Dragon Scale Appetizer (Printable Version)

Layered spicy pepperoni and cheese create a striking appetizer perfect for parties and snacks.

# What You 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)

# Steps:

01 - Heat the oven to 400°F to warm the appetizer or gently melt the cheese.
02 - Place baguette slices or gluten-free crackers on a serving platter or baking sheet if using.
03 - On each base piece or directly on a platter, place a semi-circle of cheese with its straight edge aligned to the base edge, then overlap a slice of pepperoni over the rounded cheese edge to create a scale pattern. Continue alternating cheese and pepperoni, overlapping slightly to form dragon scales.
04 - Repeat layering until the entire base or platter surface is covered in the scale pattern.
05 - Warm the assembled pieces in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes until cheese is just melted and pepperoni edges crisp lightly.
06 - Finish with fresh herbs if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impressive enough for guests but takes only 25 minutes, which means you can actually enjoy the party instead of sweating in the kitchen.
  • The layers create pockets where cheese gets creamy and pepperoni crisps up slightly, giving you different textures in every bite.
  • You can make it entirely by hand with just a knife—no special equipment or cooking skills required.
02 -
  • Cheese thickness is everything—if your slices are too thick, they won't curve nicely and won't create that elegant scale effect, so invest two minutes in slicing them thin.
  • The baking step is optional but transforms the dish; even just 5-7 minutes makes the pepperoni perk up and the cheese become creamy enough to hold the structure together as you serve and eat it.
03 -
  • Room temperature pepperoni is easier to work with than cold pepperoni straight from the fridge, so pull it out 10 minutes before you start arranging.
  • If you're serving this to a crowd, assemble on platters that can go straight into the oven, so there's no moving it around and disrupting your careful layers right before serving.
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