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
Ramona
I thought the same thing when I saw that tray of pizza pretzels... "MINE!". They look fantastic and addictive. 🙂
Kim Bee
Lol Ramona, great minds think alike. They are wildly addictive and delicious. I wish they were prettier but what can you do. Some foods are just messy. lol
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers
Your funny! I think they look great and I love ozzy cheese!! Believe me I have over stuffed foods before and using cheese, forget about it, it's everywhere!!! I love your pizza pretzel rolls!! I'd eat them all! 🙂
Kim Bee
Thanks Jennifer. They are so good. I really want to make them again and tweak them some more. I am determined to make mine look like Pennies on a Platter. Hers look like sheer perfection.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
Sometimes it's the gooey messes that taste the best 🙂
Kim Bee
Exactly! Messy equals yummy in the tummy!
Liz
LOL...so glad Jenni came to the rescue! After reading about your troubles on Facebook last night, I am relieved to see that batch 2 was a success! They look fantastic, KimB...a little oozing is perfectly fine with me!
Kim Bee
Jenni needs a superhero cape I swear. I still cannot believe I pushed the wrong button on my bread maker for the back up batch. I've had the bread maker for 20 years and this is the first time I've done that. Rough day. Luckily even though they look terrible they sure are tasty.
Abbe@This is How I Cook
Well, I would eat them! I think I would inhale them and it is only 7AM here. And I do know what it is like when you just don't have that rythym thing going. Like today I'm supposed to be cleaning the house. Just hard to get that rythym when I'd rather be playing.
Kim Bee
Thanks Abbe. I have to say they taste amazing so once I get my groove back I want to try again. There's just some days nothing goes according to plan.
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog
I love pretzel dough! These look soooo good. Thanks for sharing them!
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Shannon.
Katie
Well, I love pizza...and I love pretzels...so I really think I'd love these! YUM!
Kim Bee
You would totally dig them. I'd love to see you put your spin on them.
john@kitchenriffs
I hate it when I have one of "those" days. I totally understand where you're coming from. And it'd be nice to be two weeks ahead in blog posts, wouldn't it? Maybe I should work on that - I tend to do mine last minute. Anyway, love the Pizza Pretzel Rolls! I'm with you on pretzel flavor, and really like bite-size things too. Looks like a fun recipe to play with - thanks.
Kim Bee
I know right. I was ahead in the summer and ever since vacation I'm constantly behind. I hate it. I'd love to get ahead so I could slow down and take more time with my photos.
These recipe is cool cuz you can play with it in so many ways. I'd love to see you Riff it.
Asiya @ Chocolate and Chillies
Pizza and pretzels....what a great combo! Love how they are bite size..perfect for little hands!
Kim Bee
Thanks Asiya. These would be perfect for young kids. I could see them being a hit at a birthday party.
Tara
Yum, as always!! I would eat the whole tray!!
Kim Bee
Awe thanks Tara. I pretty much did just that.
Becca from It's Yummilicious
Hey grumpy greedy (today's nickname for you, my Love)... I saw an awful lot of "mine" "mine" "mine" and not very much (read NONE) that said "yours" "yours" "yours" or even "Boo's" "Boo's" "Boo's"
*sniffle*
Kim Bee
Lol Becca. I had to do it, I claim insanity. Of course I claim insanity every day.
Kelsey @ K&K Test Kitchen
Oh my gosh! You are totally making me rethink my whole life. I have pretzel dough rising right now and it was just going to be turned into pretzel bites.... but now I'm ready to put my boots on and run to the store so I can use it to make these pizza pretzel rolls!!!
Kim Bee
Dude you totally should. They are wicked good, messy but omg delish.
Renee
Wait a minute! No turtle recipe??? I just had to stick that in this comment. Anyway, I've had those days when everything seems to go wrong. It's nice when things starts working right again. Life is good.
Kim Bee
Turtle Pizza Bites...now that is a recipe I can wrap my head around.
I've had an interesting couple of days in the kitchen. My mojo is not working right now.
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen
Kim, I´ll take the whole tray with the crusty cheese! I think that it oozing and burning a bit is one of the best parts of this bites!
Kim Bee
I'll save those ones just for you. I have to say they are messy like mad but super delish.
CCU
That is so cute y friend, its a carry-on-my-pocket pizza 😀
Cheers
CCU
Kim Bee
Thanks, it's adorable pocket sized food.
Jennie @themessybakerblog
Last minute anything is usually no fun. I wish my life were a little less last minute. These pretzels look gooey and amazing. Oh, I'll bite it!
Kim Bee
I hear you. So much to do, never enough time. Bite away lady, bite away.
Susan 30A EATS
We have all had those days, lol, but wish they would end with a batch of cheesy pretzel bites! Something to look forward to! YUM! #SundaySupper
Kim Bee
It was a great way to end the day. Nothing makes a bad day better than a big batch of pizza.
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious
Haha love the bite me picture!
Kim Bee
Thanks Chung-Ah. It's my favourite saying so it makes my way into my photos way too much.
Bea
Yum - these look fantastic!
Kim Bee
Thanks Bea.
Lyn @LovelyPantry
Oh the trials and joys of baking! Learning and growing is always a good thing in my book. We all have off days like what you experienced. It sucks in the moment. Nothing that chocolate can't fix though. I'm just saying. These pizza pretzels look ooey-gooey-delish. *hugs*
Kim Bee
I love your attitude Lyn. I'd totally share a big batch of these with you. Hugs right back at ya.