Pizza Stuffed Crescent Rolls are the ultimate fun, fast, and flavorful fusion food, brilliantly combining the gooey, cheesy satisfaction of pizza with the buttery, flaky convenience of crescent roll dough. This recipe is a masterstroke of simplicity, transforming a tube of refrigerated dough and a handful of classic pizza toppings into irresistible, handheld snacks that are perfect for any occasion. The method is wonderfully straightforward: each triangle of dough is layered with slices of pepperoni and a half-piece of mozzarella cheese stick before being rolled into its signature crescent shape. As they bake, the dough puffs into golden, delicate layers while the cheese inside melts into a stretchy, savory core. A brush of egg wash gives them a professional, glossy finish, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning and grated Parmesan before baking infuses every bite with authentic pizza-parlor aroma and flavor.
The true genius of this recipe lies in its incredible versatility and crowd-pleasing nature. It is an ideal project for cooking with kids, a lifesaver for last-minute party appetizers, or a quick and satisfying dinner solution that everyone will love. The entire process takes mere minutes, and the results are consistently delicious. Served with a side of warm marinara sauce for dipping, these rolls deliver the complete pizza experience in a neat, portable package. They can be easily customized with different fillings like cooked sausage, diced peppers, or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for heat. Pizza Stuffed Crescent Rolls are more than just a snack; they are a guaranteed hit that brings the joy of pizza and the comfort of warm, buttery pastry together in one endlessly enjoyable bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- 5-Minute Prep: With just a few ingredients and almost no prep work, you can have these in the oven in under 5 minutes.
- Fun for the Whole Family: Kids love helping assemble these, and everyone loves eating them. They’re perfect for a quick dinner, after-school snack, or game day appetizer.
- Endlessly Customizable: Use your favorite pizza toppings—try sausage, ham and pineapple, or veggies. Swap the mozzarella for pepper jack for a spicy kick.
- Portable and Dippable: Their handheld size makes them perfect for parties, picnics, or lunchboxes, and the marinara dip completes the perfect pizza bite.
Ingredients:
- 2 (8-count) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 8 mozzarella cheese sticks, each cut in half (16 pieces total)
- 48-64 slices pepperoni (about 3-4 per roll)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Warm marinara or pizza sauce, for serving
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Seasoning
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil. Set aside.
Step 2: Prepare Egg Wash
In another small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash.
Step 3: Assemble the Rolls
Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into 16 triangles. On the wide end of each triangle, place one half of a mozzarella cheese stick. Lay 3-4 slices of pepperoni over the cheese, folding them if necessary to fit.
Step 4: Roll and Season
Starting at the wide end, roll the dough up around the filling, ending at the point. Tuck the point underneath and place the roll point-side down on an ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 5: Bake
Brush the top of each roll lightly with the egg wash. Sprinkle evenly with the prepared Italian seasoning blend. Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until the rolls are puffed and a deep golden brown.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Immediately upon removing the rolls from the oven, sprinkle them with the grated Parmesan cheese. Let cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before serving. The cheese inside will be very hot. Serve warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
Tips:
- Don’t Overstuff: Using a full cheese stick per roll can cause the dough to burst open as the cheese melts and expands. Cutting them in half is the perfect size.
- Seal the Point: Tucking the pointed end of the crescent underneath the roll helps prevent it from unraveling during baking.
- Watch Closely: Ovens vary, so check the rolls at the 11-minute mark. They are done when they are a uniform golden brown.
- Customize Your Fillings: Feel free to add a pinch of cooked Italian sausage, a slice of black olive, or a thin strip of green bell pepper with the pepperoni before rolling.
Storage Options:
- Best Served Fresh: These are at their absolute peak straight from the oven when the dough is flaky and the cheese is molten.
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-8 minutes to restore crispiness. The microwave will make the dough soft.
- Freezing (Unbaked): You can assemble the rolls, place them on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
