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Easy Homemade Pizza Rolls Recipe

Welcome this easy homemade pizza rolls recipe - made the cinnamon roll style! Perfect back-to-school lunch, easy snack to bring to hikes, picnics, or the office. Filled with a scrumptious pizza sauce, ham, and cheese, this little gem should definitely go on the rotation.

 

One homemade pizza roll on a plate, the rest on a wire rack in the background.

 

I can assure you that you're making everyone at the office or the other hikers super jealous when you're able to eat pizza for lunch! No more boring desktop lunches. Bonus; for more hiking snacks, try out one (or all) of these 5 trail mix recipes!

 

Research (aka a quick Google search) showed me that pizza rolls mean different things to different people. And to many, it means these fried egg roll type rolls, deep fried with pizza filling, like in this recipe. Also known as Totino's Pizza Rolls.

 

Homemade pizza rolls in a metal box.

 

However, I'm serving them cinnamon roll style using a basic pizza dough recipe. That is what I grew up with here in Norway, known as pizzasnurrer, which literally just means pizza rolls.

 

How to Make Pizza Dough

 

You can use whatever pizza dough you like, you can by all means also use this whole wheat bread dough and just roll it out like a pizza after the proofing (first rise). That way it gets healthier and more filling, but lacks that classic pizza crust.

 

Pizza dough is so easy to make yourself you really shouldn't use store-bought. However, sometimes time just doesn't cut it, and that calls for desperate measures. But here I'll share with you my basic pizza dough recipe.

 

Pour the dry instant yeast into a bowl of slightly warm water (105F/40C). Mix before adding in oil, flour, and salt. Knead using a handheld mixer or stand mixer for around 5 minutes, or until it's done.

 

Hands tearing open a pizza roll.

 

How to Know When the Dough is Done

 

What to look for is a dough that is not sticky but has a smoothness to it and is super stretchy. It shouldn't stick to the walls of the bowl too easily. Cover it and let it rest for 20 minutes. After this, you should place it on the counter and knead it 20 times by hand. Fold it over itself and press down with the heel of your hand 20 times. To get into more detail about pizza doughs, go ahead and read this article.

 

Now it's time to proof (rise) the dough, place it in a large bowl, and cover. Let it proof until it has doubled or tripled in size, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours (1).

 

How to make pizza dough, step by step.

 

Lightly flour a work surface, and cut the dough into two. Take one half and make a large ball. Roll it out to 12x20 inches (30x50cm) (2-3). A rolling pin is the easiest, but you may also just use your hands (extra rustic, I love that). You can also make it a little smaller rectangle and you'll get more dough aka bigger buns for each of the pizza rolls. Continue with the other half of the dough.

 

The Best Ever Spicy Pizza Sauce Recipe

 

So I was originally planning to share this as a single recipe, so you get a preview here. I just can't wait anymore, you need this pizza sauce in your life! Of course, feel free to use whatever pizza sauce you have on hand, want to make, or have in the freezer. This pizza sauce is also great to freeze, just thaw it in the fridge overnight or for a few hours on the counter and you're ready to go.

 

All you do is mix the ingredient in a medium bowl. Give it a taste and season accordingly. I highly recommend adding the sun-dried tomato pesto as stated in the ingredients, it adds a whole new awesome to the sauce.

 

Homemade Pizza Sauce, garnished with fresh basil.

 

Hold back on the salt if your toppings are really salty, such as prosciutto or bacon. It is delicious like it is combined with the ham and cheese in this homemade pizza rolls recipe.

 

If you want to dip the pizza rolls into more sauce when they are ready, then I would definitely make a double batch, as this is just enough for this amount of pizza dough.

 

Back-to-school lunch ideas

 

I've apparently been on a back-to-school lunch spree with some of my latest recipes. Previously I've shared a recipe for healthier homemade jello (I made them with red currants, but you can use whatever you want). Earlier this summer I shared a dinner roll stuffed with cheese and topped with bacon, those are also awesome to bring to school or work for lunch.

 

Of course, pasta salads and blueberry muffins are also lunch winners. And now there are these pizza rolls. And from other bloggers out there, there are tons of great ideas, I can't wait to try some of them. Especially these buffalo chicken wraps with blue cheese, pizza pasta salad, and this taco salad in a jar.

 

One pizza roll on a small plate, garnished with fresh basil.

 

We're all going back to our routines, whether it's school or work, but I don't want you to get stuck in an office lunch rut. I'm here to help you to avoid that. You can thank me later.

 

How to Make This Homemade Pizza Rolls Recipe

 

You have made and rolled out your pizza dough and the pizza sauce is ready. If not, read the above paragraphs again. Add half of the pizza sauce to the one pizza dough. Leave room around the edges, 1 inch (2.25cm). Spread it out evenly (4).

 

Cover with half of the chopped ham, shredded cheese, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil (5). If you don't have or don't want to make Italian seasoning (it is super easy though!), you can just use oregano, although I wouldn't use more than half a tablespoon on each dough.

 

How to make homemade pizza rolls, step by step.

 

Take the dough edge farthest away from you and roll towards you, trying your best to keep the fillings inside (6). It can be a messy project, but anyway you do it, it will taste amazing. You should now have a tube of filling, and cut it into 1-inch thick rolls (7).

 

Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. I usually have 9 homemade pizza rolls on each sheet, but 12 could also go. Cover and let them rest for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 450F (225C). Brush with milk or a beaten egg and bake for 15 minutes, or until golden. Let them cool on a wire rack.

 

Homemade pizza rolls on a wire rack, backlight.

 

Storage Tips for Homemade Pizza Rolls

 

Once they are completely cold, you can add them to plastic bags and freeze them. I prefer to freeze most and just have the amount I need for the day and the next on the counter (also in plastic bags). When you're ready to eat the frozen homemade pizza rolls, you take them out of the freezer and place them in an oven preheated to about 300F (150C) or less. It takes around 10 minutes, but you should occasionally check them to see if they're heated through. Enjoy!

 

When bringing them to hikes, school, and work, there's no need to reheat them in the oven. Simply take them out of the freezer and bring them with you! In a few hours, they are ready to be eaten.

 

Hands tearing open a pizza roll.

 

Enjoyed this Homemade Pizza Rolls Recipe? Check out these as well!

 

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below or tag me @thegingerwithspice on Instagram. And don’t forget to Pin it for later!

 

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📖 Recipe

One homemade pizza roll on a plate, the rest on a wire rack in the background.

Easy Homemade Pizza Rolls Recipe

Yield: 30 rolls
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Inactive Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Welcome this easy homemade pizza rolls recipe – made the cinnamon roll style! Perfect back to school lunch, easy snack to bring to hikes, picnics, or the office.

Ingredients

Pizza Dough (or any other pizza dough)

  • 14 g dried yeast, 2 US sachets, or 1 Norwegian
  • 2 ½ cups water, 600 ml
  • 4 tablespoon olive oil
  • 6 cups white flour, tipo 00 if you have it. 750g
  • 1 teaspoon salt

The Best Pizza Sauce (or any other sauce recipe)

  • 14 oz canned tomatoes, 400g. 1 can
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning* (or ½ tablespoon oregano + ½ tablespoon thyme)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon sugar, depending a little on your tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon salt, less if very salty toppings
  • pinch chili flakes, optional
  • 2 tablespoon sun-dried tomato pesto** (or tomato puree). Optional.

Pizza Roll Filling

  • 2 cups pizza sauce, see above. 450-500ml
  • 7 oz cooked ham, chopped. 190-200g
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella. 225g
  • 2 tablespoon Italian seasoning * or 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 2 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped, optional
  • 1 tablespoon milk, for brushing

Instructions

Pizza Dough

  1. Make the dough: Pour the dry instant yeast into a bowl of slightly warm water (105F/40C). Mix before adding in oil, flour and salt. Knead using a handheld mixer or stand mixer for around 5 minutes, or until it’s done.***
  2. Rest and knead: Cover it and let it rest for 20 minutes. After this you should place it on the counter and knead 20 times by hand. Fold it over itself and press down with the heel of your hand 20 times.
  3. Proof: Place the dough in a large bowl and cover. Let it proof (rise) until it has doubled or tripled in size, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours
  4. Roll it out: Lightly flour a work surface, and cut the dough into two. Take one half and make a large ball. Roll it out to 12×20 inches (30x50cm). You can also make it a little smaller rectangle and you’ll get more dough aka bigger buns for each of the pizza rolls. Do the same with the next half.

Pizza Sauce

  1. Mix and taste: All you do is mix the ingredient together in a medium bowl. Give it a taste and season accordingly. I highly recommend adding the sun-dried tomato pesto as stated in the ingredients, it adds a whole new awesome to the sauce.

Homemade Pizza Rolls

  1. Sauce the dough: Pizza dough is rolled out and pizza sauce is ready. Add half of the pizza sauce to the one pizza dough. Leave room around the edges, 1 inch (2.25cm). Spread it out evenly.
  2. All the toppings: Cover with half of the chopped ham, shredded cheese, Italian seasoning (or oregano) and fresh basil.
  3. Roll and slice: Take the dough edge farthest away from you and roll towards you, trying your best to keep the fillings inside. It can be a messy project, but anyway you do it, it will taste amazing. You should now have a tube of filling, cut it into 1 inch thick rolls.
  4. Bake and cool: Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. I usually have 9 homemade pizza rolls on each sheet. Cover and let them rest for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, pre-heat your oven to 450F (225C). Brush with milk or a beaten egg and bake for 15 minutes, or until golden. Let them cool on a wire rack.

Notes

* Recipe for Italian Seasoning

** Recipe for Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

*** What to look for is a dough that is not sticky but has a smoothness to it and super stretchy. It shouldn’t stick the walls of the bowl too easily

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 30 Serving Size: 1 roll
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 130Total Fat: 3.1gSaturated Fat: 0.7gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 255mgCarbohydrates: 20.7gFiber: 1.3gSugar: 0.7gProtein: 4.6g

Nutrition information isn't always accurate, estimate for informational purposes only.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or tag @thegingerwithspice on Instagram, I'd love to see!

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Lathiya

Wednesday 4th of September 2019

I love food made from scratch. These pizza rolls look absolutely delicious. It's perfect for kids lunch box.

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Tuesday 10th of September 2019

Thank you so much.

Jenni LeBaron

Monday 26th of August 2019

These pizza rolls look spectacular! I love how you've seasoned them and I can see these being tremendous for packed lunches, after school snacks, or even as a party appetizer!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Monday 26th of August 2019

You are so kind, Jenni! Thank you so much.

Sophie

Sunday 25th of August 2019

Love these beautiful pizza rolls; I am so gonna make this for upcoming potluck party.

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Monday 26th of August 2019

That's great, enjoy your potluck party.

Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness

Sunday 25th of August 2019

I have ALWAYS bought this in the past, and yet for some reason, it has never even occurred to me to make them at home!! This is a fantastic idea. Bookmarking!!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Monday 26th of August 2019

It's a game changer! Thank you SO much, Cathleen!

Linda

Saturday 24th of August 2019

Oh wow, these pizza rolls are so fun to make and enjoy. I also love how you can customize the sauce and make it flavorful.

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Monday 26th of August 2019

Thank you so much! Pizza is all about customization, right.

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