Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels are everything you love about pizza wrapped into a soft, cheesy roll! Fun to make and even more fun to eat!
These Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels are a fun, bite-sized twist on classic pizza that’s perfect for parties, snacks, or easy weeknight meals. Flaky dough is layered with rich pizza sauce, gooey melted cheese, and savory pepperoni, then rolled up and sliced into irresistible spirals. Baked until golden and bubbly, each pinwheel is packed with bold, cheesy flavor in every bite.
I love anything pizza related and these pinwheels are no exception! For other pizza recipes you have to check out my Veggie Pizza, Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms, and Homemade Pizza.
Table of Contents
Why We Love Pepperoni Pinwheels
- Perfect for lunch, a quick snack, or as an appetizer for game day.
- Can be made ahead of time and baked when needed.
- Kids love the fun, bite-sized shape!
Recipe Ingredients
Parmesan Cheese – Grated parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor. Use it inside the pinwheels for extra flavor and on top as a garnish after baking.
Pizza Sauce – Use your favorite pizza sauce or seasoned tomato sauce.
Pepperoni – Chopped pepperoni adds bold, savory flavor.
For a full list of ingredients and amounts, see the recipe card below.
Variations
Chicken and Veggies – Combine cooked shredded chicken with sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, and onions for a fresh and hearty filling.
Vegetables Only – Load up with an assortment of bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, and onions for a vegetarian option.
Chicken, Bacon, Ranch – Layer cooked chicken, crispy bacon pieces, and a drizzle of ranch dressing for a creamy, savory twist.
Hawaiian BBQ – Pair diced ham and pineapple chunks with a light coating of barbecue sauce for a sweet and tangy flavor.
Spinach Artichoke – Mix chopped spinach and artichoke hearts with a garlic cream sauce for a rich, cheesy variation.
How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels
Step 1: Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius).
Step 2: Roll out the prepared pizza dough on a floured surface as you were making cinnamon rolls. I generally roll into an 11×15 inch large rectangle. Brush the olive oil over the surface, then spread the pizza sauce evenly across the surface of dough. Sprinkle with the garlic powder, then half of the mozzarella cheese and 3 tablespoons of parmesan cheese.
Step 3: Place the pepperoni on a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels. Microwave for 20 seconds on HIGH, then remove and dab off all of the excess grease you can (you can also place the pepperoni on a lined sheet and do this using the oven too, just watch it carefully for a minute or so). Sprinkle evenly over the cheese along with the ham, then top with the remaining mozzarella.
Step 4: Roll up dough carefully into a log and pinch the ends to close. Cut 12 even slices (dental floss works great) and place them onto a parchment or baking mat-lined baking sheet.
Step 5: Place in the oven to bake for 12–15 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips
Line Baking Sheet – Place parchment paper or a silicone baking mat on the baking sheet to prevent sticking and make cleanup effortless.
Seal the Edges – After rolling the dough, pinch the seam and ends tightly to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.
FAQs
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge. You can also roll and slice the pinwheels a day in advance, keeping them covered on a sheet pan in the fridge until baking.
Use unflavored dental floss or a sharp knife to slice the dough into even pieces without squishing the roll.
Storage Information
To STORE Pizza Pinwheels, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer storage, roll and slice the pinwheels before freezing. Lay them out on a tray in the freezer for 1–2 hours until frozen, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag.
To REHEAT refrigerated pinwheels, bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for 10 minutes, or microwave until warmed through.
For frozen pinwheels, bake at the same temperature for about 10 minutes, or microwave until heated, noting the texture may differ from freshly baked.
Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ball pizza dough - homemade pizza dough or store-bought pizza dough
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp pizza sauce - OR seasoned tomato sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp grated parmesan cheese - divided
- 1 1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
- 1/4 cup chopped ham
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius).
- Roll out the prepared pizza dough on a floured surface as you were making cinnamon rolls. I generally roll into an 11×15-inch large rectangle. Brush the olive oil over the surface, then spread the pizza sauce evenly across the surface of the dough. Sprinkle with the garlic powder, then half of the mozzarella cheese and 3 tablespoons of parmesan cheese.
- Place the pepperoni on a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels. Microwave for 20 seconds on HIGH, then remove and dab off all of the excess grease you can (you can also place the pepperoni on a lined sheet and do this using the oven too, just watch it carefully for a minute or so). Sprinkle evenly over the cheese along with the ham, then top with the remaining mozzarella.
- Roll up dough carefully into a log and pinch the ends to close. Cut 12 even slices (dental floss works great) and place them onto a parchment or baking mat-lined baking sheet.
- Place in the oven to bake for 12–15 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
The sauce, cheese, and pepperoni together were seriously good.
These are my kid’s favorite! And so easy to make!
Yummy! This looks so tasty and delicious! So excited to give this recipe a try! Can’t wait!