The iconic, bite-sized, pizza pillows that are a favorite snack and party food for kids (and adults!), now as a healthy homemade recipe! These Gluten-Free Copycat Totino's Pizza Rolls are vegan, top 8 allergy-free, baked, easy to make, and 100% freezer-friendly!
It's a pizza dream come true! The bite-sized, poppable, exploding, little handheld pizza pockets (aka: pillows) that have been providing microwave comfort to teenage boys' insatiable appetite, college students' all-night study sessions, and boisterous game day sports fans for decades. For some reason pizza and celiac disease/ food allergies never tend to go together. From actual pizza parlors to all the frozen and processed pizza goodies on the market. But, are we restricted eaters really going to take the neglect?
Come on! Everyone needs some pizza rolls every now and again! I for one, am very familiar with the "pizza roll" need. Yes, I ate Totino's pizza rolls growing up, but my brother was the one who needed them in his life (scratch that...he STILL needs them). They are the perfect greasy after school snack for all tween, teen, and college age boys alike. Unfortunately, my brother never grew out of the "just pop them in the microwave and dinner is served" habit.
Now, my brother isn't gluten-free, nor is he dairy-free, so he can eat Totino's pizza rolls to his hearts content. Except, I'm the one doing the grocery shopping and seeing that $4-5 price tag on a single bag of rolls is not going to fly with me (I also secretly wanted to relive the childhood nostalgia myself)! They couldn't be that hard to make homemade. They're just pizza dough, pizza sauce, and cheese (if you go with the "classic" version!).
I'm no beginner is gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, everything-free pizza. But I wanted to get that real, authentic, pizza dough feel for these soon-to-be pizza rolls. I'm talking legit pizza dough; stretchy buoyant, and easily foldable for bite-sized rolls. Here comes the "hack"....Bob's Red Mill gluten-free pizza crust mix! The mix actually comes with a yeast packet to use, right inside the bag. The only problem was the "directions" on making the crust are not vegan friendly, so I modified that by using ironically enough, Bob's Red Mill egg replacer (the best commercial egg replacer on the market that I've used!)
With the dough problem solved, next is the pizza sauce. That's simple! We're making our own here (the best, healthiest way to enjoy sauce! Skip the jarred stuff and just buy a can of plain tomato sauce and add your own seasonings!) You'll be making enough sauce to also have some for a great "pizza sauce" dip for your pizza rolls. And then the finally thing...the cheese (or shall I say, "cheeze"). No nuts, no soy, and no nooch, so I went with store-bought (I recommend either Daiya or So Delicious) vegan mozzarella shreds (no shame, we're keeping these rolls easy to make-ahead, freeze, and have on hand for hungry bellies!)
It's rather simple from there. Once you have all your ingredients you just need to set up a few stations. You have your dough all made and proofed, rolled out and ready to be sliced. Then you have the sauce heated up on the stove and transferred to a bowl which you'll be adding the cheese into. Then you're cutting 2 inch wide strips to place a small 1 teaspoon size amount of sauce filling and then folding over the dough strip. Brush the finished rolls with some olive oil and bake. Of course, feel free to add in anything you'd like to the filling! Vegan bacon bits as pepperoni? Different seasonings? Go for it!
Homemade Gluten-Free Copycat Totino's Pizza Rolls
Homemade Gluten-Free Copycat Totino's Pizza Rolls (Vegan, Allergy-Free)
The iconic, bite-sized, pizza pillows that are a favorite snack and party food for kids (and adults!), now as a healthy homemade recipe! These Gluten-Free Copycat Totino's Pizza Rolls are vegan, top 8 allergy-free, baked, easy to make, and 100% freezer-friendly!
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 18 mins
- Total Time: 38 mins
- Yield: 10-12 1x
- Category: Main, Snack, Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Pizza Dough:
- 2 Cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Pizza Mix
- 1 ½ Tsp Active Dry Yeast + ½ Cup Warm Water (yeast comes in the pizza mix bag)
- 1 Prepared Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer
- ½ Cup Water
- 1 Tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Pizza Sauce:
- 1 15oz Can Plain Unsalted Tomato Sauce
- ½ Tsp Dried Oregano
- ½ Tsp Dried Basil
- ¼ Tsp Onion Powder
- ¼ Tsp Garlic Powder
- ¼ Tsp Black Pepper
- 1 Cup Vegan Soy-Free Mozzarella Shreds
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for brushing the rolls)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a small bowl, allow the yeast to activate in the warm water.
- In another small bowl, prepare the egg replacer according to package directions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the pizza mix flour, the activated yeast, the prepared egg replacer, additional ½ cup water, and olive oil.
- Mix and knead with your hands (it should be sticky!) Form a mound and let the dough sit, covered with a cloth for about 15 minutes.
- In the meantime, prepare your pizza sauce by simply heating the sauce and seasonings on the stove for 5 minutes (reserve about 1 cup for dipping, if desired).
- Add in the shredded cheese to the heated sauce, mix well, and remove from heat.
- On a (dusted with the un-used pizza mix flour) Silpat or parchment paper, roll out the proofed dough to ¼ inch thickness and cut long 2 inch wide strips (using a pizza cutter works great here!)
- Place 1 teaspoon of the sauce/cheese filling toward the top center of each strip, then fold the strip in half, and pinch the 3 open side closed to form a sealed roll.
- Brush the tops of the rolls with olive oil before transferring the Silpat or parchment to a baking sheet and baking the rolls for 15-18 minutes, until slightly golden brown.
- Eat right away with the reserved dipping sauce or allow the rolls to completely cool before freezing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4
Here are some process shots so you can see what I mean! The amount of pizza rolls you get will depend on your cutting size accuracy. You can make them smaller or larger if you want, or just wing it like I did. Either way, as long as you create long strips to fold and make "pizza pillows" out of, you'll be fine! Pro Tip: Do not over stuff them with the filling! Yes, real Totino's Pizza rolls always have filling "exploding" out of the seams on some of the rolls when heated, but we can reduce that by not over-stuffing ours and making sure to really seal the roll sides!
So tell me:
+ Did you grow up eating or do your kids still (or want to) eat Totino's Pizza Rolls?
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Silpa
Pizza rolls are looking delicious.
I have question: There is no way to add salt in this recipe??
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
If you would like to. Why wouldn't you be able to?
Kelly
I learned this summer when my daughter was selling pizza rolls to raise money for dance that almost everyone loves pizza rolls!! This recipe looks amazing. Can't wait to try it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
How was she selling frozen totino's?!
Menaka Bharathi
I love to try new recipes this sounds like a perfect option. Thanks for sharing this 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you enjoy!
Sues
What a great idea for a delicious afternoon snack. I love that you can make them ahead and store them in the freezer, so you can snack any time!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just like frozen Totino's!
Erika Lancaster
These look delicious! I have to try to make this recipe soon! I rarely have pizza and pasta because I avoid gluten and enriched flour, but I love finding alternatives like this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just what we celiacs need!
Karlson
These look absolutely delicious!! 🙂 Makes me want to get in the kitchen!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's my job!
Tiffany
This is a great recipe! I have a gf friend and she would enjoy this. Thanks!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Alright, thanks.
Jennifer
what an awesome idea! I would have never thought to make these!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Needed to make them for everyone!
Bernice Hill
I don't know what Totino's is but man do these look YUM. Good job, and GF too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well all you need is to make THESE!
Sara | mshealthesteem.com
These look awesome! And I love the simple, healthy ingredients. I'll definitely have to give these a go. Thanks for sharing ♡.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Awesome! Let me know how they turn out for you!
dani
they look so good and will definitely try them. Having Gluten problems does not make eating a nice experience.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Everyone can enjoy these pizza rolls!
Mariah
Gluten free pizza rolls are such a smart idea! I would have never thought to make these allergy friendly!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea, sure.
Becca
These look super tasty! Definitely going to have to try recreate them. Nom nom 🤤
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you enjoy!
La Shell
I'm not the best at baking but these sound and look like a dream. Perfect for brunch!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Pizza for brunch?
Frank
These look great! Make them a little bigger and you can have full on calzones! 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Then this recipe wouldn't be a copycat Totino's pizza rolls.
Hannah DeYoung
Cannot tell you how long I've been vegan and never seen a veg let along gf pizza rolls recipe!! You go girl!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Breaking down those food barriers one at a time 😉
Christa
I grew up eating these as an after-school snack! I love this healthier version and can’t wait to make them for my kids.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think we all did, eh 😉
LaRena Fry
Sounds delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks?
Christine
Oh my gosh yum! I've given up gluten and cheese, and I can't wait to try this recipe.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Why?
Christine
Mainly because of my psoriasis! Apparently if you give up cheese and gluten (and some other things), it clears up a lot.
Kristi McAllister
Oh My Yum! I've been gluten free for 9 years now and I've only found ONE place that has even remotely good gluten free pizza -- and it's my FAVORITE FOOD EVER! I used to love, love, love pizza rolls and there have been times I've passed the frozen section in the grocery where they are located and my mouth actually starts watering. I am so excited that you've shared this recipe! So much so that I've pinned it to try myself!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O there are so many ways to make good pizza and pizza "foods"! Just have to go homemade always!
Molly
Sounds delicious, and I can’t wait to try it! Being allergic to gluten, it’s similar to Christmas morning when coming across a new recipe to try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I guess Strength and Sunshine is the North Pole for you!
Ashley
These look so yummy! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I guess you'll be making them then.
Allie
I love pizza rolls! I bet these are yummy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are delish!
Emily
I thought pizza rolls were one of the things I'd have to give up when I went gluten free. I never thought about making them myself! These look so yummy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Not anymore, my friend!
Cassie
My kids will love these for an afterschool snack or dinner! Thanks for a brilliant idea! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The perfect way to welcome them home from school 😉
joy abou zeid
omg those pizza rolls look so good and delicious
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Marquita@LovetheLaniers
I gotta say, I'm pretty pumped about this! My kids will flip over these and it fits in perfectly with the changes we've made to our diet. It's going down for sure! Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well that makes me happy to hear! Making pizza rolls accessible to all 😉
cait
oh my gosh you had me at pizza rolls but VEGAN ones ?! COME ON! I def need to try these asap!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Bringing ALL the fun back!
Jenni Bourque
pizza is the way to my heart!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, right? Can't go wrong!