Pizza Wheel Recipe
Pizza wheel is a spiral-rolled Italian bread filled with savory ham, cheese, and herbs, sliced and baked until golden brown. This impressive appetizer or light main course combines the comfort of pizza flavors with the visual appeal of a pinwheel presentation. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
- 500g (3¾ cups) all-purpose flour
- 7g (2¼ tsp) instant yeast
- 300ml (1¼ cups) warm water
- 10ml (2 tsp) salt
- 15ml (1 tbsp) olive oil
- 150g (5 oz) ham, thinly sliced
- 200g (7 oz) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 50g (⅓ cup) Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
- 15ml (1 tbsp) dried oregano
- 5ml (1 tsp) garlic powder
- 5ml (1 tsp) red pepper flakes
- 30ml (2 tbsp) olive oil for brushing
Instructions
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Combine flour, yeast, salt, and warm water in a large bowl. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead for 8 minutes by hand or 5 minutes in a stand mixer until smooth and elastic.
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Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise for 60 minutes until doubled in size.
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Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Punch down the risen dough and transfer to a floured work surface.
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Roll dough into a rectangle approximately 40cm × 25cm (16 × 10 inches) and ¼cm (⅛ inch) thick.
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Brush the entire dough surface with 15ml olive oil. Layer ham slices evenly across the dough, then sprinkle mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes uniformly.
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Starting from the longer side, tightly roll the dough into a compact log, sealing the seam at the end by pinching.
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Using a sharp knife, slice the roll into 16 pieces approximately 2.5cm (1 inch) thick.
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Arrange slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet with 2cm (¾ inch) spacing between each piece. Brush tops with remaining olive oil.
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Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Remove from oven and cool for 2 minutes before serving warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Substitutions
- Use prosciutto instead of ham for a more premium flavor
- Substitute mozzarella with provolone or smoked cheese for deeper flavor
- Replace ham with roasted vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, and roasted red peppers for a vegetarian version
- Use gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum for a gluten-free adaptation
Tips
- Ensure the dough is rolled uniformly thin to achieve even baking and consistent spiral layers throughout
- Do not over-fill the dough, as excess filling may leak out during rolling and baking
- Slice with a serrated knife and use a gentle sawing motion to prevent compression of the soft dough
- Serve within 30 minutes of baking for optimal texture and cheese melt
Pizza wheel, known as 'rotolo di pizza' in Italy, is a popular street food and party appetizer originating from Southern Italy. The spiral presentation and portable portions make it ideal for casual gatherings and celebrations throughout Italian cuisine culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Pizza Wheel Recipe take to make?
Pizza Wheel Recipe takes about 45 minutes total — 25 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking — and makes 8 servings.
What can I substitute in Pizza Wheel Recipe?
You can adapt it easily: Use prosciutto instead of ham for a more premium flavor; Substitute mozzarella with provolone or smoked cheese for deeper flavor; Replace ham with roasted vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, and roasted red peppers for a vegetarian version.
How should I store leftover Pizza Wheel Recipe?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days and reheat gently before serving.
How much protein is in Pizza Wheel Recipe?
Each serving of Pizza Wheel Recipe has about 22g of protein and 520 calories.
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