Easy Pizza Roll Ups Recipe: Your New Favorite Snack

There’s something magical about the smell of pizza baking that instantly feels like a celebration. It’s a universal joy, but let’s be honest: making a whole pizza can feel like a project. That’s where these Pizza Roll Ups come in. I first started making them for my nephew’s birthday party—a desperate attempt to please a crowd of hungry, impatient kids. As I pulled the first golden, bubbling batch from the oven, the entire room went quiet, followed by a chorus of “wow.” They were gone in minutes. Now, they’re my secret weapon for game nights, quick dinners, and any time that classic pizza craving hits without the fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredibly Easy & Fun to Make: No fancy skills required. It’s as simple as rolling, slicing, and baking. It’s a fantastic recipe to get kids involved in the kitchen.

• The Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s a party, a family movie night, or a potluck, these bite-sized rolls disappear fast and earn you rave reviews.

• Totally Customizable: They are the perfect blank canvas for your favorite pizza toppings. Swap in veggies, different meats, or cheeses to make them your own.

• Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals: You can assemble them ahead of time and pop them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake, making hectic weeknights a breeze.

I’ll never forget the time I served these to my friend’s husband, a man famously skeptical of any food that isn’t a straight-up pepperoni pizza. He eyed the roll ups curiously, picked one up, and took a tentative bite. His eyes widened. “Okay,” he said, reaching for two more. “What are these? They’re incredible.” He spent the rest of the evening hovering near the platter. Converting a pizza purist? That’s the power of a good Pizza Roll Up.

What Makes It Special

These aren’t just pizza dough with stuff inside. The careful balance of ingredients creates a perfect bite every time.

• Soft, Pull-Apart Dough: The pizza dough bakes up tender and fluffy, creating the perfect pillow for the savory fillings.

• Savory, Hearty Fillings: The combination of spicy Italian sausage and salty pepperoni delivers that classic, robust pizza flavor we all crave.

• The Gooey Cheese Factor: A blend of shredded mozzarella and nutty Parmesan cheese creates that iconic, irresistible stretch in every single bite.

• The Secret Finishing Touch (Optional but Recommended): A quick brush of garlic-infused butter with Italian seasoning right after baking gives the golden tops an aromatic, buttery crispness that takes them over the top.

Making It Happen

Start by getting your oven nice and hot, preheating it to 400°F (205°C). This ensures your rolls will start cooking immediately for a crisp exterior. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and give it a light coating of oil or non-stick spray.

On a lightly floured surface, gently stretch or roll your pizza dough into a rough rectangle, about 10×14 inches. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect! Now, for the fun part: assembly. Spread your marinara sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. This prevents the saucy filling from leaking out. Next, scatter your cooked sausage, chopped pepperoni, and both cheeses over the sauce.

Now, carefully lift the edge of the dough closest to you and begin to roll it away from you, keeping it as snug as you can—just like a jelly roll. Once it’s fully rolled, give the final seam a gentle pinch to seal it shut. This is your key to keeping all that goodness inside.

Using a sharp serrated knife or a piece of dental floss, gently slice the log into 1-inch pieces. Placing them on your prepared baking sheet, you’ll see the beautiful spiral pattern already forming. If you’re using the garlic butter, whisk the melted butter with garlic powder and Italian seasoning and lightly brush it over the tops of each roll. This will give them a gorgeous, golden color and fantastic flavor.

Slide the baking sheet into your preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes. You’re looking for deeply golden brown tops and bubbly cheese peeking through the sides. Let them cool for just a minute or two on the sheet—they will be molten hot!—before serving.

You Must Know

• Less is More with Filling: It’s tempting to overstuff, but too much sauce or cheese will make rolling difficult and cause a leaky mess in the oven.

• Seal the Deal: Take that extra second to pinch the final seam. It’s the best way to ensure your beautiful spirals stay intact.

• The Sugar Trick: A tiny pinch of sugar stirred into your marinara sauce balances the acidity and creates a sweeter, more well-rounded flavor, especially for younger palates.

Serving Ideas

Serve these Pizza Roll Ups piping hot right from the oven alongside a small bowl of warm marinara sauce or creamy ranch dressing for dipping. They are the perfect finger food for a casual spread alongside a crisp, green salad and some crunchy carrot and celery sticks. For a drink pairing, a cold lager or a bubbly Italian soda complements the savory flavors perfectly.

Make It Different

• Veggie Lover’s: Skip the meat and load up with finely chopped bell peppers, sliced black olives, mushrooms, and spinach (squeezed very dry).

• Supreme Style: Add diced green pepper, red onion, and sliced black olives along with the pepperoni.

• Hawaiian: Use Canadian bacon or ham and tidbits of pineapple (pat them very dry with a paper towel first).

• Three Cheese: Add a sprinkle of creamy ricotta or sharp provolone cheese into the mix.

• Low-Carb/Keto: Use flattened chicken cutlets or low-carb tortillas as your rolling base.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store any leftover Pizza Roll Ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The best way to reheat them and bring back their crispy texture is in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-4 minutes or in a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. Microwaving will work in a pinch but will result in a softer texture.

Success Tips

For the cleanest slices, use unflavored dental floss. Simply slide a piece underneath the rolled log, cross the ends over the top, and pull. It cuts through without squashing the dough. If your dough is too elastic and keeps shrinking back as you try to roll it, let it rest for 5-10 minutes; the gluten will relax, making it much easier to work with.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make these Pizza Roll Ups ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire roll, slice it, and arrange the pieces on the baking sheet. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, simply bake as directed, adding a minute or two to the baking time if needed straight from the fridge.

Can I freeze them?
Yes, they freeze beautifully. After slicing, place the unbaked rolls on a parchment-lined sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen rolls to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to the original baking time.

My dough ripped while I was rolling. What did I do wrong?
This usually means the dough was stretched too thin. Don’t worry! Just pinch the tear together to seal it. The dough is very forgiving, and it will likely bake together just fine.

What’s the best way to cut them without squishing them?
A sharp serrated knife used with a gentle sawing motion works well. For perfect rounds without any compression, use a piece of dental floss or fishing line.

Can I use a different dough?
Certainly! Crescent roll dough sheets or even puff pastry will work, though the baking time may vary slightly. For a fun twist, you can use large egg roll wrappers for a crispier, lighter result.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Snack
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Yield: 12 roll ups

Ingredients

Pizza Rolls

• 1 (14-16 ounce/396-453g) package premade pizza dough

• 1 cup (273g) pizza sauce or marinara sauce

• ¼ pound (113g) Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled

• ½ cup pepperoni, coarsely chopped

• 1 ½ cups (169g) mozzarella cheese, shredded

• ¼ cup (25g) Parmesan cheese, grated

• Fresh basil, minced (optional)

• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Garlic Butter (Optional)

• 2 tablespoons (28g) butter, melted

• ½ teaspoon (1.5g) garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon (1.5g) Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease.

2. On a floured surface, roll the pizza dough into a 10×14-inch rectangle.

3. Spread the sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border. Top with sausage, pepperoni, cheeses, and basil.

4. Starting from the long side closest to you, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.

5. Slice the log into 1-inch pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss. Place rolls on the prepared baking sheet.

6. (Optional) Stir together melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Brush over the tops of the rolls.

7. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

8. Cool for 5 minutes before serving with extra sauce for dipping.