These easy homemade pizza rolls are a re-creation of a childhood favorite—Totino’s pizza rolls. For those who may be unfamiliar, pizza rolls are frozen pizza dough snacks stuffed with pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and/or sausage. They can be heated up in the oven, microwave, toaster oven, or air fryer.
When I was a kid, pizza rolls were a special treat because my mom for the most part cooked from scratch, so getting frozen foods like pizza rolls, Celeste pizza, Bagel Bites, etc., was a rare treat, usually only getting them when they went on sale. I distinctly remember the melty cubes of mozzarella and pepperoni inside and how the filling would ooze out when you bit into one.
This easy pizza roll recipe uses store-bought wonton wrappers, sauce, cubed mozzarella, and pepperoni. The rolls puff up nicely in the air fryer, turning golden brown, and the filling has all the signature flavors of the original—plus, they’re simple to put together.
DIY Totino’s Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
Equipment
- saucepan or deep fryer
Ingredients
- 1/4 C. pizza sauce
- 4 oz. pepperoni slices 1/4" pieces
- 4 oz. mozzarella cheese 1/4" cubes
- 1/2 packages fresh wonton wrappers
- 2 C. peanut oil for frying
Instructions
Prepare the Wonton Wrappers
- Locate square wonton wrappers in the vegetable produce area of your supermarket.
- Take two wonton wrappers and lightly moisten one side of each with a little water.
Assemble the Rolls
- Place one moistened wrapper on top of the other, creating a double thickness. Press gently to seal.
- Add a small amount of sauce (about 1/4 teaspoon) to the center of the stacked wrappers. Be careful not to overfill!
Seal the Rolls
- Moisten the edges of the stacked wrappers with water.
- Fold the wrappers over to encase the filling. Pinch the edges firmly to seal, ensuring there are no openings. If they aren’t sticking well, add a bit more water.
Trim and Shape
- Trim any excess dough from the edges for a neater appearance. (Optional)
- Gently press to remove any air bubbles inside.
Fry the Pizza Rolls
- Heat peanut oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully drop the pizza rolls into the hot oil, frying them until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Make sure not to overcrowd the pot.
Serve
- Remove the rolls from the oil and drain on paper towels. Serve warm with additional pizza sauce for dipping.
Nutrition
How Do They Taste Compared to the Original?
The homemade version is golden brown and much crunchier than the original. The wonton wrappers give them a pleasant chew and a longer, more rectangular shape. The meat inside also has more bite, which is a nice contrast. Another noticeable difference is the subtle but satisfying, slightly greasy wonton flavor which the original lacks.
Having said all that, however, in my mind the frozen ones still reign supreme. There’s just something about the nostalgia they bring—the filling oozes out as they cook, leaving you with those irresistible browned bits of sauce and cheese on the outside.
Not only that, but each bite is densely packed, giving you a perfect balance of flavors every time. My brother and I tried the combination pizza rolls, and they delivered nice chunks of sausage with a tasty fennel flavor that made them even more enjoyable. The OG wins this comparison, but the homemade version is worth trying, so definitely give it a go.