We Tried Chrissy Teigen's Pizza Cupcakes. Here's What You Need To Know
Pizza is one of the most universally loved foods in the world. According to History, it first originated in the late 1700s in Naples, Italy. The bustling waterfront city had become so crowded that many homes were tiny and didn't even have a kitchen or dining room. This forced citizens to look for meal options that were cheap and easy to eat on the go. Pizza fit the bill.
From the classic Margherita to Chicago deep-dish to calzones, there have been many variations of this dish since its invention. One of the latest innovations is The Pizza Cupcake. Founded in 2018, this company created by the husband-and-wife team Andrea and Michelle Meggiato has seen immense early success. The founders recently pitched on Shark Tank, so the business might get even bigger soon. Pizza Cupcakes have grabbed the attention of Forbes, Thrillist, and most recently Chrissy Teigen. In February, Chrissy Teigen's company Cravings partnered with The Pizza Company to create a Margherita Pizza Cupcake that's savory and just a little spicy. We couldn't wait to get our hands on a box. Here's what you should know about this new tasty treat.
What are the ingredients in Chrissy's Spicy(ish) Pizza Cupcakes?
According to the Cravings website, Chrissy's Spicy(ish) Pizza Cupcakes are made with a "trade-secret" pizza dough and stuffed with fresh mozzarella and Italian San Marzano tomato sauce. Each Pizza Cupcake is topped with a sprinkle of chili flakes for a kick of heat. The ingredients listed on the label are mozzarella cheese, wheat flour, sugar, vegetable fat, whole milk powder, and salt. The box also notes soy flour, dried wheat sourdough, yeast, and tomato paste, plus a handful of other ingredients and preservatives. Potential allergens include soy, milk, and wheat.
While the three main ingredients are simple — mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, and pizza dough — they're all you need for an amazing bite. The simplicity may be what makes these treats so tasty. Even though the buttery, flaky dough is more indulgent than what you'll find at your local pizza joint, each bite of this Pizza Cupcake takes you straight to Italy. The heat of the chili flakes adds a fun kick that we are here for.
These bite-sized treats are available at an affordable price
Chrissy's Spicy(ish) Pizza Cupcakes are currently only available on the Cravings website. A box of 12 Pizza Cupcakes costs $32, which amounts to just over $2.50 per cupcake. Each customer is only allowed to purchase three boxes. Shipping costs will vary depending on your location, although they may be higher than you might expect because this product is shipped in a box insulated with dry ice to keep your frozen goodies cold.
Taxes will also vary depending on your location. The Cravings website states that it is "usually unable to change or cancel an order after you've placed it." Chrissy's Spicy(ish) Pizza Cupcakes are listed as "final sale" on the Cravings website as well. But don't worry, we're sure you'll love them. Many Cravings items were previously sold at Target until they were pulled by the retailer due to Teigen's cyber-bullying scandal, but these days her products are primarily sold through the Cravings website.
You can find these Pizza Cupcakes online
While Chrissy's Spicy(ish) Pizza Cupcakes are only available on the Cravings website for an unknown period of time, you can find other flavors of this treat elsewhere. The original Pizza Cupcake can be purchased through The Pizza Cupcake website. You can purchase one box for $25.99, two boxes for $49.99, or three boxes for $69.99. Each box contains 12 Pizza Cupcakes and comes with your choice of toppings. You can choose from Margherita or pepperoni. Cravings is able ship to the contiguous United States, although they are unable to deliver to PO Boxes, APO, FPO, or DPO addresses at this time.
When you order online, your goodies are baked in Brooklyn before being mailed to you in an insulated package with dry ice. According to the website, shipments are processed between Monday and Wednesday before entering a 1 to 2 day transit time. The website notes that your delivery can take up to seven days depending on where you live and when you place your order. The non-Chrissy Teigen flavors of Pizza Cupcake are also sold in select retailers on the east coast including Wegmans, Whole Foods Market, Fairway, ShopRite, and Gourmet Garage.
Chrissy Teigen's Pizza Cupcakes are a unique spin on the original
There aren't a lot of foods we can compare Chrissy's Spicy(ish) Pizza Cupcakes to. That's what has made this product such a success in the first place. Compared to a regular slice of pizza, we have to say that it's difficult to pick which one we like more. Both give us the classic pizza flavors we're looking for, so it really comes down to the dough. If you prefer a crusty, chewy pizza dough, you may want to stick with a regular slice of pizza. However, if you're intrigued by a buttery, fluffy dough that makes your pizza bite-sized and extra flavorful, this product is a winner.
The only difference between Chrissy's Spicy(ish) Pizza Cupcakes and the original Margherita Pizza Cupcake flavor is the addition of chili flakes. The difference here is minimal — again, it's just some chili flakes — but can mean a lot if you're a fan of your food having a little kick. We definitely are, and we prefer this spicy version to the original. However, all the varieties are fantastic.
What's the nutritional information of this snack?
The Pizza Cupcake isn't marketed as a health food by any means. Nor would we expect it to be (Diet pizza? No thank you). That being said, it's still a good idea to be aware of what you eat. One serving of the original Margherita flavor, which is two Pizza Cupcakes, is 320 calories (via Pizza Cupcake). Each serving also contains 16 grams of fat, 30 grams of carbohydrates, and 13 grams of protein. You'll also find 25 miligrams of cholesterol, 220 miligrams of sodium, and 4 grams of sugar in each serving.
While Pizza Cupcakes aren't the equivalent of a multivitamin, they do contain a few vitamins and minerals including vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium. Should you eat these every day? Maybe not, especially if you're watching your diet or have trouble digesting dairy (we see you, lactose-intolerant friends). However, Chrissy's Spicy(ish) Pizza Cupcakes pack a decent amount of protein and would make a great midday or afternoon snack.
Are Chrissy's Spicy(ish) Pizza Cupcakes worth the hype?
When we heard the phrase Pizza Cupcake, we were instantly intrigued. When we learned about the collaboration between Cravings and The Pizza Cupcake, we were even more intrigued. It's safe to say that we had high expectations for this snack and yes, it lives up to the hype. The presentation is adorable, for starters. The ability to hold several bites worth of pizza in one hand without getting sauce or cheese all over our fingers felt great.
The dough is the real star in this snack. It feels like a cross between a crispy pizza crust and a fluffy homemade roll. The bottom of the crust gets nice and crisp in the oven and gives a subtle crunch when you bite into the cupcake. Although it doesn't look like there's a lot of cheese inside, we found a surprisingly thick layer of gooey mozerella and the perfect amount of tomato sauce to add a tangy flavor. The chili flakes give a subtle dose of heat that stays on your tongue and makes this treat feel a step above your average piece of pizza. We have nothing bad to say about Chrissy's Spicy(ish) Pizza Cupcakes and will be ordering more boxes soon.