Easy Homemade Stromboli Recipe | Cheesy, Crispy & Delicious Italian Favorite

Few things are as comforting as warm, cheesy, and freshly baked Stromboli. This Easy Homemade Stromboli Recipe is a crispy, golden-brown Italian classic packed with gooey cheese, flavorful fillings, and a perfect crust. Whether you’re making it for family dinner, game night, or as a shareable appetizer, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

With just a handful of ingredients, you can recreate this homemade recipe in your own kitchen. The step-by-step cooking method makes it approachable for beginners while still delivering that authentic Italian flavor. Within about an hour, you’ll have a cheesy, crispy Stromboli that rivals your favorite pizzeria.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Stromboli is like the best of both worlds: it’s a cross between pizza and a stuffed bread loaf. Every bite has the perfect combination of melted cheese, crispy crust, and delicious fillings.

• Family-Friendly Comfort Food: It’s filling, customizable, and easy to slice and share.

• Restaurant Quality at Home: Save money and enjoy a fresh, hot Stromboli without takeout.

• Customizable Fillings: Pepperoni, ham, vegetables, or even leftover roasted chicken anything goes!

• Perfect for Any Occasion: From weeknight dinners to party snacks, this dish never disappoints.

The beauty of Stromboli lies in its versatility. You can go classic with pepperoni and mozzarella or make it gourmet with spinach, ricotta, and sun-dried tomatoes. Whatever your choice, it will always be delicious.

What Makes It Healthy & Special

Stromboli is indulgent, but it doesn’t have to be heavy. By making it at home, you control the quality of the ingredients:

• Use whole wheat or multigrain dough for extra fiber.

• Swap regular mozzarella with part-skim cheese to cut down on fat.

• Add fresh vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms for nutrients.

• Bake instead of frying giving you a crispy crust with less oil.

What makes this Stromboli special is its balance of textures: crispy outside, cheesy inside. Plus, it’s a great make-ahead recipe bake it, slice it, and store it for busy lunches or quick snacks.

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3 ½ cups (420 g) all-purpose flour (or bread flour for chewier texture)

• 1 cup (240 ml) warm water (43°C / 110°F)

• 2 ¼ tsp (7 g) active dry yeast (1 packet)

• 2 tbsp (25 g) sugar

• 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil (or avocado oil)

• 1 tsp (6 g) salt

(Shortcut: Use 1 lb / 450 g store-bought pizza dough to save time.)

For the Filling

• 1 ½ cups (150 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded

• ½ cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, grated

• 20 slices pepperoni (or salami/ham)

• ½ cup (60 g) sautéed vegetables (bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach optional)

• ½ tsp Italian seasoning

• ¼ tsp red chili flakes (optional for spice)

For Brushing & Garnish

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

• 1 tbsp (15 g) butter, melted

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• Marinara sauce, for dipping

Instructions / Method

Preparing the Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it rest for 5-7 minutes until foamy.

2. Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.

3. Knead for 8-10 minutes (by hand or mixer) until smooth and elastic.

4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

(Pro Tip: If short on time, use store-bought pizza dough for convenience.)

Making the Filling

5. Prepare fillings while dough rises. Grate cheese, slice meats, and sauté vegetables until tender.

6. Allow vegetables to cool before using, to avoid soggy Stromboli.

Rolling and Shaping Stromboli

7. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

8. Roll dough into a rectangle about 12×16 inches (30×40 cm) on a floured surface.

9. Layer fillings: start with mozzarella, then meats, vegetables, and finish with parmesan.

10. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and red chili flakes.

11. Carefully roll the dough into a log (like a jelly roll), sealing edges tightly.

12. Place seam-side down on baking sheet. Brush with egg wash for golden crust.

13. Make 3-4 small slits on top with a knife for steam to escape.

Baking to Golden Perfection

14. Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20-25 minutes, until crust is golden brown.

15. Remove from oven and brush with melted butter mixed with garlic powder and oregano.

16. Let Stromboli rest for 5 minutes before slicing with a serrated knife.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Stromboli

• Seal edges well with water or egg wash to prevent filling leaks.

• Use parchment paper for easy transfer and cleanup.

• Don’t overload with sauce inside serve sauce on the side instead.

Troubleshooting

• Dough not rising? Check yeast freshness. Water should be warm, not hot.

• Burnt crust? Lower oven temp to 190°C (375°F).

• Undercooked center? Bake a little longer, covering top with foil.

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

• Reheat in oven or air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 5-7 minutes.

• Freeze unbaked Stromboli for up to 3 months. Thaw, then bake fresh.

Recipe Information Box

• Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour rise)

• Cook Time: 25 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hr 45 minutes

• Servings: 4

• Cuisine: Italian

Notes / Tips

Variations

• Spicy Stromboli: Add jalapeños or spicy sausage.

• Vegetarian: Use spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, and ricotta.

• Gluten-Free: Swap with gluten-free pizza dough.

• Breakfast Stromboli: Fill with scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheddar.

Substitutions

• Olive oil → avocado oil or butter.

• Mozzarella → provolone, cheddar, or vegan cheese.

• Meat → chicken, turkey, or plant-based alternatives.

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Assemble Stromboli, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate overnight before baking.

• Baked Stromboli can be frozen in slices for meal prep.

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

• Soggy Stromboli: Ensure veggies are cooked and drained.

• Splitting crust: Don’t roll dough too tightly.

• Lack of flavor: Season filling generously.

Tools & Equipment

• Rolling pin

• Baking sheet + parchment paper

• Pastry brush

• Serrated knife

• Oven thermometer (for accurate baking)

Serving Ideas

• Slice and serve with warm marinara sauce.

• Pair with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies.

• Serve as a party snack with assorted dipping sauces.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Approx.)

• Calories: 480 kcal

• Protein: 24 g

• Carbohydrates: 50 g

• Fat: 20 g

• Fiber: 3 g

• Sodium: 820 mg

Conclusion

This Easy Homemade Stromboli Recipe delivers everything you want in Italian comfort food crispy crust, gooey cheese, and flavorful fillings. Whether you make it classic with pepperoni or pack it with veggies, it’s always a hit.

Easy Homemade Stromboli Recipe | Cheesy, Crispy & Delicious Italian Favorite

Crispy, cheesy Stromboli made with homemade (or store-bought) dough. Step-by-step instructions for beginners and pros alike. Customizable with meats, cheeses, or vegetables. Perfect for family dinners, parties, or game nights. Easy to make-ahead, store, and reheat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian, Italian-inspired

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• For the Dough
• 3 ½ cups 420 g all-purpose flour (or bread flour for chewier texture)
• 1 cup 240 ml warm water (43°C / 110°F)
• 2 ¼ tsp 7 g active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 2 tbsp 25 g sugar
• 2 tbsp 30 ml olive oil (or avocado oil)
• 1 tsp 6 g salt
• Shortcut: Use 1 lb / 450 g store-bought pizza dough to save time.
• For the Filling
• 1 ½ cups 150 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ cup 50 g parmesan cheese, grated
• 20 slices pepperoni or salami/ham
• ½ cup 60 g sautéed vegetables (bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach optional)
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp red chili flakes optional for spice
• For Brushing & Garnish
• 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp 15 g butter, melted
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Marinara sauce for dipping

Method

 

1. Preparing the Dough
2. In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it rest for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
3. Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
4. Knead for 8-10 minutes (by hand or mixer) until smooth and elastic.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
6. (Pro Tip: If short on time, use store-bought pizza dough for convenience.)
7. Making the Filling
8. Prepare fillings while dough rises. Grate cheese, slice meats, and sauté vegetables until tender.
9. Allow vegetables to cool before using, to avoid soggy Stromboli.
10. Rolling and Shaping Stromboli
11. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
12. Roll dough into a rectangle about 12x16 inches (30x40 cm) on a floured surface.
13. Layer fillings: start with mozzarella, then meats, vegetables, and finish with parmesan.
14. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and red chili flakes.
15. Carefully roll the dough into a log (like a jelly roll), sealing edges tightly.
16. Place seam-side down on baking sheet. Brush with egg wash for golden crust.
17. Make 3-4 small slits on top with a knife for steam to escape.
18. Baking to Golden Perfection
19. Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20-25 minutes, until crust is golden brown.
20. Remove from oven and brush with melted butter mixed with garlic powder and oregano.
21. Let Stromboli rest for 5 minutes before slicing with a serrated knife.

Notes

Variations

• Spicy Stromboli: Add jalapeños or spicy sausage.
• Vegetarian: Use spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, and ricotta.
• Gluten-Free: Swap with gluten-free pizza dough.
• Breakfast Stromboli: Fill with scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheddar.

Substitutions

• Olive oil → avocado oil or butter.
• Mozzarella → provolone, cheddar, or vegan cheese.
• Meat → chicken, turkey, or plant-based alternatives.

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Assemble Stromboli, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate overnight before baking.
• Baked Stromboli can be frozen in slices for meal prep.

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

• Soggy Stromboli: Ensure veggies are cooked and drained.
• Splitting crust: Don’t roll dough too tightly.
• Lack of flavor: Season filling generously.

Tools & Equipment

• Rolling pin
• Baking sheet + parchment paper
• Pastry brush
• Serrated knife
• Oven thermometer (for accurate baking)

Serving Ideas

• Slice and serve with warm marinara sauce.
• Pair with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies.
• Serve as a party snack with assorted dipping sauces.