West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls

West Virginia pepperoni rolls are a must-have snack when visiting the area. The epitome of simplicity, West Virginia pepperoni rolls are individually shaped and lightly filled. Unlike pizza rolls or Italian stromboli, which are filled more generously with pizza toppings, the focus of pepperoni rolls stays on the pepperoni and the bread, which absorbs the meaty drips as the two bake together. If you don’t have travel plans, our simple recipe will teach you how to make West Virginia pepperoni rolls at home with a few easy-to-find ingredients.

What are pepperoni rolls?

Pepperoni rolls are a staple of West Virginia—so much so that they’re now the official state food—but they began as a solution to a problem. Italian immigrants spent long days in the coal mines in the early 1900s and needed to bring a hearty lunch that could last for hours without spoiling. Pepperoni rolls were the solution, made by baking sticks or slices of pepperoni into pieces of bread dough. They became even more popular and widespread when bakeries started selling them around 1927, and the love has not faded with time.

Classic pepperoni rolls look like mini hoagie rolls, with an oblong shape and open ends that show a peek of the rolled-up pepperoni. As with many classics, there are also plenty of variations—our recipe being one of them. While recipes don’t always call for cheese, we nestle a cube of mozzarella into the roll with the pepperoni. Plus, we shape the dough into a round ball, which helps contain the fillings.

Ingredients for West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls

• Frozen bread dough: Frozen bread dough (not pizza dough) is the base of classic West Virginia pepperoni rolls. Frozen dinner roll dough is also a popular choice for pepperoni roll recipes.
• Pepperoni: Slicing a stick of pepperoni yourself allows you to customize the thickness of the slices, but you can save time and start with pre-sliced pepperoni.
• Fresh mozzarella cheese: Each pepperoni roll is stuffed with a small cube of fresh mozzarella to offset the rich pepperoni without making the dough wet or gummy.
• Pizza sauce: Warm pizza sauce is the perfect dipper for pepperoni rolls. Make homemade pizza sauce or pick up your favorite pizza sauce at the store.

Directions

Step 1: Make the first batch of rolls

Divide one loaf of dough into 16 pieces. Roll each piece into a 3-inch circle. Place a piece of pepperoni and a cheese cube in the center of each circle. Fold all the edges together and press to seal. Place the rolls, seam side down, on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Editor’s Tip: Weighing the pieces of dough on a kitchen scale will ensure similarly sized rolls that bake evenly.

Step 2: Preheat the oven and finish making the rolls

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Make more rolls with the remaining ingredients.

Step 3: Bake and serve the rolls

Bake the rolls for 15 to 20 minutes or until they’re golden brown. Serve them warm with pizza sauce.

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

How to Make the Rolled-Up Version

Our recipe makes ball-shaped pepperoni rolls filled with pepperoni and cheese, but you can also make classic rolled-up pepperoni rolls. First, slice the mozzarella into 2-inch strips instead of cubes. Then, divide each loaf of bread dough into 3-inch circles, like the original recipe calls for, and place the pepperoni and cheese in the center of each.

Roll each circle up, jelly-roll style, into a log. Press the long edge to seal, leaving the ends open. Place the rolls seam side down onto parchment-lined baking sheets and bake them as directed.

West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls Variations

• Start with homemade dough: Frozen bread dough is convenient, but if you have the time to make your own fluffy homemade bread dough, the rolls will be even better.
• Change the cheese, or skip it: Traditionally, West Virginia pepperoni rolls are made from just bread and pepperoni, so you can omit the cheese and still have an authentic roll. Or, replace the mild mozzarella with any good melting cheese.
• Flavor the bread: Before baking, brush the rolls with melted butter or an easy flavored butter to add a fun twist. For a seedy crust, brush them with beaten egg white and then sprinkle them with sesame seeds, poppy seeds or everything bagel seasoning.
• Add a favorite pizza topping: Make the pepperoni rolls taste like your favorite pizza by adding your go-to topping into the rolls with the cheese and meat. Just skip anything too wet, like uncooked onions or sliced mushrooms.

How to Store West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls

To keep the bread soft, store pepperoni rolls in an airtight container or a sealed food storage bag after they have fully cooled. Classic West Virginia pepperoni rolls can be stored at room temperature, but since these are made with cheese, it’s best to refrigerate them.

How long do pepperoni rolls last?

If you have extra pepperoni rolls (and trust me, you will want extra), leftovers last for up to five days in the refrigerator. Storing them in the freezer extends that time; they’ll last in the freezer for three to six months.

Can you freeze pepperoni rolls?

Yes! Freezing pepperoni rolls ensures you have a snack or meal ready whenever the mood strikes. To preserve their soft texture and prevent freezer burn, wrap each pepperoni roll individually and stack them in a freezer-proof food storage bag or container.

How do you reheat pepperoni rolls?

West Virginia pepperoni rolls reheat nicely straight from the refrigerator or freezer. To reheat one or two, use the microwave (the fastest way) or pop them in an air fryer or toaster oven until the bread is soft and the center is warm. For a large batch, place pepperoni rolls in a single layer on a baking sheet and heat them in the oven.

West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls Tips

Can you eat pepperoni rolls cold?

Pepperoni rolls are just as good cold as they are warm, though the texture will be slightly different. The bread will be chewier when cold, and the cheese in the center will not be as gooey or stretchy as it is when the rolls first come out of the oven.

What else can you serve with West Virginia pepperoni rolls?

West Virginia pepperoni rolls are a great solo snack or easy lunch, but you can turn them into a meal by pairing them with a few simple side dishes. Serve them with a fresh Italian vegetable salad or an antipasto platter full of pickled vegetables, meats and cheeses, or lean into the bread part of the roll and serve them as you would garlic bread, like alongside your favorite Italian pasta recipe or old-world Italian meal.