In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast.
Add the warm water and olive oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Preheat the Oven:
While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll Out and Cut the Dough:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and transfer it to a lightly floured surface.
Roll the dough out to about ¼-inch thickness.
Use a cookie cutter or the rim of a small glass (approximately 3–4 inches in diameter) to cut out circles. Gather any scraps, re-roll, and cut out additional rounds until all dough is used.
Assemble the Mini Pizzas:
Place the dough rounds on the prepared baking sheet.
Spoon a small amount of pizza sauce onto each round, spreading it evenly and leaving a thin border for the crust.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then add any additional toppings of your choice.
Bake:
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the mini pizzas have a golden-brown crust and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Finish and Serve:
Remove the mini pizzas from the oven.
If desired, garnish with fresh basil leaves and a light drizzle of olive oil.
Allow them to cool for a couple of minutes before serving warm.
Details:
Prep Time:
Active prep: 15 minutes (plus about 1 hour for dough rising)
Cook Time:
12–15 minutes
Total Time:
Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes (including rising time)
Yield:
About 12 mini pizzas (depending on size)
Category:
Appetizer / Snack / Party Food
Method:
Baking
Cuisine:
Italian-inspired
Diet:
Vegetarian (customize with meat or gluten-free ingredients as desired)
Keywords:
mini pizzas, bite-sized pizza, party appetizer, kid-friendly snack, homemade pizza, Italian, quick meal, customizable toppings
Nutrition (per mini pizza, approximate values):
Serving Size: 1 mini pizza (approx. 60 g)
Calories: ~120 kcal
Sugar: ~2 g
Sodium: ~250 mg
Fat: ~4 g
Saturated Fat: ~1.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: ~2.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: ~18 g
Fiber: ~1 g
Protein: ~5 g
Cholesterol: ~5 mg
Note: These nutrition estimates are approximate and can vary based on specific brands and quantities of ingredients used.