These Festive Tree-Shaped Mini Pizzas are a fun and tasty way to celebrate the holiday season. Made with simple ingredients and shaped like little Christmas trees, they’re a hit with both kids and adults. I love serving them as an appetizer at holiday parties or as a fun dinner idea during December.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I enjoy how these mini pizzas turn a classic comfort food into something playful and holiday-ready. They’re quick to make, endlessly customizable, and perfect for getting everyone in the festive spirit. Whether I’m making them with store-bought dough or homemade, the tree shapes and colorful toppings always add a cheerful touch to my table.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- Pizza sauce or marinara
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Mini pepperoni or sliced olives
- Diced bell peppers (red and green for holiday color)
- Olive oil
- Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- Flour (for rolling out dough)
Directions
- I preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- I roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s about ¼-inch thick.
- Using a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter, I cut out as many tree shapes as I can and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- I brush each mini pizza with a little olive oil, then spread a small spoonful of sauce on each.
- I sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top and decorate with pepperoni, bell peppers, or olives like ornaments.
- I finish with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning and bake for about 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden.
- I let them cool slightly before serving warm.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 12 mini pizzas, depending on the size of the cookie cutter.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10–12 minutes
Total time: around 25 minutes
Variations
I like switching up the toppings based on what I have. Sometimes I use pesto instead of tomato sauce for a green base or go vegetarian with mushrooms, onions, and colorful peppers. If I want a cheesy twist, I add shredded cheddar or parmesan. And for a sweet version, I’ve even used Nutella and fruit with a dessert-style dough.
Storage/reheating
I store leftover mini pizzas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I pop them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes until warm and slightly crispy again. They also reheat well in the air fryer. I avoid microwaving them if I want to keep the crust from going soggy.
FAQs
Do I need a tree-shaped cookie cutter?
It helps with the festive look, but if I don’t have one, I use a knife to cut tree shapes by hand. It’s a bit rustic but still super cute.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, I prepare and assemble them, then refrigerate until ready to bake. They also freeze well before baking—just add a couple of minutes to the cook time.
What kind of dough works best?
I like using store-bought pizza dough for convenience, but homemade works great too. Even crescent roll dough or puff pastry can be used for a flakier version.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Absolutely. I just use a gluten-free pizza dough and check that all toppings are gluten-free as well.
Are these good for kids?
Definitely. I’ve found kids love helping decorate their own pizzas, and the fun shapes make them more likely to try new toppings.
Conclusion
These Festive Tree-Shaped Mini Pizzas are a fun, creative way to bring some cheer to the holiday season. Whether I’m serving them at a party or making them for a cozy family night, they’re always a hit. Simple, flavorful, and full of holiday charm—they’ve become a tradition I look forward to every year.
PrintFestive Tree-Shaped Mini Pizzas
Festive Tree-Shaped Mini Pizzas are a playful and delicious holiday treat made with pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and colorful toppings, shaped into Christmas trees. Perfect for parties or family fun during the holiday season.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini pizzas
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 sheet pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce or marinara
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup mini pepperoni or sliced olives
- 1/4 cup diced red and green bell peppers
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- Flour (for rolling out dough)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out tree shapes using a Christmas tree cookie cutter and place them on the baking sheet.
- Brush each tree with olive oil and spread a small spoonful of sauce on top.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and decorate with pepperoni, bell peppers, or olives.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning over each mini pizza.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until cheese is melted and edges are golden.
- Let cool slightly and serve warm.
Notes
- Use pesto for a green sauce alternative.
- Try vegetarian toppings like mushrooms, onions, and more peppers.
- For extra cheese flavor, add shredded cheddar or Parmesan.
- Make dessert versions with Nutella and fruit on sweet dough.
- Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat in oven or air fryer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini pizza
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 12mg
