Crispy Mini Pizza Pinwheels
These crispy mini pizza pinwheels are an easy, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing snack perfect for game day or casual gatherings. Made with crescent roll dough, marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni, they bake up golden and delicious in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 12-14 pinwheels (about 4 servings) 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package crescent roll dough (about 8 oz / 227 g)
- ⅓ cup marinara sauce (80 ml), seasoned with ½ teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (100 g), freshly shredded recommended
- ¾ cup pepperoni slices (about 30 slices), regular sliced in half or mini pepperoni
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (15 g), optional for topping
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter, for brushing
- Optional extras: fresh basil leaves, sliced black olives, diced bell peppers
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a small bowl, mix the marinara sauce with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Unroll the crescent roll dough onto a clean surface. Pinch perforations gently to seal into one sheet.
- Spread the seasoned marinara sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, then layer pepperoni slices on top.
- Starting from one long edge, roll the dough into a tight log, keeping it snug but not too tight.
- Slice the log into ½-inch thick rounds using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, yielding about 12-14 pinwheels.
- Place the pinwheels cut-side up on the baking sheet, spaced about 1 inch apart.
- Brush the tops lightly with olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top if desired.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until pinwheels are puffed and golden brown around the edges.
- Let cool slightly before serving to allow them to crisp up and be easier to handle.
Notes
Seal perforations in dough to prevent filling leakage. Use fresh shredded mozzarella for better melting. Optionally chill rolled dough before slicing for cleaner cuts. Brush with oil or butter for crispy golden crust. Cover with foil if browning too quickly. Freeze sliced pinwheels before baking for make-ahead convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 pinwheels
- Calories: 280320
- Sugar: 23
- Sodium: 500
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 12
- Protein: 12
Keywords: mini pizza pinwheels, game day snacks, crescent roll snacks, easy appetizers, pepperoni pinwheels, cheesy snacks