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Easy Pizza Rolls Recipe

Recipe by Pedro M. A. Neves

These Easy Pizza Rolls Recipe deliver all the flavors of classic Italian pizza in a convenient handheld format. Soft, pillowy dough is rolled around a savory filling of mozzarella, pepperoni, and tomato sauce, then baked until golden. Perfect for weeknight dinners, lunch boxes, or casual entertaining.

Ingredients

• 500g (3⅔ cups) all-purpose flour
• 7g (2¼ teaspoons) instant yeast
• 10g (2 teaspoons) salt
• 300ml (1¼ cups) warm water
• 15ml (1 tablespoon) olive oil
• 200g (7 oz) whole milk mozzarella, shredded
• 100g (3½ oz) pepperoni, finely diced
• 120ml (½ cup) tomato paste
• 5g (1 teaspoon) dried oregano
• 3g (½ teaspoon) garlic powder
• 2g (½ teaspoon) black pepper
• 30g (¼ cup) grated Parmesan cheese
• 15ml (1 tablespoon) olive oil for brushing

Instructions

1. Combine flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Add warm water and olive oil, then mix until a shaggy dough forms. Knead by hand for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.

2. Let dough rest at room temperature for 15 minutes, covered loosely with a towel.

3. While dough rests, prepare the filling by combining shredded mozzarella, diced pepperoni, tomato paste, oregano, garlic powder, and black pepper in a small bowl.

4. Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

5. Divide rested dough into 12 equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a thin oval approximately 12cm × 8cm (5 inches × 3 inches).

6. Spoon approximately 20ml (1½ tablespoons) of filling onto the center of each oval. Fold the longer sides of the oval inward, then roll tightly from one short end to create a compact cylinder.

7. Place rolls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 4cm (1½ inches) apart.

8. Brush the top of each roll with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

9. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the rolls are golden brown and the filling is bubbling slightly at the edges.

10. Remove from oven and let cool for 3–5 minutes before serving. Serve warm, optionally with additional tomato sauce for dipping.

Substitutions

• Use dairy-free mozzarella and vegan pepperoni for a plant-based version.
• Substitute ham or cooked sausage for pepperoni to vary the filling.
• Replace tomato paste with a mixture of sun-dried tomato paste and fresh basil for deeper flavor.
• Use whole wheat flour for half the all-purpose flour to increase fiber content.

Tips

• Do not overfill the rolls; excess filling can leak during baking and prevent proper sealing.
• For make-ahead convenience, assemble rolls up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate on the baking sheet, then bake directly from cold (add 3–5 minutes to bake time).
• These rolls freeze exceptionally well; bake until just golden, cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 160°C (320°F) oven for 10 minutes.

While pizza rolls are a modern convenience adaptation rather than a traditional Italian recipe, they embody the Italian spirit of combining fresh ingredients like mozzarella and tomato with bread. This handheld format reflects the Italian tradition of street food and casual eating that has evolved in contemporary home cooking throughout the Mediterranean.

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