Classic West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls
Pepperoni rolls are delicious soft freshly baked rolls filled with spicy pepperoni and melty mozzarella cheese. These make the perfect snack, portable lunch or party food! Born in West Virginia pepperoni rolls are a regional classic that everyone loves!
When my family sees the ingredients for pepperoni rolls come out they get very excited! Over the years I’ve learned to double or even triple my recipe when I make them because they fly out of my kitchen! I have made these with several different types of dough and cheese over the years and this is my favorite recipe. It is easy and absolutely delicious!
Pepperoni Rolls
Ingredients
- 9 Rhodes Frozen Dinner Rolls
- 3 Mozzarella String Cheese
- 36 Slices of Pepperoni
- 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
- 3-4 Tbsp Melted Butter or Olive Oil
Instructions
- Place frozen rolls on a lightly oiled or buttered baking sheet, cover loosely with a dish towel or plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
- Set in a warm area of your kitchen for 3-5 hours until the rolls have thawed and risen to double in size.
- Preheat the oven to 350
- Cut your string cheeses into 3 equal parts.
- Gently flatten the risen dough balls into a circle.
- Place 4 slices of pepperoni in the center of the dough circle and place a piece of string cheese on top.
- Fold in two sides and press them together in the center.
- Fold in the ends and press to seal the dough shut around the pepperoni and cheese.
- Place the pepperoni roll seam side down on the baking sheet.
- Repeat until all the dough has been made into pepperoni rolls
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and brush the tops with melted butter or olive oil and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
- Place the pepperoni rolls back in the oven for another 5-8 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
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Ingredient Notes for Pepperoni Rolls
Rhodes Frozen Dinner Rolls– These make the perfect dough for these pepperoni rolls. They are easy and they bake up tender on the inside and golden brown on the outside.
Mozzarella String Cheese– When I started making pepperoni rolls I used shredded mozzarella but now I prefer to use string cheese. It is super easy to measure out and wrap in the dough. You can use shredded mozzarella or chunks of mozzarella cheese.
Sliced Pepperoni– I like to use regular sliced pepperoni but sometimes I use thick cut pepperoni for heartier pepperoni rolls
Parmesan Cheese– This is totally optional but an addition that we love. I use grated parmesan (the kind in the canister) and it adds a great taste and texture to the rolls.
Melted Butter or Olive Oil– Brushing the outside of the rolls with butter or olive oil adds a nice flavor and helps them brown. This step is optional.
How to Make Pepperoni Rolls
Place frozen rolls on a lightly oiled or buttered baking sheet, cover loosely with a dish towel or plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
Set in a warm area of your kitchen for 3-5 hours until the rolls have thawed and risen to double in size.
Preheat the oven to 350
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Cut each string cheese into 3 equal parts, set aside.
Gently flatten and stretch the risen dough balls into a circle about 3-4 inches in diameter.
Place 4 slices of pepperoni in the center of the dough circle and place a piece of string cheese on top of the pepperoni.
Fold in two sides and press them together in the center.
Then fold in the ends and press firmly to seal the dough shut around the pepperoni and cheese.
Place the pepperoni roll seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.
Repeat until all the dough has been made into pepperoni rolls.
Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and brush the tops with melted butter or olive oil and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Place the pepperoni rolls back in the oven for another 5-8 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
A Brief History of Pepperoni Rolls-
If you’ve never heard of pepperoni rolls it’s likely because you aren’t from West Virginia or the bordering states (like me in Ohio!). They were invented in the 1920’s by Italian immigrants as the perfect hearty, portable lunch for coal miners. The combination of bread and cured meat held up well underground. Thankfully they caught on and became a snack that is available in restaurants, bakeries and even gas stations all through the WV panhandle area!
How to Serve Pepperoni Rolls –
These pepperoni rolls are perfect served as they are but they are also delicious dipped in marinara sauce, garlic butter or even ranch dressing.
How to Store & Reheat Pepperoni Rolls-
These store beautifully. They are best stored refrigerated in an airtight container. To reheat wrap them in a paper towel and microwave for 30-45 seconds.
