Dragon Scale Appetizer (Printable Version)

Layered pepperoni and cheese create an eye-catching snack with a unique scale pattern for sharing.

# 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)

# Directions:

01 - Set oven to 400°F to warm and slightly melt cheese if desired.
02 - Place baguette slices or gluten-free crackers on a serving platter or baking sheet.
03 - Starting at one edge of each base piece or directly on platter, place a semi-circle of cheese with its straight edge aligned to the base edge; overlap a pepperoni slice over the rounded edge to create a dragon scale effect, alternating layers and slightly overlapping each piece.
04 - Continue layering alternating cheese and pepperoni until the entire base or platter is covered in a scale pattern.
05 - For a warm appetizer, bake the assembled pieces for 5–7 minutes until cheese just melts and pepperoni crisp slightly.
06 - Add fresh herbs if desired and serve immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It looks impossibly impressive but takes less time than microwaving leftovers.
  • Your guests will actually remember what you served them, not just that they were fed.
  • You can make it five minutes before people arrive, warm or cold, and it tastes just right either way.
02 -
  • Slice your cheese and pepperoni as thin as possible—thick slices break the dragon scale illusion and won't drape the way you want them to.
  • If you're baking, preheat your oven and watch closely after the five-minute mark; cheese that melts beautifully one second can turn greasy the next.
03 -
  • Prepare everything up to two hours ahead, then arrange the scales right before serving or just before baking—this keeps everything fresh and the cheese from sweating.
  • If you're making this for a crowd, prep your cheese and pepperoni slices beforehand in the order you'll use them, stacked between parchment paper so they're ready to grab and layer.
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