Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls are a savory, flavorful snack perfect for any occasion. Soft dough filled with sweet caramelized onions, fresh spinach, and a hint of garlic makes every bite irresistible. They’re easy to make and sure to impress both vegans and non-vegans alike.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for filling)
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional, for topping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix yeast, warm water, and sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Knead into a smooth dough, about 8–10 minutes. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15–20 minutes until golden and caramelized.
4. Step 4: Add garlic, spinach, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2–3 more minutes until spinach is wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish.
6. Step 6: Roll out the dough into a rectangle on a floured surface. Spread marinara sauce evenly over the dough. Top with the spinach-onion mixture.
7. Step 7: Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log. Slice into 10–12 rolls and place them in the prepared baking dish.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle with nutritional yeast if using. Bake for 25–30 minutes until puffed and golden.
9. Step 9: Let cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh herbs like basil or thyme instead of oregano for a different flavor profile.
• Add chopped mushrooms to the filling for extra texture and umami.
• For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking.
• If you don’t have nutritional yeast, sprinkle with vegan parmesan or simply omit the topping.
• Make sure not to over-roll the dough to keep the rolls soft and fluffy.

Storage

Store leftover pizza rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through. You can also freeze the unbaked rolls after slicing; freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag, and bake directly from frozen adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator. Just bring it to room temperature before rolling out.

Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?

This recipe calls for fresh spinach. If using frozen spinach, be sure to thaw and squeeze out all excess moisture to avoid soggy rolls.

Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 103 reviews

These Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls are a delicious, plant-based twist on classic pizza flavors, wrapped in soft, homemade dough. Featuring sweet caramelized onions, fresh spinach, and a touch of garlic and marinara sauce, these rolls are perfect as a savory snack or appetizer, baked until golden and topped optionally with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.

• Author: Emma
• Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 10 to 12 pizza rolls 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

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For the Dough:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Filling:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional, for topping)

Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the active dry yeast with warm water and sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Make Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour until it doubles in size.
3. Caramelize Onions: While the dough is rising, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes until they are golden and caramelized, releasing their natural sweetness.
4. Cook Spinach Mixture: Add minced garlic, fresh spinach, dried oregano, and optional red pepper flakes to the caramelized onions. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and let cool.
5. Prepare Oven and Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish to prevent sticking.
6. Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough out into a large rectangle shape suitable for rolling.
7. Assemble Rolls: Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the rolled-out dough, then distribute the cooled spinach and onion mixture on top.
8. Shape Rolls: Starting from the long side of the rectangle, roll the dough tightly into a log shape. Slice the roll into 10 to 12 individual rolls and arrange them in the greased baking dish.
9. Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the rolls with nutritional yeast if using, to add a cheesy flavor. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the rolls are puffed up and golden brown.
10. Cool and Serve: Allow the pizza rolls to cool slightly before serving for best texture and flavor.

Notes

• Warm water for the yeast should be between 100°F to 110°F to ensure yeast activation without killing it.
• You can substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option, though the texture may be denser.
• For extra flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of Italian seasoning to the marinara sauce before spreading.
• These pizza rolls can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
• Leftovers keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: Vegan pizza rolls, caramelized onion pizza rolls, spinach pizza rolls, vegan appetizer, homemade pizza rolls, plant-based snacks