Description

These homemade pizza rolls are a delicious and convenient snack or appetizer, featuring a soft, yeasted dough filled with classic pizza toppings like mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, and optional pepperoni or sautéed vegetables. Perfectly baked or air-fried to golden perfection, they offer a cheesy, savory treat that’s easy to make and great for sharing.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 packet (7g) active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water
2 tbsp olive oil

Filling Ingredients

1 cup pizza sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup chopped pepperoni (optional)
Optional: sautéed vegetables (bell peppers, onions, mushrooms)

Finishing Ingredients

1 egg (for egg wash) or 2 tbsp melted butter (optional for brushing)

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is activated. In a larger mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Pour in the olive oil and the yeast mixture, then knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm area for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Roll Out the Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough with a rolling pin until it reaches approximately 1/8-inch thickness.
Cut and Fill: Using a knife or a pizza cutter, slice the rolled dough into 3-inch squares. Spread a spoonful of pizza sauce onto the center of each square, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Add desired toppings such as chopped pepperoni or sautéed vegetables.
Roll and Seal: Take each dough square and carefully roll it up, folding the edges underneath to completely seal the filling inside. Make sure the rolls are well sealed to prevent ingredients from spilling out during baking.
Bake or Air Fry: Place the pizza rolls seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with an egg wash made from a beaten egg or melted butter for a golden finish. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15 to 20 minutes, or air fry at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, until the rolls are golden brown and cooked through.
Serve: Remove the pizza rolls from the oven or air fryer and allow them to cool for about 5 minutes. Serve warm with dips such as marinara sauce or garlic butter for an enhanced flavor experience.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, omit the pepperoni and add more sautéed or fresh vegetables.
The dough can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated to save time.
Make sure the dough squares are sealed tightly to prevent filling leakage during baking.
You can freeze uncooked pizza rolls and bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Using an egg wash gives a shiny, golden crust, but melted butter can provide a softer, rich finish.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Category: Snack, Appetizer
Method: Baking or Air Frying
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 pizza roll (about 70g)
Calories: 180
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 320mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 23g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: pizza rolls, homemade pizza rolls, pizza snack, cheesy pizza rolls, easy appetizer, pizza bites