Pizza rolls get a makeover in this recipe for homemade pizza buns baked from scratch. These pizza buns are made with homemade pizza dough that's rolled up, sliced and baked to look like cinnamon buns - except that they're stuffed with pizza sauce, melty cheese, and pepperoni! They make the perfect appetizer (or meal!) for kids of all ages while you're watching the big game... or any time you're craving pizza.
We obviously love desserts in my house, but every once in a while I like to snack on something savory. (Or, you know, eat dinner - ha!) And that's when my love for pizza comes front and center. But not just any pizza will do. I have a soft spot for really good homemade pizza, with a chewy, homemade crust and all. the. cheese.
If you love pizza, then you're in the right place. And if you love pizza crust just as much as you love all of the toppings, then pull up a chair right now because OH MAN - you are going to LOVE these pizza buns! Think cinnamon buns, but pizza.
Homemade Pizza Buns Stuffed with Pepperoni and Cheese
Beautiful, spiral cinnamon buns are actually what inspired these adorable mini pizza spirals. They're made using the same basic method as cinnamon buns, too, except that we've swapped a basic yeast dough for a flavorful olive oil pizza dough, and instead of a cinnamon sugar filling these pizza buns are stuffed with pizza sauce, melty mozzarella cheese, and chopped pepperoni.
Pizza buns are sure to be a hit with kids of all ages (our toddler devoured them just as quickly as my husband and I did!). Whether you're serving them during the Big Game or for your family's weekly pizza night, these pizza buns are sure impress!
Homemade Pizza Buns
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (includes 3 hours for the dough to rise, does not include time for optionally chilling the pizza dough)
- Yield: 12 pizza buns (serves 12 as an appetizer and 4-6 as a meal) 1x
Description
Pizza rolls get a makeover in this recipe for homemade pizza buns baked from scratch.
Ingredients
for the pizza dough (makes about 2 pounds of dough):
- 1 ⅜ cup lukewarm water
- 1 ½ tsp. active dry yeast
- 1 ½ tsp. sugar
- 1 ½ tsp. salt
- ⅛ cup olive oil
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
for the pizza buns:
- ½ cup pizza sauce (plus more for serving)
- 12 oz. mozzarella, grated (about 3 cups grated cheese)
- 2-3 oz. pepperoni, chopped (about ¾ cup chopped pepperoni) (optional)
Instructions
- Make the pizza dough. In a large bowl, combine the water, yeast, sugar, salt, and olive oil. Add the flour and gently mix using a wooden spoon.
- Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel. Let the dough rise at a warm room temperature for 1.5-2 hours. The dough will rise to at least double it's size and then flatten out on top. Optional: refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour before making the buns.*
- Make the pizza buns. Place the pizza dough onto a floured surface and use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a 12 inch x 18 inch rectangle. Spread the pizza sauce over the dough and top with cheese and pepperoni.
- Beginning at one of the long edges of the rectangle, roll the dough into a log. Make vertical slits in the log every 1.5 inches to cut the log into 12 pieces. Use a sharp knife (I found an unserrated chef's knife to be best) and a gentle sawing motion to slice the log without squishing the buns.
- Place each bun cut side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving an inch or so between each bun. Cover the tray with the dish towel used earlier and place the tray in a warm spot to rise for 90 minutes. The buns are finished rising when they become puffy. Preheat the oven to 350°F about 15 minutes before the buns finish rising.
- Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the pizza crust becomes golden all over.
- Serve the buns hot with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
*I like to refrigerate the dough before rolling it out because I find that it's easier to work with, but this step is optional and can be skipped if you prefer or if you're short on time. The dough can also be stored in the fridge for a week, if you'd prefer to prep it ahead of time.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge (if necessary) and reheat before serving.
Pizza dough recipe adapted from The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day.
- Category: Appetizers, Dinner
Keywords: pizza buns, pizza rolls, homemade pizza, homemade pizza dough
Love these homemade pizza buns? Leave a review and be sure to check out these other recipes made with yeast dough!
Oh my goodness - these buns are so easy to make and delicious! The only change I made was add 1/2 tsp of Italian seasoning to the dough. Thanks for sharing - this recipe is definitely a keeper!
★★★★★
Thank you so much for your review, Nora! I love your idea to add Italian seasoning to the dough.
- Allison