High-Protein Gluten-Free Pizza Bites

High-Protein Pizza Bites

When it comes to snacks for our kids, our family tries to highlight several key nutrients to “up” the staying power of the food we eat between meals.

One of those nutrients is (no surprise) protein.

These high-protein pizza bites, then, are a snack that we keep in our repertoire…and the leftovers may sometimes also serve as a quick lunch option in our home, especially for our youngest toddler.

What makes them high in protein? The use of these ingredients: eggs and real cheeses, including real parmesan cheese.

According to PBCO, “Cheese is an excellent source of high-quality protein, particularly casein and whey, making it a staple in the dairy aisle for those on a high-protein diet. Cheese also has extra nutritional benefits such as high in calcium and vitamin D.”

(For a list of high-protein cheeses, we recommend reading this article by Health.com.)

We also add some great healthy fats through the use of avocado.

What we don’t add is gluten.

Gluten-Free Pizza Bites

Yes, it is possible to make delicious mini pizza bites that are gluten-free.

To accomplish that, this recipe calls for almond flour rather than regular all-purpose flour.

However, I think that, if you absolutely didn’t have any almond flour on hand, you could still make a pretty great crust for pizza bites with simply eggs and cheese.

Egg Pizza Bites

The eggs in these pizza bites add so much! While a traditional pizza crust has lots of crunch to it, the crust of these mini pizza bites also holds its own appeal.

First, of course, the eggs add a significant amount of nutrition, including (but not limited to) protein.

Second, they result in a dense crust that is so satisfying to chew.

Easy Pizza Bites

Mini pizza bites are popular mostly due, perhaps, to the ease of making them.

And while these healthy mini pizza bites are better for you than regular ones, they really aren’t complicated.

All you need to do is mix up the ingredients, pour them in a muffin pan, and top with a slice of pepperoni. It’s that easy-peasy.

Mini Muffin Pizzas

I suppose you could also call this recipe “Mini Muffin Pizzas,” because one of the only tools you will need to make it is a mini muffin tin.

We love our Trudeau Structured Silicone Mini Muffin Pan. It is super easy to clean up, and the muffins slide right out.

You can also use any other type of mini muffin pan, but we recommend staying away from the Teflon kinds, as the forever chemicals in these pans can leach into the food cooked in them, as well as the air.

Tools for Making This Recipe

Gather these tools and let’s get cooking!

• a mixing bowl (or blender)
• a wire whisk
• a mini muffin pan (our favorite is this one)

Ingredients for Gluten-Free Pizza Bites

(Find the full recipe in the printable recipe card below.)

• 2 eggs (preferably pasture-raised, organic eggs)
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 Tbsp. grated real Parmesan cheese
• 1 Tbsp. avocado puree
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 2 Tbsp. pizza sauce (find the recipe for our favorite veggie-filled version here)
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• dash of ground black pepper
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 5 slices of real pepperoni or salami

How to Make Homemade Mini Pizza Bites in a Muffin Pan

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl (or a blender), mix together the eggs and avocado.
3. Add cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and pizza sauce. Mix well.
4. Stir in the almond flour, salt, black pepper, oregano, and garlic powder.
5. Pour into a mini muffin pan (we love using the Trudeau Structured Silicone Mini Muffin pan for ease of use!). Top each pizza bite with a slice of real pepperoni or salami.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the eggs are done.
7. Let cool slightly. Enjoy while warm!

Tips and Tricks

• Any pizza sauce will do. But we love using homemade pizza sauce in this recipe in order to cut out added sugars. Here is the recipe for our favorite veggie-filled pizza sauce.

Storage Instructions

Keep these gluten-free pizza bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Alternatively, store them in the freezer in a Ziplock bag for up to three months.

Recipe Variations

Change up this recipe by trying these tweaks:

• Add olives. For non-picky eaters, olives add wonderful flavor and great healthy fats!
• Stir in some sun-dried tomatoes.
• Change out the mozzarella cheese for feta cheese. (You may need to reduce the salt.)
• Add cottage cheese to the crust.
• Fill the muffin cups halfway, top each with a dollop of cream cheese, and fill the rest of the way. Just like a stuffed crust!

Other Delicious Savory Recipes to Try

Our home is often brimming with sweet snacks. But we also love healthy savory snacks. Here are a few of our favorites to share:

• Easy + Authentic Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo)
• Best Roasted Mixed Nuts Recipe (with Parmesan and Herbs)
• Fall Gouda Cheese Dip with Butternut Squash