Pizza Roses for Valentine’s Day
These Pizza Roses for Valentine’s Day turn simple canned pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and pepperoni into adorable rose shaped bites that bake up golden and cheesy in about 25 minutes. They are perfect as Valentine party appetizers, easy Valentines snacks ideas for a movie night, or a fun food idea for dinner when you want something cute but low effort. Kids love the rose shape, adults love the classic pizza flavor, and you will love that you can prep a whole muffin tin in just a few minutes.
Equipment
- 12 cup muffin tin
- Rolling Pin
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
- Small spoon or pastry brush
- Cutting Board
- Cooking spray or oil
Ingredients
Savory Pizza Roses
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough about 13.8 oz or 390 g
- 0.5 cup marinara or pizza sauce about 120 ml
- 6 slice mozzarella cheese thin slices, about 4 oz or 115 g total
- 12 slice pepperoni up to 18 slices, about 3 oz or 85 g
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for greasing the pan and brushing tops
- 1 pinch dried Italian seasoning or oregano optional, for sprinkling
Optional Swaps And Add Ins
- provolone, cheddar or a pizza cheese blend use in place of or along with mozzarella
- sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, olives or spinach use instead of some or all of the pepperoni
- turkey pepperoni for a lighter option
Sweet Pizza Roses Variation
- 1 can pizza dough or crescent roll dough for the sweet variation
- 4 ounce softened cream cheese or hazelnut spread for spreading on the dough
- 0.5 cup thinly sliced strawberries or raspberries pat dry so they do not leak too much juice
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar or cinnamon sugar for sprinkling on top before baking
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the oven to 400°F or 200°C. Lightly grease a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray or a thin film of olive oil so the pizza roses release easily after baking.
- Step 2: Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough on a lightly floured cutting board. Gently press it into an even rectangle and trim the edges if needed so the sides are straight.
- Step 3: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough into 6 long strips, each about 1.5 inches or 4 cm wide. Try to keep the strips as even as you can so they bake at the same rate.
- Step 4: Spread a thin line of marinara or pizza sauce along each strip, leaving a small clean border along the long bottom edge. This clean edge helps the dough seal when you roll it up.
- Step 5: Lay slices of mozzarella along the sauced portion of each strip. Let the top edge of the cheese peek just above the top edge of the dough so it will show as the roses bake.
- Step 6: Arrange pepperoni slices on top of the cheese with about half of each slice hanging past the top edge of the dough. That overhang will become the petal edges of your pizza roses as they puff in the oven.
- Step 7: Starting from one short end, roll each strip up into a spiral, keeping it snug but not too tight. When you reach the end, pinch the loose edge of dough to the base so the rose holds together.
- Step 8: Place each rolled pizza rose into a cup of the prepared muffin tin with the cut spiral facing up. Brush the tops lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning or oregano if using.
- Step 9: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the dough is deep golden on the edges, the cheese is melted and the centers look baked through. If the tops brown too quickly, move the pan to a lower oven rack.
- Step 10: Let the pizza roses cool in the pan for about 5 minutes to set, then use a small offset spatula or butter knife to gently lift them out. Serve warm on a platter as Valentine party appetizers or with salad for a simple dinner.
- Sweet variation: To make dessert style pizza roses, fill the dough strips with softened cream cheese or hazelnut spread and thin berry slices instead of sauce, cheese and pepperoni. Roll, place in the muffin tin, sprinkle with sugar, and bake until puffed and golden. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Do not overload the dough strips with sauce or cheese or the roses can leak and burn in the muffin tin. Keep the dough slightly on the thicker side so it does not tear while you roll it. For make ahead, bake the pizza roses fully, cool, and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat at 350°F or 175°C for 5 to 8 minutes until hot in the center. For Valentines Day potluck ideas, arrange the warm roses on a platter with small bowls of marinara, ranch and garlic butter so guests can grab and dip.
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 200
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Potassium: 120 mg
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 3 g
- Vitamin A: 150 IU
- Vitamin C: 3 mg
- Calcium: 120 mg
- Iron: 2 mg