Dragon Scale Pepperoni Appetizer (Print Version)

Layered pepperoni and cheese arranged as dragon scales for a flavorful appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 5 oz thinly sliced pepperoni

→ Cheese

02 - 5 oz semi-firm cheese (provolone, mozzarella, or cheddar), sliced into thin rounds or half-moons

→ Bread Base (optional)

03 - 1 baguette, sliced into ½-inch rounds, or gluten-free crackers

→ Garnishes

04 - Fresh basil or parsley leaves (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F if serving warm or to slightly melt the cheese.
02 - Arrange baguette slices or gluten-free crackers on a serving platter or baking sheet, if using.
03 - Starting at one edge of each base or directly on the platter, place a semi-circle of cheese with the straight edge aligned to the base's edge. Overlap a pepperoni slice over the cheese’s rounded edge to create a scaled pattern. Continue alternating cheese and pepperoni, slightly overlapping each piece to simulate dragon scales.
04 - Repeat the layering process until each base or the entire platter is covered with the scaled arrangement.
05 - Bake assembled pieces in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes until cheese is just melted and pepperoni edges are slightly crisp.
06 - Add fresh basil or parsley leaves if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent way more time on it than the actual 15 minutes of prep.
  • Works warm or cold, which means you can make it ahead and actually enjoy your own party.
  • The combination of crispy pepperoni and creamy melted cheese hits every craving at once.
02 -
  • Don't bake them longer than 7 minutes or the cheese turns from creamy to rubbery and you lose the whole point of the layering effect.
  • Cold pepperoni won't crisp up the way warm pepperoni will, so if you're making these ahead and serving room temperature, the texture will be softer but still delicious.
03 -
  • Use a sharp knife for slicing cheese so you get clean half-moons instead of ragged edges that fall apart, and your whole arrangement will look ten times more intentional.
  • If your pepperoni is too thick, buy the thinnest pre-sliced version you can find or ask the deli counter to slice it paper-thin, because that's what actually makes them crisp up in the oven instead of staying floppy.
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