Elevate your pizza night with these flavorful Pepperoni Pinwheels! Imagine pizza dough rolled into delightful pinwheels, packed with zesty pepperoni, melty mozzarella, and a touch of spinach for that extra nutritional kick.
Whether you're looking to impress guests with a unique appetizer or need a tasty after-school snack for the kids, these pinwheels will be a hit. The golden-brown crust, savory pepperoni, and gooey cheese create a mouthwatering combination that's hard to resist. Perfect for any occasion, these pepperoni pinwheels will have everyone reaching for seconds!
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💚 About This Recipe
If you're looking for a quick snack or appetizer for a party, these delicious pizza dough pepperoni pinwheels are a fantastic option! Rolls of soft and flaky dough stuffed with your favorite pizza toppings are the ultimate finger food.
Customize with different ingredients by switching up the cheese, adding veggies, or using a different protein. However you prepare them, this recipe is guaranteed to produce a crowd pleaser!
Add some of my Homemade Pizza Seasoning to spice things up or serve them as-is for a 4-ingredient recipe that couldn't be easier. You'll love them either way!
If you love pepperoni, you might want to try this delicious pepperoni dip, great on crackers or tortilla chips, and perfect for game day, parties, or even just a hearty snack!
🧂 Ingredients Needed
- pizza dough - use store bought pizza dough for a super easy no-prep recipe, or make your own if you prefer!
- baby spinach - provides some tasty nutrition and a pop of green color.
- shredded cheese - I like to use classic mozzarella cheese for these pizza dough pinwheels, since it gets nice and gooey and melty.
- pepperoni - for some added protein and a nice hearty, savory flavor.
🔪 Instructions
- Microwave spinach for about 30 seconds to wilt slightly.
- Spread out the pizza dough to about 12 by 24 inches.
- Spread a layer of shredded cheese over the dough.
- Add your pepperoni.
- Place wilted spinach on top of pepperoni.
- Add another sprinkle of mozzarella cheese, then roll the dough tightly into a log.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the log into rings about an inch wide.
- Place on a parchment paper or aluminum foil lined baking sheet and bake for 6 to 7 minutes at 450 degrees F.
❔ FAQs
Be sure to wrap the dough tightly. If you like, you can slightly wet the tips of your fingers and run them along the seam where the edge of the dough connects to help seal it. If you're still having trouble keeping them together, use some toothpicks to help keep them together.
If you're looking for some extra flavor, some good pairings with pepperoni include basil, red peppers flakes, or some hot honey!
Marinara sauce is classic, but ranch dressing or garlic aioli are also popular.
💭 Expert Tips and Tricks
- If you have a hard time cutting the log or it starts to come apart, place it in the fridge for about 15 to 20 minutes to firm up a bit.
- Don't overstuff the pinwheels or you may have a hard time rolling them up.
- For a particularly golden outside, brush the pinwheels with some egg wash (beaten egg mixed with water) before baking.
- Pair with some marinara sauce or another kind of red sauce for dipping.
📌 These pepperoni pinwheels with pizza dough are majorly customizable and make a fantastic after school snack, handheld appetizer, or even a quick and adorable main course on busy weeknights!
💡 Substitutions and Variations
- Switch things up by using your favorite pizza toppings. Mushrooms, meatballs, bell peppers and sausage, broccoli, chicken, and bacon are good options. You could even make Hawaiian style pizza dough pinwheels by making them with ham and pineapple.
- Make crescent roll pepperoni pinwheels by taking a package of crescent roll dough and rolling it out like you would the pizza dough. You could also use each piece of dough to make little individual pinwheels.
- Use a different kind of cheese like cheddar, provolone, pepper jack, colby jack, or a blend of all your favorites.
- The sky's the limit when it comes to this recipe! You could even make a dessert version using hazelnut spread, marshmallow fluff, crumbled cookies, and more.
🔊 What readers are saying...
"These were awesome! I made cheese and spinach for my non-meat eater, and they were so good too!"
- Jessica
🥫 Storage and Reheating
Transfer pepperoni pinwheels to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can also keep them in the freezer in a sealable plastic bag. To reheat, pop them back in the oven at 350 degrees F until the cheese is melted again. They can be reheated from frozen as well, but they'll need a few additional minutes until they're hot and crispy again!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Pair these pizza dough pinwheels with another appetizer like Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls, Wonton Cheeseburger Cups, or a quick and easy 5 Minute Chipotle Cheddar Dip for a delicious finger food platter!
✔️ More Pizza Recipes You'll Love
- Easy and Quick Pan Pizza - This fast pizza recipe is a delicious way to make a satisfying pie without having to order delivery!
- Steak and Blue Cheese Pizza - Great for date night or a special dinner, this is an elegant take on pizza bursting with savory flavor.
- Crock Pot Pizza - Did you know you can use your slow cooker to make pizza? Try this recipe to find out how it's done.
- Margherita Pizza with Puff Pastry - Light and flaky, this recipe from Cocktails and Appetizers is great for a quick lunch or a shareable appetizer!
Pizza Dough Pinwheels
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📋 Recipe Card
Pepperoni Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 2 handfuls fresh baby spinach
- 14 ounces pizza dough (I used store bought)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
- 40 slices pepperoni
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the spinach in a microwaveable bowl and microwave for 30 seconds on high to wilt it slightly. (This makes it easier to work with when rolling the dough into a log.)2 handfuls fresh baby spinach
- Roll or stretch out the pizza dough into a long oval, approximately 24 inches by 12 inches. (If needed, use a little bit of flour to keep the dough from sticking.)14 ounces pizza dough
- Sprinkle about half of the shredded cheese over the entire area of dough.2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
- Place the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese in a single layer.40 slices pepperoni
- Spread the baby spinach over the pepperoni slices.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the spinach, Then, starting from one of the long edges, carefully roll the dough into itself until you have a long log of dough with the toppings inside.
- With a very sharp knife, cut the dough width-wise into about 1 inch rings.
- Place the rings in a single layer on the baking sheets, then bake for approximately 6-7 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes before removing from the baking sheet.
Notes
- This makes about 24 individual twirls.
- If you are having trouble slicing the rolled log, try placing it in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes. This helps firm up the dough, making it easier to slice and preventing the pinwheels from unraveling during baking.
- For a golden-brown finish, brush the tops of the pinwheels with an egg wash (beaten egg with a little water).
- Serve the pepperoni pinwheels with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in October 2013, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in February 2024.
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Kristina says
My kids don't like deli meat sandwiches so I make these pinwheels for their lunchboxes and they love them. They are just as good at room temperature as they are hot. And I get to sneak in some veggies!
Shelby says
These were not only easy and delicious but so eye appealing with the addition of spinach! Loved these and will be making them often!
Kristin King says
I agree, that pop of green is really nice, I think. Happy to hear that you like this recipe! 🙂
Giangi Townsend says
So good and so much fun. I made them last night for book club, and everyone raved about it. I wish I made more. Flavorful and delicious.
I was asked to make them again for our next meeting.
Thank you!
Kristin King says
Great idea to make them for your book club! So glad to hear that everyone enjoyed them!
Sharon G Rigsby says
So delicious and easy to make, and I love that these pinwheels are so versatile! I have served them to guests as an appetizer, and we love having them for a light dinner. I almost always have some frozen in the freezer, ready to pop in the oven at a moment's notice.
Kristin King says
Yes, my kids really love to have them in lieu of pizza on pizza night! So glad you enjoyed these! 🙂
colleen says
These were so fun! Usually we make pizza muffins with a batter however using pizza dough and adding spinach was delicious!
Kathy says
I served these at a gathering and they were a huge hit! I wasn't certain if the younger kids would love them because of the spinach, but they gobbled them right up! I should have made a double batch!
Kristin King says
So glad to hear that! My kids have never even noticed the spinach either lol. Thanks for stopping by to let me know!
K Olson says
Could Kale be substituted for the spinach?
Kristin King says
Absolutely!
Cathleen says
This came at the most perfect time! I have some pepperoni that needs using, and this is the perfect recipe for it! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
MacKenzie says
Made these pizza twist last Friday. They are such a fun take on pizza night. I can’t wait to make them again.
Gianne says
They are so easy to make and taste absolutely delicious. The combination of pepperoni, cheese, and flaky pastry is just irresistible. A definite hit at any gathering!