Pepperoni Pizza Roll Ups Recipe

My Grandson’s Favorite Snack

Let me tell you about these pizza roll ups. My grandson Leo invented them. Well, sort of. He was helping me make lunch one day. We had crescent rolls, string cheese, and pepperoni. He said, “Grandma, let’s make pizza pockets!” So we did. I still laugh at that.

Now we make them all the time. They are perfect for after school. They are also great for game nights. The smell fills the whole kitchen. Doesn’t that smell amazing? What is your family’s favorite quick snack to make together?

Why This Little Recipe Works

This matters because it gets kids in the kitchen. It uses simple ingredients. It teaches them how to roll and bake. They feel so proud of their creation. That pride is more important than a perfect shape.

It also matters for busy days. You can have hot food in 15 minutes. Everyone gets to eat right away. No one has to wait and get grumpy. That is a win in my book.

Let’s Make Them Together

First, heat your oven to 375. Get out a baking sheet. Lay out your crescent roll triangles. Now for the fun part. Let the kids layer on the pepperoni.

Add a string cheese stick to each one. Roll them up from the wide end. Place them on the sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes. You will see them turn a lovely golden brown. Fun fact: The crescent roll was invented in Austria, not France!

The Best Part: Dipping!

We always serve these with warm pizza sauce. Leo likes to use a little bowl for his. My daughter swears by ranch dressing. I think both are delicious.

You can add your own twist too. Try a sprinkle of Italian herbs before baking. Or add a few black olives inside. What do you think is the best dipping sauce for these? I would love to hear your ideas.

A Treat for Sharing

These roll ups are meant to be shared. They are easy to pick up and eat. No forks needed. That makes them perfect for a crowd. I bring them to every family gathering.

They always disappear fast. That is the best compliment a cook can get. Do you have a recipe that always gets eaten first at your parties? Tell me about it. I am always looking for new ideas.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Crescent rolls	8
String cheese sticks	8
Pepperoni	1 cup
Pizza sauce	½ cup	For dipping
Freshly chopped herbs / pizza ingredients	As desired	Optional, for garnish or topping

My Grandson’s Favorite Pizza Roll Ups

My grandson Leo calls these “pizza snails.” I still laugh at that. They are perfect for a quick snack. They are also great for a fun dinner. You just need a few simple ingredients. Doesn’t that smell amazing when they bake? It reminds me of Saturday nights long ago. Let’s make some together.

1. First, heat your oven to 375 degrees. Grab a baking sheet. Give it a quick spray with cooking spray. This keeps our roll ups from sticking. I learned that the hard way once!
2. Open the can of crescent rolls. Gently separate the triangles. Lay them flat on your counter. Now, let’s add the pepperoni. I use about 5 slices per triangle. Cover the dough nicely. (A hard-learned tip: pat the pepperoni dry with a paper towel first. This keeps the dough from getting soggy.)
3. Place a string cheese stick at the wide end of each triangle. Now, just roll it up! Start from the wide end and roll to the narrow tip. It will look like a little crescent. See? Just like a pizza snail.
4. Put each roll up on your baking sheet. Give them a little space to breathe. They will puff up in the oven. Pop them in the hot oven. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes. They are done when golden brown. What’s your favorite dipping sauce? Share below!
5. Take them out carefully. They will be very hot! Let them cool for just a minute. Serve them right away with warm pizza sauce for dipping. Leo loves ranch dressing too. I must admit, it’s pretty good.

Cook Time: 10-14 minutes
Total Time: About 25 minutes
Yield: 8 roll ups
Category: Snack, Appetizer

Let’s Mix It Up Next Time!

This recipe is like a blank canvas. You can paint it with so many flavors. Here are three fun twists my family loves. They are all easy to try.

• The Garden Lover: Skip the pepperoni. Use chopped bell peppers and black olives instead.
• The Spicy Fan: Add a few slices of jalapeño with the pepperoni. It gives a nice little kick.
• The Everything Pizza: Sprinkle a little Italian seasoning and garlic powder on the dough before rolling.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Them With Style

These roll ups are a meal all by themselves. But I love to make a little spread. It feels more special that way. Try a simple side salad with Italian dressing. The crisp greens are perfect. You could also serve them with carrot and celery sticks. It adds a fresh crunch.

For drinks, I have two ideas. A cold glass of milk is always a classic choice. For the grown-ups, a light Italian red wine pairs nicely. It tastes like a pizzeria dinner at home. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Pizza Roll Ups Perfect

These roll ups are best fresh and warm. But I know life gets busy. You can store leftovers in the fridge. Just put them in an airtight container for up to three days.

To reheat, use your oven or toaster oven. Warm them at 350 degrees for about five minutes. This keeps them crispy. The microwave makes them a bit soggy, bless their hearts.

You can also freeze them before baking. Assemble the roll ups and place them on a tray. Freeze them solid, then pop them into a bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes. Fun fact: freezing unbaked dough helps the layers stay flaky.

Batch cooking like this saves your future self. It means a quick, hot meal is always ready. I once forgot a batch in my freezer for a month. They baked up perfectly for a surprise visit from my grandkids! Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Snags

Sometimes the dough tears. Do not worry. Just pinch it together. The cheese will melt and seal it shut. I remember when my dough stuck to the counter. A little flour on your hands helps a lot.

If your roll ups unroll in the oven, they were not tight enough. Roll them snugly from the wide end. Tuck the pointy tip underneath on the baking sheet. This keeps them neat and pretty.

Are they browning too fast? Your oven might run hot. Just lay a piece of foil loosely over the top. This lets them cook through without burning. Fixing little problems builds your cooking confidence. It also makes sure every bite tastes just right. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make these gluten-free? A: Yes! Use gluten-free crescent roll dough. Check all your other labels too.

Q: Can I make them ahead? A: Absolutely. Assemble them and keep in the fridge. Bake them just before you want to eat.

Q: What are good ingredient swaps? A: Try ham and Swiss cheese. Or use cooked sausage and a little mozzarella.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You sure can. Just use two baking sheets. Switch their positions in the oven halfway through.

Q: Any optional tips? A: Brush the tops with melted garlic butter after baking. It adds wonderful flavor. Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love making these fun roll ups. They always remind me of happy, noisy kitchen days. Cooking is about sharing joy and full bellies.

I would love to see your creations. Did you add your own special twist? Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! You can find me there at @AnnasCozyKitchen. Thank you for cooking with me today.

Happy cooking!
—Anna Whitmore.