Name: Pepperoni Crescent Rolls
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 2 tubes (8 oz each) crescent roll dough.; 1 bag (6 oz) sliced pepperoni.; 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks, halved.; 1 egg.; 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan.; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning.

A hand holds a freshly baked croissant stuffed with pepperoni and cheese, with more croissants visible in the background. | recipesbyclare.com

Let me share my favorite quick snack that always disappears in minutes. These Pepperoni Crescent Rolls started as a way to use up leftover pizza ingredients and turned into something magical. They're like little handheld pizzas wrapped in buttery flaky dough and my family goes crazy for them.

Why Everyone Loves These

I love how these rolls combine everything wonderful about pizza with the convenience of crescent dough. They're perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick but still want those cozy homemade flavors. Plus they're so fun to make even my kids join in.

What You'll Need

Crescent Roll Dough: The flaky buttery base of our rolls.
String Cheese: It melts perfectly every time.
Pepperoni Slices: I use thin sliced they roll better.
Egg: For that beautiful golden finish.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds such amazing flavor.
Italian Seasoning: Makes everything taste like pizza.

Let's Get Rolling

First thing I do is unroll that crescent dough onto my counter. I separate the triangles carefully they're like little blank canvases ready for deliciousness. The key is working with cold dough it's much easier to handle.

Building Our Rolls

Now comes the fun part. I lay out those pepperoni slices right on the dough then add half a stick of string cheese. My kids love helping with this part though they tend to snack on the ingredients as we go.

A tray of golden-brown crescent pastries topped with pepperoni and melted cheese, sprinkled with black pepper. | recipesbyclare.com

Time to Bake

That egg wash is so important it gives our rolls that gorgeous golden shine. I sprinkle on parmesan and Italian seasoning pretty generously because those little bits that fall off and get crispy are absolutely divine.

Perfect Pairings

We love dipping these in warm marinara sauce but honestly they're amazing on their own too. Sometimes I'll serve them with a big salad for dinner or alongside soup for lunch.

Make Them Your Own

Sometimes I'll switch things up using different cheeses or adding some veggies. My daughter loves when I add tiny pieces of bell pepper and my son is all about extra cheese.

Keeping Them Fresh

If you happen to have leftovers they store beautifully in an airtight container. Just pop them in the air fryer or oven to reheat never the microwave unless you like soggy rolls.

Party Perfect

These are my go-to party appetizer. I can make them ahead double or triple the recipe and they're always the first thing to disappear from the buffet table.

A tray of baked croissants filled with cheese and topped with slices of pepperoni, sprinkled with sesame seeds. | recipesbyclare.com

Kid-Approved

My kids literally cheer when they see me pull out the ingredients for these. They're perfect for after school snacks or packed lunches and so much fun to help make.

Getting Them Right

Here's my secret for perfect rolls start rolling from the wide end and keep it tight. That way all your fillings stay nicely tucked inside while baking.

Sauce It Up

We love experimenting with different dipping sauces. Ranch garlic butter and even buffalo sauce are amazing. My latest favorite is mixing marinara with a little pesto.

Quick and Easy

These are my backup plan when life gets crazy. They come together so fast and everyone loves them. Plus they're way better than ordering takeout.

Make Ahead Magic

I often make a big batch and freeze them before baking. It's such a lifesaver to have them ready to pop in the oven whenever we need them.

A tray of freshly baked croissants topped with slices of pepperoni and melted cheese. | recipesbyclare.com

Extra Special

Sometimes I'll brush the tops with garlic butter right when they come out of the oven. It adds this amazing flavor that makes them even more irresistible.

Perfect Partners

On cozy days I love serving these with tomato soup. There's something so comforting about dunking these cheesy rolls into warm soup.

Spice It Up

For the spice lovers in my family I'll add some jalapeños or red pepper flakes. Just remember to mark which ones are spicy somehow I learned that lesson the hard way.

Always a Hit

Whether I'm serving these at a party making them for my family or bringing them to a potluck they never fail to impress. The combination of flavors just works perfectly.

Family Favorite

These pepperoni rolls have become such a beloved recipe in our house. They're more than just a snack they're part of our family traditions now. Give them a try and I bet they'll become a favorite in your home too.

A plate of freshly baked croissants filled with cheese and pepperoni, garnished with herbs. | recipesbyclare.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these ahead of time?: While best served warm, you can prepare these rolls a few hours ahead. Just wait to brush with egg wash and bake until ready to serve.
→ What dipping sauces work well?: Warm marinara or pizza sauce are classic choices. Ranch dressing, garlic butter, or buffalo sauce also make great dipping options.
→ Can I use different cheese?: While string cheese is ideal for its melting properties, you can use other cheese sticks or sliced mozzarella. Just make sure it's a good melting cheese.
→ Why brush with egg?: The egg wash gives the rolls a golden brown, shiny finish and helps the Parmesan and seasonings stick to the surface.
→ How do I store leftovers?: Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven to restore crispiness.

Pepperoni Crescent Rolls