Christmas Pizza Bombs — Bite-Sized Holiday Joy 🎄🍕✨

When the house fills with twinkling lights and the smell of cinnamon and pine, you want food that’s as festive and fun as the season itself. Enter Christmas Pizza Bombs — gooey, golden, little pockets of pizza goodness that are perfect for holiday parties, cozy family nights, and even lunchboxes for post-holiday leftovers.

These are not just pizza rolls. They’re a celebration in dough: soft, pillowy pockets stuffed with marinara, melted cheese, and your favorite pizza fillings, then brushed with garlic butter and finished with a sprinkle of “holiday” herbs and colorful red-and-green garnishes. They’re easy to make ahead, travel well, and disappear fast — which is why they’ve become such a beloved crowd-pleaser.

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Why Christmas Pizza Bombs Work So Well

• Handheld & Shareable: Perfect finger food for mingling guests.
• Comforting & Familiar: All the things people love about pizza — compacted into a tidy, satisfying bite.
• Customizable: Make them vegetarian, meat-lover, or even breakfast-style.
• Festive Presentation: Red pepper flakes, roasted red peppers, and fresh basil or parsley add instant Christmas colors.
• Make-ahead Friendly: Bake, freeze, and reheat — they keep their texture beautifully.

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What You’ll Love About This Version

This recipe favors a soft, slightly fluffy dough (no heavy frying) and a classic pizza flavor profile: tangy marinara, melty mozzarella, pepperoni (optional), and a buttery garlic-herb finish. The “Christmas twist” is all about the presentation and small flavor lifts — a hint of oregano and basil, roasted red pepper accents, and a green-herb gremolata to finish. It transforms a simple snack into holiday table royalty.

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Ingredients You’ll Need (Makes ~12–16 bombs) 🧾

• 1 batch pizza dough (store-bought or homemade, about 1 pound)
• 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 12–16 slices pepperoni or mini pepperoni (or 1 cup diced cooked sausage or veggies for vegetarian)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil (or 1 tsp fresh, minced)
• 1/4 cup finely diced roasted red bell pepper (adds festive red)
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or basil (for the green garnish)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water) — helps golden-brown finish

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Step-by-Step Directions (Simple & Joyful) 👩‍🍳🎁

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If your dough is refrigerated, let it come to room temperature so it’s easier to stretch.
2. Roll the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle about 12×8 inches (or roll into a circle and cut into pieces). Use a cutter or knife to slice the dough into 12–16 equal squares (or circles). Each piece will become one pizza bomb.
3. Assemble the Fillings: In a bowl, combine the marinara with a pinch of oregano and basil. Keep the cheese and pepperoni ready. If using sausage or vegetables, make sure they’re pre-cooked and cool.
4. Fill the Pockets: Place a tablespoon of marinara in the center of each dough square, add a generous sprinkle of mozzarella, a slice or two of pepperoni (or veggie/meat of choice), and a few small pieces of roasted red pepper. Don’t overfill — leave space to seal.
5. Seal Them Up: Brush the edges lightly with egg wash, fold the corners up and pinch to seal tightly. Tuck and twist the seams so they don’t open while baking. Place each sealed bomb seam-side down on the baking sheet.
6. Garlic Butter & Bake: Mix melted butter with minced garlic and brush lightly over each pocket. If you like a cheesier top, sprinkle a pinch of Parmesan and a little extra shredded mozzarella. Bake for 14–18 minutes, until golden brown and puffed.
7. Finish with Festive Herbs: While still warm, brush again with the garlic butter, then sprinkle finely chopped parsley or basil on top for that green pop. Add a few tiny diced roasted red pepper bits on each for an instant red-and-green presentation.
8. Serve Hot: Serve with a bowl of warm marinara for dipping and extra grated Parmesan. These are best when hot — the first bite should deliver a molten ribbon of cheese and tomato.

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Tips & Variations (Make Them Yours) 🎨

• Cheesy Stretch: Mix equal parts mozzarella and provolone for a silkier melt.
• Veggie-Friendly: Replace pepperoni with chopped mushrooms, spinach, and roasted red peppers.
• Spicy Kick: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes inside before sealing.
• Mini or Party Size: Make smaller bombs using biscuit-sized dough pieces for cocktail parties.
• Freezer Option: Freeze unbaked bombs on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen — add 6–8 minutes to bake time.
• Breakfast Pizza Bombs: Fill with scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, and cheddar for morning guests.

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Holiday Serving Ideas & Presentation 🎄

• Arrange pizza bombs on a wooden board lined with evergreen sprigs for a rustic holiday look.
• Place a small bowl of marinara at the center and garnish with sliced Christmas peppers for color.
• Offer a “toppings bar” with hot honey, chili oil, extra cheese, and finely chopped herbs so guests can customize.
• Serve alongside a winter salad (arugula, pomegranate seeds, and shaved parmesan) to balance the richness.

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Why These Are Perfect for Christmas

They’re festive, shareable, and produce the kind of warm, communal energy every holiday host wants. Kids love the handheld aspect; adults appreciate the nostalgic pizza flavors with a refined finish. You can prep most steps ahead of time, freeing you to enjoy the party rather than spending it in the kitchen. Plus, they look gorgeous on a holiday spread — red peppers and green herbs make every plate feel like a celebration.

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