Homemade Pizza Rolls

Pizza rolls are one of the most wonderful foods ever conceived, but the store-bought type aren't available in all that many varieties. With a few simple ingredients, you can make your own and add any fillings and customize them to suit your tastes (some suggestions for yummy things to try out are in step 5).

Note: please be very careful when frying - the oil is very hot and can splatter and burn you!

Step 1: You'll Need. . .

Software:

• Wonton wrappers (available from most major grocery stores, usually near the produce section)
• Shredded cheese (I prefer a blend of mozzarella and provolone, but you can use whatever cheese you prefer)
• Sauce (your favorite store-bought or homemade pasta or pizza sauce will work perfectly, or you can even try alfredo sauce or BBQ sauce)
• Any other fillings you'd like (meats, veggies, fresh herbs - make sure to cook your meats and veggies prior to adding them) - some suggestions are available in step 5
• Vegetable oil
• Small dish of water

Hardware:

• Heavy-bottomed pot or pan for frying
• Slotted spoon or kitchen tongs
• Paper towels or brown paper (a grocery bag or small lunch bag works well)

Step 2: It's What's Inside That Counts

To help avoid air pockets in your finished rolls (which could lead to them bursting), you'll need to combine the sauce, cheese, and any other ingredients before filling your rolls.

1. Mix your sauce and cheese together. Depending on how many rolls you're making, your amounts will vary, but you want the resulting mixture to be cheesy but still hold together when scooped out - usually about 2 parts cheese to 1 part sauce works well (you may need to add more sauce depending on amounts of additional ingredients)
2. Cook any other fillings you'd like to add (meat and/or veggies) in a small pan and add allow to cool
3. Add your extras to the cheese and sauce mixture and stir to combine

Step 3: Wrap It Up

1. Add approximately 2-3 inches of oil to your pot and begin heating
2. Place a wonton wrapper on your work surface so that one corner is facing you (note: make sure to cover the rest of your wonton wrappers with a damp cloth while you work so they won't get dried out)
3. Add approximately 1 tablespoon of your filling mixture just below the center of the wrapper
4. Fold the bottom up over the filling
5. Fold the sides in around the filling
6. Using your fingertip, spread a tiny bit of water around the top edges so they're just barely damp
7. Fold the top down over the filling and press to seal
8. Place seam-side down while you finish making more rolls

Step 4: Cook It Up

1. Once all your rolls are formed, drop them gently into the hot oil (you can make sure your oil is hot enough by dropping an unwrapped/unused wonton wrapper into the oil - it should get bubbly and begin to brown within a couple of seconds)
2. Cook until golden brown, flipping using tongs or a slotted spoon as needed
3. Remove from oil and place in a single layer on paper towels or brown paper to soak up any excess oil
4. Enjoy!

Step 5: Some Yummy Variations

You can substitute any sauces or cheese (even vegan cheese substitutes) that you'd like (try alfredo sauce for a yummy white pizza). A few suggestions are below, but any meats (or vegetarian meats) and veggies can be used to suit your tastes:

• Meat-Lovers: bacon, sausage, pepperoni
• Veggie-Lovers: mushroom, spinach, peppers, onion, olives
• Polynesian: pineapple, Canadian bacon, bacon, and jalapeño (optional)
• BBQ Chicken: grilled chicken, red onion, cilantro, BBQ sauce (replace standard tomato sauce)

You can also make a delicious desert version with bananas and some brown sugar and butter.