Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Roll-Ups

Table of Contents

Easy Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Roll-Ups: Your New Favorite Snack

A Little Slice of Pizza Night Magic

There’s something about the smell of pizza baking that feels like a warm hug. It’s the scent of Friday nights, of friends gathered around, and of pure, uncomplicated joy. But sometimes, you crave that magic without the fuss of making a whole pie. That’s exactly how these Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Roll-Ups came to be in my kitchen.

It was one of those chaotic evenings where everyone was hungry now, and a delivery wait felt impossibly long. I stared into the fridge, saw a can of pizza dough, a lonely bag of mozzarella, and our favorite pepperoni. What started as a desperate “what-can-I-throw-together” experiment turned into a family favorite. The moment I pulled that baking dish from the oven, seeing those golden-brown swirls bubbling with cheesy, pepperoni-filled goodness, I knew we had stumbled onto something special. It’s pizza, reimagined into fun, dippable, shareable bites of comfort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Maximum Comfort, Minimum Effort. This recipe is incredibly simple, using mostly pantry-staple ingredients for a dish that feels impressively homemade.
The Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser. Whether it’s game day, a sleepover, or a party appetizer, these roll-ups disappear fast. They are universally loved by both kids and adults.
Perfect for Dipping. Their very design is perfect for dunking into warm marinara sauce, creamy ranch, or even a spicy arrabbiata for an extra kick.
Highly Customizable. This is a fantastic base recipe. You can easily swap out the fillings to match your mood or what you have on hand (see our “Make It Different” section for ideas!).

The Picky Eater Seal of Approval

I’ll never forget serving these to my nephew, a renowned culinary critic of the seven-year-old variety. His diet is famously beige. When he eyed the roll-up suspiciously, I simply called it “pizza bread.” He took one tentative bite, then another, and his eyes lit up. “This is the best pizza ever,” he declared, promptly asking for a second. It was a quiet victory, proving that these roll-ups have a unique power to win over even the most skeptical of eaters.

What Makes It Special

The beauty of this dish lies in its simple, high-quality components coming together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

Soft Pizza Dough: The foundation that bakes up tender and golden, wrapping all the fillings in a warm, fluffy embrace.
Flavorful Pizza Sauce: Using a robust, herby sauce ensures every bite is packed with authentic Italian flavor.
Low-Moisture Mozzarella: This is key! It melts into that iconic, stretchy, creamy cheese pull without making the dough soggy.
Savory Pepperoni: These little slices crisp up slightly in the oven, releasing their smoky, spicy oils right into the cheese.
Garlic Butter Brush: The final, non-negotiable step. Brushing the hot rolls with garlic-infused butter right out of the oven gives them a glossy, savory, irresistible finish.

Making It Happen: A Step-by-Step Narrative

First, let your pizza dough come to room temperature on the counter; this makes it much easier to stretch without snapping back. Preheat your oven to a warm 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish.

On a lightly floured surface, gently stretch and roll your dough into a rough rectangle. Don’t worry about perfection here. Now, spread an even layer of pizza sauce over the entire surface, leaving just a small border around the edges. Next, shower a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, followed by a confetti-like scattering of pepperoni slices.

Time for the roll! Starting from one of the longer sides, carefully and tightly roll the dough up, jelly-roll style. Once it’s a tight log, use a sharp serrated knife to slice it into eight even rolls. The serrated edge is your best friend here, as it cuts cleanly without squishing the dough.

Place these beautiful swirls, cut-side up, into your prepared baking dish. They should be cozy but not crammed. Pop them into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’re waiting for that gorgeous golden-brown top and bubbly cheese you can see peeking through.

While they bake, melt a few tablespoons of butter with a minced garlic clove (or a pinch of garlic powder). As soon as the cheesy pepperoni pizza roll-ups come out of the oven, immediately brush that fragrant garlic butter all over their tops. This is the secret to a truly unforgettable flavor and aroma. Let them cool for just a few minutes before serving—the cheese will be molten hot!

You Must Know: Tips for Success

Pat Your Pepperoni Dry. If your pepperoni is particularly greasy, give it a quick pat with a paper towel. This prevents excess oil from seeping out and making the dough soggy.
The Sharp Knife is Key. A dull knife will crush your beautiful roll. A sharp serrated knife ensures clean cuts and perfectly formed spirals.
Don’t Overbake. The roll-ups are done when they are golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Overbaking can lead to a tough dough.
Let Them Rest. As tempting as it is to dive right in, allow the pizza rolls to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking. This allows the cheesy filling to set slightly, making them easier to handle.

Serving It Up

Serve these cheesy pepperoni pizza roll-ups hot from the oven with small bowls of warm marinara sauce for dipping and a side of cool, crisp garden salad to balance the richness. For a drink pairing, a cold, crisp lager or a bubbly Italian soda complements the savory flavors perfectly.

Make It Different: Customize Your Roll-Ups

Meat Lover’s: Add cooked and crumbled Italian sausage or chopped bacon with the pepperoni.
Veggie Delight: Swap the pepperoni for sautéed mushrooms, sliced black olives, and diced bell peppers.
Supreme Style: Combine pepperoni with finely chopped green pepper, onion, and olives.
Spicy Kick: Use spicy pepperoni and add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes before rolling.
Three Cheese: Add a few tablespoons of grated Parmesan and some ricotta dollops along with the mozzarella.

Storing and Reheating Your Leftovers

While best enjoyed fresh, leftover pizza roll-ups can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through and slightly crispy. This method works much better than the microwave, which can make them soft.

Your Final Success Tips

If your dough tears while rolling, don’t panic. Just pinch it back together—it will bake up just fine.
For an extra golden top, you can add a light sprinkle of cheese over the rolls before baking.
If you have fresh basil on hand, chiffonade a few leaves and sprinkle over the top after the garlic butter brush for a fresh, aromatic finish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use pre-made crescent roll dough instead of pizza dough?
You can! The flavor and texture will be a bit different—softer and more buttery. Just press the crescent roll seams together to form one large sheet before adding your toppings.

2. Can I make these cheesy pepperoni pizza roll-ups ahead of time?
Absolutely. Assemble the rolls, place them in the baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, bake them straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

3. Can I freeze them?
Yes, both before or after baking. For unbaked, freeze the assembled rolls on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5-10 minutes. For baked, let them cool completely, then freeze and reheat in the oven.

4. My cheese is leaking out a lot. What did I do wrong?
A little leaking is normal, but to minimize it, ensure you’re using low-moisture, pre-shredded mozzarella and don’t overfill the rolls. Keeping a small border around the edge of the dough also helps seal everything in.

5. Why are my roll-ups doughy in the middle?
This usually means the oven wasn’t hot enough or they were under-baked. Ensure your oven is fully preheated and use a toothpick to test the dough between the rolls for doneness; it should come out clean.

Recipe Card: Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Roll-Ups

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 roll-ups
Category: Appetizer, Snack
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: Italian-American
Yield: 1 baking dish

Ingredients

1 can (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough
1/2 cup pizza sauce, plus more for serving
1 1/2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
40-50 slices of pepperoni
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/4 tsp garlic powder)
1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×9 or similar baking dish.
On a lightly floured surface, unroll the pizza dough and stretch or roll it into a roughly 12×8-inch rectangle.
Spread the 1/2 cup of pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, then arrange the pepperoni slices in a single layer over the cheese.
Starting from a long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.
Using a sharp serrated knife, carefully slice the log into 8 even rolls.
Place the rolls, cut-side up, into the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
While the rolls bake, melt the butter with the minced garlic in a small saucepan or the microwave.
As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush the tops generously with the garlic butter. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving with extra warmed marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

For a crispier bottom, you can bake these on a parchment-lined baking sheet instead of in a dish. They will spread out a bit more but will be less soft on the bottom.