How to Make the Perfect Homemade Pizza Dough Rolls
Italian-American · Medium · 85 min · 12 servings
These soft pull-apart rolls are made from a simple pizza-style dough that children can knead, shape, and top with butter and herbs before baking into golden fluffy rolls. This recipe is an excellent introduction to working with yeast for older kids and the results are impressive enough to serve at a family dinner.
Why this recipe works
This Homemade Pizza Dough Rolls recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 85 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 175 calories with 5g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2.25 tsp active dry yeast one packet
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted with 1 tsp garlic powder
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Dissolve the yeast in the warm water in a large bowl and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy and fragrant. If the yeast does not foam the water was likely too hot or cold and you should start again with fresh yeast.
Step 2: Knead the Dough
Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 8 to 10 minutes until it is smooth, elastic, and springs back when you poke it. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
Step 3: Shape and Second Rise
Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and arrange them in a greased 9 by 13 inch baking pan so they are just touching. Cover and let rise for 20 more minutes while the oven preheats to 375 degrees F.
Step 4: Bake and Glaze
Bake the rolls for 18 to 20 minutes until they are golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped. Remove from the oven and immediately brush the tops generously with the garlic butter so it soaks into the warm rolls.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- all-purpose flour → bread flour for rolls with a chewier and more structured crumb
- garlic powder in butter topping → fresh minced garlic and chopped parsley for a more flavorful grown-up version
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not kneading the dough long enough which results in rolls that do not rise properly and have a dense heavy texture
- Skipping the second rise after shaping which means the rolls will not be as light and fluffy after baking
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 175 calories, 5g protein, 28g carbs, 5g fat, 1g fiber.
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