Homemade Pizza Rolls + Deep Dish Pizza Cups

Though I probably watched TV a total of 2 hours this week, I've still managed to see no less than 50 commercials for Pizza Rolls.  UGH!  Really!?

Growing up, my parents worked around the clock and often left my siblings and I with a freezer stocked to the brim with Bagel Bites and Pizza Rolls.  It happens.  But not anymore! Despite kicking the habit when I went away to college, those commercials hit me with some serious nostalgia and some mondo cravings. Then, as usual, twitter pushed me over the edge.  Or should I say Heather pushed me over the edge?

I was correct.  They were not the same.  They were better =)

The other difference? Mine lack defatted soy flour, modified cheese, partially hydrogenated soybean oil and other such "goodies."  Shame on you Totinos for not only making this crap, but for marketing it to kids and parents.  Sometimes... when I'm feeling particularly feisty, I daydream about making "Eat at Your Own Risk" stickers and slapping them on every product in the grocery store that labels sketchy products food instead of food-like products. Grr!  *End of rant*  High-Five if you're with me!
   

I saw a skinny pizza wonton recipe forever ago and decided won-ton wrappers were the way to go!  Plus I allllways have them on hand.  I apologize in advance if you end up with a won-ton wrapper addiction too =) 

what's in it?

spaghetti or pizza sauce
grated parmesan cheese [and sprinkle parm for topping!]
nasoya won-ton squares
turkey/regular/veggie pepperoni
mushrooms
garlic or garlic powder
red pepper flakes [optional]
spray olive oil
and any other veggies you can get your hands on!

get cooking!

If you're a shroom love like me, saute a handful chopped mushrooms with a minced clove of garlic in olive oil. If you can't stand the stuff, skip it or swap for some delish diced peppers or even some Italian sausage [or tempeh!] crumbles. Preheat your oven to 375F + follow the steps below! <3

For the pizza triangles [below] go light on the sauce so it doesn't squish out the sides.  If you like your pizza saucy, grab a muffin tin and make the deep dish pizza cups at the bottom of this post <3 Hooray for variety AND flexibility! 

Once your pizza ingredients are in place, dip a finger in water (It helps to have a little cup of water handy while assembling the wontons) and your finger along two sides of the wrapper to moisten.  Fold into a triangle and press, the thin layer of water should act like a glue and help you press the edges into little pouches.  Seal em up and pop them on a wire grilling rack, cooling rack, or whatever else you call the sheet below.  This is by far my favorite faux-frying technique ever. By layering a wire rack over a baking pan you allow both sides to get so super crispy that you'll swear the food has been snuck into a deep fryer. Think of pizza... if you want a crispy crust, you toss it right on the rack, right? Same concept... Same glorious results =) 

Spray your won-tons with a natural olive oil spray and sprinkle Parmesan on top. Bake at 375F for 8-11 minutes or until golden brown.

Put a spin on it!

Paul goes gaga over ham & cheese sandwiches and Hawaiian pizzas with ham and pineapple.  I have it on good authority that stuffing a wonton pizza roll with ham, cheese and pineapple is pretty baller.  If you're into that sort of thing =) 

Also, turning the rolls into cups... nothing short of amazing!  Hellooooo Deep Dish Pizza Cups! If you don't have a rack to faux fry the rolls on or just want more pizza in your roll, totally whip out a mini muffin pan and try these babies on for size:

More pizza.  Same crunch.  #Jackpot!

To make pizza cups, spray a mini muffin pan with olive oil and line it with a won-ton square.  Fill with all you're favorite pizza ingredients and toppings and bake at 375F for about 8 minutes or until deliciously golden brown.  If you only have a regular muffin pan, you might be able to mickey mouse it by using two wonton squares to make your cup =)

UPDATE: These froze marvelously! 

Prep, freeze on a flat baking sheet, toss into a baggie and store in your freezer for later!

To reheat, bake on a wire rack for 7-9 minutes at 365F

Want more won-ton recipes?

[Shrimp Rangoons] [Creamy Pesto Won-ton Cups] [Quiche Cups] [Cookie Dough Dessert Won-tons]