If you are looking for an easyΒ and simply delicious recipe for your kids to bake for lunch, dinner or snack, I have a fun recipe for you to give a try: Pepperoni Rolls.
I first heard about these on an episode of Barnwood Builders. They proclaimed them a West Virginia staple. So I asked the only West Virginian I know, my neighbor, Nathan.
He confirmed they are in fact a "thing" and proceeded to ask his mom and cousin for a recipe for me. Neither had an official recipe, because there really isn't one.
They are nothing more than bread dough wrapped around pepperoni and cheese and then baked. Traditionally they are made with a stick of pepperoni cut into large chunks. But, I was assured they could be made with pre-sliced pepperoni and they would be close enough.
Which was a good thing, because I had a whole pack of mini-pepperoni slices left over from a recent pizza party we had last week.
History of West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls
Nathan's mom explained the history of this dish: The miners in West Virginia, many of whom were Italian immigrants, used to make them and take them down into the mine to eat for lunch. Simple, portable, and hearty.
What kind of bread dough to use for Pepperoni Rolls?
You can use store bought frozen bread dough if you want to make life easier for yourself. Just defrost so it is ready to be shaped and rise one last time before baking.
I used my go to bread dough recipe. This will add 90 minutes to the recipe prep time for letting the dough rise the first time.
Kids Can Bake Pepperoni Rolls
After I made up the dough I handed the rest over to my soon to be 8 year old chef.
He divided the dough into 12 equal balls. We even broke out the scale to be as accurate as possible (and sneak in a little Spring Break learnin', shhh!)
Then he spread the dough ball into a circle. It works best if you leave it a little thicker in the middle and thinner around the edges.
Then he added the cheese and pepperoni to the center of the dough circle.
And he wrapped the dough around the filling.
Then I let them rise and baked them. He still doesn't do the oven parts of recipes.
We each had a few for dinner and I froze the rest so he can have them for lunch or afterschool snack next week.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound bread dough risen once
- 5-6 ounce pepperoni (stick or slices)
- 6 ounce mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Divide the bread dough into 12 balls. Slice the cheese and pepperoni into 12 pieces (adult job for children too young to handle knife).
- Press out each ball of dough into a circle. Ideally it should be thicker in the middle and thinner on the outside.
- Add cheese an pepperoni to the center of the dough circle.
- Fold ends of dough circle around the cheese and pepperoni and press to seal.
- Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Let rise 20 minutes.
- While dough is rising, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grown up or older child job: Bake rolls for 15-20 minutes until light brown.
Notes
Until next time, happy eating.
Audrey
Julie
Ooh yes, a great idea for kids to make for themselves. Pinning for quite a bit later π
Audrey
You'll be surprised how soon they will be able to start helping in the kitchen, Julie. Mine was helping me by at least 18 months, all he did was dump the measuring cup full of ingredients I handed him, but he loved it.
Debbie Rodrigues
That's so cool that your kids can bake!
I was never stimulated to do it and had no curiosity or interest myself. Not good...
Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Audrey
Mine loves it, unless Daddy is home. Then it is all about Dad. ha ha!
Marilyn Lesniak
My granddaughter would love these! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe at The Recipe Sharing Pin and Yum Party! I hope to see you next week. Pinned and Yummed.
Please visit Thursday Favorite Things for more sharing fun!
Audrey
So fun and easy to make. But I am sure you bake with her a lot, Marilyn.
Jess Powell (Babi a Fi)
Oh, yum, these look great! I love stuff that kids can get really involved with making too. x #FridayFrivolity
Audrey
Mine has been helping in the kitchen since he was able to stand. He loves it.
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood
This is so cute and so yummy! I can't wait until my boys can start to help me in the kitchen!
Audrey
Mine started helping in the kitchen not too long after he could stand. He could dump and stir, sometimes he even made it in the bowl. haha!