Pizza Pull Apart Rolls are a fun and delicious twist on traditional pizza. These soft, cheesy, and savory rolls are perfect for sharing, making them a great addition to any gathering or family dinner. Not only do they look impressive, but they are also easy to make, even if you’re new to baking!
Why Make This Recipe
There are plenty of reasons to make these Pizza Pull Apart Rolls. They are ideal for a party snack, a cozy family dinner, or just a fun weekend bake. Kids and adults alike love the combination of fluffy bread, gooey cheese, and spicy pepperoni. Plus, you can customize them with your favorite pizza toppings for a truly unique treat.
How to Make Pizza Pull Apart Rolls
Making Pizza Pull Apart Rolls is straightforward and fun! You’ll need to prepare a soft dough, stuff it with delicious fillings, and then bake it to perfection. Follow the steps below for a delightful experience.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons Platinum Yeast from Red Star*
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (180ml) whole milk
- 3 Tablespoons (43g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
- 2 and 3/4 cups (360g) bread flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed*
- 1 and 1/2 cups (135g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (60g) chopped pepperoni (or more cheese)
- 1/2 cup (45g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup (30g) chopped pepperoni (or more cheese)
- Optional: 4 ounces (113g) uncooked ground Italian sausage
- Optional: 1/3 cup (50g) chopped green pepper
- Optional: 2 Tablespoons (20g) sliced black olives
- 2 Tablespoons (28g) butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional, for serving: pizza sauce, chopped fresh basil, crushed red pepper flakes
Directions:
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the yeast and sugar. Warm the milk until it is about 110°F (43°C), then pour it over the yeast mixture. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix the Ingredients: If using a stand mixer, add melted butter, egg, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and about 1 cup of bread flour. Beat on low for 1 minute, then add the remaining flour. Continue mixing until the dough pulls away from the bowl, about 2 minutes.
- Kneading: Knead the dough for an additional 5 minutes, either in the mixer or by hand on a floured surface, until it is soft and slightly sticky.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 60–90 minutes.
- Prepare the Baking Pan: Grease a baking pan (9-inch square, 9-inch springform, or 10-inch cast iron skillet).
- Make the Filling: In a bowl, mix 1 and 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella with 1/2 cup of chopped pepperoni.
- Shape the Rolls: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and pinch off pieces (about 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons each). Stuff each piece with cheese and pepperoni, sealing it well before placing it in the prepared pan. Repeat until finished.
- Second Rise: Cover the pan and let it rise again for about 30–45 minutes.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven while waiting, and mix together the melted butter with Italian seasoning and garlic powder to brush on top later.
- Bake: Bake until golden brown, and then brush with the seasoned butter once out of the oven.
How to Serve Pizza Pull Apart Rolls
Serve these delightful rolls warm, with a side of pizza sauce for dipping. You can also top them with fresh basil or crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor!
How to Store Pizza Pull Apart Rolls
Store any leftover Pizza Pull Apart Rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. You can also freeze them for longer storage; just make sure to wrap them well.
Tips to Make Pizza Pull Apart Rolls
- Ensure your milk is warm but not too hot, as it can kill the yeast.
- If you don’t have a stand mixer, no worries! You can mix the dough by hand with a spoon or spatula.
- Use nonstick spray to grease your rising bowl for easy cleanup.
Variation
Feel free to swap out the cheese and toppings based on your preferences. Try adding vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms, or use different types of cheese like cheddar or provolone.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the rolls, place them in the pan, and refrigerate them overnight before the second rise and baking.
What if I don’t have bread flour?
All-purpose flour can be used, but the rolls may not be as chewy.
Can I use other fillings?
Absolutely! Get creative with your fillings. You can use cooked sausage, different meats, or even veggies for a unique flavor twist.
Pizza Pull Apart Rolls
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Platinum Yeast from Red Star
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup whole milk Warm to about 110°F (43°C)
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
- 2 and 3/4 cups bread flour Spoon and leveled
Filling Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni You can substitute with more cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped pepperoni You can substitute with more cheese
- 4 ounces uncooked ground Italian sausage Optional
- 1/3 cup chopped green pepper Optional
- 2 Tablespoons sliced black olives Optional
Topping Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
For Serving
- pizza sauce Optional
- chopped fresh basil Optional
- crushed red pepper flakes Optional
Instructions
Preparation
- Combine the yeast and sugar in a large bowl or stand mixer.
- Warm the milk to about 110°F (43°C) and pour it over the yeast mixture. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
- If using a stand mixer, add melted butter, egg, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and about 1 cup of bread flour. Beat on low for 1 minute, then add the remaining flour.
- Continue mixing until the dough pulls away from the bowl, about 2 minutes.
- Knead the dough for an additional 5 minutes until it is soft and slightly sticky.
- Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 60–90 minutes.
Assembly
- Grease a baking pan (9-inch square, 9-inch springform, or 10-inch cast iron skillet).
- In a bowl, mix 1 and 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella with 1/2 cup of chopped pepperoni.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and pinch off pieces (about 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons each). Stuff each piece with cheese and pepperoni, sealing well before placing in the prepared pan.
- Cover the pan and let it rise again for about 30–45 minutes.
Baking
- Preheat your oven.
- Mix together the melted butter with Italian seasoning and garlic powder to brush on top later.
- Bake until golden brown, brushing with the seasoned butter once out of the oven.
