Pepperoni is a savory, spicy meat you can use to make delicious appetizers.
You can use pepperoni to make an alluring charcuterie board, cheese ball, caprese bites, pepperoni chips, pinwheels, zucchini bites, or dips.
Some of the appetizers are served warm, right out of the oven, and others you can prepare ahead of time and have them chill for a couple of hours.
Try making one of these enticing pepperoni appetizers for your next summer BBQ, or family get together.
Pepperoni Charcuterie Board
Pepperoni has a spicy flavoring to it, therefore it pairs well with creamy cheese for charcuterie.
You can layer cheese and pepperoni on your favorite crackers to make your own charcuterie board at home.
Pepperoni also goes well with slices of dill pickles, whole grain mustard, or olives for the perfect addition your pepperoni appetizer charcuterie board.
- cheddar cheese
- cheddar jack cheese
- fontina cheese
- goat cheese
- parmesan cheese
- Swiss cheese
- white cheddar cheese
Pepperoni Caprese Bites
Pepperoni caprese bites are an eye catching appetizer assembled on a toothpick, with a basil vinaigrette dressing.
To assemble the pepperoni appetizer, place a fresh piece of mozzarella, then a folded piece of pepperoni, a fresh basil leaf, and a cherry tomato on a toothpick.
Drizzle basil vinaigrette dressing on top and serve immediately.
Pepperoni Cheese Ball
Pepperoni cheese ball is an appetizer you can make ahead of time. Cheese balls need time to chill and solidify prior to serving.
Make the base of the cheeseball by combining softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, chopped up pepperoni pieces, garlic salt, and freshly grated mozzarella cheese.
For the coating of the cheeseball, you can use a cracker coating with some Parmesan cheese, or chopped up nuts. You could use walnuts, or pecans for a crunchy texture on the outside.
Place the coating for the cheeseball on a plate, and form the cheese mixture into a ball.
Roll the ball in the coating, and then cover in plastic wrap. Chill the cheese ball in the fridge.
When you’re ready to serve it, place the cheese ball on a plate with a variety of crackers.
Pepperoni Puff Pastry Bites
Pepperoni puff pastry bites are a tasty appetizer made with puff pastry squares.
Each of the squares are topped with slices of pepperoni, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and strips of fresh basil leaves.
The 2 opposite points of the puff pastry square are folded inward, and then the pastry can be egg washed to create a beautiful sheen on it when it comes out of the oven.
The pepperoni appetizer is baked in the oven until the puff pastry is golden brown, and the cheese is bubbling.
Serve warm, right out of the oven.
Pepperoni Pinwheels
Pepperoni pinwheels are a creamy, chilled, bite sized pepperoni appetizer.
Softened creamed cheese is mixed together with garlic powder, basil, oregano, chopped up pepperoni pieces, and freshly grated mozzarella cheese.
The cream cheese layer is spread onto a tortilla, leaving about a half inch from the edges of the tortilla.
The tortilla is rolled up, and then chilled for a couple of hours.
When you’re ready to serve the pinwheels, slice them into pieces that are about a half inch in thickness.
You can serve pepperoni pinwheel appetizer bites with pizza sauce for dipping if desired.
Pepperoni Dip
Creamy pepperoni dip is made by combining cream cheese and sour cream for the base of the dip.
The dip is flavored with basil, oregano, parsley, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Chopped up roasted red peppers, and pieces of pepperoni are added to the dip, along with some grated mozzarella cheese.
Pepperoni dip can be chilled until you’re ready to serve it, so you can make it ahead of time if you want.
Serve pepperoni dip with tortilla chips, pita chips, crackers, carrot sticks, or celery sticks.
Pepperoni Chips
Pepperoni chips are made by baking slices of pepperoni in the oven until they crisp up.
Serve pepperoni chips with garlic and herb dip or pizza sauce for dipping.
Zucchini Pepperoni Bites
Zucchini pepperoni bites are delicious warm pizza bite sized pepperoni appetizers.
Zucchini is sliced into rounds, and then drizzled with a bit of olive oil and broiled until tender.
The cooked zucchini slices are topped with a little oregano, pizza sauce, freshly grated mozzarella cheese, and a slice of pepperoni.
The zucchini pieces are broiled again to melt the cheese, and the pepperoni will have a bit of crispy edge to them.
Serve immediately.
