Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Pizza pinwheels are so easy to make and highly customizable to fit your taste. You can choose any pizza toppings you like—pepperoni, sausage, vegetables, or even a mix of your favorite cheeses. They bake up golden brown and cheesy, with crispy edges and gooey insides. Plus, they’re perfect for dipping in your favorite marinara or pizza sauce!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade pizza dough)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (or your favorite pizza toppings)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for brushing)
Directions
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Prepare the Dough:
- Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out into a rectangular shape (about 10×12 inches) to ensure even pinwheels.
3. Assemble the Pinwheels:
- Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce evenly across the pizza dough, leaving about 1/2-inch border on the edges.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.
- Add a layer of sliced pepperoni (or other toppings like sausage, veggies, or olives) on top of the cheese.
- Sprinkle dried oregano and garlic powder evenly across the surface to add more flavor.
4. Roll Up the Dough:
- Carefully roll the dough up from one of the longer edges, creating a log-like shape. Make sure the roll is tight but not overly tight to prevent the toppings from spilling out.
5. Slice the Pinwheels:
- Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the rolled dough into 1-inch thick pinwheels. You should get about 8-10 pinwheels, depending on how thick you slice them.
6. Bake the Pinwheels:
- Place the pinwheels on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a bit apart.
- Optional: Brush the tops of the pinwheels with olive oil for an extra golden, crispy finish.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pinwheels are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve:
- Remove the pinwheels from the oven and let them cool for a couple of minutes.
- Serve with extra pizza sauce or marinara for dipping.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 8-10 pinwheels, depending on the size of your slices.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Total time: 25-30 minutes
Variations
- Veggie Pinwheels: Add sautéed veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and olives for a vegetarian option.
- Cheesy Garlic Pinwheels: Skip the sauce and make a cheesy garlic pinwheel with butter, garlic powder, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Spicy Pinwheels: Add jalapeños, hot sauce, or spicy pepperoni for a kick.
- BBQ Chicken Pinwheels: Swap out the pizza sauce for BBQ sauce and use cooked shredded chicken, red onions, and cilantro for a BBQ twist.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover pizza pinwheels in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes to crisp them back up. You can also microwave them for 20-30 seconds, but they won’t be as crispy.
FAQs
Can I use homemade pizza dough?
Yes, you can use homemade pizza dough! Just make sure it’s rolled out into a thin, even rectangle.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pinwheels in advance, wrap them in plastic wrap, and store them in the fridge for up to a day before baking. You can also freeze them before baking for up to a month—just bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Can I use a different kind of cheese?
Absolutely! You can use any cheese you prefer, such as cheddar, provolone, or a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, you can use gluten-free pizza dough to make these pinwheels gluten-free.
Can I add meatballs or sausage?
Yes! You can add crumbled cooked sausage, meatballs, or any other meat you like. Just make sure the meat is cooked before adding it to the pinwheels.
Conclusion
Pizza pinwheels are the perfect mix of cheesy, savory, and crispy. They’re quick to make, easily customizable, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re serving them as a fun appetizer or just enjoying them with a side of marinara, these pizza pinwheels will surely become a favorite snack or meal option in your home!
PrintPizza Pinwheels
Pizza Pinwheels are bite-sized, cheesy snacks packed with pizza flavors like mozzarella, pepperoni, and seasoned sauce. Perfect for appetizers, parties, or as a quick snack, these pinwheels are easy to make and delicious to eat with your favorite dipping sauces.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 pinwheels
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade pizza dough)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (or your favorite pizza toppings)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Unroll the pizza dough onto a floured surface and roll it out into a 10×12 inch rectangle.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then add pepperoni (or other toppings like sausage, veggies, or olives). Sprinkle with oregano and garlic powder.
- Carefully roll up the dough from one of the long edges into a log shape. Slice the rolled dough into 1-inch thick pinwheels.
- Place the pinwheels on the baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Optionally brush with olive oil for a golden finish.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and cool for a couple of minutes. Serve with marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
- For extra crispy pinwheels, brush the tops with olive oil before baking.
- Feel free to customize toppings, such as sautéed veggies or different meats.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pinwheel
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg