Welcome to the recipe that is about to make you an after-school superstar. These incredible, from-scratch pizza rolls are cheesy, savory, and so much fun to make.
Table of Contents
This is the perfect homemade after school snack for kids because it’s made with simple, wholesome ingredients you can feel good about.
Forget the frozen aisle! These gluten-free pizza pockets are warm, gooey, and ready in about 30 minutes. They are the ultimate comfort food for a hungry kid.
A Little Story About This Dish
I’m always searching for the perfect homemade after school snack for kids. It needs to be quick enough for a busy afternoon, but also healthy and satisfying. My kids always requested the frozen pizza rolls, but I wanted a version without all the processed ingredients.
That’s what led to this recipe. I was shocked at how easy a no-yeast, gluten-free pizza dough could be.
The first time I served these warm, gooey pockets of cheese and sauce, they were an instant hit. This is now our go-to homemade after school snack for kids, and it brings so much joy to our afternoon routine.
Get Ready to Cook!
Get ready to mix, roll, and bake the most delicious homemade after school snack for kids. This simple process is fun and yields amazing results every time.
What to Expect
Time: About 35-40 minutes from start to finish.
Difficulty: Very easy! This is a perfect recipe to even get the kids involved with.
Before You Begin
The number one trick to this no-yeast pizza dough is getting the consistency right. It should be soft and hold together, but not be too stiff or sticky. If it’s too dry, add a tiny splash of water; if it’s too sticky, a little extra sprinkle of flour will do the trick.
Don’t overfill your pizza rolls! A small spoonful of sauce and a few pieces of cheese is all you need. Overfilling can cause them to burst open while they bake.
Finally, for that perfect golden-brown finish, a quick brush with cream before baking is the secret. It gives this homemade after school snack for kids a beautiful, professional look.
The Heart of the Dish: Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are the simple ingredients for this ultimate homemade after school snack for kids.
| Ingredient | Amount |
| For the No-Yeast Pizza Dough: | |
| All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour Blend | 1 cup (140g) |
| Xanthan Gum (if not in your blend) | ½ teaspoon |
| Baking Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Kosher Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt | ¾ cup (170g) |
| Lukewarm Water | 2 tablespoons (or more as needed) |
| For the Filling & Topping: | |
| Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese, diced | 4 ounces |
| Your Favorite Tomato Sauce | ½ cup |
| Heavy Whipping Cream, for brushing | ~1 tablespoon |
Let’s Get Cooking! Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these easy steps to create the perfect homemade after school snack for kids.
1. Prepare the Dough:
First, preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, xanthan gum (if using), baking powder, and salt. Add the Greek yogurt and 2 tablespoons of warm water. Mix with a spatula until a shaggy dough forms, then use your hands to bring it together into a ball.
2. Roll It Out:
Lightly flour a clean work surface and your rolling pin. Roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about ¼-inch thick. A great trick is to fold the dough over on itself once and re-roll it to create an even smoother texture.
3. Cut Into Rectangles:
Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, slice the dough into small rectangles, roughly 2 ½-inches long by 1 ½-inches wide.
4. Fill and Seal:
Place about 1 teaspoon of tomato sauce on one half of each dough rectangle, leaving a small border around the edge. Top the sauce with a few small pieces of diced cheese. Be careful not to overfill. Fold the empty half of the dough over the filling and press the edges together firmly to create a sealed pocket.
5. Prep for Baking:
Place the filled pizza rolls on your prepared baking sheet. Use a knife to cut two small vents on the top of each roll. With a pastry brush, lightly brush the top of each roll with a little heavy cream.
6. Bake to Golden Perfection:
Bake for about 15 minutes, until the rolls are a beautiful golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. This is the best homemade after school snack for kids when it’s served warm with extra sauce for dipping!
Mastering the Dish: Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
Here are a few final tips for this amazing homemade after school snack for kids.
Pointers for Perfection
This recipe can easily be doubled to feed a hungry crowd or to have extras for later. You can also customize the filling with a tiny piece of pepperoni or some finely minced vegetables.
How to Store
These pizza rolls freeze wonderfully! Let them cool completely, then wrap them tightly and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be defrosted and reheated in a microwave or a toaster oven for a super quick homemade after school snack for kids on a busy day.
If you’re hoping to find some new gluten-free meal ideas, these recipes should help: Gluten Free Chicken Wraps, The Best Gluten-Free Lemon Chicken Pasta, Gluten Free Chicken Taquitos.
Your Burning Questions Answered!
Here are answers to a few common questions about after-school snacking.
1. What are good snacks for kids after school?
Good after school snack recipes are balanced, satisfying, and easy. Some great options include apple slices with nut butter, yogurt with granola and berries, cheese sticks and crackers, or something more substantial like these homemade pizza rolls. A healthy homemade after school snack for kids is always a great choice.
2. What do you feed your kids after school?
It’s great to have a rotation of easy homemade after school snack for kids. Some days we have something simple like fruit and pretzels, and on other days, we’ll have a fun, warm snack like these pizza rolls or a mini quesadilla. It helps to have a few reliable and healthy kid snacks for school bags and afternoons.
3. What to give kids for school snacks?
For school, snacks need to be portable and mess-free. Some great ideas for homemade healthy snacks for school include homemade granola bars, no-bake energy bites, muffins, or a simple trail mix. These are excellent choices for fueling them through their day.
Dig In & Enjoy!
You’re ready to create the ultimate homemade after school snack for kids that is sure to bring smiles to their faces. Enjoy every cheesy, delicious bite!
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Homemade After School Snack for Kids: Pizza Rolls!
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 18–20 pizza rolls 1x
Description
The ultimate homemade after school snack for kids! These easy gluten-free pizza rolls are made with a simple, no-yeast yogurt dough. They’re cheesy, gooey, and ready in about 30 minutes. A healthy and fun snack that kids will love.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
1 cup (140 g) all-purpose gluten-free flour blend
½ teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your blend has it)
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¾ cup (170 g) nonfat plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons lukewarm water
For the Filling & Topping:
4 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese, diced
½ cup your favorite tomato sauce
Heavy whipping cream, for brushing
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, and salt. Add the yogurt and water and mix until a dough forms.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into a rectangle about ¼-inch thick.
4. Slice the dough into small rectangles (about 2.5 x 1.5 inches).
5. Fill the rolls: Place about 1 teaspoon of tomato sauce and a few pieces of cheese on one half of each rectangle, leaving a bare edge.
6. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and press the edges firmly to seal.
7. Place the filled rolls on the prepared baking sheet. Cut two small vents on top of each roll.
8. Brush the top of each roll generously with heavy cream.
9. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Serve warm with extra sauce for dipping.
Notes
No-Yeast Dough: This quick dough comes together in minutes thanks to Greek yogurt and baking powder.
Don’t Overfill: A small amount of filling is all you need to prevent the rolls from bursting while baking.
Freezer-Friendly: Let the baked rolls cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer-safe bag for a quick future snack.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 rolls
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg