TikTok's Cheese-Filled Pizza Bombs Look Just Like Mini Pumpkins

By Chandler Plante

Published on 9/30/2023 at 4:25 PM

Chizoba Uwakwe
Chizoba Uwakwe

The pumpkin patch has never looked more delicious. TikTok's latest fall food trend gives pizza bites a major facelift, transforming them into miniature pumpkin-shaped "pizza bombs" you'll want to make all year round. In addition to their obvious aesthetic appeal, this seasonal snack is also totally customizable and kid-friendly — designed to be pulled apart and dunked in a complementary marinara sauce. With a combined total of 39.7 million views on TikTok, the pumpkin-shaped pizzas provide a savory and exceptionally finger-friendly alternative to all of the upcoming Halloween sweets (not that we're complaining).

To make the pumpkins, chef Genevieve LaMonaca — the trend's creator — starts by dividing pizza dough into six portions, rolling each one into a ball and flattening to create the desired roundness. Top each mini pizza with your choice of cheese and meat (focusing the ingredients in the center), then pull and pinch the sides together at the top to reinforce the pizza bomb's structural integrity. From here, tie the dough up with four pieces of butcher's twine to create the pumpkin-esque lines in the pizzas. Brush on some garlic herb butter, and bake at 400°F for about 16 minutes. A halved pretzel stick serves as the perfect stem, and bonus points if you can find a pumpkin-shaped dish for your preferred dipping sauce.

Although the exact fillings vary, LaMonaca used shredded mozzarella, ham, pepperoni, and sliced olives, while others opted for ricotta, mozzarella slices, and marinara. Chizoba Uwakwe, another food TikToker whose creation is pictured above, made her own version with Italian sausage, turkey pepperoni, and veggies, brushing with paprika to give the pumpkin bombs some extra color. Commenters were quick to weigh in on LaMonaca's recent post, sharing their ideas for other modifications, like dyeing the pretzel stem green or using biscuit dough instead of pizza dough. The only issue? "They're too cute to eat!" one user wrote. Read on to learn how to re-create the viral pumpkin pizza bombs from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Pumpkin Pizza Bombs

Prep Time5 Minutes
Cook Time25 Minutes
Yield6 Pumpkin Pizza Bombs

Chef Genevieve LaMonaca

INGREDIENTS

    • 1 can/sheet pizza dough
    • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
    • 1/2 cup chopped ham
    • 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
    • 1/8 cup optional sliced black olives
    • 1/4 cup melted butter
    • 2 cups marinara sauce
    • 4 pieces butcher's twine

    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Roll six sections of pizza dough into balls, and flatten into circles.

    2. Combine mozzarella, ham, pepperoni, and olives in a separate bowl for the filling.

    3. Scoop the filling into the center of the dough.

    4. Pull and pinch the sides of the dough to seal the pumpkin bombs (careful to cover any holes).

    5. Use four pieces of butcher's twine to create a star shape, and put the pumpkin bomb in the center, seal side down.

    6. Tie the twine across the pumpkin, and double knot at the top, cutting off any excess.

    7. Put pizza bombs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and brush with garlic herb butter.

    8. Bake in 400°F oven for about 16 minutes (or until golden brown).

    9. Let the pumpkin bombs cool off, and remove the twine.

    10. Enjoy!

    Notes

    These pumpkin pizza bombs put a seasonal spin on regular pizza bites. Feel free to customize the filling based on your own preferences, and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.