Great little Pizza Pretzel Rolls aka Bites that are perfect for any party.
I have dreamt about making these adorable little Pizza Pretzel Rolls for so long. They have been on my mind for a couple of years. A friend named Amy Valentino sent me a link to some little bites that blew my mind. It's funny how things you want to make get put on the back burner sometimes. Yet I never forgot about these little bundles of pizza joy. What's not to love.I dig pretzels, I love pizza and anything in bite sized portions is just too much fun for words. You can trick yourself into thinking you are using portion control, but let's be honest once you eat a dozen of these suckers you've blown your cover. You will forever be labelled a little oinker. But if eating a dozen of these and being called an oinker is wrong, well, honey I don't want to be right.
I had some issues with these little suckers though. You know I can never fib and try to fool you. It's just not how I roll. The first batch was a big floppy pretzel mess. Most of the insides oozed to the outsides. I am not sure if I had the water too high, or if I left them in the water too long, but something went awry. I consulted my personal chef, or as I like to call her "my bestie", the lovely Jenni of Pastry Chef Online. She suggested freezing them and well, when Jenni gives advice on technique I listen. She knows the science behind baking, which sadly I don't always know or understand. I froze the second batch for a couple of hours while I watched a movie. The second batch seemed to ooze a bit but they didn't flop over like the first batch. So my thought is I got all carried away on the cheese and whatnot. I tend to overstuff, it's a Lunatic thing. The good thing about these little bundles of joy is even if they flop, or ooze good stuff out the sides, they still taste out of this world good.
I think I just had an off day today. It was supposed to be my day off but work got in the way of my plans to chill with young hooligan. So I was off my game today. I screwed up my back up batch of dough. I dropped a glass and shattered it all over the floor. I spilled dirty water all over my counter. I lost puppy then realized she was overtired and had put herself to bed while I was busy. And I completely spaced out trying to open a piece of paper and couldn't figure out why nothing was written inside the folded bits only to realize I had to unfold it one more time. Yah, one of *those* days. Nothing went quite right. Likely due to me being resentful I had to work when I really just wanted to hang with my kid. The upside is there's always a lesson in everything. I learned not to overextend myself with projects. I also learned I need to get myself ahead on projects and blog posts so when I cook it's because I want to, not because I have to. Doing things at the last minute sucks the fun out of the process. I usually tend to love the process of baking/cooking and taking photos. So when it stops being fun I know I need to back away and rethink what I'm doing. So a broken glass, and some ooey gooey cheesy pretzel bites later I learned my balance had shifted again and it's time to reset that. See, I'm learning and growing. Life is good. So are Pizza Pretzel Rolls.
Pizza Pretzel Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 2 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
- ¼ cup warm water
- 1 cup warm milk
- 3 cups flour
- ¾ cup pepperoni chopped or grated
- ¾ cup mozzarella cheese
- 8 tablespoon pizza sauce
- 6 cups of water
- 3 tablespoons baking soda
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons coarse salt
Instructions
- Combine your yeast, 1 tablespoon of your brown sugar and your warm water in a bowl. Give a quick stir then let it does it thing. It will foam up so you know you're good to go.
- In another bowl combine the rest of your brown sugar and your warm milk. Stir well until the sugar dissolves, then set aside.
- In a stand mixer combine the yeast, flour, and milk mixture and use the dough hook attachment to mix. Turn it on low and let it do it's thing until the dough comes together in a ball, it should be soft and workable. Do not over mix.
- Spread a little flour on your work surface and remove the dough from the mixer, knead it a few times on the surface till it's soft and then form it into a ball.
- Spray a large bowl with non stick spray, place the dough inside, cover and set in a warm place for a couple of hours. During this time the dough should double in size.
- Remove and on a floured surface divide the dough into 4 equal size pieces.
- Start with the first piece and roll it out into a rectangle.
- Place ¼ of the meat and cheese along the long side using the bottom ⅓ of the dough.
- Spoon 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce over each piece.
- Now roll it over onto itself as tightly as you can.
- Cut into squares, about 8 to 12 from each piece as you repeat the pattern for each piece of dough.
- Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Allow to rise again for about 30 minutes minimum.
- At this point I suggest popping them in your freezer. I placed mine in a container, popped on a lid and slid them into the freezer for about 2 hours.
- About 20 minutes before removing from freezer place a large pot on the stove with 6 cups of water and the baking soda inside. Bring to a boil and then a gentle simmer.
- Preheat your oven to 400 F.
- Remove pizza from oven and drop one piece at a time into the water. Cook on each side for 10 to 20 seconds. Scoop out and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Continue until you've cooked them all.
- Pop the pizzas in the oven for about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Brush with butter and sprinkle with the salt if desired.
- Serve with a big old "I should have made these sooner" smile.
Notes
Even though I had some issues with these little suckers I'd totally make them again. I think this is a recipe you can totally customize to your own family's needs and taste. I'd like to thank Pennies on a Platter for such a cool recipe. I didn't adjust much on this one. I think I just had an off day in the kitchen today and really want to tackle these again soon. I'm sure it's one of those recipes you get the knack for after a go or two. I have to say even though they didn't look pretty you cannot believe the flavour of these things. Right on the money when it came to taste, and to me that's way more important than pretty food.
Speaking of pretty food, I'd like to invite you to visit all the other Sunday Supper crew to see what they've whipped up for game day. Enjoy!
Appetizers & Snacks:
- All American Ranch Cheese Ball from The Weekend Gourmet
- Bacon Double Cheese Burger Dip from In the Kitchen with KP
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza On A Stick from Neighborfood
- Bacon Kettle Corn from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Buffalo Chicken filled Pull-Apart Loaf from Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Buffalo Tofu Bites from Soni’s Food
- Cheeseburger Bites from Momma’s Meals
- Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Dip from Daily Dish Recipes
- Cranberry Glazed Meatballs from Curious Cuisiniere
- Easy White Queso with Chorizo from Supper for a Steal
- Eggplant Lentil Fritters With Orange Salsa from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- #GlutenFree 7 Layer Bean Dip from Cooking Underwriter
- Gulf Coast Smoked Tuna Dip from 30A Eats
- Ham & Cheese Crescents from Masala Herb
- Ham Crescents {Schinkenhoernle} #DairyFree from Galactopdx
- Little Filo Cheese Rolls from Food Lust People Love
- Mini Crab Bites from Webicurean
- Muffuletta Skewers from Magnolia Days
- Onion Cheddar Cheese Ciabatta from Family Foodie
- Peach Jalapeno Fritters from I Run for Wine
- Philly Cheesesteak Bites from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Pizza Pretzel Rolls from Cravings of a Lunatic
- Pizza Wontons from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Refried Black Beans with Pita Chips from Basic N Delicious
- Roasted Garlic-Bacon Dip from girlichef
- Roasted Red Pepper Hummus from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Stamp & Go! from The Lovely Pantry
- Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Dates from Noshing with the Nolands
- Tandoori Spiced Popcorn from MarocMama
- Won ton Cones Filled with Oriental Salad from Simply Gourmet
Main Dishes (including my Buffalo chicken sloppy sandwiches):
- Bacon-Wrapped Chili Cheese Dogs from Damn Delicious
- Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Sandwiches from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Chicken in Passion Fruit Crunch from The Urban Mrs.
- Green Chile Cheeseburgers from Juanita’s Cocina
- Grilled Pizza with Sausage and Spinach from Ruffles & Truffles
- Marinated Rump Steak with Chimichurri Sliders from Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Meatball Sub Sliders from Country Girl in the Village
- Oven-Fried Catfish Fingers with Mango-Chili Dip from Pescetarian Journal
- Pigs in Sleeping Bags from Comfy Cuisine
- Turkey Sliders with Roasted Tomatoes from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Vegan “Hamburger Helper” Soup from What Smells So Good?
Desserts:
- Shortbread Brownies from Baker Street
- Smores Blossom Cookies from Chocolate Moosey
- Sweet Little Pastries from Happy Baking Days
- Sweet Potato Cake Pops from Ninja Baking
- Toddler Truffles from In the Kitchen with Audrey
#SundaySupper Super Bowl Tablescape: 10 Tips For A Winning Superbowl Buffet Table from An Appealing Plan
Enjoy game day folks. I'll be avoiding the pigskin like the plague.
Thanks for visiting today!
If you’re looking for more appetizer recipes be sure to check out my recipe index. You can also find a lot more game day recipes as well.
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Toodles! xx
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips
I think the ooziness is perfect! I love when cheese leaks out of something and gets all toasty on the baking sheet!
Soni
Ooh I love these ooey gooey baked stuff and even more so, since I don't bake that much!These would disappear in no time in our house 🙂
Hezzi-D
Two of my favorites rolled up into one!
Tammi
Man I hate those "off" days!! I must say.......they still look delish and I would still eat them!
Sarah
pizza? yes! Pretzels? yes! Both? OMG!
Susan
Aww. . .can you share a little, please? These are pretty much perfection and I want them all!
Megan - I Run For Wine
YUMMY!! These look perfect and delicious. I want!
Lane @ Supper for a Steal
I don't care what went wrong. I want to eat them all! Call me an oinker I dare you 🙂
Kristen
I read a book about three years ago that centered around a restaurant that served pretzel rolls. I wanted to make them something awful, but never got around to it before the gf thing. I am so glad to have a friend like you who makes them even better by adding pizza. I will just take vicarious pleasure by drooling over yours.
Cindy's Recipes and Writings
So cute Kim! I love pretzels these would be fantastic!
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family
Well Kim you don't disappoint here at all. What better combination then pizza AND pretzels, just have a beer to go with it and I think you have every man's fantasy.
Well done friend, I hope you enjoy your day!
Sunithi
These look lovely !!! My kids would go crazy over these as a snack ! Yummm ! I bet I can make a batch and freeze/ store them !
krayl
one word. YUM!
Laura | Small Wallet, Big Appetite
I love pizza bites, but pizza bites in a pretzel roll, now that is just even better.