Pizza Crescent Roll Ups Recipe

If you’re looking for a simple appetizer or snack that doesn’t require much effort, this Pizza Crescent Roll Ups recipe is your answer! Pepperoni and cheese tucked inside refrigerator crescent roll dough and rolled up for the perfect hand held appetizer.

Serve them with warm pizza sauce and you have a delicious treat that is ready to eat in under 20 minutes. Although, if you use your air fryer you can have them on the table even faster!

One of the things that makes this recipe great for two is the use of the smaller can of crescent rolls. This can is perfect for making four roll-ups, just the right amount for two people to enjoy without any waste.

Unlike the larger, standard can, which includes eight crescent rolls, this smaller option is ideal when you don’t want leftovers hanging around or simply want a quick snack.

However, the recipe is easily adaptable. If you’re planning to have guests over or want to make extra to keep on hand, you can double the recipe by using the larger can of crescent rolls. Since they’re easy to prepare and take just 12-15 minutes to bake, they’re a great option for feeding more people with minimal effort.

Pepperoni Options

Pepperoni is the classic choice for these pizza roll ups, but if you’re looking for a healthier alternative, turkey pepperoni works just as well. It’s a great substitute if you’re trying to cut back on fat or calories without sacrificing flavor.

Whether you use standard or turkey pepperoni, use 5 slices of pepperoni per crescent roll triangle. It is the perfect amount to pack the crescent pizza roll ups full of flavor and provide the perfect ratio of pepperoni to cheese. Although you can also choose to use 10 mini pepperoni slices.

When arranging the pepperoni on your crescent dough, place them in two overlapping strips on the wide end of the triangle. This way, they’re spread out fairly evenly, and you can tuck them inside as you roll them up.

Cheese Options: String Cheese or Fresh Mozzarella

When it comes to what type of cheese to use mozzarella is the obvious choice. However, you have two easy options.

First, you can use string cheese, which is super convenient. Just cut each stick in half, and you’ve got the perfect size for your crescent roll. String cheese melts well, creating that stretchy, gooey texture we all love in pizza.

But you can also use fresh mozzarella cheese. I purchased sliced fresh mozzarella to make my Caprese Chicken and Zucchini Recipe and had some leftover. So instead of string cheese, I cut off a slice and used them to make these pizza crescent roll ups.

Fresh mozzarella adds a creamier texture, although it does melt more quickly than string cheese. Whichever type you use, just be sure to pinch the seams of the crescent roll dough tightly after rolling.

This step helps keep the cheese from oozing out while baking. But don’t worry—if a little cheese escapes, it just adds a crispy, cheesy bite on the outside, which is still delicious!

Rolling and Baking Pizza Crescent Roll Ups

The assembly of these Pizza Crescent Roll Ups is simple. You start by unrolling your crescent dough and separating it into four triangles. After layering the pepperoni and cheese on the wide end, you’ll roll them towards the smaller end. Be sure to tuck everything in when rolling. Pinching the seams is crucial here—it’s the best way to make sure your cheese stays inside.

Once you’ve got your roll-ups assembled, sprinkle a bit of garlic powder over the top for extra flavor. Place the rolls seam side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Then put them in the oven at 375ºF. After 12 to 15 minutes, they’ll be golden brown and ready to eat.

Air Fryer Option

If you want to speed things up or prefer the crispiness an air fryer provides, you can make these in the air fryer too. Preheat your air fryer to 350ºF.

Follow the same steps for preparing the crescent roll-ups, then line the basket with parchment paper and place them seam side down. Air fry for 3 minutes, flip them, and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes.

Keep in mind that air fryers vary in cooking times depending on the brand and model. If you’re using an oven-style air fryer, it’s best to set the cooking rack on the lowest setting to get them to evenly bake.

Serving Suggestions

Although you could simply eat the Pizza Crescent Roll Ups right out of the oven, I prefer to serve them with a side of warm pizza sauce. All you have to do is pour some pizza or marinara sauce into a bowl and heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds or until warm.

Then dip the end of the roll up in the sauce and enjoy! However, I also have served them with Ranch dressing, garlic butter, and garlic parmesan sauce and they all taste amazing!

Customize The Pizza Crescent Roll Ups

What I love about this recipe is that it is easy to adapt. If you’re not a fan of pepperoni, you could swap in other fillings, such as cooked sausage, ham, or even cooked vegetables.

Or switch up the type of cheese and make something completely different. For example, I will sometimes make ham and cheese roll ups. Then I dip them into honey mustard sauce which gives me an entirely new taste using the same cooking technique for this recipe.

Regardless of how you customize your roll ups, I am sure that this simple, yet delicious recipe will soon become a new favorite in your house!

Pizza Crescent Roll Ups

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (4-oz) can refrigerated crescent rolls
• 20 slices pepperoni
• 2 pieces mozzarella string cheese, cut in half
• ¼ tsp garlic powder

For Serving

• pizza sauce

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 375ºF and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Unroll crescent rolls and separate into 4 triangles. Place 5 slices of pepperoni on the wide end of each crescent roll in two overlapping lines.

Top the pepperoni with string cheese half and starting at the wide end of the crescent roll dough, carefully roll towards the small end. Tuck as much as the pepperoni inside the dough as possible and pinch the seams closed.

Sprinkle the crescent rolls with garlic powder and then place the rolls seam side down on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Serve with a side of warm pizza sauce.

Air Fryer Instructions: Preheat air fryer to 350°F. Prepare crescent pizza roll ups as instructed as above. Once the air fryer is preheated, place parchment paper inside the basket and place the crescent rolls seam side down on top of the parchment paper.

Air fry for 3 minutes, flip and continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes. Depending on the brand of your air fryer, the cook time can vary. If using an oven style air fryer, place the cooking rack at the lowest setting.

Enjoy! Mary

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