These Pull-Apart Pepperoni Pizza Rolls are perfect little appetizers for game day or anytime! They’re super easy to make, too! You can make these pizza bites in just 30 minutes!
Table of Contents
Everyone loves pizza. It is the ultimate comfort food. But sometimes you do not have the time to make a whole pie from scratch or wait for delivery. These Pull-Apart Pepperoni Pizza Rolls are the perfect solution. They use convenient refrigerated dough to create bite-sized snacks filled with gooey mozzarella and savory pepperoni.
You can serve these as a fun weeknight dinner, a hearty after-school snack, or an appetizer for game day. Because they are baked together in a pie plate, the sides stay soft while the tops get golden and crispy. They are fun to pull apart and dip, and you can get the kids involved in the assembly process.
Ingredient Notes & Costs
Per Serving Cost: $1.37
Recipe Cost: $6.81
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Pizza crust dough: Refrigerated pizza dough keeps this recipe approachable and fast. It stretches easily and bakes up soft inside with a lightly crisp exterior. Crescent-style dough can work in a pinch, though the texture will be more bread-like and less chewy.
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Mozzarella cheese sticks: String cheese melts evenly and stays neatly tucked inside the dough. Pre-shredded mozzarella can be used, though it may leak more during baking. Low-moisture mozzarella gives the cleanest melt.
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Pepperoni slices: Mini pepperoni works well too, using about one tablespoon per roll. You can also use your favorite pizza toppings. Just add about 1 tablespoon per roll.
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Extra virgin olive oil: A light brushing helps the tops bake up golden and gives the seasoning something to cling to. Melted butter can be swapped in for a slightly richer finish.
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Italian seasoning: This small amount adds flavor without overpowering the filling. A mix of dried oregano and basil works well as a substitute.Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: Parmesan adds a salty, nutty finish right after baking. Pre-grated Parmesan can be used, though freshly grated melts more smoothly.
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Pizza sauce: Warm marinara or pizza sauce keeps the rolls from feeling dry and makes them more snackable. Ranch or garlic butter are good alternatives.
How To Make Pull-Apart Pizza Rolls
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Unroll the pizza dough and divide it into 20 equal pieces.
- Flatten one piece of dough and stretch it slightly. Place one piece of mozzarella and one slice of pepperoni in the center.
- Pull the edges of the dough up around the filling, then pinch them closed.
- Lightly spray a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray. Place seam side down in the prepared pie plate. Repeat with the remaining dough pieces, arranging them closely so the rolls touch.
- Brush the tops lightly with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with Italian seasoning.
- Bake for about 20 minutes in a preheated 400°F oven, until the rolls turn golden brown and baked through. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Serve warm as pull-apart rolls with pizza sauce for dipping.
Top Recipe Tips:
- Seal the dough tightly around the filling to prevent the cheese from leaking.
- Place the rolls seam side down so they stay closed as they bake.
- Add the Parmesan right after baking so it melts slightly instead of falling off.
High Altitude Adjustments
At elevations above 5,000 feet, dough can rise more quickly and brown faster. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F and check for doneness around the 16-minute mark. A slightly longer bake at the lower temperature helps the centers cook through without over-browning.
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Pull-Apart Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
Equipment
- 9-inch pie plate
- measuring cups and spoons
- cutting board
- Chef’s Knife or Kitchen Shears
- pastry brush
- Cheese grater
- small bowl
Ingredients
- 13 oz tube Pillsbury pizza crust dough
- 4 oz mozzarella cheese sticks 4 sticks total, each cut into 5 pieces
- 20 slices pepperoni
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Pizza sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly spray a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray.
- Unroll the pizza dough and divide it into 20 equal pieces.13 oz tube Pillsbury pizza crust dough
- Flatten one piece of dough and gently stretch it slightly. Place one piece of mozzarella and one slice of pepperoni in the center.20 slices pepperoni, 4 oz mozzarella cheese sticks
- Pull the edges of the dough up around the filling, then pinch them closed. Place seam side down in the prepared pie plate.
- Repeat with the remaining dough pieces, arranging them evenly in the pan.
- Brush the tops of the dough balls lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with Italian seasoning.2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, ⅛ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Serve warm with pizza sauce for dipping.Pizza sauce for dipping
Notes
Storage, Reheating, and Make Ahead
Nutrition
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Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use a pound of homemade pizza dough. Just make sure to let it rest so it is easy to stretch.
Yes, you can freeze the baked rolls. Let them cool completely, then store them in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven.
You can use cooked sausage crumbles, diced ham, or vegetables like peppers and onions. Just be careful not to overfill the dough, or it will be hard to seal.
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What a wonderful sounding treat, such great flavours and the pesto idea is genus!
Thank you!
Oh my gosh these look so good. I know my kids will want to devour these.
My kids LOVE these!
this recipe sounds so good!need to try on a weekend.
I hope you like them!
This is the perfect football (or reality TV) watching food!!
You are SO right!
What a cute treat for a kids birthday party! These look amazing, and I know my family would love them for sure!
Thank you!
wow! great pizza recipe you’ve got… it makes me crave for one. gonna try doing this at home.
I’m featuring your tasty Pizza Bites today on Five Friday Finds at Morsels of Life. Thanks for sharing your recipe and please grab a featured button at http://morselsoflife.blogspot.com/2011/08/five-friday-finds.html !
Suzette, I’d love to see the picture! Send it to jillian.foodfolksandfun@gmail.com
I made these pizza bites as an after school snack for the boys and their friends. They were a huge hit! So delicious! I took a picture of them too and would love to send it to you! Thanks for all the great recipes!!
This looks so yummy and kid-friendly. Thanks for a simple recipe!
Great recipie! This was so easy and the whole family enjoyed them. I will certainly make them again as a fun frozen pizza alternative.
– Kris
I’m featuring your delicious pizza bites today on These Chicks Cooked. Thanks for sharing your recipe and please grab a featured button if you’d like. http://thischickcooks.blogspot.com/2011/02/these-chicks-cooked-featuring-recipes.html
These look like something my kids would LOVE! We will have to make them! Thanks! : )
Michelle, thanks so much for the feature on your site! I’ll definitely grab your button!
Congrads! This was the most viewed link last week at the Whatever Goes Wednesday party! I am featuring it this week. Grab my “featured” button.
These loook great!
Visiting from Someday Crafts. This looks delicious and I’m going to try it!