Homemade Pizza Rolls Recipe – Quick & Easy in 20 Minutes
Skip the frozen aisle and make this homemade pizza rolls recipe that tastes a million times better than anything you can buy at the store! These crispy, cheesy bites are ready in just 20 minutes using only 3 simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Perfect for after-school snacks, game day appetizers, or anytime you’re craving that perfect pizza bite without the wait.
What makes these easy pizza rolls so amazing is how incredibly simple they are to make. Just roll out some pizza dough, add cheese and your favorite toppings, roll it up, slice, and bake. The result is golden, crispy pizza rolls with melted mozzarella cheese and all the flavors you love – but fresher, tastier, and way more satisfying than the frozen versions. Plus, you can customize them exactly how your family likes!
Want more delicious pizza recipes to try out? Homemade pizza is always popular and easy to make. For another variation you could make pepperoni and mozzarella pizza monkey bread. Or for a classic, make a pepperoni deep dish pizza for the whole family.
If you want to make your own seasoning for pizzas and pasta, try this homemade pizza seasoning recipe.
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy to Customize: One of the biggest perks of this recipe is its adaptability. You can easily add or swap ingredients based on your favorite pizza toppings or what you have in your pantry, making it a versatile option for any meal.
- Quick and Convenient: With a total prep and cook time of less than 30 minutes, these easy pizza rolls are the perfect solution for a quick snack or a last-minute party appetizer.
- Kid-Friendly: The great thing is these pizza rolls are a hit with children, making them an excellent choice for snacks, birthday parties, or simply a fun mealtime option.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s game day, a family gathering, or just a cozy night in, these pizza rolls add a touch of homemade sophistication to any event without much effort.
What Are Pizza Rolls?
Pizza Rolls is basically a traditional homemade calzone. The dough for this recipe can be used to make both, but there are some key differences between the two, mainly in how they’re prepared and what ingredients go inside each one! A calzone typically has ricotta cheese or another type of creamy sauce, while pizza rolls typically have marinara (spaghetti) sauce.
What’s in This Pizza Rolls Recipe?
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
- Prepared Pizza Dough: The foundation of every pizza roll, this convenient ingredient saves time and effort. Opting for store-bought dough allows for a focus on filling and flavor customization without the hassle of making dough from scratch.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Essential for that classic, melty cheese pull we all love in pizza dishes. Mozzarella’s mild flavor and gooey texture upon melting make it perfect for complementing any other ingredients wrapped within the rolls.
- Pizza Sauce: Adds the tangy, robust flavor that is quintessential to pizza. Whether you choose a store-bought favorite pizza sauce or make your own, pizza sauce ensures each bite of the rolls is moist and rich in traditional pizza seasoning.
- Any Desired Pizza Toppings: The customizable element that makes these pizza rolls truly your own. From slices of spicy pepperoni to finely chopped vegetables, these additional toppings allow you to tailor each batch to your taste preferences or to use up whatever you have on hand.
Substitutions and Variations
- Vegan Options: For those adhering to a vegan diet, swap the mozzarella cheese for a plant-based alternative that melts well, such as cashew or coconut-based mozzarella. You can also find vegan pizza dough and sauce in most grocery stores for a fully vegan pizza roll.
- Gluten-Free Needs: There are excellent gluten-free pizza dough options available for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. Be sure to also verify that your pizza sauce and toppings are gluten-free.
- Different Cheeses: While mozzarella is the classic choice, feel free to experiment with different cheeses. A blend of cheddar and mozzarella can add a sharper flavor, or adding some Parmesan can give a salty, nutty kick.
- Meat Variations: Beyond pepperoni, consider adding cooked Italian sausage, bacon bits, or even grilled chicken pieces for a different flavor profile. For a meatless option, seasoned tofu or tempeh can make great substitutes.
- Vegetable Add-ins: To sneak in some vegetables or simply add more texture, consider spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, green pepper, olives, or onions as part of your filling. They add both flavor and nutritional value.
- Spice it Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, sprinkle some chili flakes on the pizza rolls before baking or include some jalapeños or spicy sausage in the filling.
- Sauce Variations: For a twist on the traditional pizza sauce, try using pesto, white garlic sauce, or a BBQ sauce base for a different flavor profile.
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How to Make This Pepperoni Pizza Rolls Recipe (step-by-step directions)
- Start by rolling your pizza dough into a rectangular shape, aiming for about ¼ inch in thickness. (Photo 1)
- Lay half the mozzarella cheese across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges without cheese. (Photo 2)
- Place your favorite toppings evenly over the cheese layer. (Photo 3)
- Drizzle or spread your selected sauce over the toppings according to your personal preference. Then, cover this layer with the remaining cheese. (Photo 4)
- Carefully roll the dough towards yourself, slightly pinching the edges as you roll to seal in the ingredients. (Photo 5)
- Slice the rolled dough into pieces and arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (Photos 6 & 7)
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown. (Photo 8)
Recipe Tips
- Even Distribution: Aim for an even distribution to ensure each roll has a balanced mix of flavors when adding your toppings and cheese.
- Prevent Leakage: To prevent any filling from leaking out during baking, make sure to pinch the seams and ends of the dough firmly after rolling.
- Uniform Size Cuts: To promote even baking, try to cut your rolled dough into the same size pieces.
- Don’t Overfill: While it might be tempting to pack in as many toppings as possible, overfilling can make the rolls difficult to seal and may cause them to burst open during baking.
- Use a Sharp Knife: A sharp knife or a piece of dental floss can be used to slice the rolls cleanly without squishing the dough.
- Allow to Cool: Let the pizza rolls cool for a few minutes after baking before serving; this will help the cheese set and make them less likely to fall apart when picked up.
- Pre-baking Toppings: If raw meat or vegetables that release water (like mushrooms) are used, consider pre-cooking them slightly to prevent the rolls from becoming soggy.
Storing Tips
- Storage: These homemade pizza rolls are perfect for meal prep and storing for later enjoyment throughout the week.
- Refrigerator: Store your leftover pizza rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make sure they’re completely cooled before storing to maintain their texture and prevent condensation.
- Freezing: You can freeze both baked and unbaked pizza rolls! For baked rolls, freeze them on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. For unbaked rolls, freeze them on the baking sheet and bake directly from frozen, adding 3-5 extra minutes to the baking time.
- Reheating: To reheat refrigerated pizza rolls, warm them in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes until heated through and crispy. You can also microwave them for 30-60 seconds, but the oven method keeps them crispier. For frozen baked rolls, reheat in the oven for 12-15 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
These homemade pizza rolls are perfect as a standalone snack, but if you’re serving them for a party or want to make them part of a larger meal, they pair beautifully with fresh salads and hearty soups. For a complete game day spread, serve them alongside Double Noodle Soup for something comforting, or try Easy Loaded Cold Italian Tortellini Salad with Pepperoni to keep the Italian theme going.
If you’re hosting a party, these pizza rolls work wonderfully with other appetizers like Easy Jalapeno Popper Crescent Rolls or Bang Bang Meatballs. For a lighter option, balance out the richness with Apple Pomegranate Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing or serve with Broccoli Cheese Soup for the ultimate comfort food combination. Got leftover pizza rolls? They make an excellent addition to lunch boxes the next day!
Recipe FAQs
The dough should be cooked through, but the center may look undercooked due to excess moisture if you add other ingredients. If you aren’t sure, cut into one of your homemade pizza rolls to check that it is thoroughly cooked before serving it to others or eating it yourself! If it is raw, just place it in the oven for another couple of minutes until cooked through.
While these are perfect as is, if you want to add a little more flavor, why not try adding some pepperoni slices, onion, black olives, or green peppers? Or, if you want to make them more like a calzone, try adding in some ricotta! There are so many possibilities, and the best part is that it’s up to you what you add-in for your perfect pizza roll. Just be aware that adding in too many moisture-rich ingredients (like onions, mushrooms, etc.) may cause your dough to be soggy, so don’t go too crazy.
Pizza rolls are a fantastic make-ahead option for parties or gatherings. Prepare the rolls up to the point of baking and then freeze them on a baking sheet as instructed. Once partially frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to serve them, bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. This approach allows you to enjoy your event with minimal kitchen time and serve freshly baked pizza rolls to your guests.
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Easy Homemade Pizza Roll Recipe with Pepperoni
Ingredients
- Prepared pizza dough
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- ½ – 1 cup pizza sauce
- Any desired pizza toppings – pepperoni veggies, etc
Instructions
- Start by rolling your pizza dough into a rectangular shape, aiming for about ¼ inch in thickness.Prepared pizza dough
- Lay half of the mozzarella cheese across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges without cheese.1 cup mozzarella cheese
- Place your favorite toppings evenly over the cheese layer.½ – 1 cup pizza sauce,Any desired pizza toppings – pepperoni
- Drizzle or spread your selected sauce over the toppings according to your personal preference. Then, cover this layer with the remaining cheese.
- Carefully roll the dough towards yourself, slightly pinching the edges as you roll to seal in the ingredients.
- Slice the rolled dough into individual pieces and arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown.
Notes
- Even Distribution: Aim for an even distribution to ensure each roll has a balanced mix of flavors when adding your toppings and cheese.
- Prevent Leakage: To prevent any filling from leaking out during baking, make sure to pinch the seams and ends of the dough firmly after rolling.
- Uniform Size Cuts: To promote even baking, try to cut your rolled dough into the same size pieces.
- Don’t Overfill: While it might be tempting to pack in as many toppings as possible, overfilling can make the rolls difficult to seal and may cause them to burst open during baking.
- Use a Sharp Knife: A sharp knife or a piece of dental floss can be used to slice the rolls cleanly without squishing the dough.
- Allow to Cool: Let the pizza rolls cool for a few minutes after baking before serving; this will help the cheese set and make them less likely to fall apart when picked up.
- Pre-baking Toppings: If raw meat or vegetables that release water (like mushrooms) are used, consider pre-cooking them slightly to prevent the rolls from becoming soggy.
Nutrition Information
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Gonna try these this weekend! What a fun idea!
This looks amazing and such a treat! Thank you!
This is definitely a fun to make and delicious homemade pizza roll. My grandkids are going to love making and eating these.
Love the combination of ingredients used. Simple and delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing.
These pizza rolls were really easy, and a huge hit with the whole family!