Description
Stuffed Pepperoni Pizza Rolls are delicious pinwheels made with flaky puff pastry dough, marinara sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, and mini pepperonis. These bite-sized treats are perfect as appetizers, snacks, or party finger food. They bake crispy and golden in the oven and are finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for extra flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Rolls
- 8 ounces puff pastry dough (thawed if frozen, about 1 roll)
- ¼ cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1½ cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup mini pepperonis (or regular size)
Garnish
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for sprinkling
- Chopped fresh basil, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pizza rolls.
- Prepare Dough: Roll out the puff pastry dough onto a piece of aluminum foil placed on a flat work surface. Pinch together any seams in the dough to create one solid sheet, ensuring the dough won’t come apart when rolled.
- Spread Sauce: Evenly spread ¼ cup of marinara sauce over the dough, leaving about ½ inch border around the edges to prevent spilling while rolling.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, followed by ¼ cup mini pepperonis. Be careful not to overfill to allow easy rolling.
- Roll Dough: Starting from one long edge, roll the dough lengthwise into a tight log, enclosing the fillings inside.
- Chill the Roll: Wrap the dough roll with the aluminum foil and place it in the freezer for 20-40 minutes. This step is optional but helps the roll keep its shape while slicing.
- Slice into Rolls: Remove the dough log from the freezer and, using a bread knife, cut it into ¾-inch thick pinwheels.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the cut rolls onto a baking sheet that has been sprayed with nonstick spray, spacing them evenly.
- Bake: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until they are bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Once out of the oven, sprinkle the rolls with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- Using puff pastry dough is recommended over pizza dough for better structural integrity and flakiness.
- Freezing the rolled dough before slicing helps maintain perfect pinwheel shapes during baking.
- Do not overstuff the rolls to prevent fillings from spilling out and to ensure even cooking.
- Mini pepperonis work best for evenly distributed flavor, but regular-size pepperonis can be used if chopped.
- Serve these pizza rolls warm for best flavor and texture.
