Pizza Pull Apart Rolls

These 8 ingredient Pizza Pull Apart Rolls are made with store-bought pizza dough and filled with your favorite toppings. This pull apart bread is shaped like a wreath and a perfect appetizer for the holidays.

This one’s for the pizza lovers! At over 8 million views and too many positive reviews to count, Pizza Pull Apart Rolls have become a Dinner in 321 easy appetizer favorite! They’re quick to make a huge party pleaser!

These easy rolls can be made with homemade or refrigerated pizza dough. They’re loaded with ooey gooey marinated mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices and served with a side of pizza sauce for dipping. With its festive and vibrant red and green colors from the holly-like basil and tomatoes, we love making these for holiday parties.

Why stop at making one delicious pizza recipe when you can make two more? My Garlic Pizza Rolls and Pizza Monkey Bread are also pizza recipes always on standby for entertaining on game night or get-togethers.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

• Great for Parties: This fun appetizer is ideal for serving at parties or events, as they are easy to prepare in advance and serve a group of people.
• Familiar Pizza Flavors and Easy: Pizza Pull Apart Rolls are the familiar taste of pizza that we all love with a fun twist. It’s one of those easy recipes with simple ingredients that’s great for a big game party, holiday, or special occasion.
• Interactive Eating and Convenience: Pulling apart the rolls adds a fun and interactive element to the dining experience. They’re also easy to grab and share.
• Versatility and Family Favorite These pizza poppers are adaptable to personal preferences by varying fillings, cheese, and the dipping sauces. You adapt the pizza fillings and sauces to your family’s favorite pizza tastes.

Ingredients

Scroll down for specific ingredient amounts in the recipe card. 

• Refrigerated or Homemade Pizza Dough: Forms the base and structure of the rolls, providing a chewy and bread-like texture.
• Pepperoni: Introduces texture and a savory pizza flavor touch!
• Marinated Mozzarella Balls in a Seasoned Oil Marinade: Melts and creates a gooey, flavorful center, enhancing the overall richness and texture. The oil adds flavor and color to the rolls.
• Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil: Adds color, texture, and a festive holiday touch.
• Pizza Sauce: Served as a dip for the rolls, it provides a savory and tangy flavor.
• Garlic Salt: Adds flavor and savoriness to the rolls.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds an extra cheesy exterior and extra flavor in the pizza sauce dip.

What are Marinated Mozzarella Balls in a Seasoned Oil Marinade

Marinated mozzarella balls, also known as bocconcini, are small, bite-sized mozzarella cheese pieces that have been soaked or marinated in a flavorful mixture of herbs, spices, and olive oil. The marination process imparts additional flavors to the mild and creamy mozzarella, creating a more complex and savory taste.

Common ingredients in the marinade can include olive oil, garlic, herbs such as basil or oregano, red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, and sometimes balsamic vinegar. Here is the style of ready-made marinated mozzarella used in this recipe:

Homemade Marinated Mozzarella Balls

If you’re unable to find marinated mozzarella balls at your grocery store, you can follow these steps:

1. Drain fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or cut fresh mozzarella into dice-sized cubes. Pat dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
2. In a bowl, whisk together:
   • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
   • 2 cloves garlic, minced
   • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
   • 1 teaspoon dried basil
   • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
3. Gently place the mozzarella into the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. Marinating longer enhances the flavor.

Since you don’t have the marinated oil to brush the tops of the rolls with, simply brush with olive oil or melted butter and sprinkle with an Italian seasoning blend and garlic powder.

Tools You’ll Need

• Round Pizza Stone or Pan
• Basting Brush
• Cutting Board
• Pairing Knife
• Cheese Grater

How to Make Pull Apart Pizza Rolls

1. Roll out the 1 pizza dough at a time into a 12"x8" rectangle. Cut into 24 even squares. 

2. Place 1 pepperoni and mozzarella ball on each square. Working with one at a time, fold the four corners over the filling, slightly overlapping the dough, and pinch the edges so that the filling is completely covered. Repeat with the 2nd pizza dough. 

3. Brush a tablespoon of the reserved oil marinade on a baking sheet in a circular motion with a pastry brush, leaving a 2-3 inch space for the pizza sauce bowl. Place the balls on the oiled area, gently touching each other, in alternating rows of 2 and 3 balls. Brush the top of the rolls with 2 tablespoons of the reserved oil marinade and sprinkle evenly with garlic salt.

4. Halve half of the tomatoes of various colors and press between the dough balls. Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. 

5. Place the bowl in the open area of the wreath, pour in pizza sauce, and garnish with parmesan cheese. With the remaining tomatoes and fresh basil, make holly on and around the wreath’s edges. 

Pro Recipe Tips and Variations

Making pull-apart pizza rolls is a versatile recipe, allowing you to get creative with flavors and textures. Don't hesitate to make it your own!

• Flour for Easy Rolling: Either using an easy release baking mat or dust your work surface with flour to prevent the pizza dough from sticking as you roll it out.
• Thin and Even Rolling: Roll out the dough into a thin, even layer to ensure uniform cooking.
• Seal the Edges Securely: When rolling the dough with the cheese and pepperoni, make sure to seal the edges tightly. This prevents the filling from leaking out during baking.
• Experiment with Fillings: Don't be afraid to experiment with different fillings. Try various cheeses, different meats, or add veggies to customize the flavor of your pull-apart rolls.
• Dough Varieties: Experiment with different types of refrigerated pizza dough, such as whole wheat or gluten-free. You can also use homemade pizza dough.
• Cheese Choices: While mozzarella is a classic choice for that cheesy pull, try using cheddar, provolone, or a blend of cheeses for added flavor complexity.
• Sauce Selection: Switch up the traditional pizza or marinara sauce with alternatives like pesto, Alfredo sauce, or even a garlic butter base for unique and varied flavors.

Storage and Freezing

While you can store pizza dough pull apart rolls, they are best to enjoy fresh out of the oven. Here’s how you can store and reheat leftovers:

Refrigeration: Allow the rolls to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the rolls soggy. Store them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Consume within 3-4 days.

Freezing: For longer storage, consider freezing the pizza pull-apart rolls. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.

Reheating Instructions: When ready to enjoy, reheat the rolls in a preheated oven until warmed through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but the dough texture will be slightly compromised.

What to Serve with Pizza Pull Apart Rolls

These one-bite mini pizza rolls are excellent to serve amongst a variety of appetizers or as a meal. If serving as a meal, a simple side dish like a green salad or cooked vegetables are excellent pairings.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Pizza- Inspired Recipes

• Garlic Pizza Rolls
• Pizza Monkey Bread (Pepperoni Bread or Pepperoni Pizza Pull-Apart Bread) made with Pillsbury biscuits
• Pepperoni Pizza Dip
• Pizza Skewers