Name: Upside Down Pepperoni Pizza Tarts Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients: 18 slices pepperoni; 6 garlic cloves, crushed (or use confit garlic); 3/4 cup pizza sauce (or crushed tinned tomatoes); 1 teaspoon salt; Good grind of black pepper; 1 cup grated mozzarella; A handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped; 1 tablespoon sweet chilli jam; 1 sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry; 1/4 cup grated parmesan; 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

There’s something irresistibly fun about flipping the script on pizza—literally! The Upside Down Pepperoni Pizza Tarts Recipe takes all your favorite pizza flavors and wraps them up in a crispy puff pastry shell, flipped over to reveal a golden, cheesy, pepperoni-topped masterpiece. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to make again and again for a casual dinner or when friends pop by.

The image shows four small square pizzas on white parchment paper placed on a white marbled surface. Each pizza has a crispy, golden brown crust with slightly burnt edges. Three of the pizzas have a visible layer of red tomato sauce topped with melted orange cheese and scattered green basil leaves. The pizza in the top left corner is fully covered in a golden cheesy layer with some browned spots and no visible tomato sauce. Around the pizzas, there are a few small green basil leaves scattered and a bowl of dark dipping sauce with visible red chili flakes on the lower left side. In the top right corner, there is a wooden honey dipper with some honey on the white marbled surface. The overall look is rustic and fresh. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Upside Down Pepperoni Pizza Tarts Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Upside Down Pepperoni Pizza Tarts Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Upside Down Pepperoni Pizza Tarts Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I was hooked the first time I flipped one of these tarts out of the pan to reveal that wonderfully crisp, golden puff pastry hiding a perfectly cheesy and saucy pepperoni filling. It’s such a clever way to enjoy pizza flavors with minimal fuss and maximum wow factor.

A Crisp Surprise: The upside-down technique keeps the puff pastry wonderfully crispy—and no soggy bottoms here!
Simple yet Impressive: Minimal ingredients come together to make a stunning snack or light meal.
Perfect Portion Control: These individual tarts mean no slicing battles or awkward sharing.
Customizable: You can easily swap out toppings or spices to suit your mood or pantry.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Upside Down Pepperoni Pizza Tarts Recipe brings something essential to the table, balancing flavor and texture perfectly. Aim for fresh, good-quality ingredients to really make the flavors pop.

Flat lay of eighteen slices of bright red pepperoni arranged neatly, three whole uncracked brown garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl filled with rich red pizza sauce, coarse grains of salt and black peppercorns placed separately as small piles, a small mound of shredded white mozzarella cheese, one sheet of smooth golden puff pastry, a small heap of finely grated pale parmesan cheese, a handful of fresh green basil leaves roughly chopped, and a small white bowl with glossy deep red sweet chilli jam, all ingredients placed with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Pepperoni slices: They add that classic spicy, savory punch and crisp up deliciously under heat.
Garlic cloves: Crushed fresh garlic delivers warmth and depth; confit garlic works beautifully if you want a mellower flavor.
Pizza sauce: Choose a tangy, good-quality sauce or go rustic with crushed tinned tomatoes seasoned well.
Salt & black pepper: Basic seasonings that balance and lift every other flavor in the tart.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts gloriously to create that oozy, gooey texture everyone loves.
Ready-rolled puff pastry sheet: This is the star for that light, flaky, golden crust—super easy to work with when chilled.
Parmesan cheese: Sprinkled on top for an extra layer of savory, crispy goodness.
Fresh basil leaves: Bright, fragrant, and fresh—the final herbaceous touch that elevates the tart.
Sweet chilli jam: A hint of sweetness and spice that balances the salty and savory components.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This is where the fun starts! I love experimenting with different toppings depending on the season or what’s in my fridge, and these tarts are so forgiving. You’ll enjoy personalizing them as much as I do.

Variation: I once swapped out classic pepperoni for spicy chorizo and tossed in some roasted red peppers—an absolute hit at a weekend party.
Vegetarian option: Try mushroom and caramelized onion with a sprinkle of feta instead of pepperoni.
Heat it up: Add a few chopped jalapeños under the cheese for a spicy kick I adore.
Gluten-free twist: Use a gluten-free puff pastry sheet to make these tarts suitable for gluten-sensitive friends.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Upside Down Pepperoni Pizza Tarts Recipe

The image shows four rectangular layers of pale dough on a sheet of parchment paper with a beige tone. Each dough layer is unevenly covered with a thick layer of shredded white cheese scattered loosely, with some pieces falling around the edges onto the paper. The dough layers appear soft with slight marks where they might have been pressed down, and they have a yellowish brushed coating that hints at an egg wash. They are arranged in a 2x2 grid, with shadows creating a pattern over the parchment paper. The background surface is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Pepperoni and Garlic Piles

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F fan) and line one or two baking trays with parchment paper. Arrange the pepperoni slices into six small piles directly on the baking paper—three slices per tart works perfectly. Scatter one crushed garlic clove on top of each pile; this infuses the base with lovely aromatic flavor as it bakes. If you like garlic mellowed out, confit works fantastic here.

Step 2: Add Sauce and Cheese

Blend your pizza sauce or seasoned crushed tomatoes with salt and black pepper, then spoon a generous dollop over each pepperoni and garlic pile. Follow up with a good sprinkle of shredded mozzarella—this will melt beautifully underneath the puff pastry and create that irresistible oozy texture you’re after.

Step 3: Seal with Puff Pastry

Unwrap your puff pastry sheet and slice it into six equal rectangles—double-check that each piece comfortably covers and seals around the filling piles. Gently press the pastry down over each mound, sealing the edges by pressing with your fingers. This seals in all the liquid and flavors while baking.

Step 4: Egg Wash and Parmesan Finish

Whisk an egg in a small bowl or mug and brush the top of each puff pastry tart generously. This not only helps create a stunning golden color but also acts as glue for the grated parmesan you sprinkle all over. That little touch adds an extra layer of crunchy, salty deliciousness.

Step 5: Baking Magic and The Flip

Bake the tarts for about 20 minutes until the pastry puffs up, turns a deep golden brown, and looks beautifully crisp. This is the best smell in the kitchen, seriously! Once out of the oven, carefully flip each tart over with a spatula or fish slice onto your serving plate. Top with a drizzle of sweet chilli jam and a scatter of fresh basil leaves for that perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and herbal freshness. Serve immediately for the ideal textural contrast.

Top Tip

When I first made these tarts, I was paranoid about soggy pastry—who wouldn’t be? But flipping them upside down fixes that perfectly. Here are a few nuggets from my experience that’ll make your tarts just right:

Keep the pastry chilled: Cold puff pastry puffs better and seals easier around the filling.
Don’t overload the filling: A neat portion keeps the pastry from getting soggy or tearing.
Use parchment paper: It makes flipping and cleanup a breeze, trust me!
Flip carefully: Use a thin spatula and work slowly to keep your tarts looking perfect.

How to Serve Upside Down Pepperoni Pizza Tarts Recipe

pepperoni pizza tarts - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping mine with fresh basil every time—it brightens the whole dish. The sweet chilli jam drizzle adds a lovely sweet-heat element that pairs so well with the salty pepperoni and cheeses. Feel free to add a pinch of chili flakes or even a squeeze of lemon juice for zing!

Side Dishes

For a quick lunch, pair the tarts with a crisp green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette. When serving as party snacks, I like crunchy carrot sticks and a tangy ranch dip. They’re also fabulous next to a bowl of tomato soup on chilly evenings.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I arrange the flipped tarts on a wooden board with scattered basil leaves and tiny bowls of chili jam or marinara for dipping. It’s casual but looks super inviting. You can also make mini versions in a muffin tin for delightful individual bites!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftover tarts tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay good for up to 2 days. The pastry softens a bit in the fridge, so re-crisping before eating is key.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these before baked, sealing each uncooked tart well in foil and plastic wrap. When ready to eat, just bake them straight from frozen—adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time—and enjoy fresh-tasting tarts in no time.

Reheating

To bring back that freshly baked crispiness, I recommend reheating the tarts in a hot oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 8-10 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it tends to make the pastry chewy rather than crisp.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these tarts vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap the pepperoni for sautéed mushrooms, roasted vegetables, or a mix of cheeses to keep it just as flavorful and delicious.

How do I prevent the puff pastry from getting soggy?

The secret is layering the ingredients correctly and flipping the tarts after baking to keep the puff pastry on top, ensuring it stays crispy. Also, don’t overload the filling with sauce.

Can I prepare these tarts ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the tarts and refrigerate them for a few hours before baking. Alternatively, freeze them uncooked for longer storage and bake from frozen when needed.

What can I substitute for sweet chilli jam?

If you don’t have sweet chilli jam, a drizzle of honey mixed with a pinch of chili flakes or a spoonful of marinara sauce adds a lovely complementary touch.

Final Thoughts

Whenever I make these Upside Down Pepperoni Pizza Tarts, they turn into an instant hit, whether it’s family dinner, an impromptu lunch, or a party snack. They’re fun to make, beautifully simple, and deliver all that cheesy, crispy, pepperoni goodness in every bite. I can’t recommend this recipe enough—you’re going to love the ease and deliciousness of these tarts as much as I do!