Parmesan Garlic Pizza Rolls
These Parmesan Garlic Pizza Rolls are soft, fluffy dough spirals filled with pepperoni, melty mozzarella, and Italian seasoning, then brushed with a buttery Parmesan garlic topping. They bake up golden and cheesy, with all the flavor of pizza and garlic bread in one easy, pull-apart bite.
They’re perfect for game day, parties, movie nights, school lunches, weeknight dinners, tailgates, or any appetizer table.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rise Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 pizza rolls
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft, fluffy rolls
- Gooey mozzarella and pepperoni filling
- Buttery Parmesan garlic topping
- Made with simple pizza dough
- Easy to assemble
- Great for dipping in marinara
- Perfect party finger food
- Kid-friendly
- Simple to prepare ahead
- Freezer-friendly
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 pound pizza dough, store-bought or homemade, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, for dusting
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for greasing
Pizza Filling
- ½ cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup mini pepperoni or chopped pepperoni
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Parmesan Garlic Butter
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Pinch of salt
Optional Dips
- Warm marinara sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Garlic butter
- Alfredo sauce
- Pizza sauce
Optional Garnishes
- Extra grated Parmesan
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- Flaky sea salt
How to Make Parmesan Garlic Pizza Rolls
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a large cast iron skillet with olive oil.
Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the pizza dough into a rectangle about 12 x 16 inches.
If the dough springs back, let it rest for 5 minutes and roll again.
Assemble the Pizza Rolls
Step 3: Add the Sauce
Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border along one long edge.
Step 4: Add the Fillings
Sprinkle the mozzarella, pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder evenly over the sauce.
Press the toppings down gently so they stay in place.
Step 5: Roll the Dough
Starting at the long edge opposite the border, roll the dough up tightly into a log.
Pinch the seam closed to seal it.
Step 6: Slice the Rolls
Use a sharp serrated knife or unflavored dental floss to cut the log into 12 equal pieces.
Place the rolls cut side up in the prepared baking dish, leaving a little space between them.
Step 7: Let Them Rise
Cover the dish loosely and let the rolls rise in a warm spot for 30 minutes, until puffy.
Make the Parmesan Garlic Butter
Step 8: Mix the Topping
In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, garlic, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, parsley, and salt.
Step 9: Brush the Rolls
Brush about half of the garlic butter mixture over the tops of the risen rolls.
Bake and Serve
Step 10: Bake
Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, until the rolls are deep golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
Cover loosely with foil if the tops brown too quickly.
Step 11: Brush Again
Brush the warm rolls with the remaining garlic butter as soon as they come out of the oven.
Step 12: Rest
Let them cool for 5 minutes before serving.
The cheese will be very hot, and resting helps the rolls hold together.
Step 13: Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with extra Parmesan and parsley.
Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
The Best Dough to Use
Choose a dough that is soft, stretchy, and easy to roll.
Good options include:
- Refrigerated pizza dough
- Homemade pizza dough
- Refrigerated crescent dough sheets
- Frozen bread dough, thawed
- Refrigerated French bread dough
- Refrigerated biscuit dough, flattened
Store-bought pizza dough is the easiest option and gives a soft, chewy texture.
How to Get Soft, Fluffy Rolls
- Let the dough come to room temperature
- Roll the dough evenly
- Roll it tightly but not too tightly
- Use a sharp knife or floss for clean cuts
- Let the rolls rise before baking
- Brush with butter twice
- Do not overbake
Dough at room temperature rolls out easily and bakes up soft and fluffy.
Can I Use Crescent Dough?
Yes. Use 2 cans of refrigerated crescent dough sheets, pressing the seams together to form a rectangle.
Skip the rise time and bake for 15–20 minutes, until golden brown. The rolls will be flakier and more tender than yeast dough.
Can I Use Different Fillings?
Yes. Replace the pepperoni with:
- Cooked Italian sausage
- Diced ham
- Sliced black olives
- Sauteed mushrooms
- Diced bell peppers
- Crumbled cooked bacon
Keep the fillings fairly dry so the rolls do not become soggy.
Delicious Variations
Cheese Garlic Pizza Rolls
Skip the pepperoni and add extra mozzarella and provolone.
Supreme Pizza Rolls
Add sausage, peppers, onions, and olives for a loaded pizza flavor.
Buffalo Chicken Pizza Rolls
Use shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, with mozzarella and a drizzle of ranch.
Spinach Garlic Pizza Rolls
Add well-drained, chopped spinach and ricotta for a creamy twist.
Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
Air fry individual rolls at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, working in batches.
Can I Make Them Ahead?
Yes. Assemble the rolls up to one day in advance.
Place them in the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate, then let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
Brush with garlic butter just before baking for the best flavor.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Refrigerate for up to four days.
Reheat in a 350°F oven or air fryer for 5–8 minutes, or in the microwave for 20–30 seconds.
Can You Freeze Parmesan Garlic Pizza Rolls?
Yes. Freeze the baked and cooled rolls in a single layer, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag.
Freeze for up to two months.
Reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes, until hot throughout.
You can also freeze the unbaked, sliced rolls and let them thaw and rise before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to let the dough rise?
A short rise gives the fluffiest rolls, but you can bake them right away for a denser, chewier texture.
How do I know when they’re done?
The tops should be deep golden brown and the center rolls should feel set when pressed.
Why did the filling leak out?
The filling may have been too wet or overstuffed. Use a thin layer of sauce and leave a border for sealing.
Why are my rolls doughy in the middle?
They may need more baking time. Cover loosely with foil if the tops are browning too quickly.
Can I use a different pan?
Yes. A cast iron skillet, round cake pan, or muffin tin all work well.
Can I use shredded Parmesan?
Yes, but freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly and gives a stronger flavor.
Can I skip the pepperoni?
Yes. The rolls are still delicious with just cheese and Italian seasoning.
Pro Tips
Let the dough warm up so it rolls out easily.
Use dental floss for the cleanest slices.
Keep the sauce layer thin so the rolls do not turn soggy.
Brush with garlic butter twice for a rich, glossy finish.
Final Thoughts
These Parmesan Garlic Pizza Rolls bring together fluffy dough, melty mozzarella, savory pepperoni, and buttery Parmesan garlic in one irresistible bite.
They’re easy to make, simple to prepare ahead, and perfect for game day, parties, movie nights, or any occasion that calls for a crowd-pleasing snack.
