Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls Recipe

Oh, you’ve got to try this Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls Recipe! It’s one of those snacks that just steals the show whenever I serve it—soft, slightly sweet caramelized onions mingle with fresh spinach and a touch of garlic, all wrapped up in a fluffy homemade dough. Whether you’re looking for a cozy appetizer for game night or a fun, shareable snack for the family, these pizza rolls have got you covered.

Honestly, the best part about this Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls Recipe is how approachable it is. I remember the first time I made it; I was blown away at how the caramelization step transforms simple onions into a rich, sweet filling that practically melts in your mouth. Plus, the dough is forgiving and easy to work with—even if you’re not a pro baker, you’ll feel like one after making these!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this recipe come together to balance savory, sweet, and fresh flavors beautifully. Plus, you’ll find most of these are pantry staples or easy to grab at any grocery store, making it super convenient to whip up these pizza rolls anytime a craving hits.

• Active dry yeast: This is the magic behind your soft, pillowy dough—make sure your water is warm, not hot, to wake up the yeast properly.
• Warm water: Helps activate yeast and keeps the dough moist for easy rolling.
• Sugar: Just a little to feed the yeast and add a touch of sweetness to your dough.
• All-purpose flour: The base of your dough—measure it carefully for the best texture.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors; don’t skip it!
• Olive oil: Used in both dough and filling for richness and moisture.
• Onions: Thinly sliced and slowly caramelized until golden and sweet.
• Fresh spinach: Adds a lovely freshness and color to the filling.
• Garlic: Minced for that punch of flavor in every bite.
• Dried oregano: Brings an herby, Italian vibe.
• Red pepper flakes (optional): Adds a hint of heat if you’re feeling adventurous.
• Marinara sauce: Acts as a saucy binder to keep the rolls moist and flavorful.
• Nutritional yeast (optional): Gives you that cheesy, savory finish without any dairy.

Variations

I love tweaking this Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls Recipe depending on my mood or what’s in the fridge. Don’t be afraid to make it your own! Personalizing this recipe can make it even more fun to share.

• Adding mushrooms: I’ve tossed in sautéed mushrooms before for an earthier flavor that pairs wonderfully with caramelized onions.
• Spice it up: Toss in some smoked paprika or cayenne instead of red pepper flakes—I like it spicy on chilly nights.
• Use gluten-free flour: If you need to keep it gluten-free, a blend that works in pizza dough is perfect here—just watch the dough’s consistency when mixing.
• Dairy-free cheese: Sprinkle your favorite vegan cheese inside before rolling up for extra cheesiness.

How to Make Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Activate the yeast and make the dough

Start by sprinkling the active dry yeast into warm water (make sure it’s around 110°F—warm to the touch, not hot) along with the sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it gets foamy on top. That’s how you know the yeast is alive and ready! Then, mix the flour and salt in a bowl, add the yeast mixture and olive oil, and stir until a dough forms. Knead it on a clean surface for about 7-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Set it aside covered in a warm spot for about an hour to double in size—this is what gives the dough that perfect fluff and chew.

Step 2: Caramelize the onions and prep the filling

While the dough rises, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add your thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt and cook slowly, stirring often, for about 25-30 minutes until deep golden and sweet. This slow caramelizing step is key—it transforms the onions into something irresistibly savory. Toss in the minced garlic towards the last few minutes to keep it from burning, then add fresh spinach, dried oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Cook just until the spinach wilts, then remove from heat and stir in the marinara sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3: Assemble and roll

Once your dough has risen, gently punch it down and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 12×15 inches. Spread the onion and spinach filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border on one long edge. From the edge with filling, carefully roll up the dough into a tight log. Use a sharp knife to slice into 1 to 1.5-inch rolls, then place them cut side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a bit of room between each.

Step 4: Bake to golden perfection

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Just before baking, brush the tops of the rolls lightly with olive oil to get a golden, crispy top. Bake for about 20-25 minutes until the rolls are puffed up and golden brown. If you like, sprinkle nutritional yeast on top a few minutes before they come out of the oven for a cheesy, umami boost. Let them cool slightly—they’re best enjoyed warm but not hot!

How to Serve Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I often sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley over the pizza rolls for a pop of freshness and color. Sometimes a drizzle of balsamic glaze adds that lovely sweet tang that complements the caramelized onions perfectly. If you want to get fancy, vegan parmesan or a sprinkle of chili flakes also works wonders.

Side Dishes

These pizza rolls are quite filling on their own but pair beautifully with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon or balsamic vinaigrette. A bowl of vegan tomato soup makes it feel like a comforting meal, especially on chilly days. And if you’re hosting, I love setting out a platter of olives, roasted nuts, and colorful roasted veggies alongside for a festive spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these pizza rolls in a spiral pattern on a large round baking dish — it looks stunning once baked and makes slicing and sharing so easy. Another fun idea is to serve them with small bowls of different dipping sauces—think vegan ranch, marinara, or even a garlicky tahini dip. It’s a crowd-pleaser every time!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover pizza rolls in an airtight container in the fridge, where they keep well for up to 3 days. To avoid sogginess, I recommend reheating them in the oven or a toaster oven rather than the microwave. It helps keep that lovely crispy edge!

Freezing

This Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls Recipe freezes beautifully. I usually bake the rolls first, let them cool completely, then freeze on a tray before transferring to a zip-top bag. When you want a quick snack later, just pop them straight into the oven from frozen—no need to thaw. It’s a lifesaver for busy days!

Reheating

To reheat, I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the rolls on a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes until warmed through and the edges crisp back up. This method really revives the fresh-baked texture compared to a microwave, which can make them a bit chewy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites to make for friends and family. It’s got that perfect balance of sweet and savory, and the rolls always disappear fast, which says a lot. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) this as much as I do—it’s the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug in food form. Give it a go, and don’t forget to share the leftovers (if there are any!).

Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls Recipe

★★★★★ 4.8 from 72 reviews

• Author: Any
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 pizza rolls 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Vegan, American-Style
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

These Vegan Caramelized Onion & Spinach Pizza Rolls combine soft, homemade yeast dough with a savory filling of sweet caramelized onions, fresh spinach, and a hint of garlic and spices. Perfect as a delicious appetizer or a comforting snack, these rolls are easy to prepare and bake to golden perfection, making them a delightful vegan treat packed with flavor and texture.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

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)

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Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and salt. Add the activated yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour. Stir until the dough starts to come together, then knead on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
3. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
4. Caramelize Onions: While the dough is rising, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes until golden brown and sweetly caramelized.
5. Sauté Spinach and Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with caramelized onions and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Then add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and season with dried oregano, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper to taste.
6. Roll Out Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, approximately 12 by 18 inches.
7. Assemble Rolls: Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the dough rectangle, leaving a small border around the edges. Evenly distribute the caramelized onion and spinach mixture over the marinara layer.
8. Form Rolls: Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 12 equal rolls.
9. Second Rise: Place the rolls cut-side up on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet or pan, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Cover and let rise for an additional 20-30 minutes until slightly puffed.
10. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top.
11. Add Topping and Serve: Remove rolls from the oven and immediately sprinkle nutritional yeast on top if desired for a cheesy flavor boost. Serve warm as a delicious vegan appetizer or snack.

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Notes

• Ensure the water used for activating yeast is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
• Slow caramelizing of onions is key for developing the sweet, deep flavor.
• Red pepper flakes are optional and can be omitted or adjusted to preference for spice level.
• These rolls store well in an airtight container for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven.
• For gluten-free adaptation, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and adjust liquid as needed.

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