Welcome to our detailed guide on all things crescent rolls. Find out what crescent roll dough is, how to make a homemade version, how to shape them and more! Plus we have 105 crescent roll recipes, all broken down into easy-to-follow categories: Crescent Roll Appetizers, Dinners, Desserts, Breakfast and Rings. These are the best crescent roll hacks to an easy meal!
Contents
1. What is crescent dough?
2. Is crescent dough the same as puff pastry?
3. Can I make my own crescent rolls?
4. How do you shape crescent rolls?
5. All the Crescent Roll Recipes You’ll Ever Need
What is crescent dough?
Crescent dough is made very similarly to how you’d make regular bread dough. The difference comes in when you spread softened butter over rolled-out dough, fold it several times, roll it again, fold it, and so forth.
This results in buttery, flaky layers that melt in your mouth. Warm, fresh-from-the-oven crescent rolls are unbeatable when it comes to pretty much anything.
Is crescent dough the same as puff pastry?
I’ve gotten this question a lot so I thought I’d answer it for you here. Yes, it’s similar in ingredients but very different in labor intensity. Both use the “laminated dough” process, which is essentially the layering of butter and dough, then rolled out, as described above.
To achieve puff pastry, you’ll need to create over seven hundred layers of butter and dough. Crescent rolls have just a few layers, making the final product very different. Although you can certainly use them interchangeably in crescent roll recipes, some will work better than others, as puff pastry won’t have the same soft texture after baking as the crescent dough.
Can I make my own crescent rolls?
If the above descriptions have you wanting to run out and buy the ingredients to make homemade crescent rolls, by all means, do it! Once you’ve mastered the technique, you can still purchase refrigerated dough for everyday meals and save the labor for special occasions.
This video will show you the easiest way to make homemade crescent rolls, which only has you rolling out the dough one time. If you’d rather take the extra steps, you can try this recipe for Extra Flaky Homemade Crescent Rolls.
How do you shape crescent rolls?
These are the most common shapes used for crescent dough:
- THE CRESCENT: The most common way to shape crescent rolls is, well, into the crescent shape. This is the shape you’d use when just baking the dough into rolls or making stuffed crescent rolls. This tutorial can be used whether you’re using store-bought dough or making your own.
- THE BRAID: This is another common shape used with crescent dough and it looks quite impressive after baking. It’s easier than it sounds and can be mastered pretty quickly. Although the video uses refrigerated pie crust, the method for forming the braid is the same, plus you get a bonus recipe!
- THE RING: This might be our personal favorite. With crescent roll rings, you can fill the center with more ingredients or a bowl of dipping sauce. For example, a taco ring might be filled with guacamole or lettuce, tomatoes, and chopped onions. A pizza ring might have a small dish of marinara sauce in the center. The possibilities with this shape are only limited to your imagination. And…bonus!! The video we linked to has a bonus recipe for the “Ring of Fire”, which would make a great addition to a Super Bowl party!
More ways to shape crescent dough:
Pillsbury has a great article that will show you how to shape five less common shapes. The best part is that they’re all simple but look impressive!
- Swirled Crescent Bun
- Slice Crescent Triangle
- Roll Up Crescent
- Twist into a Bun
- Easy Crescent Stars
All the Crescent Roll Recipes You’ll Ever Need
Now that you’ve got the basics of crescent rolls down, it’s time get baking! Below you’ll find crescent roll recipes for appetizers, dinner, and dessert, plus separate sections for breakfast & brunch and crescent roll rings. Using crescent roll hacks for a simple appetizer, dinner, or dessert is so easy!
Crescent Roll Appetizers
Crescent dough is the perfect vehicle for making an array of delicious appetizers for any occasion! Whether it's the holiday season, an upscale dinner party or you're heading out to tailgate, these crescent roll appetizers are just what you'll need.
Pigs in a Blanket
Starting things off with a classic! This easy appetizer is always a hit with young and old alike. We like to serve ours with yellow mustard, but ketchup, honey-mustard or even a cheese dip are all solid choices.
Caramelized Pigs in a Blanket – 5 Boys Baker
Upping our pigs-in-a-blanket game with these mini smokies, wrapped in crescent roll strips and then baked in a sweet and buttery sauce.
Bacon Barbecue Pigs in Blankets
Maybe you prefer your pigs-in-a-blanket with bacon and bbq sauce?
Mini Lap Cheong Sausage Pigs in a Blanket
OR maybe you're more in the mood for some Chinese food? (We think it would be fun to make ALL of these pigs-in-a-blanket recipes and have a pigs-in-a-blanket party!)
Bacon Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls
The most swoon-worthy game-day snack, party appetizer and secret eat-in-private indulgence you’ll ever have. True story.
Butternut Squash & Spinach Crescent Roll-Ups
Vegetarian Crescent Roll-Ups filled with butternut squash & spinach. An easy appetizer for entertaining!
Cheesy Bacon Pinwheels
Serve up some cheesy bacon goodness to your family and friends. This appetizer is quick to make and always a hit.
Crescent Roll Veggie Bars
Whip up a quick-fix appetizer or snack with this family favorite recipe for veggie bars made with crescent rolls.
Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath -
This Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath is the perfect holiday appetizer for entertaining.
EASY Cheesy Jalapeno Poppers
Incredibly easy Cheesy Jalapeno Poppers- a game day appetizer everyone will love!
Crescent-Wrapped Asparagus
That parmesan! Also, Boursin cheese. Enough said.
Cheesy Sausage Pinwheels
Sausage, cheese, banana peppers and more cheese "Man Candy" for your big game celebration or a fun appetizer anytime!
Pizza Pinwheels
These pizza pinwheels are easy to make and a fun appetizer for your Superbowl party!
Bacon Spinach Blossoms: Festive Holiday Appetizer
Great for Christmas cocktail parties! Bacon Spinach Blossoms with roasted red peppers and Italian cheeses are a festive holiday appetizer.
Blackberry Brie Bites
Melted Brie cheese is amazing with blackberry jelly and fresh Blackberries.
Cranberry Brie Bites
These little bites would be a perfect appetizer for Thanksgiving or your holiday tray.
Crescent Roll Dinner Recipes
When you're not in the mood to cook, don't have much time or simply want an easy but tasty meal to be on your dinner table fast, turn to ready-made crescent rolls!
This section starts with crescent roll recipes using chicken or ground beef, then ends with an assortment of deliciously different ideas, such as a Wellington, a waffle sandwich an even one to use up that leftover ham.
CRESCENT ROLL RECIPES WITH CHICKEN or TURKEY
Pick up a rotisserie chicken or use up some leftovers to make these recipes even easier and faster!
Chicken Pillows with Black Bean Avocado Salsa
These look pretty enough to serve to company!
Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pizza
Flaky crescent rolls piled with cream cheese, buffalo chicken, lettuce, cheese, and blue cheese dressing.
Chicken Alfredo Roll Ups
The easiest, no-fuss chicken alfredo you will ever make, conveniently stuffed in the butteriest roll ever!
Cheesy Turkey Pesto Rolls
These make a great meal that's perfect for tailgating or the holidays! Only four ingredients.
Hot Chicken Salad Crescent Braid
Flaky crescent rolls stuffed with chicken, celery, cheese, almonds, and chow mein noodles.
Chicken Fajitas Braid
All of your favorite fajita flavors fill this easy-to-make crescent roll braid.
Chicken Parmesan Crescent Bake
Breaded chicken with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese topped with crescent roll dough.
Chicken Puffs Recipe: Enchilada Style
Mexican flavors rolled into crescent rolls and topped with cheese.
5-Ingredient Crescent Roll Chicken Casserole
You only need 5 ingredients and about 10 minutes to pull together this easy Crescent Roll Chicken Casserole.
Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Quick comfort food at its best!
CRESCENT ROLL RECIPES WITH GROUND BEEF
We're always looking for different and creative ways to cook with ground beef for an easy weeknight supper. These recipes will help you get dinner on the table fast and you're sure to find a new favorite!
Sloppy Joe Stuffed Crescent Rolls
Your childhood favorite with a fun, delicious twist.
Ground Beef Broccoli Pie with Crescent Roll Crust
What's not to love about a creamy, cheesy ground beef and broccoli filling all surrounded in a tasty, flaky crust?
Crescent Lasagna
It's like a lasagna sandwich! Super easy to make for a weeknight meal.
Beef Taco Roll-Ups
These hand-held treats are filled with flavorful ground beef and gooey cheese.
Taco Croissants
Put a delicious dinner twist on Taco Tuesday with this easy recipe.
Ground Beef Stroganoff Bake
Ground beef and mushrooms are combined with sour cream and then topped with shredded cheese just before baking.
BBQ Beef Braid
Each slice is packed with ground beef, barbecue sauce, and cheese. It pairs well with a salad for an easy family dinner
20-minute Taco Pie
No need to make a crust or fuss with fancy fillings–you can even make this ahead and bake it off when you’re ready.
Italian Crescent Casserole
You're just five little ingredients away from dinner.
5-Ingredient Taco Casserole
This 5-ingredient dinner is on the table in less than 30 minutes.
MORE CRESCENT ROLL DINNER RECIPES
Using your waffle iron with crescent rolls? Making an upscale meal for guests? Make sure you have an extra few cans of rolls on hand so you can try every one of these unique and delicious recipes!
Cheesy Hot Ham & Broccoli Crescent Pockets
A family-friendly dinner idea that's perfect for using up leftover ham!
Monte Cristo Sandwich Loaf
A favorite sandwich takes a different form in this sandwich loaf that has layers of crescent dough, turkey, ham, cheese, and raspberry jam.
Cheesesteak Crescent Rolls
Flaky crescent rolls are stuffed with sliced beef, sauteed onions, peppers, and lots of gooey cheese.
Prime Tri Tip Wellington
For a holiday or any special occasion, serve this Tri-Tip Wellington.
Sausage and Pepperoni Crescent Roll Pizza
Just 15 minutes of prep for this easy dinner that the whole family will love.
Italian Sausage Spinach And Havarti Crescent Braid
Italian sausage, fresh spinach and a generous sprinkling of creamy Havarti cheese, it’s then baked until the outer crescent crust is golden brown.
Turkey Club Waffle Sandwich
We added this one just because it's a waffle sandwich, which you definitely needed to see!
Broccoli Crescent Wrap
No meat here, just broccoli and cheese goodness all wrapped up in crescent roll dough. Easy, quick dinner, made healthy by swapping out the mayonnaise!
Sausage Rolls with Arugula
Simple sausage rolls stuffed with cheese and arugula are perfect for dinner or a party snack.
Bacon, Broccoli, and Cheddar Roll-Ups
A threesome of flavors we can always get behind.
Crescent Roll Dessert Recipes
Dessert is where crescent dough truly shines. The flaky, buttery crust pairs so well with any number of ingredients and flavors. You'll be proud to serve any one of these crescent roll dessert recipes on your table!
S'mores Crescent Rolls
S’mores Crescent Rolls stuffed with chocolate chips, marshmallows, graham crackers, and Nutella and topped with Nutella drizzle. Our favorite new way to enjoy s’mores!
Raspberry Crescent Twists
These sweet little twists are so pretty! We think they'd be perfect for a luncheon or a special brunch.
Cheesecake Nutella Twists
The sweet filling in these Cheesecake Nutella Twists is so good that you'll be wanting two!
Raspberry Almond Crescents with Chocolate Recipe
The inside of these crescent rolls are stuffed with fresh raspberries and bittersweet chocolate. The outside is topped with toasty sliced almonds and a big drizzle of chocolate.
Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
Sopapilla Cheesecake has wonderful flavor and texture. A creamy cheesecake filling pairs with a slightly crunchy top from butter and cinnamon.
Crescent Roll Coffee Cake
Crescent Roll Coffee Cake with raspberry preserves, pecans, and a sugary glaze makes an easy breakfast or dessert.
Blueberry Cream Cheese Danish with Crescent Rolls
Need a dessert that will feed a crowd? This blueberry cream cheese danish with crescent rolls is perfect!
Easy White Chocolate Graham Croissants
These Easy White Chocolate Graham Croissants are a fun alternative to a standard chocolate croissant. And the best part…they are so easy!
Delectable Raspberry Lemon Pastry Strudels
These golden-buttery, flaky strudel lovelies are filled with raspberry pastry filling, frosted with a delectable lemon glaze!
Easy Apple Cream Cheese Tart
This stunning Apple Cream Cheese Tart touts a crescent roll crust, cream cheese filling, cinnamon-sugar apples baked to a golden brown.
Blueberry Pastry Delights
This Blueberry Pastry is guaranteed to make your mornings more delicious & it’s easy to make with a can of crescent roll dough!
Iced Apple Crescent Roll Danish
Iced Apple Crescent Roll Danish is a delicious dessert that can be easily made at home with crescent roll dough and fresh apples.
Mini Pumpkin Pie Crescent Rolls
Mini Pumpkin Pie Crescent Rolls are a quick and easy recipe and the perfect way to use leftover pumpkin.
5-Ingredient Brown Butter Cinnamon Rolls
5-Ingredient Brown Butter Cinnamon Rolls are a cinnamon-roll lover’s dream – and they take MINUTES to prepare.
Stuffed Crescent Rolls With Berries & Cream Cheese
With just four main ingredients, these Stuffed Crescent Rolls with cheese and berries are just as easy as they are delicious.
Mini Caramel Rolls
These Mini Caramel Rolls are made with crescent rolls for a quick and easy dessert hack!
Orange Cinnamon Crescent Rolls (Mini Sized)
The easiest trick to making delicious miniature orange cinnamon rolls!
Quick Maple Bacon Cinnamon Buns
Quick Maple Bacon Cinnamon Buns? No, don’t run for your reading glasses, these rolls are the shorthand version.
Baked "Deep Fried" Oreos
No need to wait for the county fair when you can whip these in a flash!
Easy Mint Chip Sweet Rolls
You need these in your life. Breakfast or dessert? You choose.
Crescent Roll Breakfast Recipes
These crescent roll breakfast recipes are so simple, you can be enjoying them by the time you're finished with your first cup of coffee! We've included recipes that can be used for both a weekday breakfast or a leisurely brunch with friends.
Goat Cheese Scrambled Eggs and Bacon Stuffed Crescent Rolls
Warm flaky crescent rolls stuffed with goat cheese scrambled eggs and bacon, topped with everything bagel seasoning.
Tex Mex Sausage Breakfast Casserole - Isabel Eats {Mexican Recipes}
This Tex Mex Sausage Breakfast Casserole is made with crescent roll dough, breakfast sausage, peppers, and onions.
Vegetarian Breakfast Pigs in a Blanket
These vegetarian breakfast pigs in a blanket are made with vegan breakfast sausages and are the perfect on the go breakfast!
Bacon Egg and Cheese Crescents
Bacon Egg & Cheese Stuffed Crescent Rolls - Made in a muffin tin. Perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Breakfast Casserole With Bacon, Egg, Cheese And Crescent Rolls
This 5-Ingredient Bacon, Egg & Cheese Crescent Roll Casserole comes together with just 10 minutes of prep!
Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Crescent Rolls -
Skip the busy drive-thru in the morning and opt for these easy and cheesy Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Crescent Rolls instead!
Easiest Crescent Waffles: How to Make Waffles with Crescent Roll Dough
These 90-calorie Crescent Waffles are crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside -- just like your favorite crescent roll!
Sunny Side Up Hash Brown Breakfast Pizza
Make this Sunny Side Up Hash Brown Breakfast Pizza for breakfast, brunch or even dinner. Whichever you choose, it's always a winner!
Denver Omelette Crescent Bake
Made with crescent rolls, eggs, diced veggies, ham and cheese, this is the best big-batch breakfast treat!
Bacon cheddar breakfast rolls
Delicious breakfast rolls that are generously stuffed with extra crispy bacon crumbles, cheddar cheese, and tomato sauce.
Candy Cane Crescent Roll Breakfast Pastry
This could definitely qualify as a dessert, but who doesn't want a special treat on Christmas morning? Plus it's gorgeous!
Sausage and Egg Breakfast Rolls
Sausage and Egg Breakfast Rolls – easy and quick to make grab-and-go-breakfast.
Spinach and Cheese Egg Souffle {An Easy Copycat Panera Recipe for Breakfast}
Crescent rolls are the base of these cheesy souffles. Add in some eggs, fresh spinach, bacon, and 4 cheeses.
Crescent Roll Breakfast Stacks
A one-dish breakfast built atop refrigerated crescent rolls makes a perfect breakfast or dinner for any day of the week.
Crescent Roll Rings Recipes
Crescent roll rings are one of those fun meals that always look impressive yet couldn't be easier to make! Dinner? Check. Breakfast? Check. Gorgeous desserts that taste so fantastic you'll be passing around the recipe? Check and check.
Beef Taco Ring
This Beef Taco Ring made with Crescent Rolls is all that and more. Great appetizer for a crowd for your next party or game day!
Spinach and Cheese Crescent Ring
A beautiful crescent ring filled with fresh spinach and cheese.
Buffalo Chicken Dip Crescent Ring
For an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer or a quick weeknight dinner, this Buffalo Chicken Dip Crescent Ring is always a winner!
Strawberry Lemon Crescent Ring
Strawberries galore in this EASY crescent ring that's filled w/ lemony cream cheese & topped with glaze!
Ultimate Crescent Roll Taco Ring
Ultimate Crescent Roll Taco Ring – Filled with corn chips, guacamole, sour cream, cheese and tomatoes – easy and delicious!
Nutella Banana Crescent Ring
This Nutella Banana Crescent Ring combines three classic flavors into one mouthwatering dessert.
Philly Cheesesteak Crescent Ring
Wrap your favorite Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich in a warm and flaky crescent roll ring! Party food!
Chicken Enchilada Crescent Ring
This is the only way we'll be eating our enchiladas from now on.
Sweet Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Crescent Ring
Whether you make it for dinner or for a game day appetizer, this 5-ingredient crescent ring will deliver every. single. time.
Meat Lover's Pizza Crescent Ring
Cheesy and triple-meat-filled, this crescent ring is like a stromboli only flaky, thanks to the crescent dough.
Crescent Bacon Breakfast Ring
This beautiful Crescent Bacon Breakfast Ring will be everyone’s weekend breakfast of choice, it’s loaded with bacon, eggs and cheese.
Jalapeno Popper Crescent Roll Ring
Like poppers? Then this is for you - with no fussy stuffing your peppers!
Cheeseburger Ring
Skip the grill and make cheeseburgers for everyone!
Italian Sub Crescent Roll Ring
An Italian Sub Crescent Roll Ring is packed full of ham, salami, capicola, and provolone cheese all tucked inside a ring of golden crescent rolls.
Chicken Taco Crescent Ring
This one would be great to use up your leftover Thanksgiving turkey, too!
Antipasto Cresent Ring Recipe
This easy appetizer is filled with a blend of meats and cheeses that makes it so tasty and delicious!
Mediterranean Crescent Ring · Erica's Recipes
The classic crescent ring, made over using delicious Mediterranean-inspired ingredients.
Lemon-Cream Cheese Crescent Ring #PillsburyPartner #ad
This gorgeous dessert is SO simple to make and it requires little effort to pull it all together.
Cherry Cream Cheese Crescent Ring
If you are feeding a crowd breakfast or even dessert, this danish type ring is going to work perfectly. Since this ring uses store bought crescent dough, it can be whipped up in no time at all.
Peanut Butter Crescent Ring
A simple twisting technique makes this dessert look impressive, but it’s secretly a cinch to put together.
Nutella Crescent Ring
You only need 5 ingredients to create this gorgeous braided crescent ring that's stuffed with Nutella and chopped hazelnuts.
Apple Crescent Ring
This apple crescent ring can be made in minutes, perfect for holidays and weekend brunch. Great for dessert too, you’ll love this fruity treat!
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Deeksha
Monday 15th of June 2020
Thank you so much for sharing these recipes!
Sopapilla Cheesecake -
Thursday 30th of April 2015
[…] dough in my cooking and baking but, whenever I do, I always wonder why not? There are so many great crescent roll recipes out there and they’re so easy to keep on hand for a delicious treat. This Sopapilla […]
Lynna
Thursday 16th of April 2015
Omg, I`m definitely swooning and drooling!!!
I love using crescent rolls to bake. Those veggie pizza rolls! Oh my! Love the chicken pot pie idea too!
Kristy Bernardo
Friday 17th of April 2015
Thanks, Lynna! There are several that I can't wait to try, too!