Homemade Pizza Rolls with Crispy Edges and Gooey Centers

Pizza rolls are one of those nostalgic snacks that bring joy to everyone—whether you grew up eating the boxed kind after school or discovered them later as the ultimate comfort food for late nights and game days. But the truth is, the store-bought version doesn’t even come close to what you can create in your own kitchen. These homemade pizza rolls are golden, crisp on the outside, loaded with cheesy fillings on the inside, and totally customizable to fit whatever craving you’re having.

Imagine soft but sturdy dough wrapped tightly around hot marinara sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese, and your favorite toppings like mini pepperoni, crumbled sausage, bell peppers, or mushrooms. Each bite is a perfect combo of pizza goodness in handheld form. Whether you’re making these for kids, for guests, or just for yourself with a movie queued up, these pizza rolls never disappoint. They’re fun to make, more flavorful than any frozen box, and honestly kind of addictive once you get into that cheesy pull-apart middle.

Why These Pizza Rolls Are Worth Making From Scratch

The beauty of pizza rolls is their versatility. Want a snack? Done. Need a party appetizer? Hand these out with dipping sauces and watch them vanish. Looking for a creative lunchbox idea that’s not a sandwich? These reheat well and hold up great. What makes this version stand out is the dough—it’s soft but bakes up with just the right amount of chew, and when brushed with garlic butter and herbs, it takes the flavor to a whole new level. The filling is entirely up to you, which makes this perfect for picky eaters or leftover cleanout days. You can keep it classic with mozzarella and pepperoni or go full gourmet with caramelized onions, roasted garlic, olives, and spicy Italian sausage. And if you’re in a rush, store-bought pizza dough totally works, but there’s something deeply satisfying about making the dough from scratch, watching it rise, and shaping each little roll with your own hands. These are also fantastic to prep in bulk—you can freeze them unbaked or baked and reheat whenever the craving hits.

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 2¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
• ¾ cup warm water
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Filling

• ½ cup pizza sauce or marinara
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup mini pepperoni or cooked sausage
• Optional: mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, crushed red pepper

For the Topping

• 1 tbsp melted butter
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp grated parmesan

Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Stir in flour, salt, and olive oil until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
5. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Roll dough into a large rectangle, about ¼ inch thick.
7. Cut into 3-inch squares.
8. Add a spoonful of sauce, cheese, and toppings to the center of each square.
9. Fold the corners up and pinch the seams closed tightly.
10. Place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
11. Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder, Italian herbs, and parmesan.
12. Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
13. Let cool for a few minutes, then serve with marinara or ranch on the side.

Tips for the Best Homemade Pizza Rolls

Don’t overfill or they’ll burst during baking. Pinch edges shut and bake seam-side down. Use thick sauce to avoid soggy dough. Add cornmeal under the rolls for extra crisp. Want a shortcut? Store-bought dough or crescent rolls work in a pinch.

Fun Variations

Try BBQ chicken and cheddar, spinach and ricotta, or Alfredo and bacon. For breakfast: scrambled eggs, sausage, and cheese. For dessert: Nutella and banana or cinnamon sugar butter with cream cheese.

Storage and Reheating

Store cooled rolls in the fridge up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes. To freeze, assemble but don’t bake. Freeze on a tray, then bag and store for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes.

Final Thoughts

These pizza rolls are everything: crispy, cheesy, customizable, and addicting. They’re a weeknight win, a party pleaser, and a freezer-friendly favorite you’ll want to keep on hand year-round. Homemade always tastes better, and once you make these from scratch, you’ll never look at the boxed version the same way again.

Stick around—every visit tastes better than the last at The Buttered Bliss.