Easy pizza roses are one of my favorite fun and savory treats to make when I want to serve something unique and delicious. These little bites look like beautiful roses but taste just like mini pepperoni pizzas—cheesy, saucy, and full of flavor. Whether I’m making them for a party, a snack board, or just a fun dinner, they always disappear fast.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how these pizza roses look fancy but are actually super simple to make. They use just a handful of ingredients, and I can fill them with anything I like—pepperoni, veggies, cheese, or even sausage. The best part? They bake up golden, melty, and perfectly portioned. It’s pizza, but prettier!
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
pizza sauce or marinara
shredded mozzarella cheese
pepperoni slices (or any other topping you like)
olive oil or melted butter (for brushing)
Italian seasoning or dried oregano (optional, for topping)
parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
Directions
I start by rolling out the pizza dough into a thin rectangle, then slice it into even strips—each one will become a rose.
I spread a thin layer of pizza sauce down each strip, then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
Next, I lay pepperoni slices along the top half of each strip, overlapping slightly so they stick out like petals.
I fold the bottom half of the dough up over the bottom of the pepperoni, then carefully roll each strip from one end to the other to form a rose shape.
I place the rolled roses into a muffin tin to help them keep their shape while baking.
Then I brush the tops with olive oil or butter and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and parmesan if I want extra flavor.
I bake them at 375°F for about 15–20 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.
I let them cool for a couple minutes before serving warm.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 8–10 pizza roses depending on the size of the dough strips, and takes around 30–35 minutes from start to finish.
Variations
Sometimes I use puff pastry instead of pizza dough for a flakier texture. I’ve also swapped in pesto or Alfredo sauce instead of marinara, and changed up the fillings with mushrooms, olives, or cooked sausage. For a veggie version, I load them with spinach, bell peppers, or onions and skip the meat.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I pop them in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until warm and crisp again. The microwave works too, but they stay firmer when reheated in the oven.
FAQs
Can I use crescent roll dough instead of pizza dough?
Yes! Crescent dough works great and gives a softer, buttery texture. I just make sure to seal any seams before rolling.
Do I have to use a muffin tin?
I recommend it to help the roses hold their shape, but I’ve also baked them on a sheet pan with the seam side down—they still turn out well, just a bit looser.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. I assemble the roses, store them in the fridge covered, and bake them just before serving. They can be prepped up to a day in advance.
What’s the best cheese to use?
Mozzarella is classic, but I’ve mixed in provolone, cheddar, or parmesan for extra flavor. A little ricotta spread inside can add a creamy surprise, too.
Can I freeze pizza roses?
Yes! I bake them, let them cool completely, then freeze in a sealed container. To reheat, I bake them straight from frozen at 350°F until hot and crisp.
Conclusion
Easy pizza roses are the perfect mix of playful and delicious. They’re everything I love about pizza—cheesy, saucy, satisfying—wrapped into a fun rose shape that’s great for sharing or serving at any gathering. Once I tried making these, they quickly became a favorite in my kitchen for both looks and taste.
PrintEasy Pizza Roses
Easy Pizza Roses are savory, cheesy mini pizzas shaped like roses—perfect for parties, snacks, or a fun dinner. Made with pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings, they’re as pretty as they are delicious.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 pizza roses
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 1 sheet pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce or marinara
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 24–30 pepperoni slices (or other toppings)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter (for brushing)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or dried oregano (optional)
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a muffin tin.
- Roll out pizza dough into a thin rectangle. Slice into 8–10 long strips.
- Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce on each strip, then sprinkle with mozzarella.
- Lay pepperoni slices along the top half of each strip, overlapping slightly.
- Fold the bottom half of the dough up over the pepperoni, then roll each strip from one end to form a rose shape.
- Place each rolled rose into the muffin tin to hold its shape.
- Brush tops with olive oil or butter and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and parmesan if using.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling.
- Let cool slightly before serving warm.
Notes
- Use puff pastry or crescent dough for a flakier or softer texture.
- Try pesto, Alfredo, or ricotta as a filling twist.
- Fill with veggies like bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms for a meatless version.
- Reheat in oven or air fryer to maintain crispness.
- Freeze baked roses and reheat directly from frozen at 350°F until warmed through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pizza rose
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
