Homemade Cheese Pizza Rolls Recipe - Oh Sweet Basil (2024)

These Cheese Pizza Rolls (aka cheese bread doodles) are essentially a cheesy version of a cinnamon roll. Crusty pizza dough loaded with mozzarella and brushed with a garlic butter. Hello, LOVE!

Why We Call These “Cheese Doodles”

Cheese doodles, who thought that name up?! I wanted to call it cheese pizza rolls, but the kids insisted that when they are rolled up like a cinnamon roll they already have a name, cheese doodles. Try to say that and sound like an adult.

Ummm, also, I just learned that a cheese doodle used to be a chip. Is that still a thing?

Alright, here’s the low down on these homemade pizza rolls, they are heaven sent. Whenever we order in or go out for pizza the first thing our kids want to know is, are we getting cheese bread?

I’m always a big yes.

I know you’re not going to believe this, but I actually love cheese bread even more than pizza. GASP! Alright, no that’s not totally true. A margherita pizza is my favorite thing ever. But cheesy bread rolls, mmmmm I love it!

Ingredients Needed for Cheese Pizza Rolls

These homemade pizza rolls require few ingredients, most of which you probably have already!

• All-purpose flour
• Instant yeast
• Salt
• Granulated sugar
• Soy Lecithin
• Water
• Garlic seasoning
• Shredded mozzarella
• Pizza sauce

What’s the Difference Between Active Dry Yeast and Instant Yeast?

Active dry yeast needs to be dissolved in water before added to the rest of the ingredients.

Instant yeast can be added directly into the dry ingredients. I prefer to always use instant yeast as it’s easier and usually I end up with a better rise.

Bread loaded with cheese, you’re welcome! Cheese doodles are a great side dish or a fun after school snack for the kiddos! Dip them in pizza sauce…kids love dipping things! Shoot, I love dipping things!

How to Make Pizza Rolls

It all starts with the easiest pizza dough ever, but you’re going to need a special ingredient, Soy Lecithin.

See below for a few things about where I get my soy lecithin and why you want it.

1. Once you’ve made the pizza dough and it has risen, roll it out flat like you’re making cinnamon rolls.
2. Meanwhile, heat a pizza stone in the oven.
3. Spread shredded mozzarella cheese all over the dough and roll it up tightly, starting from the far side of the rectangle.
4. Use floss or a serrated bread knife to cut 2-inch doodles.
5. Pull the hot stone out and arrange the cheese bread on it. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden.
6. Meanwhile, melt the butter and mix with garlic and seasoning.
7. Brush the tops of the hot doodles and serve with our famous Homemade Pizza Sauce.

How Long to Cook Pizza Rolls?

These cheese pizza rolls need to bake for just 10 minutes at 450 degrees F.

What Type of Cheese Should I Use?

I’ve eaten ridiculous amounts of cheesy bread and all restaurants seem to use different mixtures, but the most common is mozzarella cheese. You’ll want to use a good quality of mozzarella, but unless it’s an artisan pizza I would avoid buying a fresh mozzarella because of the water content, which makes for soggy cheese pizza rolls.

If you want to experiment, try these cheeses:

• Pre-Shredded Pizza Cheese Mixture
• Colby Jack and Mozzarella
• Mozzarella and Parmesan
• Pepper jack Cheese

Can You Make Pizza Rolls Ahead of Time?

You can make cheese bread ahead of time by completely making them, covering with foil and reheating in the oven for serving.

Can I Freeze Pizza Rolls?

Yes, these cheese pizza rolls can be frozen before or after they are baked.

To freeze unbaked pizza rolls: Prepare them, set them out on a cookie sheet, and freeze. Take the pizza rolls off of the cookie sheet and place in a freezer bag for up to one month.

To freeze baked pizza rolls: To freeze the pizza rolls after baking, allow them to cool and place in freezer bags for up to 1 month.

How to Reheat Homemade Pizza Rolls

Preheat the oven to 350F. Unwrap frozen rolls and heat in the oven until hot. To bake, just place directly on a baking sheet and bake until golden, about 15-20 minutes depending on your oven.

Can You Freeze Pizza Dough?

If you want to, you can freeze pizza dough without doing anything to it. You just divide the dough into 2-4 circles and place in freezer bags for up to 2 weeks.

To defrost, set the dough out on the counter or in the fridge to defrost. Bring back to room temperature before using.

Tips for Making Homemade Pizza Rolls

• Pizza dough: We LOVE the homemade pizza dough used in this recipe, but you’re welcome to buy refrigerated pizza dough at the grocery if that’s easier for you.
• Pizza sauce: Most pizza roll recipes add pizza sauce inside the rolls, but we prefer serving it on the side instead. This way, we can load up the rolls with as much pizza sauce as we want! Plus, the rolls are easier to form if they’re just stuffed with cheese.
• Cheese: We just used mozzarella in this recipe, but you’re welcome to use a blend of cheeses if desired.

More Pizza Recipes:

• Pizza Sauce
• Pepperoni Pizza
• Meat Lovers Pizza
• Pesto Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza
• Pizza Pockets
• Zucchini Pizza Crust
• More Pizza Recipes

More Bread Recipes:

• Herb Focaccia Bread
• Irish Soda Bread
• No Knead Artisan Bread
• Tortillas
• Naan
• More Bread Recipes

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