Homemade Pizza Rolls (Print Version)
Soft, fluffy rolls stuffed with mozzarella, tomato sauce and pepperoni—warm, bite-sized crowd-pleasers.
# What You Need:
→ Dough
01 - 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
02 - 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
03 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon sugar
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
→ Filling
07 - 3/4 cup pizza sauce
08 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices or chopped regular pepperoni (optional)
10 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
→ For Brushing
12 - 2 tablespoons melted butter
13 - 1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine sugar and yeast with warm water in a large bowl and let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
02 - Incorporate flour, salt, and olive oil into the yeast mixture, stirring until a rough dough forms.
03 - Knead dough on a floured surface for 6 to 8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and allow to rise in a warm environment for approximately 1 hour or until doubled in size.
05 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
06 - Punch down risen dough and roll it into a 12x16-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
07 - Spread pizza sauce evenly across dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Distribute mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian herbs, and pepperoni evenly.
08 - Starting from the long edge, roll up dough tightly into a log. Pinch seam to seal.
09 - Slice the log into 12 equal pieces. Arrange rolls cut side up on the prepared baking sheet.
10 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until the rolls are golden and cheese is bubbly.
11 - Mix melted butter with minced garlic and brush over the hot rolls. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
12 - Let the rolls cool slightly and serve while warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- There’s a giddy thrill in serving gooey, golden rolls made from scratch—especially when someone asks if they’re store-bought.
- Doughy, cheesy bites that melt in your mouth make every gathering feel festive and effortless.
02 -
- If the yeast doesn’t foam, the dough won’t rise and you’ll end up with dense rolls—always double-check your water temp.
- Rolling the dough too thick makes the centers doughy, so keep it fairly thin for even baking.
03 -
- Letting the dough rest after rolling out makes it less likely to shrink and tear.
- Brush the rolls while hot for a glossy finish and maximum flavor absorption.