Dragon Scale Appetizer (Printable)

Spicy pepperoni and cheese layers form a stunning appetizer resembling dragon scales, 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)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F if serving warm or to melt cheese slightly.
02 - Place baguette slices or gluten-free crackers on a serving platter or baking sheet.
03 - Position a semi-circle of cheese on each base piece with the straight edge aligned to the base edge. Overlap a pepperoni slice over the rounded edge of the cheese, alternating layers to create a dragon scale effect.
04 - Continue layering alternating cheese and pepperoni slices, overlapping slightly, until the entire base or platter is covered.
05 - Bake assembled pieces for 5–7 minutes until cheese melts slightly and pepperoni crisps.
06 - Add fresh basil or parsley leaves if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It looks impossibly fancy but takes barely 15 minutes, which means you can actually pull it off on a Tuesday.
  • Everyone stops talking when they see it because the scales catch light in this weirdly beautiful way.
  • The warm cheese melts into the crispy pepperoni and suddenly you've got this perfect contrast of textures that feels indulgent.
02 -
  • Your cheese has to be sliced thin or it won't drape properly—thick slices will buckle and refuse to cooperate, trust me on this one.
  • The magic isn't in the cooking; it's in the overlapping, so don't rush the layering step even though it feels tedious.
  • If you're not baking it, everything is fine at room temperature, and honestly, the cheese actually tastes better when it's cool enough to hold its shape.
03 -
  • Ask your deli counter to slice both the pepperoni and cheese paper-thin, and half your work is already done.
  • Room temperature is actually your friend here—the cheese holds its shape better and the flavors are more pronounced than when everything is warm.
Go Back