Easy Pizza Roses for Valentine’s Day
Easy Pizza Roses for Valentine’s Day combine the rustic comfort of pizza with the elegant shape of rose-shaped pastries, making a visually stunning and delicious treat. With simple pantry ingredients, customizable flavors, and a quick preparation time under an hour, these pizza roses are perfect as an appetizer or main course to impress your loved one on a special occasion.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 pizza roses 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Base Ingredients
- 1 store-bought or homemade pizza dough (enough to roll into a thin rectangle)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (rich tomato sauce or marinara)
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil, for brushing
- Italian seasoning, for sprinkling
Additional Toppings (optional)
- 20–30 pepperoni slices (thinly sliced if not pre-sliced, optional for vegetarians)
- Spinach and bell peppers (for vegetarian version)
- Sausage crumbles or bacon bits (for meat lover’s variation)
- Dairy-free cheese (for vegan version)
- Fresh basil or oregano (for herb infusion)
- Crushed red pepper flakes or spicy sausage (for spicy twist)
- Prepare the Dough and Ingredients: Roll out your pizza dough into a thin, even rectangle. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the pepperoni thinly if needed and shred mozzarella cheese ahead of time to speed up assembly.
- Layer the Pepperoni and Cheese: Lay slices of pepperoni lengthwise along one edge of the dough, slightly overlapping. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded mozzarella over the pepperoni, then add a thin line of pizza sauce along the edge.
- Roll and Slice: Gently roll the dough, starting from the side with the toppings, into a tight log. Use a sharp knife to cut the log into equal parts about 1 to 1.5 inches thick—these form the rose petals.
- Arrange Roses in Muffin Tin: Place each cut section snugly into a greased muffin tin or baking dish with the petals facing upward. Brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle Italian seasoning for a golden finish.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the dough is golden and cheese is bubbling. Let cool a few minutes before removing to keep the shape intact.
Notes
- Use cold dough slightly chilled before rolling to help maintain shape.
- Don’t overfill the dough layers to avoid messy rose petals.
- Use a sharp knife for clean cuts and well-defined petals.
- Grease muffin tins or use silicone molds to prevent sticking.
- Experiment with cheeses by mixing mozzarella with provolone or parmesan for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pizza rose
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: Pizza roses, Valentine's Day, appetizer, easy pizza recipe, romantic food, pizza appetizer, homemade pizza, cheesy pizza