Dragon Scale Appetizer (Print View)

Layered spicy pepperoni and semi-firm cheese create a striking dragon scale appetizer, perfect for gatherings.

# 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)

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F for serving warm or to slightly melt cheese.
02 - Place baguette slices or gluten-free crackers on a serving platter or baking sheet, if using.
03 - Starting at one end of each base or directly on the platter, layer alternating semi-circles of cheese and overlapping pepperoni slices to resemble dragon scales.
04 - Continue overlapping cheese and pepperoni pieces until bases or platter surface are fully covered.
05 - If desired, bake the assembled pieces for 5–7 minutes until cheese melts and pepperoni crisps slightly.
06 - Top with fresh herbs as desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when you actually spent minutes, which is the kind of kitchen magic that wins hearts.
  • The interplay of crispy pepperoni and melted cheese hits every texture and flavor note without requiring any real cooking skill.
  • You can prep these on any base or no base at all, making it endlessly adaptable to what's already in your kitchen.
02 -
  • The thinner your cheese and pepperoni slices, the easier they are to overlap without breaking, and the more dramatic the scale effect becomes.
  • Room temperature versions stay beautiful for hours, but baked versions are best served within minutes of coming out of the oven while the cheese is still soft and forgiving.
03 -
  • Use a very sharp knife when slicing cheese and pepperoni so nothing tears or falls apart during the layering process.
  • If your pepperoni or cheese is too thick to curve nicely, you can gently warm it in your hands for a few seconds before arranging it—warm cheese and pepperoni are forgiving and flexible.
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