Stock up your freezer with these scrumptious homemade mini pizzas! The crust is topped with tomato sauce, hot peri peri chicken pieces, diced bell pepper, black olives, sliced red onions and loads of cheese that is baked to a bubbly goodness. The spicy peri peri flavour makes these mini treats very moreish.
Who doesn't love pizza, right? But store-bought frozen pizzas are not always the tastiest option.
Today, I am bringing you a fool-proof recipe that will help you achieve the perfect freezer-friendly pizza crust. And to give it all a nice little twist, we'll turn our regular pizzas into Peri Peri ones.
If you like spice, this one's for you. And if you do not like spice, then just substitute the peri peri chicken with your preferred meat topping.
Make these mini pizzas ahead of time! They are perfect for days when you have no idea what to cook or don't feel like working in the kitchen.
Plus, they are also ideal for Ramadan food preparation. Your Iftaris will be so much less work with these in the freezer. And if you don't want to wait to have them, you can also bake in one go.
What To Serve With Mini Pizzas
Mini pizzas are versatile and fun to serve, and the right sides can elevate your meal. Here are some great options to enjoy with these peri peri mini pizzas:
Fresh and Light Options
- Salad
- A crisp Caesar salad or a refreshing creamy cucumber salad works beautifully.
- Veggie Sticks with Dip
- Carrot, celery, and bell pepper sticks with ranch, hummus, or a creamy garlic dip add crunch and balance.
Comforting and Hearty Choices
- Garlic Bread
- Keep the Italian vibe going with some warm, buttery garlic bread or breadsticks.
- Soup
- A warm bowl of roasted tomato basil soup or mushroom bisque is perfect alongside mini pizzas.
Snackable Additions
- Fish Nuggets
- Crispy, fish nuggets with ranch are a hit with all ages. And they are also flavored with peri peri seasoning.
- Potato And Cheese Balls
- These cheesy potato balls complement the pizzas without overpowering them.
For a Crowd
- Date Snacks
- These coconut date balls and stuffed dates will give the sugar fix without being unhealthy.
- Chicken Wings
- Make mealtime heartier, by serving mini pizzas alongside hot honey wings or salt and pepper wings.
Kid-Friendly Picks
- Potato Sides
- A classic side that’s always a crowd-pleaser. Pair with my Greek potato wedges, Parmesan potatoes or masala fries.
- Fruit Salad
- A refreshing and colorful option that pairs well with pizza’s savory flavors.
Pairing Ideas
More Easy Snacks
- Pizza Rolls
- Vegetable Pakoras (Fritters)
- Chicken Puffs
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📖 Recipe
Freezer Friendly Peri Peri Mini Pizzas
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 1 - 1 ¼ cups warm water
- 2 teaspoon (7g) instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour
Peri Peri Chicken
- 500 g (1.1lbs) boneless chicken cut in small pieces
- 4-6 tablespoon hot Peri Peri Sauce divided
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon grounded black pepper
Toppings
- pizza sauce
- dried oregano
- capsicum cubed
- black olives sliced
- red onions sliced
- mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
Pizza Dough
1. Prepare the Dough
- Combine the pizza dough ingredients in a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.
- Gradually add warm water while mixing. Beat the dough for approximately 5 minutes until it becomes smooth, soft, and no longer sticky. Approximately 1 cup and 2 tablespoons of warm water may be required.
- Alternatively, knead the dough by hand until it reaches the same smooth consistency.
2. Proof the Dough
- Lightly grease the mixing bowl and the surface of the dough with oil.
- Cover the bowl with cling wrap or foil and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Peri Peri Chicken
1. Marinate the Chicken
- Combine the chicken with the specified marinade ingredients and allow it to rest for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Use only 2 tablespoons of Hot Peri Peri Sauce at this stage, reserving the remaining 2 tablespoons for later.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan or on a grill.
- Cook the marinated chicken until it is fully cooked and slightly charred.
- Add the reserved 2 tablespoons of Hot Peri Peri Sauce to the cooked chicken. Mix well and set aside to cool.
Freezing Mini Pizzas
1. Prepare the Dough
- Preheat the oven to 250°C (480°F).
- Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a clean surface and punch it down to release air bubbles.
- Divide the dough into two portions. Roll each portion into a 30 cm (12-inch) circle. Use a cutter or round object to cut out 12 cm (5-inch) circles. This recipe yields two large pizzas or approximately 20 mini pizzas.
2. Par-Bake the Crusts
- Arrange the dough circles on a baking tray, leaving space between them. If you have limited trays, cover the unused dough circles with a clean cloth while waiting.
- Brush the tops with olive oil and pierce each circle multiple times with a fork to prevent puffing.
- Bake for 3-5 minutes, until the dough feels dry to the touch but remains white. This ensures the crusts are par-baked for freezing.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
3. Assemble and Freeze
- Brush the cooled crusts with olive oil, spread pizza sauce evenly, and add a generous layer of cheese (use more cheese on the bottom layer).
- Drizzle approximately 1 teaspoon of Nando's Hot Peri Peri Sauce on top.
- Add your toppings, such as Peri Peri Chicken, olives, capsicum, and red onions. Sprinkle with dried oregano. Avoid adding the top layer of cheese to prevent mess during freezing.
- Wrap each mini pizza tightly in cling film and then in aluminum foil for double protection against freezer burn.
- Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
4. Reheating Frozen Pizzas
- When ready to bake, remove the pizzas from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
- Unwrap and sprinkle with additional cheese if desired.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 250°C (480°F) for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese melts and turns golden brown.
Baking Mini Pizzas Immediately
1. Assemble
- Place the mini pizza cutouts on a baking sheet.
- Spread a layer of pizza sauce and add your desired toppings, including cheese and seasonings.
2. Bake
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
- Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are golden brown.
- Enjoy your mini pizzas!
Notes
- Feel free to customize the toppings with your favorite veggies, meats, or extra cheese.
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