These Crispy Cheesy Homemade Pizza Rolls are a nostalgic snack upgraded with better ingredients and a whole lot of love. Far superior to the frozen bag variety, these golden pockets are stuffed with a savory mix of pepperoni, gooey mozzarella, and herbs, all wrapped in a crunchy wonton shell.
Perfect for game day, movie nights, or a fun after-school treat, these rolls deliver that classic pizza flavor in a crispy, dippable bite.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: All the classic pizza hits tangy tomato sauce, salty pepperoni, and rich cheese enhanced by fresh herbs and a hint of red pepper heat.
- Texture: The wonton wrappers fry up shatteringly crisp, providing the perfect contrast to the hot, melty cheese filling inside.
- Time: 20 minutes prep, 10 minutes fry time.
- Difficulty: Intermediate. The folding technique takes a minute to master, but frying is quick and easy.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a deep pan or pot for frying and a slotted spoon or spider to remove the hot rolls safely. A small bowl of water is essential for sealing the wrappers. The ingredients rely on wonton wrappers (found in the produce section), standard pizza toppings like mozzarella and pepperoni, and vegetable oil for frying.
Ingredient Notes
- Wonton Wrappers – These thin squares of dough are the secret to a light, crispy crust. They are much thinner than egg roll wrappers and perfect for bite-sized snacks.
- Mozzarella Cheese – Shredded mozzarella provides the classic gooey pull. Using low-moisture mozzarella is best to keep the rolls from getting soggy.
- Pizza Sauce – Use a thick pizza sauce rather than marinara so the filling isn’t too watery.
- Turkey Pepperoni – Chopped turkey pepperoni adds a savory, salty kick with less grease than traditional pepperoni.
- Herbs – A mix of dried oregano and fresh basil and parsley gives these rolls a homemade, Italian-inspired flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese – Grated parmesan adds a salty, nutty bite to the cheese blend.
- Red Pepper Flakes – A half teaspoon adds a gentle heat that cuts through the rich cheese.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Meat – You can swap the turkey pepperoni for regular pepperoni, crumbled Italian sausage, or cooked bacon bits.
- Veggies – Finely diced bell peppers or mushrooms can be added to the filling, but sauté them first to remove excess water.
- Baking – If you prefer not to fry, you can brush these with oil and bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through (though they won’t be quite as crispy).
How to Make Crispy Cheesy Homemade Pizza Rolls
- Make the Filling: In a bowl, mix together the shredded mozzarella, pizza sauce, chopped turkey pepperoni, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, grated parmesan, chopped basil, and chopped parsley until everything is well combined and evenly distributed. Set aside.
- Prepare to Wrap: Have a small bowl of water ready for sealing. Lay out a wonton wrapper in a diamond shape so the corners point up, down, left, and right.
- Fill: Spoon a small dollop of filling (about 1/2 tablespoon) into the center of the wrapper. Do not overfill, or it will leak during frying!
- Seal: Dip your finger in water and run it along all the edges of the wrapper. Fold the bottom corner up over the filling to form a triangle shape.
- Fold: Fold in the left and right corners tightly toward the center, creating an envelope shape. Then fold the top corner down and press firmly to seal everything shut. Make sure all the edges are tightly sealed so no filling leaks out. Repeat with remaining wrappers.
- Fry: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Once hot, carefully add the rolls in batches (don’t overcrowd the pan). Fry until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the rolls with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel–lined plate to drain any excess oil. Serve hot with extra pizza sauce or ranch for dipping!
Pro Tip: Sealing the edges is the most critical step. If there is even a tiny gap, the cheese will melt out into the hot oil and splatter. Press the edges firmly and double-check each roll before it goes into the fryer.
Recipe Tips
- Oil Temperature: Maintain your oil at 350°F. If it’s too hot, the wrapper will burn before the cheese melts. If it’s too cool, the rolls will absorb oil and become greasy.
- Keep Wrappers Covered: Wonton wrappers dry out very quickly. Keep the stack covered with a slightly damp paper towel while you work on rolling individual pieces.
- Small Batches: Fry only 4-5 rolls at a time to keep the oil temperature steady and ensure they cook evenly.
FAQs
- Can I air fry these? Yes! Spray generously with cooking oil and air fry at 375°F for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Can I freeze them? Yes, you can freeze the uncooked rolls. Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag. You can fry them directly from frozen (just add a minute to the cook time).
- Why did my rolls explode? This usually happens if they are overfilled or if the oil is too hot, causing the air inside to expand too rapidly.
Serving Suggestions
- Dipping Sauces: Warm marinara is classic, but ranch dressing or garlic butter are also delicious.
- Salad: Serve with a simple Caesar salad to make it a meal.
- Party Platter: Arrange them with mozzarella sticks and wings for the ultimate snack spread.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Filling: You can mix the cheese and pepperoni filling a day in advance and store it in the fridge.
- Assembly: You can assemble the rolls a few hours ahead of time. Keep them on a baking sheet lightly dusted with cornstarch and covered with plastic wrap in the fridge until ready to fry.
Crispy Cheesy Homemade Pizza Rolls
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 25 Rolls 1x
Description
These Crispy Cheesy Homemade Pizza Rolls are a nostalgic snack upgraded with better ingredients and a whole lot of love. Far superior to the frozen bag variety, these golden pockets are stuffed with a savory mix of pepperoni, gooey Mozzarella, and herbs, all wrapped in a crunchy wonton shell. Perfect for game day, movie nights, or a fun after-school treat, these rolls deliver that classic pizza flavor in a crispy, dippable bite.
Ingredients
The Pizza Filling
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese (low-moisture works best)
- 3/4 cup thick pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup chopped turkey pepperoni (or regular)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
The Wrapper & Fry
- 25 wonton wrappers (square)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Small bowl of water (for sealing)
Instructions
Make the Filling
In a medium bowl, mix together the Mozzarella, pizza sauce, chopped pepperoni, Parmesan, basil, parsley, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir until well combined.
Prepare to Wrap
Lay out a wonton wrapper in a diamond shape (corners pointing up, down, left, right). Keep the remaining wrappers covered with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.
Fill
Spoon a small dollop of filling (approx. 1/2 tablespoon) into the center. Warning: Do not overfill! Too much sauce will cause them to burst during frying.
Fold & Seal
Dip your finger in water and run it along all four edges of the wrapper. Fold the bottom corner up over the filling to form a triangle. Press out any air. Fold the left and right corners tightly toward the center (like an envelope). Fold the top corner down and press firmly to seal. Ensure there are no gaps.
Fry
Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add rolls in small batches (4–5 at a time). Fry for 2–3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Drain & Serve
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve hot with extra pizza sauce or ranch for dipping.
Notes
Sealing is Critical: If there is even a tiny hole in your seal, the cheese will leak out and splatter in the hot oil. Press the edges firmly!
Air Fryer Method: Spray the assembled rolls generously with cooking oil spray. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 6–8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until crispy and bubbled.
Make Ahead: Assemble the rolls and freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. You can fry them directly from frozen (just add 1 minute to the cook time).
Turkey Pepperoni: This recipe uses turkey pepperoni for less grease, but regular pepperoni, crumbled sausage, or even cooked bacon bits work perfectly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American Comfort
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 Rolls
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: homemade pizza rolls, wonton pizza pockets, game day snacks, pepperoni rolls, movie night food, kids snacks, crispy appetizers
