The Best Homemade Pizza Rolls Recipe: Easy, Cheesy, and Delicious for Any Occasion

Forget the frozen aisle! These homemade pizza rolls are a game-changer, crafted from scratch with tender homemade pizza dough, then generously stuffed with gooey shredded mozzarella and an abundance of savory pepperoni. Each delightful bite is rolled into a perfect ball, brushed with a rich, aromatic herbed butter sauce to capture that quintessential pizza flavor, and baked to golden-brown perfection. They’re a true crowd-pleaser, perfect on their own or served with your favorite dipping sauce!

These buttery, savory pizza rolls are a staple for our family pizza nights, especially when paired with a flavorful Pizza Sauce with Tomato Paste. Beyond these rolls, our family also loves whipping up other easy pizza creations like my speedy English Muffin Pizzas and the classic Authentic Margherita Pizza. Get ready to elevate your snack game with these irresistible homemade treats!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Pizza Roll Recipe

There are countless reasons why these homemade pizza rolls will become your new go-to snack or appetizer. They offer a taste and quality far superior to anything you’ll find in the freezer section, making them an instant family favorite!

• Unmatched Homemade Quality: Say goodbye to greasy, bland frozen pizza rolls! This recipe brings you a superior homemade version that’s incredibly fresh, bursting with flavor, and free from artificial ingredients. The difference in taste and texture is truly astounding and well worth the effort.
• Irresistible Herbed Butter Topping: What sets these pizza balls apart is the luscious herbed butter brushed on top. This savory coating infuses every roll with classic Italian flavors, adding an extra layer of richness and a beautiful golden crust that makes them utterly addictive.
• Fluffy Homemade Pizza Dough: The foundation of these amazing rolls is my easy and foolproof homemade pizza dough recipe. Unlike the dense, often greasy dough found in store-bought versions, our fresh dough bakes up incredibly fluffy and tender, providing the perfect pillowy base for your favorite pizza fillings.
• Endless Customization Options: While we love pepperoni and mozzarella, this recipe is a blank canvas for your culinary creativity! Easily swap out fillings to suit any taste, making it a versatile option for everyone in the family.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual family dinner, a lively game day party, a kid’s lunchbox surprise, or a holiday gathering, these pizza rolls are always a hit. They’re easy to eat, fun to share, and universally loved by all ages.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Pizza Rolls

Crafting the perfect homemade pizza roll starts with quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is key to success:

• Homemade Pizza Dough: The heart of this recipe! You’ll need one full batch of my easy and incredibly flavorful homemade pizza dough. After its initial rise, this dough will be perfectly pliable for portioning and filling, resulting in light and airy rolls. While homemade is highly recommended, store-bought pizza dough can also be used in a pinch (see FAQ for more details).
• Mozzarella Cheese: For that iconic, melty, stretchy cheese pull, I highly recommend using fresh mozzarella, cubed into small pieces. It melts beautifully and provides a richer, creamier texture. If fresh mozzarella isn’t available, quality shredded mozzarella works well too – just make sure to pack it in!
• Pepperoni: A classic pizza roll filling! You can use regular-sized pepperoni slices, quartered, or opt for mini pepperoni for easier stuffing. Feel free to experiment with other pizza toppings too, such as cooked crumbled sausage, diced ham, or finely chopped vegetables.
• Dipping Sauce: While these rolls are delicious on their own, a dipping sauce elevates the experience. Classic choices include your favorite pizza sauce or a rich marinara sauce. For something different, consider creamy Alfredo sauce, zesty garlic butter, or even a simple tomato sauce enhanced with a few Italian herbs.
• Butter: This is the base for our irresistible herbed topping. Melted and then infused with savory flavors, it gives the pizza rolls a golden finish and an extra layer of buttery goodness.
• Herbs: A fragrant blend of dried basil, dried oregano, and a touch of garlic powder creates a robust Italian seasoning profile that brings home the authentic pizza taste. These dried herbs are easy to keep on hand and pack a punch of flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: For the finishing touch, we use the powdered Parmesan cheese, often found in a green can (like Kraft). This fine powder melts into the herbed butter, adding a salty, umami depth and a delightful cheesy crust to the baked rolls.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Homemade Pizza Rolls

Follow these detailed steps to create perfectly golden and gooey pizza rolls. Precision and patience, especially with the dough, will ensure the best results!

1. Prepare the Pizza Dough: Begin by making your homemade pizza dough according to the recipe. Allow the dough to complete its first rising period until it’s light and airy. Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release the air. Using a serrated knife for clean cuts, divide the dough into 20 equal portions. Each portion should weigh approximately 1 ¾ to 2 ounces, ensuring uniform roll sizes for even baking.
2. Fill Each Dough Ball: Take one dough portion and gently flatten it into a small disc (about 3-4 inches in diameter). Place a piece of fresh mozzarella in the center of the dough; if using shredded mozzarella, a heaping tablespoon will do. Top the cheese with a small handful of quartered pepperonis. Carefully gather the edges of the dough, pulling them up and over the toppings, pinching them firmly together at the top to seal and form a tight ball. Ensure there are no gaps where the filling could escape during baking. Repeat this process for all 20 dough balls.
3. Arrange and Rise the Rolls: Lightly spray a jelly roll baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the filled pizza balls evenly spaced on the prepared pan. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough balls rise in a warm spot for 1 hour. During this second rise, they will puff up significantly, nearly doubling in size and becoming wonderfully light. While they rise, preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC).
4. Prepare the Herbed Butter Topping: While your pizza rolls are taking their second rise, prepare the aromatic butter topping. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 6 tablespoons of butter until fully liquid. To the melted butter, add ¾ teaspoon of dried oregano, ¾ teaspoon of dried basil, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of garlic powder. Stir all the ingredients together until well combined. This flavorful mixture will give your rolls that irresistible golden crust and classic pizza aroma.

5. Brush with Herbed Butter (First Coat): Once the pizza balls have risen and the oven is preheated, use a pastry brush (or a spoon if you don’t have one) to generously brush half of the prepared herbed butter mixture over the tops of the dough balls. This first coating will contribute to a beautifully golden and flavorful crust as they bake.
6. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking sheet with the pizza rolls into the preheated 400ºF (200ºC) oven. Bake for 20-24 minutes, or until the rolls are deeply golden brown on top and cooked through. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time to ensure they don’t over-brown.
7. Add Parmesan to Remaining Butter: While the rolls are baking, take the remaining herbed butter mixture. Stir in 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese (the type from the green shaker can works perfectly here). This addition will add a salty, cheesy dimension to the final coating.
8. Final Butter Brush and Serve: As soon as the pizza rolls come out of the oven, while they are still hot, use a pastry brush to apply the Parmesan-herbed butter mixture generously over all the baked rolls. The warmth of the rolls will help the butter and Parmesan meld into a delicious coating. Serve your hot, fresh homemade pizza rolls immediately with marinara sauce, classic pizza sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy every cheesy, buttery bite!

Pro Tips for the Best Homemade Pizza Rolls

Achieving perfectly delicious pizza rolls is easy with these helpful tips and tricks. Pay attention to the details, and you’ll be enjoying fantastic results every time!

It’s crucial to really pack the toppings in! Don’t be shy with the filling, add as much mozzarella and pepperoni as you can without tearing the dough or having the toppings poke out. A generous filling ensures every bite is loaded with flavor and that satisfying cheesy goodness. As mentioned, I strongly prefer using fresh mozzarella when making these because it melts incredibly well and delivers that desirable, super stretchy cheese pull. However, if using shredded cheese, make sure it’s packed tightly.

Adjusting the size: You can certainly make the baked pizza balls into smaller, bite-sized rolls if you prefer. This is great for appetizers or for younger kids. Just be aware that if you make them smaller, the baking time will likely need to be adjusted down, so keep a close eye on them to prevent over-baking. They’ll brown faster!

Dough handling for less mess: To keep your workspace clean and prevent adding too much extra flour (which can dry out your dough), I recommend rolling out and portioning the pizza dough onto a piece of parchment paper. This makes the process much smoother and less messy, and also helps with easy transfer.

Creative filling variations: While my kids adore classic pepperoni pizza rolls, the beauty of this recipe is its versatility! You can easily swap out or add different fillings to suit various tastes. Here are some delicious ideas:

• Meat Lovers: Add cooked crumbled Italian sausage, diced ham, or crispy bacon bits.
• Veggie Delight: Incorporate finely diced bell peppers, sautéed mushrooms, sliced black olives, or spinach (make sure to squeeze out excess water).
• Hawaiian Style: Combine diced Canadian bacon with small pineapple chunks for a sweet and savory twist.
• BBQ Chicken: Use cooked shredded chicken mixed with a touch of BBQ sauce and some grilled onions. Serve these with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some sliced jalapeños for those who like a bit of heat.
• Cheese Blend: Mix mozzarella with a touch of provolone, cheddar, or a Parmesan blend for added complexity.

These homemade pizza rolls are incredibly versatile and perfect for a wide range of occasions. We love serving them for casual pizza night, cheering on our favorite team during game day, bringing them to family gatherings, packing them in school lunches, or simply enjoying them as a comforting weekend snack. They’re always a surefire hit!

Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing Homemade Pizza Rolls

These pizza rolls are fantastic fresh, but they also lend themselves well to make-ahead preparation and smart storage, ensuring you can enjoy them anytime.

Make Ahead Tips: You’ll need to start your pizza dough slightly ahead of time to allow for the initial rise before you begin preparing the rolls. Remember that the filled pizza rolls will also need a full hour for their second rise after stuffing. This vital step helps them become perfectly fluffy and fill out the pan beautifully, so don’t rush it!

Storing Leftovers: Any leftover homemade pizza rolls can be stored in an airtight container or a large resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for 15-30 seconds until warm and soft, or for a crispier exterior, reheat them in a preheated oven (around 350°F / 175°C) for 5-10 minutes. A fan favorite, Kimee, raves, “This is probably one of my favorite recipes from Salt & Baker. It is incredibly delicious and has worked without fail every time. We fight over the leftovers. Just stick the leftover rolls in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, and they taste just as amazing as fresh ones.”

Freezing Unbaked Pizza Rolls: For future convenience, you can freeze the pizza rolls before baking. After filling and rolling the dough balls, arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they don’t touch. Flash freeze them until they are completely solid (this prevents them from sticking together). Once frozen, transfer the solid pizza rolls to a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, remove them from the freezer, place them on a greased baking sheet, let them thaw and complete their final 1-hour rise at room temperature, then bake as directed.

Freezing Baked Pizza Rolls: You can also freeze fully baked pizza rolls. Allow them to cool completely after baking. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, you can warm them directly from frozen in the oven or microwave until heated through, though thawing them first will yield slightly better texture.

Homemade Pizza Rolls: Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More Delicious Pizza Recipes

If you’re a pizza lover, don’t stop here! Check out some of my other fantastic pizza recipes that are perfect for any meal or gathering:

• Pesto Arugula Pizza: A fresh and vibrant option with peppery arugula.
• Blackberry Pizza: An unexpected yet delightful sweet and savory combination.
• CPK California Club Pizza: A Copycat recipe inspired by a beloved classic.
• French Bread Pizza: Quick, easy, and satisfying for a weeknight meal.
• Margherita Flatbread: A simple yet elegant take on the traditional Margherita.
• Focaccia Pizza: Thick, airy focaccia topped with your favorite pizza ingredients.