Description
Savory Italian-style Meatball Sub Bites bring comfort and zest to classic sandwich flavors. Quick appetizers pack robust marinara and melted cheese into convenient, crowd-pleasing mini treats you’ll devour in seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Components:
- 12 frozen or homemade meatballs, fully cooked
Cheese Components:
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Base and Seasoning Components:
- 1 can (8 ounces / 226 grams) crescent roll dough (or biscuit dough)
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375F (190C) and lightly coating a mini muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Carefully unfold the crescent dough and methodically slice into 12 uniform squares, ensuring each piece is roughly the same size for consistent cooking.
- Gently ease each dough square into the prepared muffin cups, pressing softly to create a small cup-like shape that will hold the filling.
- Delicately spoon a small amount of marinara sauce into the center of each dough-lined cup, creating a flavorful base for the meatball.
- Nestle a single precooked meatball into the sauce-filled dough cups, positioning them centrally for balanced presentation.
- Generously sprinkle both mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over each meatball, allowing the cheese to melt and create a golden, appetizing topping.
- In a separate small mixing bowl, combine melted butter with garlic powder and Italian seasoning, whisking to create a fragrant herb-infused glaze.
- Using a pastry brush, carefully coat the exposed dough edges with the seasoned butter mixture, which will help create a golden, crispy exterior.
- Transfer the muffin tin to the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching carefully until the bites turn a beautiful golden brown and the cheese becomes delightfully bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and allow the meatball bites to cool for 5 minutes, which helps them set and prevents burning.
- Finish by garnishing with finely chopped fresh basil or parsley, adding a bright, aromatic touch to the bite-sized appetizers.
Notes
- Customize the meatballs by using ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that’s perfect for health-conscious eaters.
- Use gluten-free crescent roll dough to make this recipe completely gluten-free and suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep these bite-sized treats ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating up to 4 hours before baking, making them ideal for quick party appetizers or game day snacks.
- Add a kick of heat by mixing a pinch of red pepper flakes into the marinara sauce or sprinkling some over the top before baking for those who love a spicy twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg