Crunchy Cheesy Doritos Rolls

The crunch of those first bites still lingers in my memory—the perfect harmony of melty cheese, savory sausage, spicy pepperoni, and an unexpectedly crispy Doritos crust. It came to me one lazy Sunday afternoon when I wanted to toss together a quick snack that would wow the crowd during our game day gathering. I grabbed a bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos thinking, why not crush these up and roll them into mini pizza pockets? That little spark of inspiration turned into a full-on obsession.

I first tried crushing Doritos as a coating when making chicken tenders, and the sharp, cheesy crunch instantly lifted the whole dish. Translating that idea into pizza rolls was a no-brainer, and it changed game day snacks forever in our house.

Essential Ingredients

• Refrigerated pizza dough: the soft, easy-to-roll foundation; pick a quality brand with few preservatives for the best texture
• Pizza sauce: tangy and bright; grab one with rich tomato flavor to balance the richness inside
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded: melts beautifully to ooze out with each bite; freshly shredded stays creamier than pre-shredded
• Mini pepperoni slices: thin and perfectly sized for even layering; check for natural edges, not overly greasy
• Cooked sausage, crumbled: adds depth and meaty satisfaction; use Italian sausage for a mildly spiced kick or breakfast sausage if you want something sweeter
• Nacho Cheese Doritos: the star crunch factor with a cheesy punch; crush them by hand to keep some bigger bits for texture
• Melted butter: helps the Doritos mixture stick and browns beautifully in the oven
• Garlic powder and Italian seasoning: build layers of savory aroma that marry all the flavors together

When shopping, look for freshness: crusty pizza dough pouches should be soft and pliable, and the Doritos bag should be full of crisply intact chips for the best coating.

Cooking Process

Rolling and Filling:

Cut the dough into rectangles and spread sauce and fillings carefully. Leaving space at the edges is key so the rolls don’t leak and maintain their shape.

Sealing the Goodness:

Pinch seams tight to keep molten cheese and meat inside, preventing a dreaded filling explosion in the oven.

Crunch Coating Creation:

Combining crushed Doritos with melted butter and spices not only sticks beautifully, but also crisps to a golden, irresistibly textured crust.

Baking to Golden Perfection:

Baking at 375°F crisps the coating without drying out the dough or fillings, leaving you with warm, crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside pockets.

Cooling and Serving:

Letting them rest briefly prevents burns from molten cheese and gives the coating a chance to set for that perfect crunch.

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Recipe Highlights

• Balanced protein and carbs make these filling enough for a satisfying snack or appetizer
• Customizable with different meats or cheeses to suit any palate
• Compact size means less mess and easy portion control when serving a crowd

One time I underestimated how much sausage to use and ended up with a filling explosion that coated my oven walls (and kitchen floor). That taught me the magic number for meat: less is definitely more to keep rolling neat and baking clean.

Make-Ahead Strategies

Prepare and roll the pizza pockets up to the point before coating with the Doritos mixture. Freeze them on a lined sheet tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to serve, roll in the crunchy coating and bake straight from frozen, adding a couple minutes to the baking time.

Flavor Variations

Swap mini pepperoni for sliced jalapeños and use Flamin' Hot Doritos in the coating for a spicy twist. Or try swapping mozzarella for sharp cheddar and Italian sausage for chorizo to give these appetizers a smoky, southwestern vibe.

Kitchen Tool Recommendations

A pizza cutter is essential for clean, even rectangles. A shallow bowl works best for coating the rolls evenly, letting you gently press the Doritos onto each piece without crushing the crust too much. Parchment paper will save you clean-up headaches by preventing sticking.

Cooking Secrets

• Don’t overfill the dough; too much filling breaks the seal and causes leaks.
• Crush Doritos enough to coat well but leave some larger bits for crunch and texture.
• Place rolls seam-side down on the baking sheet to keep them sealed and maintain their shape.

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Common Questions

→ How should I prepare the meat filling?

Make sure the sausage is fully cooked before using it in the filling to ensure thorough cooking during baking.

→ What type of dough works best?

Refrigerated pizza dough rolled out into small rectangles provides the perfect base for these rolls.

→ How do I get the Doritos to stick to the rolls?

Mix crushed Doritos with melted butter and seasonings, then gently press the rolls into the mixture ensuring good coating.

→ Can I substitute the Nacho Cheese Doritos for another flavor?

Yes, spicy options like Flamin' Hot Doritos add a fiery kick to the crunchy exterior.

→ What temperature and time should I bake these rolls?

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 12-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy outside with melted cheese filling.

→ How should I serve the rolls?

Let them cool briefly after baking and serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.