Homemade Cheesy Pizza Roll Ups

Pizza roll ups made with frozen bread dough are a fun, easy dinner idea. You can also use ready-made refrigerated biscuits to create a stromboli-style roll that grills beautifully on an electric or pellet smoker.

We smoked these pepperoni pizza roll ups on a Traeger-style smoker, but you can bake them in the oven if you prefer. In summer I avoid turning on the oven, so the smoker is my go-to year round. These roll ups are a great way to enjoy smoky, melty pizza flavors without fuss.

If you love cheesy meals, this recipe is an easy winner. Use refrigerated dough or frozen Rhodes loaves — that’s what we used here. The method is flexible, so feel free to swap meats, cheeses, or herbs.

There’s no need for a pizza stone: a simple baking sheet works perfectly. For cheese we used a shredded Mexican blend and it turned out amazing; mozzarella or a cheddar mix would work well too.

Ingredient Notes

1. Frozen dough, one loaf defrosted for about 2 hours
2. Pepperoni or your preferred cured meat
3. Cheese — we used a Mexican blend, but mozzarella or cheddar work well
4. Butter or olive oil to moisten and flavor the dough
5. Italian seasoning or other dried herbs
6. Minced garlic for added flavor
7. Garlic salt to season
8. Baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased aluminum foil
9. Rolling pin to flatten the dough

Once you get comfortable with the basic technique, you can experiment with fillings — try different cheeses, vegetables like sliced olives, or alternate meats such as Canadian bacon. Avoid very wet fillings that might make the dough soggy.

Substitutions

Frozen Rhodes loaves are a convenient size for this recipe, but refrigerated biscuit dough or homemade pizza dough also work. If using frozen rolls, defrost and press them together before rolling flat. A baking sheet with foil or parchment is fine — you don’t need specialty equipment.

You can serve the finished roll as a main dish or slice it into appetizers. For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and load it with cheese and herbs for a cheesy smoked bread.

Can you smoke pizza roll ups?

Yes. In our smoker the roll up takes about 35 minutes at 350°F. Start tented with foil to help the dough rise, then remove the foil to finish browning. The result is a golden, slightly smoky crust with melty cheese inside. You can easily double the recipe and cook two rolls on one sheet.

These also make a great party food — slice them for guests and serve with warmed marinara or spaghetti sauce for dipping.

Baked in the Oven

To bake instead of smoke, preheat the oven to 425°F. Slice the roll before baking if you prefer individual pieces. Place slices on a greased baking sheet and bake for 12–14 minutes until the tops are golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Tips for Success

• Defrost frozen dough for about two hours so it’s cold but pliable.
• Roll the dough evenly into a large rectangle, roughly 18 x 12 inches, for consistent baking.
• Melt butter and mix with minced garlic, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning. Brush half on the dough before adding toppings and reserve the rest for brushing later if desired.
• Leave a clean margin around the edges so cheese and fillings don’t leak when you roll.
• Roll tightly from one long side to the other and place the seam side down on a lightly sprayed piece of foil or parchment on a baking sheet.
• Tent with foil and let the roll rise for about 30 minutes at room temperature before cooking.
• Smoke or bake at 350°F: cook covered for 20 minutes, uncover, then continue for about 15 minutes until the top is lightly golden brown. Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing so the cheese sets slightly.

How to save leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent drying. Reheat gently in an air fryer or oven to restore crispness and melt the cheese again.

Other frozen dough ideas

The same defrosted loaf can be sliced into strips for pull-apart pigs in a blanket, braided for a cinnamon bread wreath, or used to make homemade hot pockets. In spring you can braid and decorate the dough for festive bread loaves.

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