Tasty Garlic Pizza Pinwheels

Pizza night has always been a hit at our house. While we love a classic slice, sometimes it’s fun to switch things up a bit. That’s where these garlic pizza pinwheels come in – they’re basically everything you love about pizza, rolled up into neat little bites that are perfect for snacking or serving at parties.

I started making these when my kids were younger and wouldn’t sit still long enough to eat a whole slice. Now they’re our go-to for movie nights and casual get-togethers. The best part? You can prep them ahead of time and pop them in the oven when you’re ready. No stress, no mess, just warm, cheesy goodness when you want it.

Love regular pizza? These pinwheels will feel familiar but different enough to be exciting. Plus, they’re so easy to customize – throw in whatever toppings your family enjoys. Trust me, once you start making these, they’ll become a regular in your recipe rotation.

What Kind of Pizza Dough Should I Use?

While this recipe calls for refrigerated pizza dough from a tube, you’ve got several options that’ll work great. The most convenient choice is definitely the tube dough you’ll find in the refrigerated section near the biscuits and crescents – brands like Pillsbury work perfectly here. If you’re feeling a bit more ambitious, you can grab fresh pizza dough from your grocery store’s deli section or local pizzeria, which tends to have a more authentic texture. Just make sure whatever dough you choose is at room temperature before you start working with it – this makes it much easier to roll out without springing back. And if the dough feels too sticky, a light dusting of flour will help you handle it better.

Options for Substitutions

Need to switch things up with these pizza pinwheels? Here are some helpful swaps you can try:

• Refrigerated pizza dough: If you can’t find pizza dough, you can use crescent roll dough or even puff pastry sheets. Just keep in mind that puff pastry will give you a flakier texture.
• Mozzarella cheese: While mozzarella gives that classic pizza pull, you can try provolone, cheddar, or an Italian cheese blend. Just make sure it’s a good melting cheese!
• Pepperoni: Not a fan of pepperoni? Try ham, cooked Italian sausage, or leave it out for a vegetarian version. You could even add some sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers instead.
• Italian herb blend: No Italian seasoning? Mix equal parts dried basil, oregano, and thyme. Or just use any single Italian herb you have on hand.
• Garlic paste: Fresh crushed garlic works great, but you can also use garlic powder (about 1/2 teaspoon) or even minced garlic from a jar.
• Parmesan cheese: Romano or Asiago cheese make good stand-ins for parmesan. In a pinch, you could even skip it – the pinwheels will still be tasty!

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making pizza pinwheels is rolling them too loosely, which can lead to filling spilling out and uneven baking – make sure to roll the dough tightly, starting from the long edge, while keeping the filling evenly distributed. Working with cold dough is crucial; if your refrigerated pizza dough becomes too warm, it’ll be sticky and difficult to handle, so keep it chilled until you’re ready to use it. Another common mistake is overfilling the pinwheels – less is more here, as too much cheese or pepperoni will leak out during baking and burn on the pan instead of staying nicely tucked inside. For the best results, leave about a 1/2-inch border around the edges of the dough when spreading your toppings, and brush the edges with a little water before rolling to help them seal properly.

What to Serve With Pizza Pinwheels?

These cheesy pizza pinwheels are perfect for dipping, so I love serving them with warm marinara sauce or ranch dressing on the side. Since they’re on the richer side, I usually balance them out with a simple green salad dressed in Italian vinaigrette – the acid from the dressing helps cut through all that delicious cheese. For a complete game day spread or party setup, you can add some veggie sticks with dip and maybe a bowl of chips (though honestly, these pinwheels are usually the first thing to disappear from the table!). If you’re serving these as a main dish, a side of tomato soup makes them feel more like a meal.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These tasty pizza pinwheels stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to place a paper towel in the container to absorb any excess moisture and keep them from getting soggy. They make great leftovers for quick snacks or lunch boxes!

Freeze: Want to make these ahead? Let them cool completely, then pop them in a freezer bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months in the freezer. Just remember to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Warm Up: To enjoy your pinwheels warm, pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes, or microwave for 20-30 seconds. If reheating from frozen, add a few extra minutes in the oven to make sure they’re heated through. The cheese gets all melty again, just like when they were fresh!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	12-15 minutes
Total Time	22-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1500-1700
• Protein: 60-70 g
• Fat: 90-100 g
• Carbohydrates: 130-150 g

Ingredients

• 1 tube refrigerated pizza dough
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 18 slices of pepperoni
• 1 teaspoon italian herb blend
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon garlic paste or crushed garlic
• 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, grated
• Kosher salt and pepper

Step 1: Prepare the Pizza Crust

Take the pizza crust and unroll it gently.

Use a rolling pin to flatten and even it out slightly, which will help in creating uniform pizza roll-ups.

Step 2: Add Cheese and Pepperoni

Sprinkle an even layer of cheese over the flattened crust.

Arrange the pepperoni in a single layer on top of the cheese.

Finish by sprinkling with half of the Italian seasoning for added flavor.

Step 3: Roll and Slice the Pizza Roll-Ups

Carefully roll the crust up starting from the wider edge, keeping the filling evenly distributed.

Once rolled, use a sharp knife to cut the roll into 12 equal pieces.

Use the edge of the knife to help transfer each piece to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

This technique helps prevent the cheese from spilling out.

Step 4: Prepare and Apply the Butter Mixture

Mix together the melted butter, garlic paste, Parmesan cheese, the remaining Italian seasoning, and a sprinkle of kosher salt and pepper.

Spoon this flavorful mixture over the top of each pizza roll-up, ensuring even coverage.

Step 5: Bake and Serve

Place the baking sheet in a preheated oven at 425°F and bake the roll-ups for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.

Serve warm with pizza sauce on the side for dipping.

Enjoy your tasty, homemade pizza roll-ups!