Basil Pesto Crescent Rolls with Mozzarella, Cherry Tomatoes, and Balsamic Glaze Recipe
These Basil Pesto Crescent Rolls are a delicious and easy appetizer or snack featuring flaky crescent dough filled with fragrant basil pesto, gooey mozzarella cheese, and fresh cherry tomatoes, all drizzled with balsamic glaze and topped with a buttery garlic finish. Perfect for entertaining or a savory treat any time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 8 crescent rolls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Crescent Rolls
- 8 ounce tube crescent roll dough
Filling
- 1/4 cup basil pesto
- 4 mozzarella sticks, halved
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
Topping
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches an ideal temperature for baking the rolls evenly.
- Prepare Crescent Dough: Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into individual triangles to form the base for each roll.
- Spread Pesto: Evenly divide the basil pesto and spread it over the widest part of each crescent triangle, leaving about 1/2 to 1 inch of space at the top edge to allow for rolling.
- Add Cheese: Place half of a mozzarella stick at the base of each crescent triangle, ensuring it aligns well to melt inside the roll.
- Add Tomatoes: Sprinkle approximately one teaspoon of diced cherry tomatoes alongside the cheese stick, moving toward the pointy end of the triangle for a burst of fresh flavor.
- Drizzle Balsamic Glaze: Lightly drizzle some balsamic glaze over each cheese and tomato layer to add sweetness and acidity.
- Roll Up Dough: Carefully roll up each crescent from the wide base to the pointy tip, encasing the fillings, and arrange the rolls in an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking dish with the seams tucked underneath.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: Melt the butter and stir in the minced garlic to create a flavorful topping mixture.
- Brush Rolls: Pour the garlic butter evenly over the tops of the crescent rolls, enhancing browning and adding rich garlic flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the mozzarella cheese inside is melted and gooey.
Notes
- Use fresh basil pesto for the best flavor, or store-bought if pressed for time.
- Cherry tomatoes can be substituted with sun-dried tomatoes for a deeper flavor.
- Balsamic glaze adds a sweet tang; alternatively, a light balsamic vinegar drizzle can be used but with less thickness.
- Make sure to seal the crescent dough seams underneath to prevent filling leakage during baking.
- Serve warm for the best taste and melty cheese experience.
Keywords: basil pesto crescent rolls, mozzarella crescent rolls, easy appetizer, garlic butter rolls, pesto appetizer, tomato and cheese crescent
