Mini Pizza Recipe

These mini pizzas are great for kids or as a fun appetizer for parties! You can customize the toppings based on your preferences. What makes mini pizzas so appealing is their versatility. You can adjust the dough thickness, sauce, and toppings to your liking. Mini pizzas are perfect for parties or gatherings, as they are easy to serve and eat by hand. You can even offer a “pizza bar” where everyone can make their own with their preferred toppings, making it a fun and interactive experience. In essence, a mini pizza recipe combines the classic pizza components but in a smaller, personalized form that’s perfect for snacking or as a meal on its own. 

Here is the recipe for the crust and toppings I usually make. I love adding a Sri Lankan touch to the mini pizza by using devilled chicken as the topping. You can try this, or feel free to add any toppings you prefer.

Ingredients

For the pizza crust

400g all purpose flour

2 tsp instant dry yeast 

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp milk powder

1 cup warm water

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

For the Devilled chicken

200g chicken breast (diced)

a pinch of turmeric

1/2 tsp chili powder/paprika powder

1 tsp pepper powder

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp oyster sauce

1 tsp soya sauce

1 tsp salt

1 medium sized onion (thinly sliced)

1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste

1 tbsp red crushed chilies (if you like it spicy)

1 tbsp sunflower oil

Other toppings

1 cup Mozarella cheese 

1 cup Cheddar cheese

Sliced paprika and pepper/ bellpepper in 2 colours

sliced black olives 

Pasta/pizza sauce (store bought)

Directions

1. To make the devilled chicken, start by marinating the chicken pieces with a combination of aromatic spices and sauces. Begin with turmeric, chili powder, pepper powder, and olive oil for richness. Add oyster sauce and soy sauce for a savory umami flavor, and finish with a pinch of salt to balance all the flavors. After mixing everything together, cover the chicken and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. The longer you marinate, the deeper the flavors will infuse into the meat.
2. Heat sunflower oil in a frying pan or skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add ginger-garlic paste and sliced onions. Sauté the onions until they turn golden and fragrant, which will help release the sweetness and depth of flavor. At this point, add the marinated chicken to the pan and stir-fry it well. Cook the chicken over medium heat, ensuring that it is evenly browned and fully cooked. As the chicken cooks, the marinade will reduce and thicken, creating a rich, flavorful sauce. Keep cooking until the liquid evaporates and the chicken becomes coated in the thickened sauce. At this step, if you like your dish extra spicy, you can add crushed red chilies for an additional kick. Once fully cooked, remove the chicken from heat and let it cool completely.
3. To prepare the pizza dough, start by combining the dry ingredients. In a mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.  Next, add the wet ingredients. Stir the mixture until everything is combined, then knead the dough for about 5-10 minutes. You can do this by hand or with a stand mixer. Kneading is crucial as it helps develop the gluten, which will give the pizza crust its structure. Once the dough is smooth and elastic, cover and let it rise. The dough should double in size within 30-60 minutes, depending on the temperature and humidity of your environment.
4. After the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F) to ensure it's hot when the mini pizzas go in. Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air, and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a round cutter or the rim of a glass to cut out 2-3 inch diameter circles. These will be your mini pizza bases.
5. Place the dough circles onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased baking tray. To ensure even rising, prick each dough disc with a fork. This prevents the dough from puffing up unevenly while baking. Now it’s time to assemble your pizzas. Start by spreading a thin layer of pizza sauce or pasta sauce on each dough circle. 
6. Next, sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top of the sauce. These cheeses will melt beautifully and create a gooey, cheesy layer on your mini pizzas. Then, add your devilled chicken topping, making sure to distribute it evenly across the pizzas. For an added burst of flavor and texture, you can also add sliced peppers, sliced black olives or any other veggies you like.
   
   
   
7. Finish by sprinkling a little more shredded cheese on top to ensure a cheesy, golden finish. Place the pizzas in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
8. Once baked, remove the mini pizzas from the oven and let them cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This cooling time allows the cheese to set, making them easier to eat. Serve these mini pizzas as a delightful snack, appetizer, or main course. The combination of the spicy devilled chicken, melted cheese, and crispy crust will be sure to impress your family or guests. Enjoy!

Notes:

• To freeze the mini pizzas, allow them to cool completely before wrapping each pizza individually in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped pizzas in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to one or two weeks. When ready to enjoy, thaw the pizzas for approximately one hour. Then, bake them in a preheated oven at 180°C for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through.
• Another way to freeze is to half bake the crust for about 5 mins and let them cool and freeze the same way. This way you have the crust ready anytime you feel like pizza!