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Easy Pizza Buns for School Lunches

pizza bun recipe

This is the Best Pizza Buns recipe ever… incredibly easy, delicious, and bursting with pepperoni pizza flavors that the whole family loves!

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This is my go to recipe for school lunches and easy appetizers. We make these pizza buns all the time because they are so delicious and a guaranteed crowd pleaser.  I have served them at our Mad Hatter Tea Party and this Poker Night Birthday Party

easy pizza bun recipe

I wrap them individually in plastic wrap and freeze them for lunches.   These yummy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins are also a lunch time staple around here. 

How to make these pizza buns for school lunches:

Pizza Buns

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup tomato paste or pizza sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 20 rounds of pizza pepperoni
  • 1 container Philsbury pizza dough

In the past I have also used my bread maker to make homemade pizza dough and split it into two batches.  You could also use store bought dough that is often found in the freezer section.  This simple recipe makes 12 homemade pizza buns.

Pizza Buns

Directions:

Begin by spreading the dough into a large rectangle about 9″ x 12″ in size.  We put this pizza bread roll together in the same manner as you would cinnamon buns. Tip: be sure to flour your working surface and rolling pin to prevent the dough from sticking.

Pizza Buns

Next layer on the pizza toppings. Spread half of the tomato sauce over the dough.  Tip: I like to use tomato paste because it is not as runny as pizza sauce.

Leave one long edge of the dough free of toppings to make pinching the dough together later easier.

Pizza Buns

Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Pizza Buns

Layer with slices of pepperoni in two rows.

Pizza Buns

Now begin rolling the dough into a log.  Work towards the edge with no toppings.

Pizza Buns

Stretch the final edge over top of the roll and pinch the dough together. There is no need to allow time for the dough to rise.

Pizza Buns

Slice the roll into 1″ segments.  Tip: used a serrated knife for ease of cutting.

Pizza Buns

Place on a baking sheet brushed with olive oil or no stick spray. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes until the pizza crust is golden brown and the cheese is melty.

Pizza Buns

Go ahead, betcha can’t eat just one!  These mini pizzas are the perfect lunch time meal or school snack.

Other toppings to try on these pizza rolls:

  • fresh basil
  • parmesan cheese
  • italian seasoning
  • ground beef
  • spaghetti sauce
  • ham
  • pineapple
  • mushrooms
pizza bun recipe

Tips for school lunch meal planning:

  • Prepare meals in advance whenever possible.  Portion them out into individual servings and store in the freezer for up to three months.
  • Create “one pot” family style meals for quick dinners then use the leftovers for lunch the next day.
  • Pack ingredients in 1 gallon size ziploc bags (aff link) for flexible storage in the freezer.
  • Plan meals that use similar ingredients to help make packing and planning easy.  My kids love these Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins and this Pizza Bun recipe.
pizza bun recipe

If you’re looking for these pizza buns to last more than an hour I recommend hiding them, seriously! 

If you love these easy pizza buns, please give them a five star review and help me share them on Facebook and Pinterest!

pizza bun recipe

Easy Pizza Buns for School Lunches

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

These easy pizza buns are perfect to make for school lunches. Simply make a large batch and save them in the freezer for later.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup tomato paste or pizza sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 20 rounds of pizza pepperoni
  • 1 container Philsbury pizza dough

Instructions

    1. Begin by spreading the dough into a large rectangle about 9" x 12" in size. 
    2. Spread half of the tomato paste or sauce over the dough. 
    3. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
    4. Layer with pepperoni in two rows
    5. Now begin rolling the dough into a log.  Work towards the edge with no toppings
    6. Stretch the final edge over top of the roll and pinch the dough together
    7. Slice the roll into 1" segments. 
    8. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Did you make this recipe?

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about heather

Hello, I’m Heather!

I'm an active mom of twin boys who is always looking for opportunities to inspire creativity through fun crafts, do-it-yourself projects and delicious recipes. This blog has been an integral part of supporting my little family and I am so grateful to have you become a part of our journey! Let's create together... Read more...

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Those look delicious … and they’d be perfect for dinners eaten on the run. We’re in the midst of basketball season and have A LOT of those!

This. Is. GENIUS!! I have got to try these!!

These looks SOOOOO yummy! Pinning them for future reference!

What a fun idea for dinner! We would love to have you come share this at our weekly link party every Saturday! -The Sisters
https://www.sixsistersstuff.com

Nice, you made Stromboli!

Thank you for the advice.
Sounds perfect to me (;

Hi! I’m assuming your children eat them at room temperature for school lunch?

Hi! How many rolls does this recipe make?

I’ve been trying these for my l.o. For some time. Still can’t get to slice them easily. ¿Any suggestions? I’ve been thinking of freezing them before baking, but not sure if the cold would affect dough.

Made those yesterday with shop bought bough. Disastrous! They came out dry like Little Rock’s.

These are the best for on the run snacks or school lunches!!! So easy to make and DELISH! I also will sometimes use the Pillsbury weiner rolls if they’re out of pizza dough (which happens more often than not) and they are still AMAZING.