Pizza scrolls (Puff pastry pinwheels)

Puff pastry is a textbook example of kitchen magic. Thin layers of butter hiding between layers of dough turn into steam in the heat of the oven, forcing the layers apart. This creates hundreds of paper-thin, crispy leaves surrounding the juicy pizza filling. Quick, spectacular, and always disappears.
🕒 Prep Time 15 mins
🍳 Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 35 mins
🍽️ Servings 5 servings
🔥 Calories 180 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Modern party

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Baking parchment
  • Sharp knife (for cutting without crushing)
  • Pastry brush

Allergen Information

⚠️ Cereals containing gluten
⚠️ Milk
⚠️ Eggs

Instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Unroll the puff pastry.

Tip: A hot oven is important! If put in a cold oven, the butter simply melts out of the dough instead of turning to steam and lifting the layers.
2

Spread the dough with tomato sauce, but leave a 2 cm strip empty at the top edge (for sealing).

Tip: The sauce shouldn't be too watery, or it will make the dough soggy and it won't be crispy.
3

Sprinkle evenly with ham, half the cheese, and the oregano.

Tip: Don't overfill, as it will be hard to roll up and may leak.
4

Roll up tightly like a Swiss roll. Wet the end slightly so it sticks.

Tip: Tight rolling ensures the scroll keeps its shape during baking.
5

Cut into 1.5-2 cm thick slices with a very sharp knife. Lay them on a baking tray lined with baking parchment.

Tip: If your knife is blunt, you'll squash the dough layers and they won't open up nicely. You can also use thread to slice instead of a knife!
6

Brush the tops and sides with beaten egg, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Tip: The egg white forms a shiny glaze when baked (Maillard reaction), making the pastry more appetising.
7

Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

Tip: It's ready when the bottom is also browned.

Recipe FAQ

Why did the filling leak out?
The tomato sauce was too runny, or you rolled the scroll too loosely.
Why didn't the pastry rise?
The oven wasn't hot enough. Puff pastry needs thermal shock (min. 180-200°C) for the layers to separate.

Ingredients

  • 500 g Puff pastry (chilled or defrosted)
  • 150 g Thick tomato sauce or Pizza sauce
  • 200 g Grated cheese (e.g. Mozzarella or Cheddar)
  • 100 g Ham (sliced or diced)
  • 1 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 1 pc Egg (for glazing)