Copycat Crazy Puffs Recipe

Name: Copycat Crazy Puffs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 28 min
Ingredients: 1 (13.8-oz.) refrigerated pizza crust (such as Pillsbury); 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley; 2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning; 2 tsp. garlic salt; 1/4 tsp. black pepper; 1 1/2 cup jarred pizza sauce; 1 1/2 cup pepperoni slices; 4 (16 oz.) cups pre-shredded farmer-style mozzarella cheese; 1/4 (1 oz.) cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Cook Time: 16 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe was developed at its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly.

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

1 (13.8-ounce) pizza crust (such as Pillsbury)
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups jarred pizza sauce
1 1/2 cups pepperoni slices
4 cups pre-shredded farmer-style mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375F (180C). Place a baking sheet on the bottom rack of the oven.

Step 2: Coat a shallow 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.

Step 3: Roll out the pizza dough across the prepared muffin tin, ensuring the dough covers the entire surface. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into squares that fit the muffin tin. Discard any excess dough.

Step 4: Press and roll the dough squares into each cup, making sure the dough comes halfway up the sides of each cup.

Step 5: In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and black pepper until well combined. Brush this butter mixture onto each dough cup.

Step 6: Dollop 1 teaspoon of pizza sauce into each cup.

Step 7: Layer two slices of pepperoni in each cup, followed by 1 tablespoon of mozzarella cheese over the top, and then add another two slices of pepperoni. Top with another 2 tablespoons of mozzarella cheese, pressing the cheese gently within each muffin cup.

Step 8: Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the butter mixture and drizzle this over each muffin cup.

Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 15 minutes.

Step 10: Switch the oven to broil and broil the cups for about 1 minute until the top is golden brown.

Step 11: Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 2 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories: 1031
Total Fat: 71g (91% DV)
Saturated Fat: 35g (175% DV)
Cholesterol: 182mg (61% DV)
Sodium: 3078mg (134% DV)
Total Carbohydrates: 53g (19% DV)
Dietary Fiber: 4g (14% DV)
Total Sugars: 6g
Protein: 44g (88% DV)
Vitamin C: 12mg (13% DV)
Calcium: 672mg (52% DV)
Iron: 5mg (27% DV)
Potassium: 658mg (14% DV)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Story Behind Copycat Crazy Puffs

Copycat Crazy Puffs trace their origin to the popular American pizza chain Little Caesars, which introduced these bite-sized pizza treats as a convenient snack option. Designed to combine the flavors of a classic pepperoni pizza with a playful, handheld format, Crazy Puffs quickly became a favorite for children and adults alike. Home cooks soon started creating their own versions to replicate the restaurant taste, resulting in numerous copycat recipes that allow families to enjoy the iconic snack at home.

Regional Variations and Preferences

While Crazy Puffs are primarily associated with American fast-food culture, regional adaptations have emerged across the United States. In the Midwest, for example, people often load the puffs with extra cheese, reflecting the regions fondness for rich, hearty dishes. In coastal areas, variations may include specialty toppings like sun-dried tomatoes or fresh basil, showcasing a tendency toward fresher, artisanal flavors. Despite these differences, the essential concepta small, dough-based puff filled with pepperoni, cheese, and seasoned sauceremains consistent nationwide.

Distinctive Features Compared to Similar Dishes

Crazy Puffs differ from traditional pizza rolls or calzones primarily in size, preparation, and flavor layering. Unlike larger calzones, each puff is a single-serving portion, making them ideal for parties or quick snacks. Pizza rolls typically have a uniform filling, whereas Crazy Puffs feature multiple layers of cheese and pepperoni, often topped with a buttery herb mixture. This layering provides a richer flavor profile and a satisfying texture that sets them apart from other bite-sized pizza snacks.

Typical Serving Context

These puffs are most commonly served as appetizers, party snacks, or lunchbox treats. Their compact size makes them convenient for gatherings, where guests can enjoy multiple puffs without the need for utensils. They are often paired with dipping sauces such as marinara, ranch, or garlic butter, enhancing the eating experience. Many families also enjoy preparing them for game nights or casual weekend meals, emphasizing their versatility and ease of preparation.

Fun and Interesting Facts

The original Crazy Puffs were marketed as a playful twist on traditional pizza, aiming to capture the attention of younger audiences with a fun, bite-sized format.
The layering technique in Crazy Puffsalternating cheese and pepperoniis designed to maximize flavor in every bite, a detail that differentiates it from simpler pizza snacks.
Despite being fast-food inspired, homemade versions often allow for creative adaptations, such as substituting mozzarella with cheddar or adding vegetables like bell peppers for extra nutrition.
These puffs have become a popular DIY project among families, with children often helping to assemble the dough cups and arrange the toppings, turning cooking into an interactive activity.
Crazy Puffs exemplify the trend of copycat recipes, where home cooks aim to recreate popular restaurant dishes in a more cost-effective and customizable way.

FAQ about Copycat Crazy Puffs Recipe

Leftover Crazy Puffs should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can stay fresh for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them. To reheat, you can use an oven or a microwave, though reheating in the oven will help maintain their crispiness.

Yes, you can prepare the Crazy Puffs ahead of time. Assemble them and refrigerate the unbaked puffs for up to 24 hours before baking. This will help save time on the day you're serving them. You can also freeze the puffs before baking and bake them directly from frozen, though baking time may need to be extended by a few minutes.

Yes, you can substitute the pizza dough with other types of dough like crescent roll dough or even biscuit dough for a different texture. Keep in mind that this may slightly alter the flavor and texture of the Crazy Puffs.

If the puffs turn out too greasy, you can try reducing the amount of melted butter in the recipe or patting the puffs with paper towels after baking to absorb any excess oil. Also, ensure that your muffin tin is coated properly to prevent sticking, which could lead to the puffs soaking in more butter.

If the garlic salt makes the Crazy Puffs too salty for your taste, you can reduce the amount or substitute it with garlic powder and regular salt. Start with a smaller amount of garlic powder (about 1/2 tsp) and add salt to taste to avoid overpowering the dish.

Yes, you can easily make the Crazy Puffs vegetarian by omitting the pepperoni and replacing it with vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives. You could also try adding vegetarian sausage or other plant-based meat alternatives for a similar texture.

If you're baking frozen Crazy Puffs, they will typically need 5-10 extra minutes compared to baking from fresh. Start by baking at the recommended temperature of 375°F (190°C) for 18-20 minutes, and then check to see if the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown. You can also broil them for 1-2 minutes to help with crisping.

Yes, you can use different types of cheese if you prefer. While mozzarella is traditional for this recipe, other cheese options like cheddar, provolone, or a blend of Italian cheeses will work as well. Just be sure to choose a cheese that melts well.

Comments

Yummy Mummy

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

The ingredient quantities listed for sauce, pepperoni, and cheese far exceed the correct amounts given in the directions. A little annoying because I bought all the ingredients according to the list and didn’t notice until I was cooking. Corrections follow. Sauce. Recipe directions say one teaspoon per muffin tin, which is 1/4 cup total. Mozzarella. Recipe directions say 3 Tbs per muffin tin, which is 2 1/4 cup total. Pepperoni- Recipe directions say 4 slices per muffin tin, which is 48 slices total (less than a full bag of Hormel pepperoni.) Sorry, I had to take a star off for the mistake costing me money. But the recipe itself was very tasty! My family enjoyed it. It’s quite rich. Two each was a filling lunch even for the guys. We look forward to leftovers tomorrow! PS. Others have asked about leftovers dough. I didn’t have any excess. I tube of pizza dough is just right.

Terri Zearing

09/18/2024 10:23:18 PM

I agree fully that the amounts were off but now with another tube of pizza dough I will try again. My main problem was they were WAY too salty!! Maybe garlic salt brands have differing ratios of salt to garlic? I may have an inferior brand of garlic salt. I love the idea of these and they were beautiful- just like the picture. When I make again I will use 1-1 1/4 tsp of garlic salt and also less butter like another reviewer suggested. I can’t wait to make these with my grand kids in an assembly line! They will love it! Thanks for the recipe

MirthJam8954

08/23/2024 03:04:41 AM

A tasty dish worth the effort. No trips to Little Caesar’s needed! I would recommend spraying the muffin tin with baking release spray. The cheese could bake on like cement to prevent neat removal of the puffs. The quantity of sauce is more than needed. Otherwise all good!

CVBF

11/24/2024 02:15:01 PM

As other reviewers stated - you need far less of the ingredients than the recipe says (see Yummy Mummy's review) Also, as others say, WAY too much garlic salt - I mistakenly followed the recipe - should it have been 1/2 t rather than 2 t?

ClydeDebra brown

08/25/2024 08:16:52 PM

They were very tasty. I followed the tweak listed by Yummy Mummy pertaining to the pizza sauce qnty which helped, the pepperoni and cheese comes in bags so I just bought the normal size, I can always use leftovers. I will make again but I will also add a tweak pertaining the melted butter and herbs. Use less melted butter they were swimming in liquid butter from cooking and did not crisp up well on the bottom. I didn’t want to cook any longer because they would burn. I removed them from the muffin tin and crisped them up in a frying pan either way it left them a little greasy. It was a quick and easy process for a tasty lunch.

OrangeDosa6350

03/19/2025 08:42:36 PM

Too much garlic salt. It says 2 teaspoons. WAY TOO MUCH. It made it too salty. Need to decrease to maybe half or TO TASTE. Otherwise, they were fast, easy and good but could not enjoy because of the salt.

Mindy Franchell

11/10/2024 11:57:26 PM

I can’t imagine if I had put in the 2 tsp of garlic salt! I put 1/2 tsp and 1-1/2 tsp garlic powder. They were SO salty! And I salt my salt! I have never had Little Cesars version., so I can’t speak to the comparison.

Brooke

09/24/2025 02:39:59 AM

Delicious! A little tip I did instead... use garlic flavored oil to coat the muffin tray. They come right out, no sticking at all and give a little extra flavor! Add pepperoni, bacon, cheese... so good! My family loves them!

LaDonna Langwell

03/18/2025 01:33:06 AM

My husbands exact words "It exceeded my expectations". This was so easy and so flavorful. Really, really delicious. This would be make an excellent party food. I also recommend cutting back on the garlic salt. Otherwise, fabulous!