Pizza pinwheels are customizable, cheesy spirals of dough—perfect as a fun, saucy appetizer, snack, or lunchbox treat.
Pizza Pinwheels was one of the most awaited snacks during the school holidays while the kids were growing up. I vividly remember that every time I told them I would make it, everyday they would start the day with the same question "are we making it today?" .. The day we actually made it, we had it as a snack rather than for dinner. And with a cup of tea, this was a well deserved treat. Like the Coriander gArlic Pesto Rolls, this too is a family favourite now and we make it often, varying the stuffing inside
I also remember that the first time I made this, my in-laws and mom who are not so into baked goods also liked it quite a bit.All in all, a snack that has endless possibilities for filling. We are sure to make these again for this year’s birthday too (as per her 'orders' :D) .
FAQs & Tips to make the best Pizza Pinwheels
- Can I use store-bought pizza sauce ? Absolutely. We love my homemade arrabiata here as a base, so used it.
- Can I stuff this with any protein ? Absolutely, any protein (including cheese) can be used, make sure to dice/shred it fine to allow easy rolling.
- What can I use in place of bread flour ? To make a bread flour substitute using all-purpose flour (APF), simply add vital wheat gluten to increase the protein content. Measure 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Remove 1 ½ teaspoons of the flour. Replace it with 1 ½ teaspoons of vital wheat gluten. Whisk or sift together to combine evenly.This mimics the higher protein content of bread flour (usually 12–14% protein), which helps with better gluten development and chew in yeast breads.
- Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, you can make it and refrigerate it. Make sure to bring it to room temperature (along with the rest of the ingredients) before baking.
- Can I use frozen / homemade puff pastry to make these rolls ? Yes, you can.
Other savoury bakes you might like for a light brunch / snack option include:
Coriander Garlic Pesto Pull Apart Rolls | Yeasted Breads
Coriander Garlic Pesto rolls is a great snack for parties or dinner. Baked to Golden perfection with wholewheat flour, garlic pesto and everyday spices.
Check out this recipe
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Tandoori Aloo (or Tandoori ‘Baby’ Potato) is a popular appetiser in the Indian (well, Punjabi) cuisine. Marinated baby potatoes baked to crispy Golden perfection in a Tandoor (or an oven), served with a spicy-tangy coriander mint sauce and a salad on the side. It often is served at parties / barbecue nights or even as a meal by itself.
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Baked Tandoori Gobhi | Gluten Free Appetisers
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Baked Gobi Musallam | Whole Roasted Cauliflower | Vegan & GF Mains
Gobi Musallam is a rich, aromatic Indian dish made with whole cauliflower cooked in a flavorful, spiced gravy, often served as a festive or special-occasion dish.
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Baked Matar ki Kachori | How to make Stuffed Peas Kachori | Vegan Snack
Baked Matar Kachori is a healthy Baked version of the stuffed Kachori with no deep frying involved. Served as a snack at tea time or for breakfast.
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Baked Tofu and Rice Stuffed Peppers in Tomato Sauce | Vegan, GF
Let's make Stuffed peppers with leftover rice and Tofu for a delicious Gluten Free, Vegan Dish. Great for parties or gatherings as a vegetarian main.
Check out this recipe
Prep time : 15 mins | Standing time (rise time : 1.5- 2 hours) ; Bake time :20 mins | Makes : 1 dozen medium sized
rolls ; Cuisine : American , type : Snack or appetiser
What you need to make Pizza Pinwheels:
- 2 cups Unbleached bread flour (II used king Arthur brand, see notes above or in recipe card for substitutes)
- 1 teaspoon Instant yeast - 1 tsp
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoon Warm
water (+ little more for kneading or as required) - ¼ cup Olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
Filling:
- ¾ Cup Pasta sauce ( I blitzed my homemade chunky arrabbiata with 2 deseeded tomatoes, strained them anad used it. You can also use storebought Pizza sauce)
- ¼ cup Boiled corn (lightly sauteed and cooled to room temperature)
- ¼ cup Diced bell pepper
- ¼ cup Onions ( quartered or diced)
- 1 teaspoon mixed herbs (I used oregano, basil and thyme)
- ½ teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon Red chilli powder
- ⅓ cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 teaspoon Olive oil - to brush the bakes
PIN FOR LATER
How to make Pizza Pinwheels:
- Proof the yeast with warm water and sugar. (I proof the yeast every time although its instant, just to be sure). Once done, add the oil and whisk it well.
- Sieve flour and salt twice over, make a well / dent in the flour and add the proved yeast + oil mixture. Knead to a smooth dough adding any additional warm water if necessary. Cover with a wet kitchen towel and place in a draft free environment till it doubles (I keep it in an oven with the light on). My dough generally doubles in an hour, however that week it was chilly and took about 90-95 mins to double.
- Punch down the dough a bit and divide the dough into two parts (One portion went to make a lovely veggie margarita type pizza for the husband and me). Knead the other portion lightly.
- On a floured surface, roll into a rectangular sized sheet.
- Spread the pasta sauce, sprinkle the veggies, cheese, dry herbs, and top it with cheese.
- With the shorter end of the rectangle facing you, roll into a tight roll (like a cinnamon roll) and press the ends to seal. Roll all through the length of the pizza sheet.
- Clingwrap and refrigerate for 20 - 30 mins (this is an important step, don’t miss, else you would be left with messy pinwheels).
- Towards the end of 30 mins, Preheat oven to 180 deg C. / 375 deg F.
- With a sharp serrated knife, cut thickish roundels, place the pinwheels with the cut portion facing upwards on a greased / lined baking sheet
- Bake for 18-22 mins or till you get golden brown pinwheels, keep an eye after the 15th min to avoid hard pinwheels.
- Serve warm as a snack or for dinner with any soup.
Pizza Pinwheels | Easy Snack for kids
Pizza pinwheels are customizable, cheesy spirals of dough—perfect as a fun, saucy appetizer, snack, or lunchbox treat.
Equipment
- Oven
- Stand Mixer (or knead by hand)
- bowls
Ingredients
- 2 cups Unbleached bread flour I used king Arthur brand, see notes for substitutes
- 1 teaspoon Instant yeast - 1 tsp
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- ⅓ cup
Warm water
(+ 2 tablespoon Warm water) for kneading or as required
- ¼ cup Olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
Filling:
- ¾ Cup Pasta sauce I blitzed my homemade chunky arrabbiata with 2 deseeded tomatoes, strained them anad used it. You can also use storebought Pizza sauce
- ¼ cup Boiled corn lightly sauteed and cooled to room temperature
- ¼ cup Diced bell pepper
- ¼ cup Onions quartered or diced
- 1 teaspoon mixed herbs I used oregano, basil and thyme
- ½ teaspoon Salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon Red chilli powder sub with paprika or chilli flakes
- ⅓ cup mozzarella cheese Shredded
- 2 teaspoon Olive oil to brush the bakes
Notes
FAQs & Tips to make the best Pizza Pinwheels
Can I use store-bought pizza sauce ? Absolutely. We love my homemade arrabiata here as a base, so used it. Can I stuff this with any protein ? Absolutely, any protein (including cheese) can be used, make sure to dice/shred it fine to allow easy rolling. What can I use in place of bread flour ? To make a bread flour substitute using all-purpose flour (APF), simply add vital wheat gluten to increase the protein content. Measure 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Remove 1 ½ teaspoons of the flour. Replace it with 1 ½ teaspoons of vital wheat gluten. Whisk or sift together to combine evenly.This mimics the higher protein content of bread flour (usually 12–14% protein), which helps with better gluten development and chew in yeast breads. Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, you can make it and refrigerate it. Make sure to bring it to room temperature (along with the rest of the ingredients) before baking. Can I use frozen / homemade puff pastry to make these rolls ? Yes, you can. Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Tried this recipe?Follow @sizzlingtastebuds or tag #sizzlingtastebuds!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Love the cheesy goodness and that too in bite size! Perfect for parties. Looks really good 🙂
vaishali sabnani says
Oh these look so good ..I adopted a short cut and made the same with bread slices.
Varada's Kitchen says
What a nice snack! They turned out perfect.
Harini R says
Perfect looking pizza pinwheels!
Chef Mireille says
not just the kids - I would love this snack
Sneha's Recipe says
These are waiting to be picked up, I too would love to have these pinwheels.
Srividhya says
Love these pinwheels. Great snacks.
Nalini's Kitchen says
Perfectly made pizza pinwheels,kid would love it for sure...
Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen says
These are absolute favorites of some grown ups too!!! Definitely a party-pleaser! Lip-smacking good kalyani!!!
Srivalli says
Wow Kalyani that looks amazing..what a treat..if you tell me, even I would start and end the day with the mantra if I am promised such a goody!
cookingwithsapana says
Wow pizza pinwheels looks absolutely delicious ! Lovely..
Priya Suresh says
Damn cute and highly irresistible pizza pinwheels, makes me hungry.
Suma Gandlur says
I bet these are a hit with kids.
Archana says
Wow this is awesomely delicious. n if your inlaws n mom have approved it does go as a must make.
Unknown says
Pizza pinwheels look awesome!!! love to grab one or all 🙂
Padmajha says
The kids loving this dish is one thing and the adults approving it is something even more worthy of mention!!! Looks great Kalyani...
Pavani says
Those pizza pinwheels look so tempting and addictive.
Vardhini says
My kids will love this for sure. Thanks for linking.
Priya Srinivasan says
Who would say NO to these delish pinwheels! These are always a hit in kids parties!! Simple, versatile and hearty!
Kalyani says
absolutely,Priya - versatile and hearty
Mayuri Patel says
Your pizza pinwheel recipe is a reminder that I have not made them in a long time. Use to make them often when the kids were at home. Have a picnic coming up with friends and this will be just perfect to nibble on. Like that no eggs are used.
Kalyani says
yay! Go for it, Mayuri..
Neha (My Culinary Expressions) says
These delicious pizza pinwheels remind have revived memories of how frequently I made them when my son was schooling. So glad I came across this recipe, when my son is on a vacation. Will make for him and his friends for their meet up party.
Kalyani says
Awesome! Do try these pinwheels, Neha
Seema says
Kalyani, this is one recipe that saves me almost at the end of every term. Long hours and hard schedules with such easy ideas makes it feel like it is tacklable. Thankyou.
Kalyani says
Thanks, its surely a versatile recipe
Radha says
This is heavenly! Easy and tasty recipes are the ones I like to manage busy schedules. This one is a loved recipe! Always!