• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Elke Living

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Side Items
    • Salads
    • Desserts
    • Snacks
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Vegetarian
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Breakfast
    • Vegan
  • Holiday Dishes
  • Health & Wellness
  • Privacy Policy

Best Pepperoni Rolls

September 19, 2016 by elkeliving 8 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

If you have ever stepped foot in West Virginia, you are likely to have come across pepperoni rolls. From gas stations to restaurants, they are everywhere, and they come in all kinds of varieties. I believe the best kind of pepperoni rolls is made from brioche dough and good-quality pepperoni. Adding a hot pepper in is also a favorite of mine. If you have never heard of pepperoni rolls read on to see how to make the best pepperoni rolls!

pepperoni-rolls-3

A few months ago my husband asked me to make some pepperoni rolls. Sure, I can do that, but I wanted to make them healthier than the average pepperoni roll.
making pepperoni rolls

What are pepperoni rolls?

Pepperoni rolls are what they sound like little rolls with pepperoni and cheese. You may ask how is this different from a calzone or pizza roll, but it is different. First with pepperoni rolls you want to start out with sweet brioche bread. There are some people who make them with regular pizza-like dough, but they definitely aren’t as good in my opinion. Inside we layer pepperoni and cheddar, pepper-jack, or mozzarella cheese. It is also a popular choice to add a few yellow ring peppers or jalapeno slices (fresh or pickled) roll them up like a burrito and bake them!

making pepperoni rolls

Can I add sauce to pepperoni rolls?

Traditionally pepperoni rolls are not made with sauce, however, there are always exceptions. Some restaurants will serve pepperoni rolls cut open and add sauce or hot or mild peppers packed in a sauce, topped with cheese, and baked.

My middle child is vegetarian, so I make hers more like a pizza with sauce and mozzarella cheese. There are so many varieties of pepperoni rolls that you can make. You can add in things that your family loves! I usually do vegetarian ones, cheese, and pepperoni, and then I add hot peppers to some.
best homemade pepperoni rolls

 

Tips on making brioche dough

Making brioche dough isn’t hard. I realize some people like to skip making yeast dough, but it’s really easy to make! Here are some tips for making this easy dough.

  • Make sure your yeast isn’t old. I’ve used all kinds of yeast. I more likely use a dry active yeast I get from my local co-op, but the quick rise is also great.
  • I add warm water, then the yeast, and then the sugar. Let this set for a couple of minutes to get foamy.
  • Then whisk or stir in the salt and eggs.
  • After you warm the milk and butter in a saucepan make sure to touch it and make sure it is just warm (not hot) before adding it to the yeast mixture. You don’t want it too hot or it could scramble the eggs.
  • Next, you will just mix in the flour, stir well, cover and let it rise on the counter.
Print Recipe

Best Pepperoni Rolls

Pepperoni rolls are fun food for on-the-go made with brioche bread, pepperoni, and cheeses.
Prep Time40 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Proof1 hr
Total Time1 hr 55 mins
Course: brunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: pepperoni pockets, pepperoni roll recipe, pepperoni rolls
Servings: 20 rolls

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup warm water
  • 2 packs rapid rise yeast or dry active yeast
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 stick of butter
  • 6 ½ to 7 cups unbleached flour
  • 2 egg reserve some of the egg white to brush an egg wash on top. About a tablespoon of egg white and teaspoon of water.
  • 6 tablespoon sugar
  • 2  ½ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  • Prepare a cookie sheet by greasing it with butter or refined coconut oil.
  • In a large bowl add both packs of rapid-rise yeast and sugar to your water, and stir. Let set for up to 5 minutes to activate.
  • While yeast is activating, place milk and butter in a saucepan. Heat over low heat until the butter melts. Let cool slightly,(until warm) and pour into a medium mixing bowl with yeast mixture. Whisk in eggs and salt. Leave about a tablespoon of egg white aside for brushing.
  • One cup at a time, add flour and stir in with a wooden spoon until all flour is incorporated.
  • Cover and let rise, until it's double in size.
  • Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead dough several times until a smooth consistency is achieved.
  • Tear off a golf ball size piece of dough. Flatten the dough out by pressing with your fingers or a rolling pin. Put in the desired amount of pepperoni and cheese and hot pepper slices if desired.
  • Tuck in sides, and roll the same way you would roll a burrito.
  • Place on prepared cookie sheet.
  • Continue until all the dough is used. It should make 20-24. Let them set and rise a little.
  • Before putting it in the oven, brush with egg white and water mix.
  • Place in your oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly brown on top. Enjoy!

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
« Turmeric Paste
Buttermilk Biscuits »

Filed Under: Entree, Snacks Tagged With: Entrees, Snacks

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Thresa Musgrave

    December 13, 2016 at 3:49 am

    All those sound and look great. Thank you and God bless you for taking time to share those with me and all others out there. Can not wait to make one or two of those. Thank you with love Thresa Musgrave

    Reply
    • elkeliving

      December 13, 2016 at 11:48 am

      Thank you Theresa! God bless you and your family!?

      Reply
  2. Mary Allen

    May 07, 2017 at 1:35 am

    Hi Elke, what cheese do you use for your pepperoni rolls and what brand of pepperoni is nitrate free?

    Reply
    • elkeliving

      May 07, 2017 at 1:43 am

      I have used different kinds. I have used pepper jack, shredded Colby, and shredded mozzarella. (We buy organic) Hormel makes a natural choice nitrate free pepperoni, and there are a couple other brands like apple gate. They usually say uncured on the front?

      Reply
      • Mary Allen

        May 08, 2017 at 1:40 pm

        Great! Thank you. I’m going to the store and will be looking for theses items. When it comes to ice cream, do you recommend a specific brand?

        Reply
        • elkeliving

          May 08, 2017 at 2:25 pm

          Awesome!! There is a brand here that’s organic called 3 brothers, I’m not sure if Kroger seeks it there. For simplicity bryers vanilla has simple ingredients, but wouldn’t be non GMO.

          Reply
    • Mary Allen

      May 12, 2017 at 1:16 pm

      Hi Elke, we looked for the nitrate free pepperoni and was unable to locate. If you happen to purchase again would you mind taking a picture of the wrapper? Do we need to get it at a speciality store?

      Reply
      • elkeliving

        May 12, 2017 at 1:33 pm

        Hi Mary, I used to get it at Kroger when I lived there. I would be happy to take a picture for you next time I get it. ?

        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search

Thank you for stopping by!

Hi! Nice to meet you and welcome to my site! I hope you find recipes that will make eating healthier a little simpler!

Footer

Instagram

[instagram-feed]

Thank you for visiting my site!

Hi, my name is Elke, thanks for visiting my page! I hope that you find recipes that make eating healthier and clean a bit easier! Read More…

Health & Wellness

immunity juice

Immunity Juice

homemade ghee

Homemade Ghee

See More;

Desserts

healthy apple crumble

Healthy Apple Crumble

This no-churn peaches and cream ice cream will capture the essence of summer with fresh peaches and vanilla!

Peaches and Cream Ice Cream

See More;

Vegan

coconut curry lentil soup

Coconut Curry Lentil Soup

strawberry almond milk

Strawberry Almond Milk

See More;

Breakfast

breakfast protein bowls

Breakfast Protein Bowls

pesto breakfast toast

Pesto Breakfast Toast

See More;

Holiday Dishes

Cherry almond biscotti

Cherry Almond Biscotti

pull apart bread

Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread

See More;

Dinner ideas

elkes potato soup

Creamy Potato Soup

Chipotle beer chili

Chipotle Beer Chili

See More;

Copyright © 2023 Elke Living on the Foodie Pro Theme