Pepperoni Pinwheels

Pepperoni pinwheels are as fun to eat as they sound. Stuff crescent roll dough with a delectable mix of pepperoni, cheese and oregano, then bake until melty and golden brown. Crescent roll dough recipes are an easy and delicious way to make a fast weeknight dinner (that no one will grumble about) or a party bite that disappears lightening-fast (so maybe double the batch).

Just like pizza toppings, the pinwheel filling can be changed to whatever you love (or have on hand). Make supreme-flavored pizza bites with green pepper and sausage, or go Greek with a bit of feta and black olives.

Ingredients for Pepperoni Pinwheels

• Pepperoni: Dice up your favorite pepperoni to fill these pinwheels with bursts of pizza flavor.
• Mozzarella cheese: Part-skim mozzarella cheese is a mild and melty cheese that is a classic in pizza. Buy it pre-shredded or grate your own.
• Dried oregano: Oregano is the classic pizza sauce herb. It’s woodsy flavor is a must for authentic pizza flavor.
• Egg (separated): You need one large egg. The yolk will blend into the filling to help it bind together and the white is brushed over the tops before baking for a nice golden sheen.
• Crescent roll dough: A tube of crescent roll dough makes a fast dough that cooks up soft.

Directions

Step 1: Make the filling and prepare the dough

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Stir together the diced pepperoni, cheese, oregano and egg yolk. In a separate small bowl, whisk egg white until foamy and set aside. Separate the crescent dough into 4 rectangles and lightly press to seal perforations.

Editor’s tip: Add 1 teaspoon of water or milk to the egg whites for easier whisking.

Step 2: Stuff the pinwheels

Spread pepperoni mixture onto the dough rectangles, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Roll up each rectangle starting with the short side,  jelly-roll style and pinch the seam to seal. Cut it into six slices.

Step 3: Bake until golden brown

Place each slice on a greased baking sheet. Brush the tops with egg whites and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden and filling is bubbly.

Pepperoni Pinwheel Variations

• Dust with Parmesan: After brushing with egg wash, shower pinwheels with your favorite grated hard cheese like pecorino or Parmesan.
• Go vegetarian: Skip the pepperoni and add diced green peppers, mushrooms and olives.
• Serve with dipping sauce: These little pinwheels are perfect for dipping into marinara or a creamy garlic sauce.
• Raise the heat: Mix a pinch of crushed red pepper directly into the filling or sprinkle some over the top before baking for a little extra heat.
• Doust it in butter: Melt butter with a pinch of dried parsley and a minced garlic clove (or you can smash a clove to release the flavor, let it sit in the melted butter for a few minutes and then remove it). Brush with the herbed garlic butter right when the pinwheels come out of the oven.

How to Store Pepperoni Pinwheels

Store leftover pinwheels in a covered container in the refrigerator for four to five days.

Can you freeze pepperoni pinwheels?

Pepperoni pinwheels freeze well. Slide into a freezer-safe zipper-top bag when completely cool, remove as much air as possible and freeze up to three months.

How do you reheat pepperoni pinwheels?

If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator. To reheat the pinwheels, bake in a 350° oven for 10 minutes or reheat in a toaster oven or air fryer. These methods will make sure the exterior gets lightly crisp. You can also warm in a microwave on low heat but the pinwheel will be soft.

Pepperoni Pinwheel Tips

Can you use another type of dough?

This recipe will also work with store-bought or homemade pizza dough. If you are having trouble rolling out pizza dough, let it rest about 10 minutes to let the gluten relax. This will keep it from snapping back after you roll it out.

How do you cut the pinwheel slices easily?

Crescent roll dough can get sticky, so work on a non-stick or lightly floured or oiled surface. Cold dough is easier to work with, so after rolling up the dough you can chill it for a few minutes in the refrigerator. A very sharp chef’s knife or a serrated knife will make cutting easiest.

What does an egg wash do?

It’s always tempting to skip the little additional step of brushing dough with an egg wash; your dish will still taste great if you do. However, using a pastry brush to lightly coat the pinwheels with egg wash will give them an appetizing golden-brown color and sheen, adding lightly crisp crust. It’s a pro-tip that works great on dinner rolls, pie crusts and bread.