Pepperoni rolls are made from spicy pepperoni and melty mozzarella rolled up inside chewy, golden-baked pizza dough. Dipped in marinara sauce, these rolls taste just like pepperoni pizza! They’re perfect for game day and after-school snacking.
Pizza that’s in easy-to-eat, finger food form? What could be more perfect for game day? Today’s pepperoni rolls only require 15 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes in the oven, and that’s it. Boom! You’ve got a cheesy, savory appetizer the whole gang will enjoy. Like my pepperoni pizza dip, these gooey, cheesy rolls have all the flavors we love in a pepperoni pizza, especially when sliced and dipped in marinara sauce.
What Makes This Pepperoni Rolls Recipe the Perfect Snack
- Semi-homemade. Convenient pre-made pizza dough and easy-to-find ingredients make this one of the best last-minute appetizer recipes.
- Quick to prepare. Layer your pizza toppings over the dough, then roll it up, bake, and slice!
- Delicious finger food. Dip your pizza rolls in marinara sauce or ranch dressing for a no-fuss, super-satisfying appetizer that’s easy to eat by hand.
- Any occasion. These pepperoni rolls are great to make for parties, game day, potlucks, and even as an after-school snack.
Pizza Rolls Ingredients
Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make these easy pepperoni pizza rolls. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card below for detailed measurements.
- Pizza dough – I like using canned refrigerated pizza dough (like Pillsbury) as an easy shortcut. If you’d prefer to make your own, homemade pizza dough would be amazing here!
- Italian seasoning – Or a combination of Italian herbs, like basil, oregano, and thyme.
- Garlic powder – You could substitute an equal amount of onion powder if needed.
- Pepperoni slices – Choose spicy or mild pepperoni, whichever you prefer.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese – You can swap mozzarella with another melty cheese variety, like shredded cheddar. Pepper Jack would add a spicy kick. For best results, I recommend grating the cheese fresh from the block, as it’ll melt more smoothly than pre-shredded packaged cheese.
- Egg – Brushing the dough with an egg wash is the secret to a golden, glossy crust.
- Grated parmesan cheese – For garnish.
- Marinara sauce – For dipping the pizza rolls. You could also use ranch dressing or any other dip you’d like. More ideas below!
How to Make Pepperoni Rolls
I love how simple these pepperoni rolls are to make. In just 40 minutes, you will have an appetizer your guests won’t be able to resist. Here’s how to make them. Don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- First, roll out the pizza dough. While the oven preheats to 375ºF, roll your pizza dough into a 10×15-inch rectangle.
- Mix the ingredients. Next, combine the Italian seasoning and garlic powder with melted butter. Brush half of the mixture evenly over the dough.
- Add the toppings. Top the pizza dough with pepperoni and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Roll the dough. Now, roll the pizza dough up around the filling. Transfer the log to the prepared baking sheet, seam side down.
- Brush with an egg wash. Lightly beat the eggs and brush the egg wash over the top and sides of the log.
- Bake. Bake the roll at 375ºF for 15-20 minutes, brush with the remaining butter and seasonings, and bake for another 5-10 minutes until golden-brown.
- Garnish and serve. Pull your pepperoni roll from the oven, sprinkle on grated parmesan, and let cool for 10 minutes. Slice into pinwheels and serve with warm marinara.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Evenly distribute the pepperoni. Make sure you spread the pepperoni evenly over the pizza dough to ensure that all parts of the roll cook in the same amount of time.
- Don’t overstuff the dough. Overstuffing the roll will cause the cheese to spill out, leaving you with a mess.
- Pinch the seam of the pepperoni roll to ensure that it stays together while baking.
- Poke holes in the dough before placing the roll in the oven. This will allow steam to escape as the roll cooks.
Pizza Toppings & Variation Ideas
Just because I kept it simple with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese doesn’t mean that you can’t fill these pizza rolls with more fun ingredients. Here are some ideas for you.
- Bulk it up with other classic pizza toppings. Slice up some black olives, mushrooms, and/or pepperoncini and sprinkle them on top of the pepperoni. Caramelized onions would work beautifully as well.
- Make it vegetarian. Forget the pepperoni and spread a layer of roasted veggies over the pizza dough.
- Use a different protein. I love using Italian sausage in place of pepperoni here, but feel free to use seasoned and cooked ground beef, ham (if you use ham, try adding pineapples as well), or BBQ chicken.
- Try a different cheese. Mozzarella is a classic pick here, but you could easily use shredded cheddar, pepper jack, muenster, or another cheese of your choosing.
- Draw inspiration from your favorite pizzeria. Not excited about any of the above options? Grab the menu from your favorite pizzeria, pick your favorite pizza, and fill these pizza rolls with the listed ingredients.
What to Serve With Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
These pizza rolls make a fabulous snack all on their own, but they also go great with a tasty dip, more finger foods, or a nice salad to lighten things up. These are some of my favorite serving suggestions:
- Dipping sauces. Try dipping these pizza rolls in ranch, marinara, buffalo sauce, or honey mustard.
- Crudités. Serve this game-day snack alongside a platter of raw veggies with a yummy dip, like Million Dollar Dip.
- Salad. Get your veggies in with my tomato avocado salad. More interested in fruit? Try my grape salad or this easy fruit salad.
- Other finger foods. Entertaining? Serve these pizza rolls with wings, sliders, or grape jelly meatballs.
Make Them Ahead
After slicing, allow the pizza rolls to cool completely. Seal them in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When it comes time to enjoy, arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and bake at 350ºF for 20 minutes or until heated through.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate. Allow the sliced homemade pepperoni rolls to cool to room temperature before sealing them in an airtight container and storing them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat. When you are ready to enjoy, preheat the oven to 350ºF and arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until heated through.
Pepperoni Rolls
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 15 slices 1x
- Category: Hors D’oeuvre
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These pepperoni pizza rolls are the perfect game day snack. Pizza dough is brushed with seasoned butter, wrapped around pepperoni and mozzarella cheese, and baked to golden brown. Delicious!
Ingredients
- 13.8 ounce can pizza dough
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 8 oz pepperoni slices
- 1 1/2 cups (170g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
- Marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Roll the pizza dough out on a piece of parchment paper to about a 10×15 inch rectangle.
- Add the Italian seasoning and garlic powder to the melted butter and stir to combine. Brush 1/2 of the mixture evenly on top of the pizza dough. Reserve the rest.
- Place the pepperoni in an even layer on top of the dough, overlapping as needed. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese.
- Starting with the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log with the seam side down. Transfer the log and the parchment paper to a baking sheet.
- Put the egg in a small bowl and whisk, then brush it over the top and sides of the log.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, then brush with the remaining butter and seasonings (you may need to reheat it to melt it again). Bake for another 5-10 minutes, until golden brown and hot throughout.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle on grated parmesan and let cool for 10 minutes. Slice it into 1″ thick slices and serve with warm marinara sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 299
- Sugar: 1.1 g
- Sodium: 421.6 mg
- Fat: 28.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.9 g
- Protein: 7.7 g
- Cholesterol: 85.8 mg
I tried this for the first time tonight and they tasted great — I just wish they were a bit crispier on the outside. Even with the egg wash they didnt brown much — but still tasted awesome — will try again. Maybe a hotter oven (?) for a bit longer?
You could bake them a little longer. You also could up the temp.
I made these 2 days ahead of my party since I had a huge amount of items to cook, clean etc. for the upcoming event. As mentioned in your details I sliced, sealed in an airtight container in fridge. Arranged on cookie tray, sprinkled extra parmesan/mozzarella chees and reheated just as the party began. A HUGE hit! Keeping this recipe to definitely use again and again.
Could I brush the dough with marinara sauce instead of the seasoned garlic butter?
I’ve never tried it and I’m not sure if it would burn or something, but you could try it.
Love this recipe this is the second time I made it in a turn out perfect every time!! So easy and people love it.
So glad to hear that!
Can I make ahead before putting in oven?
Yes, just wrap it well so it doesn’t dry out and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Can these be assembled the day before and then cooked the next?
Yes, that should be fine.
These are a repeated request which gets high praise. Making tomorrow for an party.
Awesome! So glad to hear that!
I make this to bring to friends home or parties. Big hit! I use Smoked Provolone cheese! Adds more flavor.
I’m so glad you enjoy them!
how many cans of dough would I need to serve 25 guest
Well, one recipe-worth makes 15 slices, so you’d need at least two, depending on how many rolls you think each person would eat.
Made these for Christmas appetizers and it was a hit with both children and adults! Making it again tonight! So easy and delish!
So glad you enjoyed them!
We’re making it again for my son’s Christmas Eve gathering! Was such a hit last time! It was requested! Merry Christmas!
So easy and delish!! I used a little less pepperoni (5oz package) than called for, still.. really, really good recipe!!
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Can i make these the night before and just reheat them in the oven?
Technically, yes. They may be a little more dry, but otherwise it would be fine.