When it comes to Valentine’s Day, chocolates and flowers are the classics—but what if you could combine the fun of flowers with the deliciousness of pizza? These Pizza Roses are the perfect way to show someone you care, with layers of gooey cheese, savory pepperoni, and crispy golden crust, all wrapped up in a beautiful rose shape. They’re fun to make, incredibly tasty, and a unique way to celebrate love (or just your love for pizza!).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Adorable Presentation – These pizza roses look as good as they taste, making them a great Valentine’s Day treat.
Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and just a few steps to create an impressive snack.
Customizable – Use your favorite pizza toppings to make them your own.
Perfect for Any Occasion – Not just for Valentine’s Day! Great for date nights, parties, or fun snacks.

Ingredients

Pizza dough
Pizza sauce
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Pepperoni slices
Italian seasoning
Olive oil

Full list of ingredients with measurements below.

How to Make Pizza Roses

Roll Out the Dough

Start by rolling out your pizza dough into a thin rectangle. You want it to be about 1/8 inch thick so it rolls easily without breaking.

Cut Dough Into Strips

Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough into long strips, about 1.5 inches wide. These will be the base for your pizza roses.

Add the Toppings

Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over each strip. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top, then place pepperoni slices slightly overlapping along one side of the strip.

Roll Into Roses

Carefully roll each strip from one end to the other, keeping the toppings inside as you go. Once rolled, place them in a greased muffin tin to help them hold their shape while baking.

Bake to Perfection

Brush the tops with a little olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Bake at 375°F for about 15-18 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Don’t Overload with Sauce – Too much sauce can make the dough soggy and harder to roll.
Use Pre-Made Dough for Convenience – Store-bought pizza dough works perfectly and saves time.
Keep the Rolls Tight – Rolling the dough snugly helps maintain the rose shape as it bakes.
Try Different Cheeses – Add a sprinkle of Parmesan or cheddar for extra flavor.

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Vegetarian Version – Swap pepperoni for mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach.
Spicy Kick – Add crushed red pepper flakes or use spicy pepperoni.
BBQ Twist – Use BBQ sauce instead of pizza sauce and add shredded chicken.
Cheesy Garlic Roses – Skip the sauce and pepperoni, and instead use garlic butter and extra cheese for a garlic bread version.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Marinara Dipping Sauce – A side of warm marinara sauce makes these even better.
Side Salad – A fresh green salad balances out the richness.
Wine Pairing – A glass of red wine, like Merlot or Chianti, complements the flavors beautifully.
Perfect for a Charcuterie Board – Serve alongside meats, cheeses, and olives for a fun appetizer spread.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Refrigerate – Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze – Freeze unbaked pizza roses for later. Just pop them in the oven when ready to bake.
Reheat – Warm them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes to keep them crispy.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can roll them up and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.

What if I don’t have a muffin tin?
You can bake them on a baking sheet, but they may spread out more.

Can I use crescent roll dough instead?
Yes! Crescent roll dough will give a softer, flakier texture.

How do I keep them from unrolling?
Chilling the rolled roses for about 10 minutes before baking helps them hold their shape better.

The Final Bite

These Pizza Roses are the perfect way to add a little fun and creativity to Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. With their crispy, cheesy goodness and eye-catching design, they’re sure to impress. Whether you’re making them for someone special or just treating yourself, they’ll be a hit every time!

Pizza Roses Recipe: A Tasty Valentine’s Day Idea

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These delightful Pizza Roses combine the classic flavors of pizza—savory pepperoni, melted mozzarella, and tangy tomato sauce—into a beautiful rose shape. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, parties, or as a fun appetizer, they’re as pleasing to the eye as they are to the palate.

Author: Touria Elkoudssi
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 (8-oz.) tube crescent dough
1/4 cup pizza sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
4 oz. large pepperoni slices, cut in half
1 tsp Italian seasoning

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a muffin tin.
Prepare Dough: On a lightly floured surface, unroll the crescent dough and separate it into 4 rectangles. If there are perforated edges, pinch them together to seal.
Cut Dough Strips: Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut each rectangle lengthwise into three 1-inch-wide strips.
Assemble Roses: Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce on each strip. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the sauce. Arrange the pepperoni halves along the top half of each strip, slightly overlapping, with the rounded edges extending beyond the dough.
Roll and Shape: Fold the bottom half of the dough over the filling. Starting from one end, tightly roll the strip to form a rose shape. Place each rolled rose into a prepared muffin tin slot.
Season and Bake: Lightly brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Serve: Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm, perhaps with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

Dough Options: Store-bought pizza dough or puff pastry can be used as alternatives to crescent dough.
Toppings: Feel free to customize with other favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives.
Cheese Variations: Try adding cheddar or gouda for a different flavor profile.