If you’ve been hunting for a snack or appetizer that’s both fun and downright delicious, you absolutely have to try my Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels Recipe. Seriously, these little rolls are golden, cheesy, and bursting with flavor in every bite — they disappear faster than I can make them! Whether it’s a game day treat or a kid-friendly party snack, you’ll find that these pinwheels are ridiculously easy to whip up and impress everyone around the table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple & Quick: You’ll get fresh-baked, cheesy pinwheels ready in under 30 minutes — no fancy skills required.
- Perfect Party Pleaser: Everyone—from kids to adults—goes crazy for these bite-sized pizza treats.
- Customizable Flavor: Easily switch up ingredients or add your favorite herbs and spices to make it your own.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy warm with garlic butter or room temperature with a zesty pesto ranch dip.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together beautifully to create that classic pepperoni pizza flavor we all love, but with a fun twist. I always grab the refrigerated pizza dough for convenience and the Parmesan cheese is key to giving them that extra savory punch.
- Refrigerated pizza crust dough: Using pre-made dough saves time and makes rolling out super easy.
- Pizza sauce: Go for your favorite brand or homemade to add that classic tang.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Low-moisture part-skim melts perfectly without making the dough soggy.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty depth that really lifts the flavor.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that brings that authentic pizza vibe.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For a gentle kick if you like a little heat.
- Sliced pepperoni: The star of the show—choose classic or spicy depending on your mood.
- Unsalted butter: Melted and brushed on for a golden garlic butter finish.
- Garlic clove: Grated for even flavor distribution in the butter.
- Fresh basil (optional): Chopped for a fresh, herbal garnish that brightens the pinwheels.
- Pesto Ranch (optional): My secret weapon dip that takes these pinwheels over the top.
Variations
I love experimenting with this Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels Recipe, and you’ll enjoy customizing it too. Whether you want to sneak in some veggies or switch up the cheese, it’s super flexible!
- Vegetarian option: Replace pepperoni with sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives for a tasty meat-free version.
- Extra cheesy: Add a mix of cheddar or provolone to your mozzarella blend for gooier, richer pinwheels.
- Spicy twist: Toss in some hot Italian sausage or crushed red pepper flakes to dial up the heat.
- Herbed butter: Mix fresh rosemary or oregano into the garlic butter brush for an herbaceous flair.
How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Dough & Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to keep things easy and mess-free. Next, unroll your refrigerated pizza dough into roughly a 13 by 9-inch rectangle — don’t stress about exact measurements, just try to keep it even so your pinwheels bake uniformly.
Step 2: Layer on the Flavors
Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, but be sure to leave about half an inch border all around to help the roll seal up nicely. Then sprinkle on mozzarella, half of your Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if you want that optional kick. Finally, arrange your pepperoni slices in a single layer — this ensures every pinwheel gets that perfect meaty bite.
Step 3: Roll It Up & Slice
This is my favorite part — starting at the bottom edge, roll the dough up like a jelly roll. It might feel a bit tight at first, but keep it gentle and even. Once rolled, use a serrated knife to cut the log into 3 big segments, then slice each of those into 4 pieces so you end up with 12 perfect pinwheels. Don’t worry if your cuts aren’t perfectly even; they’ll bake just fine.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden & Bubbly
Place your pinwheels flat on the parchment-lined baking sheet and pop them into the oven for about 12 to 15 minutes. I like to peek in at around 12 minutes to catch them once they’re golden brown, bubbly, and that cheese is deliciously melted.
Step 5: Brush with Garlic Butter & Garnish
While those are baking, mix together your melted butter with grated garlic. The moment the pinwheels come out of the oven, brush this garlic butter all over their warm surfaces. Then, sprinkle with the rest of your Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil if you’re using it. The warm garlic butter finish is what truly takes these pizza pinwheels from tasty to absolutely irresistible.
Pro Tips for Making Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels Recipe
- Use a serrated knife: I discovered this trick—it slices through the dough cleanly without squashing your pinwheels.
- Don’t overload the dough: Too much sauce or cheese can make rolling tricky and result in soggy pinwheels.
- Brush immediately after baking: Brushing the garlic butter while warm helps it soak in and enhance that golden crust.
- Chill the dough briefly if sticky: If the dough feels sticky when rolling, give it a 5-10 minute chill in the fridge to firm up.
How to Serve Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top my pinwheels with fresh chopped basil and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan for that fresh, herbal note and a bit of sharpness. Sometimes I add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes on top if we want a little extra zing.
Side Dishes
These pinwheels pair wonderfully with a crisp green salad or some crunchy carrot sticks for a balanced bite. And if you’re feeling fancy, a small bowl of pesto ranch dipping sauce (my personal favorite) makes them absolutely addictive.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like arranging the pinwheels in a circular pattern on a large platter with dipping sauces in the center. Sometimes I make mini skewers with a pinwheel, cherry tomato, and a basil leaf threaded together—these always impress guests!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store any leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh for up to 3 days and still taste fantastic when reheated.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these before by placing the raw slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment and freezing until firm. Then I transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready, bake from frozen adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. It’s a lifesaver for busy days!
Reheating
To bring leftover pinwheels back to life, pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes. This keeps the crust crisp and the cheese melty—microwaving makes them a bit soggy, so I avoid that if I can.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade pizza dough for this recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade dough works wonderfully here and can add that extra touch of freshness. Just make sure it’s rolled out to a similar size and thickness to ensure even baking.
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Is there a vegetarian version for the Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels Recipe?
Yes! Swap out the pepperoni for veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives. You could also use vegetarian pepperoni to keep that classic flavor without the meat.
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Can I make these ahead of time for a party?
You can prepare and roll the pinwheels ahead, then refrigerate them until baking time. Just add a few more minutes to baking if baking straight from the fridge. They’re perfect for stress-free entertaining!
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What’s the best way to serve these pinwheels?
I love serving them warm, brushed with garlic butter, alongside a bowl of pesto ranch dip. They’re also great at room temperature, which makes them ideal for buffets or lunchboxes.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels Recipe brings a slice of pizza joy in cute, handheld bites that everyone adores. Every time I make these, my family begs for more—and the ease of prep means it’s become my go-to for last-minute get-togethers. Give them a try and watch these pinwheels fly off your plate faster than you can say ‘extra cheese!’ You’re going to be so glad you did.
Print
Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 12-15 min
- Total Time: 32-35 min
- Yield: 12 pinwheels
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
These Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels are a delightful twist on classic pizza, featuring layers of cheese, pepperoni, and Italian seasonings rolled into golden, flaky spirals. Perfect as a party appetizer or a fun family snack, they’re enhanced with a buttery garlic brush and fresh basil garnish, served warm with optional pesto ranch dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Pizza Pinwheels
- 1 package refrigerated pizza crust dough (13.8 ounces)
- 6 tablespoons pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 garlic clove (grated)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
- 1 batch Pesto Ranch (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees F and line a large rimmed baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
- Prepare the dough and toppings: Unroll the pizza dough into a rectangle about 13×9 inches. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Then arrange pepperoni slices in a single layer on top.
- Roll and slice: Starting at the bottom edge of the dough, carefully roll it up like a jelly roll. Using a serrated knife, cut the roll crosswise into 3 equal sections, then cut each section into 4 pieces, resulting in 12 pinwheels total.
- Bake the pinwheels: Arrange the pinwheels flat on the prepared baking pan, making sure they’re spaced slightly apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Prepare garlic butter: While baking, mix melted butter and grated garlic in a small bowl until well combined.
- Finish and serve: When pinwheels come out of the oven, immediately brush them with the garlic butter. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil if using. Serve warm or at room temperature with optional pesto ranch for dipping.
Notes
- Ensure the dough is rolled evenly for uniform pinwheels.
- Brush with garlic butter immediately after baking to maximize flavor absorption.
- Optional crushed red pepper flakes add a subtle heat, but can be omitted for a milder taste.
- Pesto Ranch dip is an ideal accompaniment that enhances the herbaceous notes.
- Leftover pinwheels can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pinwheel
- Calories: 162 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 456 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg
