard.

A hand holding a small pizza muffin with melted cheese and a crispy, golden-brown topping. The wooden background adds a rustic touch to the image.

Recipe Notes & Pro Tips

Use better quality dinner rolls or homemade pizza dough if you want a richer, fluffier texture.
Don’t skip letting the dough reach room temperature—it makes a huge difference in how easily it stretches into each muffin cup. Store leftovers in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to keep the bottoms from getting soggy.

Variations

You can switch up the fillings and make this crazy puffs recipe truly your own. Swap out slices of pepperoni for cooked Italian sausage, bell peppers, or any combo you like. I’ve even done a white sauce version with just cheese, olive oil, and a drizzle of leftover garlic butter sauce—no rules here. A little sharp cheddar cheese on top goes a long way as well!

In addition to this pepperoni crazy puffs recipe, you could add mushrooms or other veggies like onions tomatoes or olives

If you want to go even more next level, add some parmesan cheese into the dough or top each puff with a brush of remaining garlic butter just before serving. Try adding crushed red pepper flakes for a little kick or even sprinkle a touch of pizza seasoning right before baking.

Three baked mini muffin pizzas with melted cheese and slightly crisp edges are stacked on a wooden surface. More mini pizzas are visible in the blurred background. Image is of a crazy puffs recipe

This crazy puffs recipe might just become one of your new family favorite popular recipes.
They’ve got that pizza crust crunch, gooey cheese, and savory toppings all packed into the perfect size bite.

Trust me, one first bite and you’ll be hooked on this crazy puffs recipe just like I was.

Other Recipes You’ll Love: