Back in the early 2000s, when Larissa and I had just started dating, she came over to my place for the first time and peeked inside my fridge. What did she find? Beer, Pop-Tarts, and Totino’s pizza rolls. My single-life diet wasn’t exactly whole-food plant-based, but hey, we all start somewhere.
Even now, pizza rolls still have a special spot in my snack-loving heart. But these days, I’ve traded the freezer-aisle version for homemade vegan pizza rolls—crispy, cheesy, savory bites that are way more satisfying and a whole lot kinder to your body (and the planet).
Whether you’re planning a plant-based pizza night, looking for a game-day snack, or just want something cozy and nostalgic, this recipe brings all the pizza joy without the dairy or mystery ingredients.
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What Makes These Vegan pizza rolls special
These vegan pizza rolls are:
- super customizable—use whatever pizza toppings you love
- crispy and golden brown, whether you use the oven or an air fryer
- freezer-friendly for easy snack prep
- great for kids, parties, or lazy-weekend lunches
Plus, they’re made with simple ingredients like store-bought or homemade pizza dough, dairy-free cheese, and a quick pizza-style red sauce. You can even make them gluten-free or oil-free if needed.
Shopping List
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own batch of vegan pizza rolls:
For the Dough (or use store-bought)
- active dry yeast
- warm water
- organic unbleached all-purpose flour (or gluten-free all-purpose)
- salt
- olive oil
For the Filling
- pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- vegan mozzarella-style cheese (like Follow Your Heart or Daiya shreds)
- vegan pepperoni, sausage crumbles, or your favorite pizza toppings (sundried tomatoes, black olives, etc.)
Optional Extras
- nutritional yeast
- fresh basil or spinach
- vegan ricotta or almond ricotta cheese
For Assembly
- Olive oil or vegan butter
- Parchment paper or cooking spray
Instructions
Make the dough
In a large bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in warm water. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. Stir in flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
assemble the pizza rolls
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly spray with cooking spray.
Roll out dough into a large rectangle (about ¼-inch thick) using a rolling pin. Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle vegan mozzarella cheese and desired toppings evenly across the dough.
Carefully roll the dough up into a tight log. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice into 1-inch rolls. Place rolls cut-side up on prepared baking tray. Brush with olive oil or melted vegan butter.
bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
Let cool slightly before serving with extra pizza sauce or Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing for dipping.
Why This Dish Works
These vegan pizza rolls check every box: melty cheese, crispy dough, bold pizza flavors—and no one will miss the meat or dairy. They’re also:
- Flexible Works with homemade or store-bought dough, vegan egg roll wrappers, or even puff pastry
- Kid-friendly Great for lunchboxes, picky eaters, or preteen snack attacks
- Perfect for make-ahead Freeze unbaked rolls for future cravings
Variations to Try
Want to mix things up? Try:
- Buffalo-style Use vegan ranch and a drizzle of hot sauce
- Ricotta-spinach filling: Sub in vegan ricotta + wilted spinach Pesto swirl Swap red sauce for basil pesto and top with Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Parmesan
- Air fryer pizza rolls: Cook at 350°F for 8–10 minutes until crisp
Tips to Keep It Fresh
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days
- Reheat in an oven or air fryer to bring back that crispy texture
- Freeze before baking and cook from frozen (add 5–7 mins extra)
- Use a wire rack after baking to avoid sogginess on the bottom
Homemade Vegan Pizza Rolls
Ingredients
For the dough (if you make your own)
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water 110°F
- 2 ½ cups organic unbleached all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the filling
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- ¾ cup vegan mozzarella-style cheese shreds such as Daiya or Follow Your Heart
- ¼ cup vegan pepperoni, sausage crumbles, black olives, or other pizza toppings
- Optional: 1 tbsp nutritional yeast or vegan ricotta for added flavor
For assembly
- 1 tbsp olive oil or melted vegan butter for brushing
- Parchment paper or cooking spray
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix warm water and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray lightly with cooking spray.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a large rectangle, about ¼-inch thick.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges.
- Sprinkle vegan mozzarella cheese and your chosen toppings evenly.
- Roll the dough up tightly, jelly-roll style. Slice into 1-inch rolls using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
- Arrange rolls cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush tops with olive oil or vegan butter.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let cool slightly, then serve with extra pizza sauce or vegan ranch for dipping.
These vegan pizza rolls are proof that comfort food doesn’t need dairy or meat to be indulgent and delicious. Whether you’re making them for a cozy night in or prepping for your next party, they’ll hit all the right notes—cheesy, satisfying, and totally snackable.
Love this recipe? Check out our full collection of vegetarian and vegan recipes for more delicious ideas! And if you’re looking to share your creations (or get inspired by someone else’s), join our closed Facebook Group, The Peas and Carrots Society, a group of non-judgy folks who welcome all! Nothing but good food, good friends, and good fun!
FAQs
Can I use puff pastry instead of pizza dough?
Yes! Just be sure your puff pastry is vegan (some contain butter), and roll tightly to avoid leaks.
What’s the best vegan cheese for pizza rolls?
We like Follow Your Heart, Daiya mozzarella-style shreds, or Miyoko’s mozzarella if you want something more artisanal.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Absolutely. Just sub in a gluten-free pizza dough or puff pastry, and check your toppings are also gluten-free.
Do these work in an air fryer?
Yep—cook at 350°F for about 8–10 minutes. They crisp up beautifully!
How do I freeze vegan pizza rolls?
Place unbaked rolls on a tray to freeze individually, then store in a container. Bake straight from frozen with a few extra minutes.
