Easy 30-Minute Pepperoni Bread

I still remember the first time I ever tasted this.

Vertical close-up image of two slices of pepperoni bread on parchment paper, with text on the top and bottom of the image.

Being from Colorado, pepperoni bread was not the most common thing to find on a menu at your local pizza joint.

We have tons of garlic bread and cheese bread options, but bread stuffed with meat? It’s not something that every pizza parlor has, outside of a calzone or two.

However, I was dating this guy who claimed that a pepperoni roll (the alternative moniker for this savory treat, parceled out in individually-sized portions) was a must-eat item whenever pizza was on the menu.

So I indulged him, thinking to myself, “Why the heck do I need pepperoni bread when I’m about to eat some pizza?”

After all, how much meat does one person need?

Vertical image of slices of a meat and cheese roll on a baking sheet next to a white square bowl filled with marinara sauce.

Then I took my first bite… And oh holy wow, I can’t believe I was 21 years old when I first tried this magical appetizer.

Now, it’s one that I can’t live without. The bread, mozzarella cheese, and meat melded together in every morsel was addictive.

I downed half of it in no time flat, and would have eaten the whole thing if my then-boyfriend hadn’t given me the death stare.

Of course, it’s not a complicated idea, so I don’t know why I was so surprised to love it as much as I did.

There’s pepperoni, bread, and cheese. You can dunk it in marinara sauce. It’s not complicated.

Vertical image of a stack of three cheese and meat rolls on a baking sheet with a dark backdrop.

But something magical happens inside that loaf of bread that makes it taste so good.

I used to purchase this fantastic bread whenever a craving struck, but now I make it myself.

I thought at first that this would be super complicated, what with making bread from scratch and all.

If you know me at all, you know that the art of traditional breadmaking is not a forte of mine. I do try to bake bread occasionally, but I rarely succeed in any way that I feel comfortable bragging about when there’s yeast involved.

I’m much better with quick breads that don’t require rising.

Thank goodness we live in an age when you can purchase pre-made dough, am I right?

Vertical image of a hand dipping a meat and cheese roll in a white bowl filled with a marinara sauce.

All you need for this recipe is a package of French bread dough, the thinly sliced meat, mozzarella cheese, and olive oil.

The assembly is pretty darn simple, since premade dough unrolls very easily and you don’t even have to use a rolling pin.

Once the dough is unrolled, you cover it with slices of pepperoni. I love the amount of meat in this recipe because you get some in every bite.

Here’s a secret:

If you really want your bread to be extra meaty, you can double the amount of pepperoni slices that you use.

I’m sure there are some carnivores out there that will love to give that a try!

Vertical image of meat and cheese rolls, with one dipped in marinara, on a baking sheet on a wooden cutting board in front of a black backdrop.

After the meat is in place, you simply sprinkle the cheese over the top and roll the bread back up, so it resembles a loaf. Throw it in the oven and bake it up until it’s fluffy and golden brown.

The inside is all gooey and warm, with lovely pops of meat in every single bite.

I love to dip the bread in marinara sauce to really amp up the pizza flavor.

The key is to warm up the sauce before you dunk. That way, the bread stays all warm and yummy.

Print
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Horizontal image of four slices of pepperoni and cheese rolls on a baking sheet on a wooden cutting in front of marinara sauce.

Easy 30-Minute Pepperoni Bread


  • Author: Meghan Yager
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 servings) 1x

Description

This super simple pepperoni bread is perfect to serve as an appetizer on game day, or pair it with salad and pasta for a tasty dinner.


Ingredients

Scale
  • Cooking oil spray
  • 1 11-ounce package French bread dough (such as Pillsbury)
  • 2 1/2 ounces pepperoni slices (approximately 35 slices, double if desired)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350˚F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking oil spray.
  2. Carefully unroll bread dough onto the baking sheet. Add pepperoni in an even layer on top. Sprinkle evenly with shredded cheese.
  3. Roll dough back into a loaf shape, about 2 1/2 inches wide by 15 inches long. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
  4. Bake for 20 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. The dough should be cooked through.
  5. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes on the pan, then slice and serve.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Appetizer

Keywords: pepperoni, bread, mozzarella

Cooking By the Numbers…

Step 1 – Measure Ingredients

Measure out all of the ingredients as listed on the ingredients list.

Horizontal image of a bowl of oil, thinly sliced red charcuterie, shredded cheese, and a package of pre-made dough on a wooden surface.

Preheat your oven to 350˚F.

Spray a baking sheet with cooking oil spray to lightly coat the surface.

Step 2 – Fill Dough

Horizontal image of a stretched out rectangular dough.

Open the tube or package, carefully unroll the dough, and arrange it on the baking sheet.

Horizontal image of a rectangular large piece of dough with clean, even rows of pepperoni slices on top.

Add the sliced pepperoni in an even layer on top of the bread, then sprinkle it evenly with cheese.

Horizontal image of a large rectangular piece of dough with rows of pepperoni slices and shredded cheese spread on top.

Want even more pepperoni? Go for it! You can double up on this ingredient, if you wish.

Step 3 – Shape Dough

Horizontal image of rolling a long piece of dough with meat slices and shredded cheese in the center.

Roll the dough back up into a loaf shape, starting with one of the longer sides. You should end up with a loaf that is about 2 1/2 inches wide by 15 inches long before baking.

Horizontal image of a rolled log of dough on a baking sheet.

Drizzle lightly with olive oil.

Step 4 – Bake

Bake for 20 minutes. The loaf should be puffed, cooked through, and golden brown on top.

Horizontal image of slices of a meat and cheese roll on a baking sheet next to a white square bowl filled with marinara sauce.

Remove from the oven. Cool for 5 minutes on the pan. Slice and serve.

Don’t Skip the Olive Oil on Top

To get that perfect golden color on the top of this bread, you need to make sure you don’t skip the olive oil.

Horizontal image of four slices of pepperoni and cheese rolls on a baking sheet on a wooden cutting in front of marinara sauce.

When I first made this recipe, I didn’t drizzle any on top before I baked it, and the golden color wasn’t as rich as it should have been.

The drizzle on top gives the bread great color, and it helps to create a little bit of a crust on top too. That textural element makes all the difference.

Do you love making bread that features savory fillings and ingredients? Here are some more recipes from Foodal to try out next:

Do you like to dunk your pepperoni bread in sauce, or eat it as is? Tell us in the comments below. And be sure to rate the recipe as well, after you try it!

Photos by Meghan Yager, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published on August 14, 2012. Last updated October 4, 2020.

Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.

About Meghan Yager

Meghan Yager is a food addict turned food and travel writer with a love for creating uncomplicated, gourmet recipes and devouring anything the world serves up. As the author of the food and travel blog Cake 'n Knife, Meghan focuses on unique foodie experiences from around the world to right at home in your own kitchen.

7 thoughts on “Easy 30-Minute Pepperoni Bread”

  1. I found this on Pinterest on Saturday and made a batch on Sunday. 5/5. I’ll be making extra and freezing them!

    Reply
    • A printer-friendly version of this recipe is available if you click the Print Recipe button at the top of the recipe card. Hope you give this pepperoni bread a try- our ratings system is meant to gauge reader feedback based on an assessment of the recipes that we publish, not for reporting technical difficulties on the part of the reader. Please let us know if there’s anything else we can help with!

      Reply
    • A thicker cut may result in a chewier texture, or these may be a bit more difficult to slice. But you could use whichever type you like!

      Reply

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