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Freshly baked cheesy pizza rolls cooling on a metal wire rack on a wooden surface.

Easy Homemade Pizza Rolls

Time45 min
DifficultyEasy
Servings4

Contains: Milk, Wheat/Gluten

About allergens

These homemade pizza rolls are everything you love about pizza, wrapped into soft, golden rolls with a savory tomato sauce, spicy salami, and plenty of melted cheese. Made with a simple yeast dough and everyday ingredients, they’re perfect for sharing, packing for lunch, or serving as an easy appetizer.

The dough comes together with just a few basic ingredients, and you don’t need any special equipment or complicated techniques. Once the rolls are shaped, the oven does the rest, leaving you with a batch of freshly baked pizza rolls that are crisp on the outside, soft in the middle, and full of pizza flavor.

Serve them warm straight from the oven, or make them ahead for an easy snack whenever a pizza craving strikes.

Why You'll Love These Pizza Rolls

  • Simple ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples and your favorite pizza toppings.
  • Easy homemade dough: No mixer or complicated kneading technique is necessary.
  • Perfect for sharing: Serve them as an appetizer, a party snack, or alongside a bowl of soup or a fresh salad.
  • Easy to customize: Swap the salami for ham, add olives, or use a combination of your favorite cheeses.
  • Great for meal prep: Bake a batch ahead of time and reheat the rolls when you're ready to serve.
Two hands pressing and flattening homemade pizza dough on a wooden countertop.

Tips for the Best Pizza Rolls

  • Use a thick marinara sauce. Too much moisture can make the centers soggy and the rolls harder to shape.
  • Don't overload the filling. A thin, even layer is easier to roll and helps keep the filling inside.
  • Seal the dough well. Pinching the seam and placing it underneath helps the rolls maintain their shape during baking.
  • Cut with a sharp knife. A clean cut helps prevent the dough from being squashed. Dental floss is another useful option.
  • Let them cool slightly before serving. This gives the melted cheese time to settle and makes the rolls easier to handle.
A person sprinkling shredded mozzarella cheese over tomato sauce on rolled-out pizza dough.

Variations

  • Pepperoni pizza rolls: Replace the salami with pepperoni for a classic pizza-shop flavor.
  • Spicy pizza rolls: Add a pinch of chili flakes to the marinara sauce or use spicy salami.
  • Extra cheesy rolls: Replace some of the mozzarella with cheddar or provolone for a more pronounced cheese flavor.
  • Vegetarian pizza rolls: Skip the salami and add finely chopped olives, sautéed mushrooms, or roasted peppers. Make sure any vegetables are well drained before adding them.
  • Pizza rolls with hot honey: Drizzle the freshly baked rolls with hot honey for a sweet and spicy finish that pairs perfectly with the savory salami and melted cheese. Try our Homemade Hot Honey recipe for an easy way to take these pizza rolls up a notch.

Common questions

How do I keep the filling from leaking out?

Spread the marinara sauce in a thin, even layer and leave a small border along one long edge. Avoid overfilling the dough, roll it up gently, and pinch the seam to seal it before slicing.

Why didn't my pizza rolls rise?

There are several possible reasons, including inactive yeast, water that was too hot, or a kitchen that was too cold. Make sure your yeast is fresh and use lukewarm water. If the dough is rising slowly, give it more time rather than relying only on the clock.

Can I use pizza dough from the store?

Yes. Store-bought pizza dough is a convenient shortcut when you want homemade pizza rolls without making the dough from scratch. Roll it out, add the filling, shape the rolls, and follow the package instructions for proofing and baking, adjusting the time as needed.

Can I cook these pizza rolls in an air fryer?

Yes! Preheat your air fryer to 170°C (340°F) and arrange the pizza rolls in a single layer, leaving space between them for the air to circulate. Air fry for approximately 8 - 12 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Depending on the size of your rolls and your air fryer model, you may need to adjust the cooking time. Cook in batches if necessary, and let the rolls cool slightly before serving.

Can you make them ahead?

Yes! You can assemble the pizza rolls, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and keep them in the refrigerator overnight. For best results, allow them to sit at room temperature for around 30 - 45 minutes before baking, adjusting the time depending on how much they've risen in the refrigerator.

Recipe

Easy Homemade Pizza Rolls

25mPreparation
20mCooking
45mTotal
Servings
4

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1

    Activate the yeast

    Add the lukewarm water and yeast to a mixing bowl and stir well to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes to give the yeast time to dissolve and begin activating.

    If you're using instant dry yeast, this step isn't strictly necessary, but it can help you check that the yeast is working properly.

  2. 2

    Make the dough

    Add the olive oil, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until the ingredients come together into a dough.

    Knead until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. It should feel soft and slightly tacky. If it sticks excessively to your hands, lightly flour your work surface, but avoid adding too much extra flour.

  3. 3

    Let the dough rise

    Cover the bowl and leave the dough to rise at room temperature for 45 minutes.

  4. 4

    Stretch and fold

    After the first rise, gently stretch and fold the dough over itself from several sides. This helps develop the dough's structure without extensive kneading.

    Cover the bowl again and leave the dough to rest for another 45 minutes.

  5. 5

    Roll out the dough and add the filling

    Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and roll it into a rectangle.

    Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the surface, leaving a small border along one of the long edges. Add grated cheese and scatter the salami over it.

  6. 6

    Shape the pizza rolls

    Starting from the long edge opposite the clean border, roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam gently to seal, then slice the log into equal-sized rolls.

    Arrange the rolls cut-side up on a baking tray lined with baking paper, leaving a little space between them.

  7. 7

    Let the rolls rise

    Cover the tray loosely and leave the rolls to rise for 1 hour and 30 minutes at room temperature.

    They should look visibly puffier before baking. The exact rise will depend on the temperature of your kitchen, so use the appearance of the dough as your guide.

  8. 8

    Bake until golden

    Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).

    Bake the pizza rolls for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through, with melted cheese and lightly browned edges.

    Let them cool for a few minutes before serving while the cheese is still warm and gooey.

Nutrition Facts

per 100 g
Calories
259
kcal
Fat
9.0g
Saturated
3.4g
Carbs
33.6g
Fiber
0.9g
Sugar
0.9g
Protein
10.7g
Salts
1.4g

Nutritional values are approximate estimates intended for informational purposes only. If you have dietary restrictions or medical conditions, please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet.

Glycemic Estimate

per serving
Glycemic Index
83
LowMediumHigh
Glycemic Load
37.1
LowMediumHigh
Blood Sugar Response
LowMediumHigh

Peak rise expected around 1h after eating

This is an estimated glycemic response and may vary based on individual metabolism and ingredient preparation. Learn more about GI and GL.

Storage & Reheating

  • 1

    Storage

    Allow the pizza rolls to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

  • 2

    Freezing

    Once completely cooled, arrange the rolls in a single layer and freeze until firm. Transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months for the best quality.

    Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, or reheat from frozen until hot all the way through.

  • 3

    Reheating

    For the best texture, reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 170 - 180°C (340 - 350°F) for approximately 5 - 8 minutes, or until heated through. A microwave also works, although the rolls will be softer rather than crisp.

Equipment

  • SSilicone Spatula
  • BBox Grater
  • BBaking Tray 8 x 13 x 2.5" / 20 × 34 x 6 cm
  • KKitchen Knife
  • CCutting Board
  • MMixing Bowl
  • RRolling pin
  • PParchment paper

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