Dragon Scale Spicy Pepperoni Cheese (Print View)

Layered pepperoni and cheese create a striking appetizer ideal for quick preparation and festive occasions.

# Components:

→ 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)

# Method:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F if serving warm or to gently melt the cheese.
02 - Arrange baguette slices or gluten-free crackers on a serving platter or baking sheet.
03 - Starting at one end of each base, place a semi-circle of cheese with the straight edge aligned to the base edge, then overlap a pepperoni slice over the rounded edge to create a layered scale effect. Continue alternating cheese and pepperoni with slight overlaps to mimic dragon scales.
04 - Repeat layering until each base or the entire platter is covered with the scale pattern.
05 - For a warm appetizer, bake the assembled pieces for 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese just melts and pepperoni crisps slightly.
06 - Garnish with fresh basil or parsley leaves if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It genuinely impresses people without requiring any special skills or fancy equipment.
  • The salty-savory combo of pepperoni and melted cheese hits that perfect comfort zone every single time.
  • You can prep it entirely at room temperature and pop it in the oven only when guests arrive.
02 -
  • Cheese thickness is everything—too thick and it won't curve naturally with the pepperoni, too thin and it tears when you try to layer it.
  • If you're making this ahead, assemble it cold and bake it only when your guests are about 10 minutes away; the warm version is exponentially better than the room-temperature version, but it holds fine for up to an hour at room temperature if life gets chaotic.
03 -
  • Slice your cheese and pepperoni slightly thicker or thinner depending on how delicate you want the final scales to look—thinner creates more refined, dramatic overlaps.
  • If your cheese is too cold and cracks when you try to curve it, let it sit on the counter for five minutes; cold cheese is brittle cheese.
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