Pizza Pinwheels

Pizza Pinwheels are a delicious appetizer of pesto sauce, cheese and pepperoni rolled up in a simple pizza dough and baked until melted and crispy.  These Pizza Pinwheels are served with a side of pizza sauce for dipping.  Watch the video showing you how to make this recipe, then scroll to the bottom of this post and print out the recipe so you can make it at home.

Time for a new party recipe!  The best part about party recipes is that you can enjoy them along with your guests.  Or you can do what my husband does and be so much of a social butterfly that you don’t actually get around to eating anything.  I don’t recommend that!

I’m able to do both.  I love to have friends over for wine and appetizers, and somehow I manage to enjoy my food and drink and still visit with friends.  These Pizza Pinwheels are great because you can make them ahead and just pop them in the oven when you’re ready for them to be baked and served. 

The inspiration for these Pizza Pinwheels comes from the idea of starting with a very basic dough made with just two ingredients.  People have been using this dough all over the internet for making pizza dough, bagels, breadsticks and more!  It’s a fun dough to play around with and create new recipes.

The two ingredients in question are Self-Rising Flour and Greek Yogurt.  If you don’t happen to have self-rising flour, here’s an easy way to make your own self-rising flour.  I understand not wanting to buy a whole bag of it when you don’t know if you’ll be able to use it all.

I’d definitely not recommend using a nonfat version of Greek yogurt as you want the yogurt to be on the thick side of things.  Nonfat yogurt may change the flour to yogurt ratio and create a dough that is wetter than you want.  I use 2% Plain Greek yogurt for this recipe.  

How to make Pizza Pinwheels:

Just mix the self-rising flour and Greek yogurt together (in my recipe I have added a tiny bit of sugar too), and then roll it out onto a floured mat. I top mine with pesto sauce, pepperoni, and an Italian cheese blend.

Roll it up all snuggly.

Carefully slice, and you’ll end up with about 16 sliced rolls.

Top each roll with a little bit more cheese blend.

Bake for 20 minutes. Serve with pizza sauce or a very smooth marinara sauce for dipping.  These Pizza Pinwheels make for great party food!  These are a nice little treat for any old time.  I happened to make them during the day last week and they made for a great after-school snack.  The possibilities are endless for trying different fillings too.  Maybe even a sweet cinnamon-roll-like version?  I can’t wait to try that!

Here are a few more links you might like to check out if you’re planning on having a party:

• Vodka Party Punch
• How to Make a Charcuterie Board
• 15 Super Easy Appetizer Recipes for Entertaining
• Entertaining Party Menus
• Spinach and Sundried Tomato Puff Pastry Pinwheels
• Easy 3-Ingredient Appetizers
• Easy Lil’ Smokies Appetizer Recipe

Print

Pizza Pinwheels

Love these easy baked Pizza Pinwheels!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Italian

Keyword pizza pinwheels, pizza pinwheels appetizer

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 16 appetizers

Calories 88 kcal

Author RecipeGirl.com

Ingredients

• 1 cup self rising flour (see Recipe Notes below)
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated white sugar
• pinch of salt
• 2/3 cup 2% Greek Yogurt
• 3 tablespoons prepared pesto
• 3/4 cup chopped pepperoni
• 3/4 cup shredded Italian cheese blend (or mixed Mozzarella/Parmesan), divided
• pizza or smooth marinara sauce, warmed

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat mat (or spray with nonstick spray).
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar and salt. Mix in the yogurt and continue to stir and mix until the ingredients are well-combined and forming a dough. Turn out the dough onto a well-floured surface. Knead a bit until the dough comes together well, sprinkling in more flour if needed. Roll the dough into a rectangle (about 9x14-inches).
3. Spoon the pesto onto the rolled out dough, using the bottom of a spoon to spread it out evenly. Sprinkle with the chopped pepperoni. Top with 1/2 cup cheese.
4. Carefully roll up the dough into a log. It will be a little soft and precarious. Use a sharp knife to cut about 1/2-inch slices. Hold the sliced roll together with your fingers while you transfer it to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining slices.
5. Bake 20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned. Serve warm with sauce.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

• To make your own self-rising flour:  Whisk together 1 cup of all purpose flour with 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisk well, so the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
• *I used Fage brand 2% Greek yogurt. If you use a different brand or a different fat content, you may need to use either more or less yogurt because the moisture content may vary. I'd measure out 2/3 cup, then mix about 1/2 cup into the flour. Then add more as needed until a nice, non-sticky dough is formed.
• Nutritional information does not include sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Pizza Pinwheels

Amount Per Serving (1 appetizer)

Calories 88 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 4g 6%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Cholesterol 10mg 3%

Sodium 156mg 7%

Potassium 26mg 1%

Total Carbohydrates 6g 2%

Protein 4g 8%

Vitamin A 2%

Calcium 4.4%

Iron 1.1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.