Preheat your oven and lightly grease a muffin pan so nothing sticks later. Roll out the crescent dough sheet onto a clean surface and slice it into long strips about one inch wide. Even strips help roses bake evenly and look neat.
Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce across each strip, keeping edges clean to avoid overflow. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly, then add basil and garlic powder for extra flavor. Too much sauce or cheese makes rolling difficult, so keep it light.
Lay pepperoni slices slightly overlapping across the top half of each strip. Allow the rounded edges to extend slightly beyond the dough so they resemble flower petals after baking. This step creates the signature rose effect.
Carefully roll each strip from one end into a spiral, keeping pepperoni exposed on top. Gently tighten the roll so it holds its shape without squeezing fillings out. You’ll notice it already looks like a mini flower.
Place each rose into the muffin pan cups and bake until dough turns golden and cheese melts nicely. The aroma filling the kitchen is the best indicator they’re almost ready. Baking usually takes around 15–20 minutes.
Allow roses to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the pan. This helps them firm up and prevents burns. Serve warm with extra sauce or a drizzle of hot honey for a fun flavor twist.