You know, nothing takes me back to cozy family nights quite like these homemade pepperoni rolls. I first made them on a rainy weekend when friends popped over unexpectedly, and they vanished in minutes—melty mozzarella, spicy pepperoni, and that golden, fluffy roll hugging it all together. I love how they’re equally perfect whether you’re serving a quick snack, a party appetizer, or something fun for game day. Plus, they’re a total crowd-pleaser with kids and adults alike.

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Why This Recipe Shines

Flavor Harmony: The perfect balance of spicy pepperoni and creamy mozzarella inside fluffy, slightly chewy bread.
Easy Assembly: Minimal prep, no complicated dough making since it uses frozen bread dough.
Texture Play: Soft insides with a golden, slightly crisp crust that’s just irresistible.
Showstopper Finish: An egg wash gives a glossy finish that makes these rolls pop on any snack table.

What’s truly great about this Pepperoni Rolls recipe is how straightforward it is. The dough is already prepared—you just thaw and roll—which makes it approachable even if you usually shy away from baking. I’ll walk you through folding and rolling so your rolls come out sealed tight and bursting with cheesy, pepperoni goodness. Fresh Italian seasoning adds a lovely herbal note, but don’t worry if you don’t have any; a pinch of oregano works just as well. Let’s dive in!

The image shows several pepperoni rolls arranged on a white plate with a decorative floral pattern. Each roll has a smooth, golden-brown outer layer that looks soft and shiny. One roll is broken open at the top, revealing a middle layer of melted white cheese with a stretchy texture and a layer of reddish-orange pepperoni inside. The pepperoni pieces have a slightly shiny surface that contrasts with the matte texture of the dough. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface, and there is some green leafy garnish blurred in the background along with a small pile of pepperoni slices. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Be Working With

Before you start, gather everything and measure carefully. The exact amounts and details are in the printable recipe card below, but here’s what makes this recipe tick:

Frozen bread dough: Thawed ahead, it’s the foundation for soft, fluffy rolls without extra work.
Pepperoni slices: Classic spicy, but feel free to substitute with salami or turkey pepperoni.
Mozzarella cheese: Fresh is best, cut into small pieces to melt evenly; provolone or cheddar can work too.
Italian seasoning: Adds herby layers of flavor; you can mix dried basil, oregano, and thyme.
Egg (for wash): Gives the rolls that gorgeous golden shine and helps seal the dough.
Water (for egg wash): A splash to loosen the egg without thinning it too much.

If you don’t have Italian seasoning, just substitute with equal parts of dried oregano and basil. And if mozzarella isn’t handy, mild provolone melts beautifully too — just don’t skip the cheese; it makes all the magic happen.

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Chef’s Note

You’ll find the complete list of ingredients with exact measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tools You’ll Need

Baking sheet: Gives the rolls space to bake evenly and brown nicely.
Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup super easy.
Sharp knife or bench scraper: For cleanly dividing the dough into equal parts.
Pastry brush: Essential for evenly applying the egg wash for that perfect golden crust.
Mixing bowl: For whisking egg and water together quickly.

How to Make Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe

Alright, here’s the simple walkthrough for these tasty Pepperoni Rolls. Once you’ve thawed the dough, you’re ready to assemble and bake these beauties.

Preheat and prep: Heat your oven to 400°F and line a sheet tray with parchment paper so nothing sticks and cleanup stays easy.
Divide the dough: Place your thawed bread dough on a clean surface. Slice it into 8 equal pieces using a sharp knife or bench scraper—consistency helps even baking.
Shape the dough: Flatten each piece into about a 4×4-inch square. Don’t worry about making it perfect—your hands work great for this step.
Fill the rolls: Place 2 slices of pepperoni in the center of each dough square, then add 2 pieces of mozzarella cheese on top. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning to brighten the flavor.
Seal it up: Fold the edges over the filling and roll tightly, pinching seams together firmly so nothing leaks out during baking.
Place on tray: Arrange your rolls seam-side down on the parchment-lined tray, leaving enough room so they don’t stick while expanding.
Brush with egg wash: Whisk 1 beaten egg with a splash of water and gently brush the tops of each roll—this gives a lovely golden color and shine.
Bake: Pop the tray in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the rolls are golden brown and the cheese inside is melty. They should look puffed and inviting.
Rest and serve: Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before digging in so the filling sets a bit. Serve plain or with your favorite marinara sauce for dipping.

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Kitchen Wisdom

Tip 1: Make sure your dough is fully thawed but still cool to handle for best shaping.
Tip 2: Pinch seams tightly so cheese doesn’t ooze out during baking.
Tip 3: Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet; space helps even browning.
Tip 4: Use fresh, high-quality mozzarella for the best melt and flavor.

How to Serve

The image shows a white plate with five soft, shiny golden-brown rolls stacked together, each roll having a smooth, slightly toasted surface with delicate cracks and a tight, rounded shape. Around the rolls, there are bright red slices of pepperoni with a glossy texture, some lying flat and some slightly curled at the edges. In the blurred background, there is a glass jar filled with a dark amber beverage and lemon slices, placed on a white marbled surface. A small green leafy garnish is seen on the left edge of the plate, adding a fresh touch. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Flavor Boosters

Add a sprinkle of freshly chopped basil or a pinch of red pepper flakes on top after baking for an extra flavor kick. A drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil can elevate these rolls to something even more special.

Perfect Pairings

Serve these rolls alongside a fresh green salad or a tangy marinara sauce for dipping. A crisp sparkling water with lemon or a light red wine also pairs nicely if you want to up the meal vibes.

Presentation Touches

Place the rolls on a wooden board or colorful platter to make serving casual and inviting. If you’re bringing these to a party, line a basket with parchment paper and cover lightly with a kitchen towel to keep them warm.

Variations & Easy Swaps

Use turkey pepperoni for a milder, leaner version.
Swap mozzarella for sharp cheddar or gouda for different cheese flavors.
Add finely chopped olives or roasted red peppers for extra savory bites.
Try adding a sprinkle of parmesan on top before baking for a crispy cheesy crust.
Use gluten-free bread dough to make this recipe suitable for gluten sensitivities.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

Prepare and roll the pepperoni rolls, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes to revive crust crispness.
For freezing, bake fully then freeze cooled rolls tightly in freezer bags for up to 2 months.
Thaw frozen rolls overnight in the fridge before reheating.

FAQs

Can I use homemade bread dough for this recipe? Absolutely! Just make sure your dough is soft and pliable, and follow the same rolling and filling steps.
What if I want extra cheesy rolls? Feel free to add a little shredded mozzarella or parmesan inside the roll along with the slices.
How do I prevent the rolls from getting soggy? Using an egg wash helps seal the dough, and baking at a high enough temperature ensures a crisp crust.
Can pepperoni rolls be made vegan? Yes! Use vegan bread dough, plant-based cheese slices, and vegan pepperoni alternatives.
Is it better to bake from chilled or room temperature dough? Room temperature dough is easier to work with and helps the rolls rise better during baking.