Zucchini Pizza Bites
Thick zucchini rounds roasted until tender, then topped with marinara, melted mozzarella and mini pepperoni. Pizza-night flavor in a two-bite, vegetable-based snack.
Nutrition per serving
8 bites- Net carbs
- 4.3g
- Calories
- 210kcal
- Protein
- 11g
- Fat
- 17g
- Total carbs
- 5.8 g
- Fiber
- 1.5 g
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for each ingredient (optional ingredients excluded). Brands vary — check your labels if you track closely.
Ingredients
Eggplant pizza bites: Rounds of slim Japanese or baby Italian eggplant make a meatier, creamier base than zucchini.
- Salt the eggplant rounds for 15 minutes and blot them dry. Eggplant soaks up oil, so brush on the extra tablespoon and roast 12–15 minutes, until soft and golden underneath, before topping.
Margherita: No pepperoni: fresh mozzarella and plenty of basil for a classic, meat-free bite.
- Top each round with a piece of fresh mozzarella instead of shredded cheese and bake as written. Finish every bite with a basil leaf.
Supreme: Italian sausage, green pepper and black olives join the pepperoni, like a loaded supreme pizza.
- Brown the sausage in a skillet, breaking it into small crumbles, until no pink remains (160°F/71°C), about 6 minutes; add the bell pepper for the last 2 minutes. Drain, then scatter over the sauced rounds with the olives before adding the cheese.
- Nice to have (optional)
- Also add
- Nice to have (optional)
-
1½ oz mini pepperoni (or regular slices, quartered)leave out - Also add
- Nice to have (optional)
- Also add
- Nice to have (optional)
Estimated cost $5.36 for 4 servings ($1.34 each) · how we estimate
Instructions
-
Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two sheet pans with parchment.
-
Spread the zucchini rounds on paper towels, sprinkle with the salt and let them sit 10 minutes. Blot the beads of moisture off both sides.
-
Brush the rounds on both sides with the oil, arrange them on the pans and sprinkle with the Italian seasoning. Roast 8–10 minutes, until just tender and starting to brown underneath.
-
Spread about ½ teaspoon of marinara on each round, leaving a thin border. Top with the mozzarella, a few pieces of pepperoni and a pinch of Parmesan.
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Bake 5–7 minutes more, until the cheese is melted and bubbling. For golden spots, broil for 1 minute, watching closely. Cool 2 minutes, then scatter with basil.
Tips for success
-
Pre-roasting keeps the bites from going soggy, because it drives off water before the toppings go on. - Cut thick, wide rounds from the middle of the zucchini; the slim ends dry out. Save them for soup or a stir-fry.
- Use no-sugar marinara, since many jarred sauces add sugar.
Storage & meal prep
- Keeps 2 days in the fridge
- Doesn’t freeze well
Reheat: Reheat in an air fryer or a 375°F (190°C) oven for 4–5 minutes, not the microwave.
Prep tip: Roast the zucchini rounds ahead and keep them in the fridge up to 2 days, then top and bake them when you’re hungry.
Best fresh. Refrigerate leftovers up to 2 days and reheat in an air fryer or a 375°F (190°C) oven for 4–5 minutes; the microwave makes them soggy.
Variations
3 variations, each with its own ingredients and macrosEggplant pizza bites
SwapRounds of slim Japanese or baby Italian eggplant make a meatier, creamier base than zucchini.
- zucchini → slim eggplants (Japanese or baby Italian)
- + 1 tbsp extra olive oil
5.2 g net · 249 kcal · 10 g protein · 20 g fat · ≈$1.37 per serving (+0.9 g net carbs vs the original)
Margherita
FlavorNo pepperoni: fresh mozzarella and plenty of basil for a classic, meat-free bite.
- shredded low-moisture mozzarella → fresh mozzarella (pearls or diced)
- + ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
- no mini pepperoni (or regular slices, quartered)
4.2 g net · 153 kcal · 8.7 g protein · 11 g fat · ≈$1.58 per serving (−0.1 g net carbs vs the original)
Supreme
FlavorItalian sausage, green pepper and black olives join the pepperoni, like a loaded supreme pizza.
- + 4 oz Italian sausage
- + ¼ cup green bell pepper
- + 8 black olives
5.8 g net · 303 kcal · 15 g protein · 24 g fat · ≈$1.77 per serving (+1.5 g net carbs vs the original)
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