Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls Recipe
These Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls are a delicious plant-based twist on classic pizza, featuring a soft homemade dough filled with sweet caramelized onions, sautéed spinach, garlic, and marinara sauce. Perfect as a savory snack or appetizer, these rolls are baked until golden and topped with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for an extra cheesy flavor without dairy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 rolls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
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
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, mix yeast, warm water, and sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, then knead until you form a smooth dough, approximately 8–10 minutes. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour until it doubles in size.
- Caramelize Onions: While the dough rises, heat olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15–20 minutes until the onions are golden brown and caramelized.
- Sauté Spinach and Garlic: Add minced garlic, fresh spinach, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pan. Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until the spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the risen dough into a large rectangle. Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the dough, then evenly distribute the cooled spinach and onion mixture on top.
- Form Rolls: Starting from one long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log into 10–12 equal rolls and place them cut-side up in the prepared baking dish.
- Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle nutritional yeast over the rolls if desired for a cheesy flavor. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the rolls are puffed up and golden brown on top.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the rolls to cool slightly before serving to let the flavors settle and to avoid burning your mouth. Enjoy warm as a tasty vegan appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Ensure the water is warm but not hot when activating the yeast, ideally around 105°F (40°C), to avoid killing the yeast.
- Caramelizing onions low and slow is key for maximum sweetness and flavor.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.
- Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor but is optional; omit if unavailable or undesired.
- Store leftover pizza rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best texture.
Keywords: vegan pizza rolls, caramelized onion pizza rolls, spinach pizza rolls, vegan appetizers, plant-based snacks, homemade pizza dough, savory vegan rolls
