Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Breadsticks (Easy 20-Minute Recipe!)
If you’ve ever wished you could combine gooey mozzarella sticks with classic pepperoni pizza, this recipe is exactly what you need. These Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Breadsticks are golden, buttery, loaded with melty cheese, and perfect for dipping in warm marinara sauce. Best of all? They come together in under 30 minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients.
Whether you’re hosting game day, feeding hungry kids after school, or craving a fun twist on pizza night, these stuffed pizza sticks are guaranteed to disappear fast.
Why I Love This Recipe
As a food writer, I’m always chasing that sweet spot between nostalgic comfort food and easy weeknight cooking. This recipe hits both perfectly.
- Uses refrigerated pizza dough (no fuss!)
- Loaded with gooey mozzarella and pepperoni
- Finished with garlic butter and parmesan
- Kid-friendly and crowd-approved
- Perfect for dipping
They remind me of the same cozy vibes as my Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara & Garlic Butter—simple ingredients, bold flavors, and total comfort.
Ingredients
- 1 tube (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough
- 10–12 mozzarella string cheese sticks
- 24 slices pepperoni
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce (for dipping)
Ingredient Swaps & Notes
Pizza Dough: Store-bought dough keeps this recipe quick and easy. You can also use homemade dough if you have extra on hand.
Cheese: String cheese works beautifully because it’s pre-portioned and melts evenly. You can also cut mozzarella blocks into sticks.
Pepperoni: Turkey pepperoni works just as well. Want to mix it up? Try adding cooked sausage crumbles or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
Marinara: Warm your marinara before serving for the best dipping experience. If you love bold flavors, try serving these with the dip from my This Beer Cheese Dip Is My Favorite Party Starter That Disappears in Minutes for a fun twist.
How to Make Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Breadsticks
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Dough
Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut it into rectangles roughly the width of your cheese sticks.
3. Fill the Dough
Place 2–3 slices of pepperoni on each rectangle. Lay one mozzarella stick on top of the pepperoni.
4. Wrap and Seal
Wrap the dough tightly around the cheese stick. Pinch the seams closed firmly and tuck in the ends so the cheese doesn’t leak out during baking.
5. Bake
Place seam-side down on the baking sheet. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown.
6. Finish with Garlic Butter
Mix the melted butter with garlic powder. Brush generously over the warm breadsticks and sprinkle with grated parmesan.
7. Serve
Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
Tips for Success
- Seal tightly. The better you pinch the seams, the less cheese escapes.
- Don’t overfill. One cheese stick per rectangle works best.
- Bake seam-side down. This helps keep everything intact.
- Serve fresh. These are best enjoyed warm when the cheese is perfectly melty.
If you’re feeding a crowd, pair these with hearty mains like These Chicken Enchiladas Are My Go-To for Cozy Crowd-Pleasing Dinners or fun shareables like These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
These pizza breadsticks shine on their own, but here are a few ways to round out the meal:
- Serve alongside a crisp Caesar salad.
- Add them to a game-day spread with dips and sliders.
- Pair with baked pasta for a comforting dinner.
- Make it a party table centerpiece next to my This Dorito Casserole Is My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Shortcut.
They also pair beautifully with sparkling water, soda, or even a light Italian red wine.
Nutritional Information (Per Breadstick – Approximate)
- Calories: 210
- Protein: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients used.
Storage & Leftover Tips
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes to keep them crispy. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the dough soft.
Freezing: You can freeze baked breadsticks for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen at 375°F until heated through.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this cheesy pizza-inspired snack, check out:
- Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara & Garlic Butter
- These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast
- This Beer Cheese Dip Is My Favorite Party Starter That Disappears in Minutes
- These Chicken Enchiladas Are My Go-To for Cozy Crowd-Pleasing Dinners
- This Dorito Casserole Is My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Shortcut
Final Thoughts
These Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Breadsticks are one of those recipes that instantly becomes part of your regular rotation. They’re easy, nostalgic, endlessly customizable, and always a hit.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Leave a comment, share it with a friend, and follow along for more comfort-food favorites that make life just a little more delicious.
Happy cooking!
— Jason Griffith, ChefManiac
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