Oh my gosh, you know those days when you just *need* something sweet immediately, but you don’t have hours for yeast dough to rise? I live for those moments now, because I figured out the ultimate shortcut dessert. Forget complicated baking; we are using a secret weapon to get warm, chocolatey goodness on the table in under 30 minutes. Seriously, these **Nutella Rolls** are a lifesaver when company stops by unexpectedly. I’ve whipped these up more times than I care to admit when I forgot to plan dessert. They smell unbelievably good, and the best part is that they use store-bought pizza dough! Trust me on this one—this simple recipe has saved my sanity more than once.
Why You Will Love These Simple Nutella Rolls
I mean, why wouldn’t you love these? They hit every single sweet spot a quick dessert needs to hit. Honestly, they’re my go-to when I need chocolate fast. Here’s why they’re about to become your new favorite:
- They are ridiculously fast—seriously, less than 30 minutes total!
- The secret ingredient is refrigerated pizza dough, which means zero fuss.
- That perfect combination of warm, gooey Nutella and sweet, fluffy bread.
- You only need five basic things to make them happen.
If you’re looking for more roll inspiration later, check out my thoughts on how to make 12 different kinds of bread rolls, but for now, let’s stick to chocolate!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Nutella Rolls
This recipe works because it keeps things incredibly simple! You don’t need yeast, proofing time, or fancy flours. The magic starts with one main component that you usually have just sitting in the fridge.
You have to have that refrigerated pizza dough—usually one 14.1-ounce package. Don’t try to substitute this with something else; the texture from that commercial dough is exactly what we need for these quick Nutella Rolls. Then, of course, you need a generous half-cup scoop of really good Nutella. And for the finishing touch? Just one egg, a splash of water for the wash, and a tablespoon of plain granulated sugar for that perfect sparkle on top.
If you love caramel versions, you should definitely check out my guide on stupid easy caramel rolls, but these chocolate ones are king when you’re short on time!
How to Prepare Your Quick Nutella Rolls
Okay, listen closely because this is where the magic happens, and it’s all about technique, even with refrigerated dough! We aren’t messing around; we’re getting these **Nutella Rolls** ready for the oven fast. Everything moves quickly here, so have your sheet pan lined and ready to go before you even touch the dough. If you’re wondering what other quick roll hacks I’ve discovered, you should peek at my guide on TikTok cinnamon rolls sometime!
Prepping the Dough and Spreading the Nutella Filling
First things first: get that oven warmed up to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s absolutely crucial! Lightly flour a surface and unroll your entire sheet of pizza dough. You want it flat. Now for the filling! If your Nutella is super stiff, microwave it for about 10 seconds—don’t skip this, trust me, it spreads like butter when it’s warm. Spread that gorgeous chocolate hazelnut goodness all over the dough, but stop short about half an inch from one of the long edges. That clear border is going to seal the deal!
Rolling, Slicing, and Preparing Nutella Rolls for Baking
This step requires some conviction! Starting on the long side *opposite* your border, roll the dough up as tightly as you possibly can into a log. You want a snug roll so you don’t end up with gaps when they bake. Once rolled, pinch that seam shut really well so the Nutella doesn’t leak out everywhere while baking. Then, get a sharp knife and slice that log into 12 even pieces—aim for about an inch wide. Place those slices cut-side up on your prepared baking sheet, but make sure you give them about two inches of space to puff up. They need room to get friendly!
Applying the Egg Wash and Baking Your Nutella Rolls
Once they are nestled on the tray, it’s time for the shine! Whisk that single egg with just one tablespoon of water—that’s your homemade egg wash. Brush this mixture lightly right over the tops of the rolls. Don’t soak them, just a light coat. Then, here’s the best part for texture: sprinkle them lightly but evenly with granulated sugar. Pop them into the 375°F oven for about 15 to 18 minutes. You’re watching for that beautiful, deep golden brown color on top. Let them cool just slightly before you attack them—if you can wait that long!
Expert Tips for Picture-Perfect Nutella Rolls
So, they look good, but I always have a couple of little tricks up my sleeve to make sure these **Nutella Rolls** are absolutely flawless when they come out of the oven. My absolute favorite thing to do is pull them out just shy of the full 18 minutes. I like them a little underdone in the middle, which means when you bite in, you get that extra gooey, almost liquid chocolate center. Don’t worry, they’re still cooked!
If you’re not a fan of the subtle crunch from the granulated sugar on top, the recipe notes mention whipping up a quick glaze. That’s heavenly! It’s just powdered sugar and a splash of milk, but it makes them feel way more decadent. Honestly, mixing in a tiny bit of citrus zest into that glaze makes it pop, though that’s technically cheating from the original recipe. If you want to see how I level up other sweet breads, my thoughts on irresistible strawberry cinnamon rolls might give you some inspiration for your next batch!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Nutella Rolls
If you actually manage to have any of these amazing **Nutella Rolls** left over—which is highly unlikely in my house—storage is simple. Keep them tucked away in an airtight container. Room temperature is fine for a day or two, but if your kitchen is warm, pop them in the fridge to keep that filling firm. They taste great cold, but if you want that fresh-baked experience again, here’s my trick: reheat them for about 15 seconds in the microwave. If you absolutely must have that delicate crust back, pop them in a toaster oven for about three minutes. Don’t forget to let me know how long they lasted in your home!
Variations on Classic Nutella Rolls
While I absolutely insist you try the classic version first—it’s perfect for a reason—I always have a few ideas stashed away for when you want to switch things up a bit. These variations are super easy because we’re still starting with that magical pizza dough base.
My absolute favorite change is adding just a quarter teaspoon of ground cinnamon right into the Nutella before you spread it. It gives it that extra depth, almost like a faint cinnamon roll flavor sneaking in. If you don’t have Nutella on hand, don’t panic! A good quality chocolate hazelnut spread works totally fine, or you could even use a mix of melted peanut butter and chocolate chips for a totally different flavor profile. For all the cinnamon lovers out there, you’ll enjoy reading my breakdown on how to make a dedicated cinnamon sugar roll recipe sometime!
Serving Suggestions for Your Nutella Rolls
These **Nutella Rolls** are rich and satisfying all on their own, but serving them right out of the oven elevates the whole experience from a quick snack to a real treat. You absolutely have to pair them with something cozy!
The first thing I reach for is a massive, hot mug of coffee. The bitterness cuts through that sweetness perfectly. A really tall, cold glass of whole milk is also non-negotiable for dunking, especially if the kids are around. If you’re feeling extra decadent, try serving a warm roll with a small scoop of good vanilla bean ice cream melting right over the top.
If you want to see something truly over the top and chocolatey, you should absolutely look into my recipe for an ultimate chocolate milkshake to have on the side! But honestly, just these rolls and a black coffee is perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nutella Rolls
Because these **Nutella Rolls** are such a fast recipe, people always have questions about substitutions or making them ahead of time. It’s smart to ask! I want you to have the best chocolate hazelnut experience possible, so here are the things I hear most often about making these sweet breads.
Can I use homemade dough instead of refrigerated pizza dough for these Nutella Rolls?
You totally can, but you’ll lose some of that lightning-fast convenience! If you use homemade dough, you need to treat it almost like a brioche or a sweet bread dough that’s already proofed once. Roll it significantly thinner than the refrigerated dough—maybe a quarter-inch thick—and make sure your filling is spread perfectly. You might skip the egg wash entirely and just bake them, since homemade dough tends to brown nicely on its own.
What is the best way to get gooey Nutella Rolls?
Gooeyness is my goal, too! The secret here isn’t just the Nutella; it’s the bake time and temperature. I pull mine out around the 15-minute mark, even if they look just a tiny bit pale in the center. If you’re worried about food safety, try dropping the oven temperature down to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and giving them an extra three minutes. Lower, slower heat keeps the filling melted without drying out the pastry!
Are these Nutella Rolls freezer-friendly?
They freeze beautifully, whether baked or unbaked! If you freeze the unbaked slices, make sure they are tightly wrapped first. You can pull them out the night before you want to eat them and let them thaw in the fridge, then just proceed with the egg wash and baking as normal. For baked rolls, wrap them well and freeze them. When you reheat them, they come back almost brand new. If you want to see some other freezer cookie ideas, my notes on homemade tagalong cookies might give you some ideas for future batch baking!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Nutella Rolls
I always look at the nutrition when I’m planning my weekly baking, though I try not to stress about it too much when something is this easy and tasty! Remember that these numbers are just an estimate since every jar of Nutella and every brand of pizza dough behaves a little differently. Your actual values might vary slightly based on what you use, but this gives you a good baseline!
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Fat: 14g (with 4g saturated fat)
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 4g
I always say if you’re making something this delightful, just enjoy it! Don’t worry too much about the exact count when the satisfaction is this high.
Print
Simple Nutella Rolls
- Total Time: 28 min
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy-to-make sweet rolls filled with chocolate hazelnut spread.
Ingredients
- 1 package (14.1 ounces) refrigerated pizza dough
- 1/2 cup Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unroll the pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface.
- Spread the Nutella evenly over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a small border on one long edge.
- Starting from the long edge opposite the border, tightly roll the dough into a log.
- Pinch the seam closed to seal the roll.
- Slice the log into 12 equal pieces, about 1 inch thick.
- Place the rolls cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between them.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make an egg wash.
- Brush the tops of the rolls lightly with the egg wash.
- Sprinkle the granulated sugar evenly over the tops of the rolls.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can warm the Nutella slightly before spreading to make it easier to work with.
- If you prefer a glaze, mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon milk and drizzle over the warm rolls.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 18 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 30
Keywords: Nutella rolls, chocolate hazelnut, sweet bread, easy dessert, pizza dough recipe