Basil Pesto Crescent Rolls

A golden brown crescent roll is stuffed with mozzarella cheese and a layer of basil pesto to create a warm and delicious appetizer.

Pesto Crescent Roll Recipe

Crescent roll dough with a layer of basil pesto is wrapped around a stick of mozzarella cheese, garnished with chopped tomatoes and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. The magic happens when you bake these pesto mozzarella rolls in garlic butter.

The rolls soak up the butter mixture in the same special way these Apple Dumplings with Mountain Dew do.

Let rest for a few minutes after coming out of the oven and this pesto crescent roll recipe is irresistible. We enjoy these trending Tiktok inspired rolls as a snack while socializing with friends.

Just like our Taco Ring Recipe and Crescent Roll Apple Pie these rolls are best are enjoyed warm.

Ingredients Needed

• Crescent Roll Dough – Pillsbury refrigerated dough is popular, but store brand works just as well and is often quite a bit cheaper.
• Basil Pesto – We prefer the quality of a refrigerated container over a jar.
• Mozzarella Sticks – Can be replaced with a couple small caprese balls if desired.
• Cherry Tomatoes – Any red tomato with seeds removed and excess liquid drained work fine.
• Balsamic Glaze – I keep a small bottle in the fridge, but homemade glaze is an option too.
• Butter – use the real stuff from cows, no margarine short cuts.
• Garlic – we like a jar or bottle of minced garlic, powder can be stirred in the butter too.

Step By Step Instructions

Using cold crescent dough unroll and separate into triangles on a cutting board.

Use the back of a spoon to spread out pesto on the crescent roll dough. Leave a bit of a border as the dough will seal easier when pinched together with another piece of dough.

Lay cheese stick towards the top, add chopped tomatoes at the base of the mozzarella stick.

Then drizzle a little balsamic glaze over the top.

The next step is rolling the crescents up. We tested multiple ways to wrap. The taste is always excellent, the look will change based on technique.

Begin by rolling and wrapping around the cheese stick. Completely wrap the tip of the triangle around the roll. Then take the time to fold the sides of the triangle or the “wings” under neath. Lightly pinch around the seams to help seal.

Arrange rolls with a little space for air movement in a square 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 baking dish.

Melt butter and stir in garlic. Pour over the rolls.

Bake uncovered in an oven preheated to 375℉ for 10 to 12 minutes. The pesto mozzarella crescent rolls are done when they are lightly golden brown, the butter is mostly absorbed and the cheese is very warm or melted.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Variations

• Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top of the mozzarella before rolling up.
• If glaze isn’t available try wrapping a pepperoni around the cheese stick for a different flavor.
• Caprese cheese makes a great substitute for mozzarella, but takes a little more patience to work with.
• Can use less butter and brush on top to cut calories if necessary.

More Delicious Snack and Appetizer Recipes

Corn Dip with Cream Cheese and Rotel is so good and worth a try!

Pepperoni Pinwheels have familiar pizza flavors in a handheld treat.

Cream Cheese Ball with Dried Beef is a classic that is perfect for a family party with several generations.