Veggie Pizza Appetizer is a quick and easy snack or appetizer, made with Pillsbury crescent rolls, cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, and fresh veggies of your choice. Like vegetables and dip on a crust! So easy to make and a favorite of young and old alike!
Veggie Pizza Squares are an easy way to get your veggies in as an appetizer. Who wants a veggie and dip tray when you can have your favorite vegetable flavors all in one bite. These bite sized finger food are ideal for Christmas Eve, New Years Parties, Games Day treats or any other event where you want easy appetizer ideas. Veggie Pizza appetizer is also great for snacks or even a quick lunch!
I don’t often buy pre-made dough like the crescent rolls used in this recipe. But, for a quick and easy appetizer idea, these are truly the best quick crusts to make. I have seen this recipe made with Naan bread for a no-bake version, and although I know the texture would be different, it would still be very yum!
Can veggie pizza appetizers be made ahead?
Veggie pizza squares can not be made too far in advance. To save time and do some prep beforehand, have the crust baked the day ahead. You can also have the cream cheese ranch spread made up ahead and all of the vegetables prepped and stored in separate containers. If you do have the cream cheese Ranch spread made up ahead and refrigerated, allow it to get to room temperature before spreading on the Pillsbury crust. Once vegetable pizza is assembled it will only keep for 1-2 days in the refrigerator. The longer it gets stored, the soggier the crust becomes.
What vegetables to use and how to prep them
You can use a variety of your favorite vegetables for veggie pizza appetizers. Basically you need a total of around 2 cups of vegetables. My favorites are broccoli, celery, carrots, bell pepper, mushrooms, and green or purple onions. The vegetables must all be finely chopped, and I do this by hand so that the pieces are all uniform. For the carrots, it’s best to grate them so there aren’t any super hard chunks, just the crunch from the celery and broccoli. It really doesn’t take very much time to chop the veggies by hand but you can use a food processor if you’re careful not to chop them too small for the veggie pizza.
Why You will love veggie pizza appetizer!
- Quick and easy recipe!
- So much flavor in every bite!
- Great for parties, potlucks, picnics etc.
- Finger food appetizer idea.
- Love at first bite!
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variations to try
- You can use 1 cup of Mayonnaise instead of Miracle Whip
- Cauliflower is a wonderful veggie add in.
- For a bit of spice, a dash of cayenne pepper added to the cream cheese spread is great.
- Cucumbers, chopped tiny and added last.
- Some people like veggie appetizer with grated cheddar cheese.
- Black olives
- Use a container of whipped flavored cream cheese for the “dip” layer.
For a colorful, fun and flavorful appetizer or snack, make sure to use a variety of different colored vegetables on your Veggie Pizza Appetizer squares. For red veggies, sweet peppers, radishes, or tomatoes without the seeds. For green, you can use green pepper, green onions, broccoli, cucumber, and celery. Purple looks great if you like purple onions. And of course the orange carrots add a brilliant splash of color on your veggie pizza!
Or you can do a themed veggie pizza appetizer with red and white for Valentines, Green for St. Patrick’s Day, etc. depending on your party or event.
history of veggie pizza appetizer
I think the start of veggie pizza made with Pillsbury crescent rolls began shortly after the invention of the pre-made crescent rolls in 1965. Of course the Pillsbury company has been around for a very very long time. It all began in 1869 with a few flour mills along the Mississippi river. Then, in 1931, the tube can that pops when it opens was invented. In 1965, not only were crescent rolls invented but also the Pillsbury Doughboy. In current times, 5 cans of Pillsbury crescent rolls are sold every minute! This veggie pizza appetizer is said to have started in the 90s but I’m sure some version of this easy appetizer idea started much earlier than that! Now, there are Pillsbury crescent sheets that make this veggie pizza appetizer even easier to make!
Ingredients for veggie pizza appetizer
- Refrigerator Crescent rolls, the size is 8 per tube. You just need one of these to fit in a 9×13 inch pan.
- Cream cheese, either low fat or regular, you can use spreadable or the block as long as the amount is equal to 8 oz. or 225g.
- Miracle whip, or mayonnaise, or even sour cream will work, this will make the cream cheese easier to spread on the crust.
- Ranch style dressing mix, or you can use any dip or dressing mix in the amount of 1 oz. or 2 Tablespoons.
- Celery, finely chopped.
- Orange bell pepper, finely chopped or a combination of other colors of bell peppers.
- Purple onion, or green onion, finely chopped.
- Mushrooms, also finely chopped.
- Broccoli, my favorite vegetable for veggie pizza appetizer!
- Carrots, grated.
how to make veggie pizza appetizer
1.Press the crescent rolls into a lightly greased 9×13 inch pan, covering the bottom of the pan.
2. Bake at 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned. Cool completely.
3. While the crust is baking and cooling, prepare the vegetables. You will need a total of at least 2 cups.
4. In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, miracle whip, and ranch style dressing mix together until smooth.
5. Spread onto the cooled crust.
6. Sprinkle the vegetables evenly over the cream cheese spread. Press the veggies into the topping.
7. Cut into 48 squares either before adding the veggies or after.
Have some veggie pizza appetizer for national snack day on March 4!
other appetizer ideas to try
Veggie Pizza Appetizer
Veggie Pizza appetizer or snack is so easy and quick to make. Using refrigerator crescent rolls for the crust, then a spreadable topping with cream cheese, Miracle Whip and Ranch seasoning. To top it off, use your favorite vegetables for this quick and easy, healthy appetizer idea!
Ingredients
Instructions
Press the crescent rolls into a lightly greased 9x13 inch pan, covering the bottom of the pan.
Bake at 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned. Cool completely.
While the crust is baking and cooling, prepare the vegetables. You will need a total of at least 2 cups.
In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, miracle whip, and ranch style dressing mix together until smooth.
Spread onto the cooled crust.
Sprinkle the vegetables evenly over the cream cheese spread. Press the veggies into the topping.
Cut into 48 squares either before adding the veggies or after.
Serving Size 1 square
Servings 48
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 48kcal
- Calories from Fat 20kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 2.2g4%
- Sodium 176mg8%
- Potassium 21mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 6g2%
- Dietary Fiber 0.3g2%
- Sugars 0.9g
- Vitamin A 8 IU
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Press the veggies gently into the cream cheese layer.
- Use a pizza cutter to cut.
- You can cut the crust before putting the veggies on for easier cutting.
- To prevent from getting too soggy when you make up 24 hours ahead, don't completely seal the container. If you trap the moisture in, it will get soggier than if you leave it somewhat open with just paper towel over the veggie pizza.
- If you do use a food processor for chopping the veggies, be very careful to not pulverize them.
- To soften cream cheese, remove the wrapper and microwave for 15 seconds.
