West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls Recipe - Venture1105 (2024)

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If you’re from West Virginia, you know how proud we are of our pepperoni rolls. I’ll share a little bit about the history of these savory treats – it all started in the coal mines. Then, you can make your own by following myWest Virginia pepperoni rolls recipe – it’s all homemade and actually pretty simple.

Pin this recipe so you can come back and make them again and again!

West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls

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As I share the in-process photos for how to make pepperoni rolls from scratch, I’ll also share a little backstory about where they came from.

First, you can see from the previous photo, there aren’t very many ingredients. These are simple to make and a fun way to create memories with your kids.

History Of Pepperoni Rolls

Pepperoni rolls are said to have originated in the early 20th century, when coal miners needed portable food that wouldn’t spoil. Rolls filled with pepperonis became one of their most-consumed lunches. Today, it’s a West Virginia tradition to bake pepperoni rolls for your family.

No, the coal miners in the 1920s and 30s didn’t have bread machines. That is where we are cheating a little bit. But it saves me so much time and sanity, so I give myself the break.

It is said that the first pepperoni roll to be sold commercially was sold byGiuseppe “Joseph” Argiro at the Country Club Bakery in Fairmont, West Virginia in 1927. After they started to be sold commercially, they became a huge hit across the state, with West Virginians proudly claiming them as their own.

How To Make WV Pepperoni Rolls

You can either make your dough by hand or use a bread machine. You can even buy frozen rolls and use those! If you are looking for a bread machine, I recommend the Hamilton Beach bread machine. It’s a low price and high quality.

Once you have your dough, the rest of the process is simple. Portion out small sections of dough. Then, place a few pieces of pepperoni on each roll.

Whether you put cheese in your roll is up to you. There is actually debate among West Virginians about whether cheese belongs in an authentic pepperoni roll. Some say the coal miners at just rolls and pepperoni. You’ll find it sold both ways in bakeries and shops in West Virginia.

Honestly, I like the cheese, When it cooks, it’s so gooey and melty.

Once you rolled up all your pepperoni rolls, they are ready to bake! Just bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes – until they are golden brown.

They make a fantastic lunch – make them for your kids! Some love them dipped in marinara sauce, others like them plain. Try out both ways and decided how you like them best. As you eat them, remember the hard-working coal miners that spent years in the dark mines, breathing in dust, so that we could have electricity.

Ready for the recipe?

Pepperoni Rolls Recipe

West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls Recipe - Venture1105 (8)

West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls

2018-03-11 05:47:59

West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls Recipe - Venture1105 (9)

Serves 4

An easy pepperoni rolls recipe that uses a bread machine. These pepperoni rolls have cheese and date back to the West Virginia coal miners.

Prep Time

45 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

1 hr 15 min

Prep Time

45 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

1 hr 15 min

Ingredients

  1. 1 cup warm water
  2. 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  3. 3 cups bread flour
  4. 3 Tablespoons sugar
  5. 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  6. 2 ¼ teaspoons fast rising yeast for bread machines
  7. Pepperoni (slices or sticks)
  8. Shredded cheese (Mexican or Mozzarella)

Instructions

  1. Add liquid ingredients to your bread machine first
  2. Add flour and salt
  3. Create a small “hole” in the flour and add your sugar and yeast
  4. Select the “Dough” setting on your bread machine
  5. Once your dough has fully raised, punch it back down
  6. Lay out on floured surface
  7. Knead for about one minute. (DO NOT over work your dough)
  8. Pinch off a small amount of dough and flatten out into the shape of a circle
  9. Add 5-6 slices of pepperoni (or 3 sticks) and shredded cheese
  10. Fold one side over to the other and pinch the seams together, creating a seal
  11. Fold corners over and do the same
  12. Place into a large 9x13 pan or baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 mins or until golden brown.

By Annie Kearns

Venture1105 https://venture1105.com/

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West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls Recipe - Venture1105 (2024)

FAQs

Where to get the best pepperoni rolls in WV? ›

The best place to get pepperoni roll, according to the 2023 edition of WV Living Magazine's Best of West Virginia, is at Mt Top Convenience in the Tucker County city of Thomas.

How do you keep cheese from coming out of pepperoni rolls? ›

Cheese: If you are going to do cheese, I would suggest a certain tucking technique so the cheese doesn't ooze out. Arrange half of your pepperoni in a line down the center. Place the cheese on top. Then place the other half of the pepperoni on top of the cheese so the cheese is sandwiched in between the pepperoni.

Did pepperoni rolls originate in West Virginia? ›

The rolls originated as a lunch option for the coal miners of north-central West Virginia in the first half of the 20th century.

What state is famous for pepperoni rolls? ›

West Virginia's state food may be simple, but its story sure isn't. Pepperoni rolls are elegantly simple, but uniquely West Virginian: country roll dough filled with sticks or slices of pepperoni. The treat has deep roots in the coal industry (much like our state itself.)

Where are pepperoni rolls the most popular? ›

As an idea that developed deep in the Marion County coal mines in the 1920s, pepperoni rolls have become one of the little-known treasures of West Virginia.

How much should I sell pepperoni rolls for? ›

Let the customers know you are selling pepperoni rolls for your group, and explain the price of $2 per roll, or a case of 13 rolls for $26. Ask them to let you know, in the comments, how many rolls they would like (Promote Cases).

Why are pepperoni rolls only in WV? ›

In 1927, Giuseppe “Joseph” Argiro first offered the pepperoni roll as a lunch for local coal miners. He eventually started to sell them at the Country Club Bakery in Fairmont, West Virginia. These rolls were a perfect meal for the miners because they had protein and fat to keep them energized.

Why don't pepperoni rolls need to be refrigerated? ›

They were first made as a portable lunch for coal miners. The rolls didn't need refrigeration and could be carried with them underground. You'd have to work hard to not find pepperoni rolls when you're in West Virginia.

Can you leave pepperoni rolls out overnight? ›

Pizza rolls can sit out in the fridge for up to four days but eating them older than that can increase your risk of contracting foodborne illnesses. They should never sit out longer than two hours.

What is the shelf life of pepperoni rolls? ›

How long are pepperoni Rolls good for after they are shipped? Pepperoni Rolls are shelf stable and do not need to be refrigerated, they are the freshest up to 7 days after delivery, we always recommend to freeze rolls if you know they will not be eaten within that time frame.

What is cheese wrapped in pepperoni called? ›

Panino – Mozzarella Cheese Wrapped with Prosciutto, Salami and Pepperoni with Creamy Datil Pepper Dipping Sauce. Easy appetizers are just minutes away. Mozzarella cheese sticks wrapped with thinly sliced prosciutto, salami and pepperoni is super fast and amazingly delicious.

What was invented in WV? ›

Things invented in West Virginia
  • Radio Broadcast Football Games – The first radio broadcast football game was a heated rivalry matchup between the West Virginia University Mountaineers and Pittsburgh University on Oct. ...
  • Brick Roads – Brick roads were invented by Charleston, West Virginia resident Mordecai Levi in 1870.
Jun 20, 2022

What foods is West Virginia known for? ›

West Virginia's signature foods are so amazing they have their own festivals built around them.
  • Pepperoni Rolls. ...
  • Maple Syrup. ...
  • Golden Delicious Apples. ...
  • Black Walnuts. ...
  • Strawberries. ...
  • Honey. ...
  • Molasses. ...
  • Buckwheat Pancakes.
Mar 1, 2022

Are pepperoni rolls illegal in some states? ›

Although the pepperoni roll was never made illegal per se, it did have a run-in with the law in the 1980s which nearly saw these beloved pockets of savory deliciousness regulated out of existence entirely.

What is America's #1 pepperoni brand? ›

For more than 100 years, pepperoni has been a longtime American favorite and a well-known Hormel Foods specialty. Today, Hormel® pepperoni is the No. 1 selling brand of pepperoni in the United States, thanks to its great flavor and high quality.

Why is West Virginia known for pepperoni rolls? ›

In 1927, Giuseppe “Joseph” Argiro first offered the pepperoni roll as a lunch for local coal miners. He eventually started to sell them at the Country Club Bakery in Fairmont, West Virginia. These rolls were a perfect meal for the miners because they had protein and fat to keep them energized.

What was the largest pepperoni roll wheeling? ›

The largest pepperoni roll ever made being paraded through the streets of Wheeling in 1885. It required 13,653 pounds of dough; 8,800 pounds of cheese; and 6,496 pounds of pepperoni...and NO MAYONNAISE. #NeverForget #TheSlathering. But how did they bake it?!

What brand of pepperoni does Little Caesars use? ›

“Old World Fanceroni Pepperoni elevates our already high-quality pizza offerings and gives customers the option to make pizza night a little fancier.”

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