Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels Recipe

If you crave all the flavors of classic pizza with the fun twist of a shareable, bite-sized appetizer, you’re going to fall head over heels for these Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels. Soft, golden spirals of pizza dough are stuffed with gooey cheese, zesty sauce, savory pepperoni, and your favorite toppings—a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for everything from family dinners to game day snacks!

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how just a handful of ingredients—each one playing a key role—combines to create Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels that are cheesy, saucy, and downright irresistible. These are classic pizza essentials, and every bite lets their flavors shine!

• Refrigerated Pizza Dough or Homemade Pizza Dough: The foundation for your pinwheels—soft, chewy, and super easy to roll out. Homemade is wonderful for extra flavor, but refrigerated makes this recipe a quick fix.
• Marinara Sauce: Adds that essential tang and depth. Choose your favorite jarred variety, or homemade for extra flair.
• Onion Powder, Dried Basil, Parsley, Oregano, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper, Crushed Red Pepper: All these spices give your sauce that pizzeria-worthy, zesty flavor punch.
• Freshly Grated Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully—don’t skimp on freshly grated for the dreamiest, gooey texture.
• Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: Amp up the flavor with this salty, nutty bite right in the swirl.
• Pepperoni: Crisp up the slices beforehand for maximum flavor and less grease inside your rolls.
• Finely Chopped Green Peppers (or Your Favorite Toppings): Adds a pop of freshness, crunch, and vibrant color. Try mushrooms, olives, or red onion too!

Variations

The beauty of Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels is how wildly adaptable they are! Don’t be afraid to swap in your favorite flavors or tailor them for picky eaters, vegetarians, or those who just want to try something new.

• Veggie Lover’s Pinwheels: Skip the pepperoni and pile on sautéed mushrooms, spinach, black olives, or roasted red peppers for a vegetarian spin.
• Supreme Pinwheels: Add browned Italian sausage, red onions, and a sprinkle of sliced black olives to give classic supreme pizza flavor in every bite.
• Spicy Buffalo Chicken: Swap the pepperoni for shredded rotisserie chicken tossed in buffalo sauce and add a handful of blue cheese crumbles.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use your favorite gluten-free pizza dough to make this recipe totally allergy-friendly.

How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels

Step 1: Prep and Roll Out Your Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper—this will help your pinwheels bake evenly and avoid sticking! Lightly flour another sheet of parchment and roll your pizza dough out to a rectangle, about 12×16 inches. Giving yourself a nice, even surface makes for perfect spirals later.

Step 2: Make the Flavored Pizza Sauce

In a mixing bowl, combine marinara with all your dried Italian seasonings, garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and a pinch of crushed red pepper. Whisk them together for a bold, robust sauce—this punchy mixture will flavor every swirl of your Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels.

Step 3: Layer the Cheesy, Savory Fillings

Spread about ¾ cup of your sauce evenly over the dough, but leave an inch border on the top (the edge you’ll roll towards—this helps everything seal). Microwave pepperoni on a paper towel for 20 seconds, then dab away any grease. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese first for ultimate melty goodness, followed by the pepperoni, chopped peppers, and finally a dusting of parmesan.

Step 4: Roll, Slice, and Prepare for Baking

Carefully roll up the dough from the long end closest to you, tucking in any escaping cheese or toppings as you go. Once you reach the border, pinch the seam to seal. Trim the uneven ends, then use a sharp serrated knife to slice the roll into 12 equal pinwheels. (Pro hack: halve, then halve again, then cut each piece into three for even sizing!)

Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Serve

Arrange each pinwheel, cut side up, on your parchment-lined pan. Bake in your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until puffy and golden. Let them cool on the pan for five minutes—they’ll firm up as they cool. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping, and watch these Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels disappear in a flash!

How to Serve Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil wakes up each Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheel with herby freshness and a vibrant pop of color. For extra indulgence, grate a little more parmesan right before serving—trust me, it’s a finishing touch that no cheese lover can resist!

Side Dishes

Pair your pinwheels with a crisp Italian salad, Caesar salad, or a bowl of hearty minestrone on cooler nights. For party bites, serve alongside marinated veggies or crudités with ranch or blue cheese dip for a bright contrast to the cheesy warmth of the pinwheels.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels on a wooden board with mini dipping bowls of sauce, or arrange in a spiral pattern for a fun centerpiece. They also make brilliant lunchbox additions—just wrap in parchment for easy kid-approved lunches or picnic treats!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftover pinwheels cool to room temperature, then pop them into an airtight container and refrigerate. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to three days—perfect for easy snacking or last-minute lunchbox fillers!

Freezing

Baked Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels freeze like a dream. Place completely cooled pinwheels in a zip-top freezer bag, pressing out as much air as possible. You can freeze them for up to two months—simply thaw and rewarm for an instant treat.

Reheating

When ready to enjoy, reheat leftover pinwheels in a 350°F oven (or air fryer) for 7–10 minutes. They come out beautifully crisp on the edges, gooey in the middle—just like freshly baked. If microwaving, use short 20–30 second bursts to avoid over-cooking.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Gather your favorite pizza toppings and give these Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels a spin—you’re just a few steps away from melty, golden, flavor-packed bites that will disappear before you know it. I hope you enjoy every cheesy spiral as much as my family does; happy rolling and happy snacking!

Print