Description
Delicious homemade Pepperoni Pizza Rolls featuring a crispy crust, savory pizza sauce, melted mozzarella, and plenty of pepperoni, perfect for parties or a fun family snack.
Ingredients
For the Dough and Preparation
- 1 recipe homemade pizza dough*
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2/3 cup pizza sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Italian seasoning or ground basil, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
For the Filling and Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 60-65 pepperoni slices
- Optional: 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- Optional: Extra mozzarella cheese and fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Prepare your homemade pizza dough through step 4 of your recipe. Once ready, punch down the dough to release air bubbles, divide it in half, and roll each half into a 10x12 inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Prepare the Dough Surface: Lightly brush the tops of each rectangle with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Use your fingers to press dents into the dough surface to prevent bubbling. Spread 1/3 cup pizza sauce evenly on each rectangle, then sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder to taste.
- Add Cheese and Pepperoni: Evenly sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella on each rectangle, then cover with pepperoni slices. Carefully roll each dough rectangle into a tight log.
- Chill the Rolls: Place the logs seam side down on a prepared baking sheet and refrigerate uncovered for at least 20 minutes to help them hold together when sliced.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: While chilling, preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line two large baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
- Slice and Prepare Rolls for Baking: Remove logs from the refrigerator and slice each into 12 one-inch slices. Pour cornmeal onto a plate and dip bottoms of each roll into the cornmeal. Arrange 12 slices per baking sheet cornmeal side down. Optionally, sprinkle tops with extra mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Bake the rolls for 15-20 minutes or until the sides are lightly browned and crispy.
- Cool and Serve: Let the rolls cool for 5 minutes. Serve immediately with fresh basil and extra pizza sauce for dipping if desired. Store any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator, and reheat before serving.
Notes
- The yellow cornmeal is optional but adds a delicious crispy texture to the bottoms of the rolls.
- Chilling the rolled dough logs before slicing helps prevent them from falling apart.
- Pizza rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated and reheated successfully.
- You can customize toppings or add extra cheese to suit your taste.
- Make sure to roll the dough firmly to help keep the filling intact during baking.