If your family loves pizza night, you’re going to love these Cheesy Pizza-Stuffed Breadsticks!
Imagine golden, buttery breadsticks stuffed with gooey melted mozzarella and pepperoni, brushed with garlic butter, and served with warm marinara sauce for dipping. They’re everything you love about homemade pizza, just in a fun, handheld form!
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how simple it is. Instead of making pizza dough from scratch, we’re using refrigerated pizza dough to save time and make dinner even easier.
They’re perfect for busy weeknights, Friday pizza nights, or even as a fun appetizer when you have friends and family over.
And the best part? You only need a handful of ingredients!
Why You’ll Love These Pizza-Stuffed Breadsticks
- Easy to make: Refrigerated pizza dough keeps prep simple.
- Family-friendly: Pepperoni and melted cheese are a classic combination.
- Budget-friendly: Uses basic ingredients and cheese that can be shared across other meals.
- Customizable: Swap the fillings to create your favorite pizza flavors.
- Perfect for dipping: Warm marinara sauce makes every bite even better.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Refrigerated pizza dough: Makes this recipe quick and easy without needing to prepare homemade dough.
Mozzarella cheese: Creates that delicious, gooey cheese filling. Low-moisture mozzarella works best.
Pepperoni: Adds classic pizza flavor to every bite.
Butter: Brushed over the breadsticks for a golden, buttery finish.
Italian seasoning: Adds delicious herbs and classic pizza flavor.
Garlic powder: Gives the breadsticks that irresistible garlic-bread flavor.
Marinara sauce: Perfect for dipping the finished breadsticks.
How to Make Cheesy Pizza-Stuffed Breadsticks
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
Unroll both cans of refrigerated pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface.
Gently stretch each piece into a rectangle approximately 12 × 9 inches.
Cut each rectangle into 6 equal pieces, giving you 12 rectangles total.
Step 3: Add the Filling
Place approximately 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese and 4–5 pepperoni slices in the center of each rectangle.
Leave a little room around the edges so you can seal the dough.
Step 4: Roll and Seal
Fold the long sides of each rectangle over the filling, overlapping them slightly.
Pinch the seam and both ends tightly to seal.
Gently shape each piece into a breadstick and place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 5: Brush With Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
Brush the mixture over the tops of the breadsticks.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the breadsticks are golden brown and the dough is fully cooked.
Allow them to cool for 3–5 minutes before serving.
Step 7: Serve!
Warm the marinara sauce and serve alongside the breadsticks for dipping.
Enjoy while the cheese is warm and melty!
Tips for the Best Pizza-Stuffed Breadsticks
Don’t overfill the dough. Too much cheese or pepperoni can make the breadsticks difficult to seal and cause the filling to leak during baking.
Pinch the seams tightly. Make sure both ends are sealed to help keep the cheese inside.
Use low-moisture mozzarella. It melts beautifully without adding too much moisture to the dough.
Give them space. Leave a little room between each breadstick on the baking sheet so they bake evenly.
Let them cool slightly. The filling will be very hot right out of the oven!
Easy Variations
Supreme Pizza Breadsticks: Add finely diced bell peppers, onions, and cooked sausage.
Three-Cheese Breadsticks: Skip the pepperoni and use mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
BBQ Chicken Breadsticks: Fill with cooked shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, and mozzarella.
Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks: Skip the pepperoni and add extra Parmesan and garlic butter for a cheesy garlic bread version.
What to Serve With Pizza-Stuffed Breadsticks
These breadsticks are delicious on their own, but you can turn them into a complete family dinner with a simple side dish.
Some easy options include:
- A garden salad
- Steamed broccoli
- Roasted vegetables
- Fresh fruit
- Carrot sticks with ranch
How to Store Leftovers
Refrigerator: Store cooled breadsticks in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freeze completely cooled breadsticks in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months for best quality.
Reheating: Place refrigerated breadsticks in a 350°F oven for approximately 8–10 minutes, or until heated through. Frozen breadsticks may need additional time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use homemade pizza dough?
Absolutely! Homemade pizza dough works just as well. Divide the dough into 12 portions and follow the same filling and baking instructions.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the breadsticks a few hours ahead, cover them tightly, and refrigerate until ready to bake. You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time.
Can I use different pizza toppings?
Definitely! Cooked sausage, diced ham, mushrooms, or bell peppers are great options. Cook and drain vegetables first to prevent excess moisture.
How do I keep the cheese from leaking out?
Avoid overfilling the breadsticks, pinch the seams and ends securely, and place them seam-side down before baking.
Can I make these in the air fryer?
Yes! Cook in batches at 350°F for approximately 8–12 minutes, checking for doneness and adjusting for the size of your breadsticks and air fryer.
Final Thoughts
These Cheesy Pizza-Stuffed Breadsticks are such a fun way to switch up pizza night without spending a fortune!
With crispy golden dough, melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and buttery garlic seasoning, they’re easy enough for busy weeknights and delicious enough to make again and again.
If you give these a try, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and let me know what pizza fillings your family loved most! 🩷
Cheesy Pizza-Stuffed Breadsticks
Description
These Cheesy Pizza-Stuffed Breadsticks are everything you love about pizza wrapped into one delicious, handheld dinner! Made with refrigerated pizza dough, pepperoni, and plenty of melted mozzarella, they're brushed with seasoned garlic butter and baked until golden brown. Serve with warm marinara for dipping for an easy, budget-friendly meal the whole family will love!
Ingredients
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Unroll pizza dough and stretch each piece into a 12 × 9-inch rectangle. Cut each into 6 equal rectangles.
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Divide mozzarella and pepperoni evenly among the 12 pieces, leaving space around the edges.
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Fold the long sides over the filling, pinch seams and ends closed, and place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
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Combine melted butter, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Brush over breadsticks.
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Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked.
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Cool for 3–5 minutes. Serve with warm marinara sauce.
