Description

These charming Pumpkin Shaped Pizza Bites are a festive twist on traditional stuffed bread, perfect for fall gatherings or Halloween parties. Soft pizza dough is filled with a savory blend of garlic, shallots, vegan cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil, then shaped into adorable pumpkin forms using kitchen twine and baked until golden and flavorful.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough and Filling

16 ounces pre-made pizza dough
1 teaspoon olive oil plus more for the string
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, sliced
Salt & pepper, to taste
4 ounces vegan cream cheese (I used Kite Hill)
2 heaping tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
4 basil leaves, roughly torn, plus more for serving

Finishing and Glaze

2 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
6 pieces cooking twine, each 24″ long

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Instructions

Prepare Oven and Dough: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the pizza dough on a lightly oiled surface and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to become pliable.
Prepare Twine: Cut six pieces of cooking twine into 24-inch lengths. Place them in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking and make removal easier after baking.
Sauté Aromatics: Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, sliced shallot, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes until edges are slightly browned. Set aside and allow to cool.
Make Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooled garlic and shallot mixture with the vegan cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and torn basil leaves. Mix thoroughly and taste, adjusting salt as needed.
Shape Pizza Bites: Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Gently stretch each piece into a circle. Place approximately 1/6 of the filling in the center, then pinch the dough closed forming a ball around the filling. Take a piece of oiled twine and lightly wrap it around the dough ball to create 8 pumpkin-like quadrants. Tie off and trim excess string. Place each shaped bite on the baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough and filling.
Glaze and Bake: Mix the melted vegan butter with smoked paprika, turmeric, and garlic powder. Brush the tops of each dough ball with the spiced butter mixture, avoiding the bottom. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Cool and Serve: Remove the baked pizza bites from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Carefully cut and remove the twine. Garnish each pumpkin-shaped bite with small basil leaves to resemble pumpkin stems. Serve warm.

Notes

Allowing the dough to rest at room temperature is crucial for easy stretching and shaping.
Do not tie the twine too tightly to allow dough expansion without breaking.
You can substitute vegan cream cheese with regular cream cheese if not vegan.
These bites are best served warm but can be stored in an airtight container and reheated.
Use parchment paper on your baking sheet to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 pumpkin bite
Calories: 280
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 320mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 0mg