Weight Watchers Friendly Spinach Artichoke Pizza Fingers: Your Ultimate Healthy Party Appetizer!

The Super Bowl season is nearly here, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time for some incredible party food! Whether you’re hosting a grand gathering or enjoying a cozy night in with family, delicious snacks are an absolute must. But who says game-day indulgence has to derail your healthy eating goals? Not us! We’ve crafted the perfect solution: these delightful Spinach Artichoke Pizza Fingers. They are not only packed with flavor but also incredibly Weight Watchers-friendly, making them a true win-win for any occasion. These pizza fingers were my very first creation when I set out to develop healthier Super Bowl finger foods, and honestly, they turned out even better than I imagined. They are super (pun absolutely intended!) easy to prepare, incredibly satisfying, and even reheat beautifully, so you can enjoy them long after the final whistle blows.

While our signature recipe features a vibrant spinach and artichoke filling, offering a gourmet twist on a classic, the beauty of these pizza fingers lies in their versatility. You can easily adapt the recipe to suit your personal cravings or your guests’ preferences. For instance, a simple swap to a classic pizza sauce and some lean turkey pepperoni would create a more traditional pepperoni pizza finger, perfect for those who love the tried-and-true flavors. However, I wholeheartedly encourage you to try the spinach artichoke version first. The creamy, savory combination of spinach and tender artichoke hearts, mixed with a blend of cheeses and a hint of garlic, creates an absolutely irresistible taste that will make these the star of any Super Bowl party, holiday gathering, or even a simple weeknight treat. Be warned: they disappear quickly, so you might want to double the batch! The best part? You can indulge without guilt, as each serving is only 3 Weight Watchers points, making them a fantastic healthy snack or appetizer. Let’s dive into the delicious details and get this recipe started!

Why You Absolutely Need to Make These Pizza Fingers!

These Spinach Artichoke Pizza Fingers aren’t just another appetizer; they’re a game-changer for your party menu and your healthy lifestyle. Here are three compelling reasons why this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your culinary rotation:

Who doesn’t love appetizer-sized pizza?!

There’s something inherently delightful about individual portions, and these pizza fingers hit all the right notes. Imagine a perfectly golden, slightly crispy crust that’s just buttery enough to be decadent, yet light. Now, picture that crust generously topped with a rich, creamy, and undeniably cheesy filling. Each bite delivers a burst of savory spinach and tangy artichoke, creating an explosion of flavor that is truly remarkable. These aren’t just appetizers; they’re gourmet bites designed to impress. They’re incredibly easy to pick up, making them the ideal finger food for mingling and enjoying the game without the mess. Your guests will be clamoring for more, guaranteed to devour every last piece.

It makes a large batch.

Hosting a party can be stressful, especially when it comes to ensuring there’s enough food for everyone. This recipe is a lifesaver, yielding a generous 18 servings from a single batch. That’s plenty to feed a crowd, or at least a hungry family for game night. But even with 18 servings, these pizza fingers are so popular that they tend to disappear fast. So, for larger gatherings, or if you simply love having delicious, healthy options on hand, doubling the recipe is always a brilliant idea. Leftovers? They’re practically a myth with these, but if you do manage to squirrel some away, they reheat beautifully for an easy snack or light lunch the next day, ensuring that extra effort never goes to waste.

One serving of Pizza Fingers is only 96 calories.

This is where these pizza fingers truly shine for anyone watching their intake, especially those following Weight Watchers. Can you believe you can enjoy a flavorful, cheesy pizza experience for under 100 calories per serving? It’s true! Each pizza finger is a mere 96 calories and just 3 Weight Watchers points. This means you can indulge in several pieces without an ounce of guilt, making them an incredible option for maintaining your wellness goals during festive occasions. They’re cheesy, bursting with flavor from the spinach and artichoke, and surprisingly satisfying. You won’t feel deprived; instead, you’ll feel smart for choosing such a delicious and healthy appetizer.

Essential Ingredients for Your Healthy Pizza Fingers:

Crafting these delicious and healthy pizza fingers requires a straightforward list of ingredients, many of which you might already have in your pantry or fridge. We’ve carefully selected components that deliver maximum flavor with a mindful approach to calories and points.

• 1 package of Pillsbury pizza dough: This is our secret to convenience! Using pre-made dough significantly cuts down on prep time, making this recipe incredibly accessible for busy schedules. It bakes up beautifully, providing a sturdy yet tender base for our flavorful topping.
• 4 oz light cream cheese, softened: The base of our creamy, dreamy topping. Light cream cheese provides that essential richness and tang without adding excessive fat or calories, keeping our pizza fingers Weight Watchers friendly. Ensure it’s softened for easy mixing.
• 3 tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, salty, and nutty depth of flavor to the filling. A little goes a long way in enhancing the overall cheesiness and savory profile.
• ¼ cup light sour cream: Contributes to the creamy texture and a subtle tang, balancing the richness of the other ingredients. Using a light version helps manage the calorie and fat content.
• ¼ cup light mayonnaise: Provides additional creaminess and a touch of savory flavor, helping to bind the filling together. Opting for light mayonnaise further supports the health-conscious nature of this recipe.
• 2 cloves of garlic, diced: Fresh garlic is key for that aromatic, zesty punch that elevates the entire dish. Don’t skimp on this! If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to add an extra clove.
• 4 cups chopped spinach: A powerhouse of nutrients and a fantastic way to add volume and a fresh, earthy flavor to our pizza fingers. We recommend using fresh spinach, but frozen (thawed and very well-drained) works just as well.
• 6 oz can of artichoke hearts, drained of all oils, chopped: The star of the show, bringing a wonderful tender texture and a distinct, slightly briny and tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with spinach. Make sure to drain them thoroughly to avoid a soggy filling.
• Dash of salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out all the wonderful flavors of the ingredients. Adjust to your taste.
• ⅓ cup reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese: The final cheesy flourish! Reduced-fat mozzarella melts beautifully and adds that classic pizza appeal without excessive points, providing a satisfying, gooey top layer.

How to Create These Irresistible Pizza Fingers (Step-by-Step Guide):

Making these Spinach Artichoke Pizza Fingers is incredibly simple, even for novice cooks. Follow these clear, easy steps to create a show-stopping appetizer that’s both healthy and delicious.

1. Prepare for Baking: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures your oven is at the optimal temperature for a perfectly cooked crust. While the oven heats, take a large baking sheet and lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the dough from sticking. Carefully unroll the Pillsbury pizza dough onto the prepared baking sheet, gently stretching it to fit if necessary.
2. Pre-Bake the Dough: Place the baking sheet with the pizza dough into the preheated oven and pre-bake it for 9 minutes. This crucial step helps to create a slightly crisp base, preventing the final pizza fingers from becoming soggy from the moist filling. Once the 9 minutes are up, remove the dough from the oven and immediately reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
3. Prepare the Creamy Filling: While the dough is pre-baking, prepare your savory filling. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened light cream cheese, finely grated parmesan cheese, light sour cream, light mayonnaise, and diced garlic. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and smooth. Next, add a generous dash of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Finally, stir in the chopped spinach and thoroughly drained and chopped artichoke hearts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the creamy mixture.
4. Assemble the Pizza: Once your filling is perfectly mixed, carefully spread it evenly over the partially baked pizza crust on the baking sheet. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to create a smooth, consistent layer from edge to edge. Then, sprinkle the reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top of the spinach artichoke mixture.
5. Final Bake: Return the baking sheet to the oven, now set at 375°F (190°C). Bake for another 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on the crust edges during this final bake; you want them to be golden brown and slightly crispy, but not burnt. The cheese should be melted and bubbly, and the filling heated through.
6. Slice and Serve: Once baked to perfection, remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. This allows the filling to set slightly, making it easier to cut. Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, carefully slice the pizza into 18 uniform “fingers.” A simple way to achieve this is to make one cut across the middle lengthwise, then make 9 evenly spaced cuts down each of the two long pieces.
7. Enjoy Immediately: Serve your delicious Spinach Artichoke Pizza Fingers warm! They are absolutely irresistible fresh out of the oven, but also taste great at room temperature, making them perfect for a party buffet. Get ready for compliments!

This recipe yields 18 satisfying servings. Here’s the nutrition information for 1 serving: Calories 96, Fat 4 g, Saturated fat 1.3 g, Carbs 12 g, Fiber .69 g, Sugars 1.63 g, Sodium 256 mg, Protein 3 g.

Weight Watchers Points Breakdown

One of the most fantastic aspects of these Spinach Artichoke Pizza Fingers is their incredible Weight Watchers friendliness. Enjoying delicious food while staying on track with your health goals has never been easier. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the points for each ingredient, helping you understand how these savory bites fit perfectly into your Weight Watchers plan:

• Pillsbury pizza dough: 34 points
• Light cream cheese softened: 11 points
• Finely grated parmesan cheese: 2 points
• Light sour cream: 4 points
• Light mayonnaise: 5 points
• Cloves of garlic diced: 0 points (Yes, fresh garlic is a ZeroPoint food!)
• Freshly chopped spinach: 0 points (Another fantastic ZeroPoint food!)
• Artichoke hearts drained of all oils chopped: 3 points
• Salt and pepper: 0 points (Seasoning to taste, without adding points!)
• Reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese: 3 points

Based on the Weight Watchers app recipe creator, these incredible pizza fingers come out to a mere 3 points per serving! This low point value makes them an ideal choice for a snack, appetizer, or even a light meal, allowing you to enjoy your favorite party foods without derailing your progress.

If you’re using an older version of WW, check out these points below. These values are for those following previous Weight Watchers programs:

3PP (PointsPlus), 3SP blue, green & purple (SmartPoints for various plans)

This consistency in low point values across different Weight Watchers programs underscores the versatility and health-conscious design of this recipe. It’s a testament to how flavorful and satisfying healthy eating can truly be!

Exciting Ways to Customize and Change Up This Recipe:

One of the best things about pizza, even in finger food form, is its incredible adaptability! While the spinach artichoke version is a fan favorite, feel free to get creative and customize these pizza fingers to match your taste buds or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Here are some fantastic ideas to spark your culinary imagination:

• Explore Your Favorite Pizza Toppings: Don’t limit yourself to spinach and artichoke! The base recipe is robust enough to handle a variety of toppings.
  • For a classic flavor, swap the spinach and artichoke mixture for a thin layer of your favorite pizza sauce and add small diced pepperoni. To keep it low in points, opt for turkey pepperoni.
  • Experiment with different cheeses like a sprinkle of provolone, a sharper cheddar, or a smoky gouda for varied flavor profiles.
  • Add other vegetables such as thinly sliced black olives, finely diced bell peppers, sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes (packed in water or oil, drained well), or roasted garlic for an extra layer of savory goodness.
  • For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling or sprinkle them on top before baking.
  • Consider adding a small amount of finely chopped, cooked chicken breast or lean ham for a protein boost.

• Boost Protein with Greek Yogurt: If you’re looking to increase the protein content and further reduce fat, you can substitute the light sour cream and light mayonnaise with nonfat plain Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt provides a creamy texture and a tangy flavor, similar to sour cream, while offering a significant protein boost. To ensure the flavor remains delicious, I highly recommend flavoring the Greek yogurt with a little onion powder or extra garlic powder, and perhaps some fresh dill or chives, to complement the spinach and artichoke beautifully. You could even add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.

These simple adjustments allow you to reinvent this appetizer time and time again, ensuring it never gets boring and always fits your dietary needs and flavor preferences!

Pro Tips and Tricks for Perfect Pizza Fingers:

Achieving the perfect batch of Spinach Artichoke Pizza Fingers is easy, but a few expert tips can elevate your results and make your cooking experience even smoother. Here’s what you need to know:

• Handle Your Spinach with Care: While I used fresh spinach for this recipe, frozen spinach is a perfectly acceptable alternative and often more convenient. The key, however, is to ensure it’s thoroughly drained. If using frozen spinach, thaw it completely and then squeeze out as much excess water as possible. You can place it in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and wring it out vigorously. Any extra water in the cheese mixture will make your filling watery and potentially lead to a soggy crust, which we definitely want to avoid!
• Optimal Storage for Leftovers: If by some miracle you have any leftover pizza fingers (which is rare, trust me!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will maintain their freshness and flavor for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating for Best Results: For the ultimate experience, avoid reheating these in the microwave if possible, as it can make the crust soft. Instead, crisp them up beautifully in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the pizza fingers directly on a baking sheet. Reheat for about 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through and the crust is slightly crispy again. This method brings them back to life, almost as good as fresh!
• Freezing for Future Feasts: These pizza fingers freeze remarkably well, making them an excellent make-ahead option for meal prepping or unexpected guests. Allow them to cool completely after baking. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (this prevents them from sticking together). Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To reheat from frozen, you can either thaw them in the fridge overnight and then reheat in the oven as above, or bake them directly from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until hot and crispy.
• Make-Ahead Filling: To save time on the day of your event, you can prepare the spinach artichoke filling a day in advance. Mix all the filling ingredients, cover the bowl tightly, and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, simply spread it over your pre-baked crust and follow the remaining steps.

With these tips, you’re well on your way to consistently perfect, delicious, and healthy Spinach Artichoke Pizza Fingers every time!

More Healthy and Delicious Recipes You’ll Love:

If you enjoyed these flavorful and Weight Watchers-friendly Spinach Artichoke Pizza Fingers, you’ll be thrilled to discover more delicious recipes that prioritize both taste and healthy eating. Here are a few other popular options from our collection that we think you’ll absolutely adore:

• Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma:An incredibly flavorful and easy-to-make dinner, perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe brings the vibrant tastes of the Middle East right to your kitchen, all cooked on a single sheet pan for minimal cleanup.
• Turkey Sausage Penne in a Creamy Tomato Sauce:A comforting and hearty pasta dish that feels indulgent but is secretly lightened up. Lean turkey sausage and a rich, creamy tomato sauce make this a family favorite that’s quick to prepare.
• Brownie Cheesecake Bites:For those with a sweet tooth, these delightful bites offer the best of both worlds – rich brownie and creamy cheesecake – in perfectly portioned, guilt-free treats. They are perfect for satisfying cravings without overdoing it.

We believe that healthy eating should never be boring or restrictive. These recipes, much like our Spinach Artichoke Pizza Fingers, are designed to prove that you can enjoy incredibly delicious food while staying true to your wellness journey. Happy cooking!