These Pepperoni Pizza Crescent Rolls are the ultimate fun and easy appetizer, combining the flaky goodness of a crescent roll with the savory flavors of a pepperoni pizza. Stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese and beef pepperoni, then topped with a garlic-herb crust, they are a hit with kids and adults alike.
With a golden, buttery exterior and a warm, cheesy center, these rolls are perfect for game days, after-school snacks, or a quick dinner.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Savory beef pepperoni and melted mozzarella are wrapped in buttery dough, finished with a fragrant garlic, oregano, and basil topping.
- Texture: You get the signature flakiness of the crescent roll on the outside with a soft, melty cheese pull on the inside.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 15 minutes bake time.
- Difficulty: Very Easy. This is a simple assembly job using store-bought dough.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a large ungreased cookie sheet to bake the rolls. You will also need a couple of small bowls for mixing the spices and beating the egg, and a pastry brush for applying the egg wash. The ingredients rely on convenient refrigerated crescent dough, string cheese, and pantry spices.
Ingredient Notes
- Pillsbury Crescent Rolls – You will need 2 packages to make 16 rolls. Keep the dough refrigerated until the very last moment so it is easy to work with.
- Mozzarella Cheese Sticks – Standard string cheese works perfectly here. You will cut them in half to fit inside the rolls.
- Beef Pepperoni Slices – This recipe uses beef pepperoni for a savory, smoky flavor without using pork.
- Egg – A beaten egg is used to brush the tops of the rolls, giving them a beautiful golden-brown shine.
- Spices – A blend of garlic powder, oregano, and basil mimics the flavor of pizza sauce and crust seasoning.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan added at the end provides a salty, nutty finish.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Cheese – If you prefer a sharper flavor, you can use cheddar cheese sticks instead of mozzarella.
- Turkey Pepperoni – For a leaner option, turkey pepperoni works just as well as beef.
- Spices – If you have a pre-mixed Italian seasoning blend, you can use 3 teaspoons of that instead of the individual spices.
How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Crescent Rolls
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Make Herb Mix: Combine the garlic powder, oregano, and basil in a small bowl.
- Prepare Egg Wash: Beat the egg in a separate small bowl.
- Assemble: Remove the crescent rolls from the package and unroll them into triangles. Starting with the wide end of the triangle, place a mozzarella cheese stick (cut in half) on the end. Place pepperoni slices along the surface of the crescent roll dough.
- Roll: Starting with the widest end, roll the dough up towards the most narrow end, tucking the filling inside.
- Season: Place the rolls on an ungreased cookie sheet. Brush the tops with the beaten egg and sprinkle with the seasoning mixture.
- Bake: Bake for 15 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown.
- Serve: Sprinkle the hot rolls with the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with warm pizza sauce or marinara sauce for dipping.
Pro Tip: When placing the pepperoni, try to overlap them slightly along the dough triangle. This ensures you get a bit of savory pepperoni in every bite of the roll, rather than just in the center.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcrowd: Give the rolls a little space on the cookie sheet as they will puff up and expand while baking.
- Seal the Cheese: Try to pinch the corners of the crescent dough slightly around the cheese stick to minimize the cheese leaking out onto the pan.
- Serve Warm: These are best enjoyed warm while the cheese is still melty and stringy.
FAQs
- Can I put sauce inside the roll? It is best to serve the sauce on the side. Putting marinara sauce inside the roll before baking can make the dough soggy and difficult to roll up.
- How do I reheat leftovers? Reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 350 degrees for a few minutes to crisp the dough back up. Microwaving will make them soft.
- Can I make these ahead? You can assemble them and keep them on the baking sheet in the fridge for up to an hour before baking, but don’t leave them too long or the dough may dry out.
Serving Suggestions
- Dipping Sauce: Warm marinara or pizza sauce is essential for the full pizza experience.
- Salad: Serve with a crisp Caesar salad to turn this appetizer into a light meal.
- Vegetables: A side of raw veggies and ranch dip pairs well for a kid-friendly lunch.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Storage: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the baked rolls. Wrap them individually and freeze for up to a month. Thaw and reheat in the oven.
Pepperoni Pizza Crescent Rolls
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 16 Rolls 1x
Description
These Pepperoni Pizza Crescent Rolls are the ultimate fun and easy appetizer, combining the buttery flakiness of store-bought crescent dough with the savory flavors of a classic pizza. Stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese and smoky beef pepperoni, then finished with a garlic-herb crust, they are a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. Perfect for game days, after-school snacks, or a quick dinner, these rolls are best served warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
- 2 packages (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent rolls
- 8 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut in half to make 16 pieces
- 1 package beef pepperoni slices
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Pizza sauce or marinara sauce (optional, for dipping)
Instructions
Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a large ungreased cookie sheet or baking pan. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, oregano, and basil. In a separate small bowl, beat the egg to create an egg wash.
Assemble the Rolls
Remove the crescent dough from the packages and unroll them to separate the 16 triangles. Place a halved mozzarella cheese stick at the wide end of each triangle. Layer pepperoni slices along the surface of the dough, overlapping them slightly to ensure flavor in every bite.
Roll and Seal
Starting from the wide end with the cheese, roll the dough up towards the narrow point. Tuck the filling inside as you go. Pinch the corners of the dough slightly around the cheese to help prevent it from leaking out during baking.
Season the Tops
Place the rolls on the ungreased cookie sheet, leaving a little space between them for expansion. Brush the tops of each roll with the beaten egg, then sprinkle generously with the prepared spice mixture.
Bake
Bake for 15 minutes, or until the rolls are puffed and golden brown on top.
Finish and Serve
Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the hot rolls with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve warm with pizza sauce or marinara on the side for dipping.
Notes
Sauce on the Side: Avoid putting pizza sauce inside the rolls before baking. This adds too much moisture and often results in soggy dough. It is much better to use the sauce as a dip.
Cheese Variations: While mozzarella offers the classic pizza stretch, you can substitute it for sharp cheddar sticks or pepper jack for a spicy kick.
Reheating: If you have leftovers, reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to crisp the dough back up. Microwaving tends to make the crescent dough soft and chewy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Roll
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: pepperoni pizza crescent rolls, easy appetizer recipe, stuffed crescent rolls, beef pepperoni pizza, kid friendly snacks, game day food, homemade pizza rolls, 30 minute recipe
