Description
The West Virginia Pepperoni Roll is a legendary snack hailing from the Appalachian region, with a soft, fluffy bread dough wrapped around savory pepperoni. These delicious rolls are perfect for lunch, dinner, or a grab-and-go snack. The pepperoni gets wonderfully crispy and flavorful while the dough stays soft and pillowy.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for kneading)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus more for greasing)
- 1 1/2 cups sliced pepperoni (or mini pepperoni slices)
- 1 tablespoon butter (for brushing, optional)
Instructions
-
Activate the Yeast:
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast becomes frothy and bubbly. -
Make the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the activated yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until the dough begins to come together. -
Knead the Dough:
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much. -
First Rise:
Lightly grease the mixing bowl with a bit of olive oil and place the dough inside. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. -
Shape the Rolls:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then flatten it out into a small disk (about 4 inches in diameter). -
Stuff the Rolls:
Place a generous amount of pepperoni slices (about 1/4 cup) in the center of each dough disk. Fold the dough over the pepperoni, pinching the edges to seal the roll. Repeat with the remaining dough portions. -
Second Rise:
Place the filled rolls on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Cover with a towel and let them rise for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the dough to puff up a bit. -
Bake:
Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top. -
Finish and Serve:
If desired, brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter for extra flavor and shine. Let the rolls cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can use a variety of pepperoni, including mini pepperoni or even spicy pepperoni for an extra kick.
- For a more traditional version, some recipes include a little mozzarella cheese alongside the pepperoni, but the classic version uses just the pepperoni.
- These rolls are also delicious served warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Category: Snack, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 440
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 50mg