Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Drip Chips are the ultimate easy appetizer that brings all the irresistible flavors of your favorite pizza into a crave-worthy, dippable snack. This recipe is perfect for game nights, parties, or simply satisfying a pizza craving without the fuss of a full pie.
Key Ingredients for Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Drip Chips:
- 1 (16-ounce) bag of sturdy potato chips (kettle-cooked or ridged chips work best)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pepperoni, divided
- 1/4 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
- Sour cream or ranch dressing, for serving (optional)
How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Drip Chips:
Get ready to experience pure comfort in every bite with these Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Drip Chips! This incredibly straightforward recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, boasting a rich, cheesy, pepperoni-infused sauce that drapes beautifully over crispy chips. With a quick preparation time of just 15 minutes and a baking time of 10 minutes, you’ll be indulging in this delightful snack in no time.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Arrange the Chips: Spread the entire bag of sturdy potato chips in a single layer across the prepared baking sheet. Try to avoid too much overlapping to ensure even topping distribution.
- Sauté Aromatics and Pepperoni: Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add half of the chopped pepperoni (about 1/4 cup) and cook until it starts to crisp up slightly, about 2-3 minutes. This renders out some of the delicious pepperoni fat, which adds incredible flavor.
- Add Onion and Garlic: Add the finely diced yellow onion to the skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Incorporate Pizza Sauce and Spices: Pour in the pizza sauce (or marinara sauce) into the skillet. Stir in the dried oregano and the pinch of red pepper flakes, if using. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add Remaining Pepperoni: Stir in the remaining finely chopped pepperoni into the sauce. This will add pockets of texture and flavor throughout the dip.
- Spoon Sauce Over Chips: Carefully spoon the hot pepperoni and sauce mixture evenly over the arranged potato chips on the baking sheet. Ensure a good distribution so every chip gets a bit of that saucy goodness.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese evenly over the saucy chips.
- Bake until Bubbly and Golden: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown around the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. If desired, sprinkle with fresh basil leaves for a touch of freshness. Let the Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Drip Chips cool slightly for a minute or two before serving, as the cheese will be very hot. Serve immediately with a side of sour cream or ranch dressing if you like for an extra creamy element.
Why You’ll Love This Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Drip Chips:
You’ll absolutely adore these Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Drip Chips for their incredibly addictive, cheesy, and slightly spicy pepperoni flavor that mirrors your favorite pizza, but in a fun, dippable format. Making these at home is a fraction of the cost of ordering takeout, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet-level appetizer without breaking the bank, and the dynamic combination of savory pepperoni, melty cheeses, and aromatic spices is simply irresistible for any pizza lover. Think of them as a party-ready, super-powered snack that’s almost as satisfying as a slice, but with zero guilt regarding the crust!
These are much more than just a bag of chips; they’re a culinary experience designed to bring joy and deliciousness to your gatherings or solo snacking adventures. Don’t wait – gather your ingredients and whip up a batch of these fantastic Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Drip Chips today; we promise your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Leftovers of Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Drip Chips can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, it’s important to note that the chips will lose their crispness over time as they absorb moisture from the sauce and cheese.
To reheat, you can place the leftovers on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is re-melted and slightly bubbly. This will help to crisp up the chips a bit. Alternatively, you can reheat them briefly in a toaster oven. For best results and maximum crispness, it’s ideal to enjoy Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Drip Chips fresh, but reheating can still yield a delicious, albeit slightly less crunchy, result. Freezing is not recommended as it will significantly degrade the texture of the chips.
Final Thoughts:
These Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Drip Chips are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfectly capturing classic pizza flavors in a fun, accessible snack. Give them a try for your next gathering or a cozy night in – you won’t be disappointed by this delicious and easy recipe!
Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Drip Chips
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Spread the entire bag of sturdy potato chips in a single layer across the prepared baking sheet. Try to avoid too much overlapping to ensure even topping distribution.1 (16-ounce) bag sturdy potato chips (kettle-cooked or ridged chips work best)
- Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add half of the chopped pepperoni (about 1/4 cup) and cook until it starts to crisp up slightly, about 2-3 minutes. This renders out some of the delicious pepperoni fat, which adds incredible flavor.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 cup finely chopped pepperoni
- Add the finely diced yellow onion to the skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.1/4 cup finely diced yellow onion, 1 clove garlic, minced
- Pour in the pizza sauce (or marinara sauce) into the skillet. Stir in the dried oregano and the pinch of red pepper flakes, if using. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.1/2 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, Pinch red pepper flakes
- Stir in the remaining finely chopped pepperoni into the sauce. This will add pockets of texture and flavor throughout the dip.1/2 cup finely chopped pepperoni
- Carefully spoon the hot pepperoni and sauce mixture evenly over the arranged potato chips on the baking sheet. Ensure a good distribution so every chip gets a bit of that saucy goodness.1 (16-ounce) bag sturdy potato chips (kettle-cooked or ridged chips work best)
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese evenly over the saucy chips.1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown around the edges.
- Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. If desired, sprinkle with fresh basil leaves for a touch of freshness. Let the Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Drip Chips cool slightly for a minute or two before serving, as the cheese will be very hot. Serve immediately with a side of sour cream or ranch dressing if you like for an extra creamy element.Fresh basil leaves, Sour cream or ranch dressing