Dragon Scale Spicy Pepperoni Cheese (Printable)

A visually striking appetizer layering spicy pepperoni and smooth cheese in a dragon scale pattern.

# 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 to 400°F (200°C) to warm appetizer or melt cheese slightly.
02 - Arrange baguette slices or gluten-free crackers on a serving platter or baking sheet.
03 - Place a semi-circle of cheese on each base piece aligning the straight edge with the base edge; overlap a slice of pepperoni over the cheese's rounded edge to form a scale; continue layering alternating cheese and pepperoni with slight overlap to create a dragon scale pattern.
04 - Repeat layering until every base piece or the platter surface is covered with the scale pattern.
05 - Bake assembled pieces for 5 to 7 minutes until cheese melts and pepperoni crisps lightly.
06 - Optionally adorn with fresh basil or parsley leaves and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but comes together faster than you'd think—perfect for unexpected guests or last-minute gatherings.
  • The combination of cool creamy cheese and spicy, slightly crisp pepperoni is genuinely addictive once you get the overlap pattern right.
  • You can make them cold or warm them through, adapting to whatever vibe your party needs.
02 -
  • The overlapping is everything—if pieces are placed flat and separate, they look sad and chaotic, but once you get the rhythm of laying them like scales, the whole thing comes alive.
  • Slice your cheese as thin as you can manage without it falling apart; thick cheese won't meld into the pepperoni the way you want it to.
03 -
  • Chill your cheese slices slightly before arranging if they're too soft or warm, which makes them easier to handle and helps them hold their shape during overlapping.
  • If you're making these for a crowd, assemble them on a platter that fits in your oven so you can warm everything at once without transferring—saves time and looks more intentional when you bring them straight from oven to table.
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