Pizza Egg Rolls With Italian Sausage Recipe

In this pizza egg roll recipe, browned and crumbled savory Italian sausage combines with softened fresh banana peppers and herby tomato sauce for a bold combination of flavor. Wrapped with plenty of mozzarella cheese, the insides stay moist and gooey while the wrapper fries into an airy, crunchy shell. Quick enough to make in the time it takes to have a pizza delivered, these pizza egg rolls with Italian sausage are a fun way to shake up your weekly pizza routine.

Gathering the ingredients needed to make pizza egg rolls with Italian sausage

You don't need many more ingredients for this recipe than you would to make a pizza; in fact, the only two ingredients that differ are the egg roll wrappers and the vegetable oil, which is the best oil for frying egg rolls. From there, you'll need olive oil, mild (or hot, if you prefer) Italian sausage, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, mozzarella, and sliced banana peppers. While I use fresh banana peppers in this recipe, you can also use pickled banana peppers for a brighter, more tangy sauce.

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a skillet

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Step 2: Brown and crumble the sausage

Add the sausage and crumble while browning, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Add the banana pepper

Add the banana pepper and cook while the sausage finishes browning, another 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Add the tomato sauce and seasoning

Add the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat.

Step 5: Heat the oil for frying

Heat the vegetable oil in a pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 6: Add cheese to an egg roll wrapper

While oil is heating, prepare the egg rolls. Place one wrapper on a cutting board and add a layer of cheese.

Step 7: Add filling and top with more cheese

Add 2 tablespoons of filling, then top with more cheese.

Step 8: Line the edges of the wrapper with water

Prepare a small bowl with water. Trace the sides of the egg roll wrapper with water.

Step 9: Fold the bottom and sides

Fold up the bottom corner, then fold the sides in.

Step 10: Roll up from the bottom and seal

Roll from the bottom upwards. Press to seal.

Step 11: Fry until golden

Add the egg rolls to the hot oil, working in batches, and fry until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 12: Drain the fried rolls

Remove the egg rolls and let them drain on a wire rack fitted on a sheet tray.

Step 13: Cool slightly before serving

Pizza Egg Rolls With Italian Sausage Recipe

Crispy on the outside, melty and saucy on the inside, these Italian sausage pizza egg rolls take only half an hour and will be the star of any game-day party.

Can I make egg rolls without deep frying?

The only way to make egg rolls taste like those you get from your favorite takeout spot is by deep-frying them in hot oil, which can admittedly be cumbersome to do at home. Between splattering oil and the smell of food frying at high temperatures, it's a messy method that can be hard to manage, especially with guests in the kitchen. With the rise of at-home air fryers, though, more options are available if you want to avoid the mess — the results just won't be quite the same as restaurant-quality egg rolls.

To make egg rolls in the air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 400 F. Spray the basket or tray with oil, then fully coat each egg roll with oil by using vegetable oil and a brush. The oil helps brown the egg rolls, which will otherwise stay a pale color even after heating. Cook the egg rolls for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping and brushing them halfway through, until they're crispy. They won't look quite the same as deep-fried egg rolls, but will be crunchy and satisfying all the same.

What other fillings can I use in egg rolls?

The best thing about pizza egg rolls is that they are extremely versatile and can be filled with virtually anything you'd throw on a pizza. You can start small by swapping flavored jarred sauces for the plain tomato sauce, and add aromatics like onion and garlic for more flavor. You can also add raw sliced onions for a punchier onion flavor, and you could swap the banana peppers for milder bell peppers (or hotter jalapeños).

You can also make more drastic changes like using pepperoni, sliced ham, or speck in the place of sausage. You can also add ricotta, pesto, black olives, or mushrooms to replicate your favorite pizza toppings. What I wouldn't recommend is fresh leafy toppings like arugula or basil, which will wilt and brown in the oil. Stick with warm toppings that can melt together while being fried, and don't be afraid to get creative by using your favorite pizza as inspiration.