Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

This is my go-to pepperoni pizza rolls recipe, and it never lets me down.

Pizza night is a fixture in a lot of homes, and after enough weeks of the same routine, it’s natural to look for ways to change it up without actually giving it up. These pizza rolls do exactly that — same pizza dough, same sauce, same cheesy pepperoni filling, just rolled up cinnamon-roll style and sliced into individual bites instead of a full pie.

They’ve become one of those recipes that gets devoured the moment they come out of the oven, kids included, and there’s rarely much left by the time everyone’s had their fill.

Why You’ll Love This

It takes everything great about pizza night, saucy, cheesy, pepperoni-loaded, and turns it into something a little more fun and hands-on to eat. Kids especially love these, and they’re easy to dip in extra warm sauce. They also freeze well, which makes them a great make-ahead option.

Why This Works

Rolling the dough cinnamon-roll style, starting from one long side and rolling tightly, is what keeps the cheese and pepperoni evenly distributed through every slice rather than clumped in one spot. And pressing the bottom of each cut roll into cornmeal before baking gives them a little crunch and keeps them from sticking to the pan, the same trick used for a classic pizza crust.

How to Make Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Roll out your pizza dough into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface.

Step 2: Add the Filling

Sprinkle evenly with half the mozzarella cheese and half the pepperoni.

Step 3: Roll the Dough

Starting with one long side, roll the dough up cinnamon-roll style, pinching the seam together to seal.

Step 4: Slice and Coat

Place cornmeal in a bowl or shallow dish. Cut the dough into 1-inch sections. Press the bottom of each roll into the cornmeal, then place on a prepared baking sheet about an inch apart. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Step 5: Top and Bake

Sprinkle the rolls evenly with parmesan cheese and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden.

Step 6: Serve

Warm the extra pizza sauce and serve the pizza rolls immediately out of the oven alongside the sauce for dipping.

Tips for the Best Results

• Grate your own cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded, which is coated in anti-clumping powder and melts less smoothly.
• Roll the dough tightly so the filling stays evenly distributed through every slice.
• Pressing the rolls into cornmeal before baking adds a nice bit of crunch and helps prevent sticking.
• Serve immediately while warm for the best cheese pull.
• This pizza dough freezes well, so you can make a batch ahead and thaw when ready to use.

Variations to Try

Swap in sausage, ham, or your favorite pizza toppings in place of or alongside the pepperoni. Try different flour blends in the dough if you want to experiment, since this style of dough works well with a range of flours. Skip the cheese for a dairy-free version if needed — the dough itself carries plenty of flavor on its own.

What to Serve With It

Serve alongside a simple side salad for a more complete meal, or keep it casual with just extra warm pizza sauce for dipping.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days, reheating in the oven to bring back some crispness. The dough itself freezes well if you want to prep ahead — just thaw before rolling and assembling.

FAQ

Can I freeze the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the pizza dough freezes great — just thaw before rolling and assembling the pizza rolls.

What temperature should I bake these at?

Bake at the temperature recommended for your specific pizza dough recipe, typically around 400 to 425°F, for 15 to 20 minutes until golden.

Can I make these dairy-free?

Yes, simply omit the cheese — the seasoned dough and pepperoni still deliver plenty of flavor.

Why press the rolls into cornmeal?

It adds a bit of crunch to the bottom and helps prevent the rolls from sticking to the baking sheet.

Can I use a different filling?

Yes, sausage, ham, or any of your favorite pizza toppings all work well in place of pepperoni.