Copycat Pillsbury Crescent Rolls Recipe

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I’m sharing one of my favorite go-to recipes with Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. It’s simple, delicious, and the kind of dish that will make you look like a kitchen rockstar with minimal effort.

How to make Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls are a popular refrigerated dough product made by Pillsbury. They come in a signature blue can that you “pop” open, revealing pre-cut, triangular pieces of dough. When baked, the dough rises into soft, buttery, flaky rolls shaped like crescents.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury Crescent Rolls (yields 8 crescent rolls)
• Optional: Butter, melted (for brushing on top)
• Shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan)
• Thin deli meats (like ham or turkey)
• Cream cheese or fruit preserves (for a sweeter option)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare your dough.
2. Prepare a Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray to prevent the rolls from sticking to the surface.
3. Open the Canister: Gently peel off the paper label and press the edge of a spoon along the seam of the canister to pop it open. (It’s always fun and a little nerve-wracking!)
4. Separate the Dough: Unroll the dough and separate it along the perforated lines into eight triangles. The triangles are pre-cut for you—super convenient!
5. Roll the Crescents: Start with the wider end of each triangle and roll the dough towards the smaller point, creating the classic crescent shape. If you’re adding fillings (like cheese or ham), place them toward the wide end before rolling. Press the ends lightly to seal.
6. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place your crescents on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1-2 inches of space between each roll to allow room for them to puff up while baking.
7. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 9-12 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown.
8. Brush with Butter (Optional): If you want an extra buttery flavor, take the rolls out of the oven and brush them with melted butter while they’re still warm.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Let the crescent rolls cool slightly, then serve warm. These flaky rolls are perfect as a side for soups, salads, or main dishes—or just enjoy them on their own!

Tips for Perfect Pillsbury Crescent Rolls:

• Even Baking: Try to roll the dough tightly to ensure even baking. Loose rolls can sometimes expand unevenly in the oven.
• Don’t Overstuff: If adding fillings, keep the amount small so the dough doesn’t split during baking. About a tablespoon of filling per crescent works well.
• Creative Additions: Experiment with flavors! Sweet options include Nutella or cinnamon sugar, while savory options might include spinach and feta.
• Reheating Tip: If you have leftovers, reheat the crescent rolls in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes to restore their flakiness. Avoid microwaving, as this can make them soggy.
• Make It Golden: For a beautifully golden top, brush the unbaked rolls with an egg wash (a mixture of beaten egg and a splash of milk) before putting them in the oven.

What to serve with

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls are incredibly versatile, making them the perfect side dish or vehicle for both sweet and savory pairings. While they are delightful on their own, you can elevate your meal experience by pairing them with a variety of dishes, dips, and beverages.

With Soups:

Serve Pillsbury Crescent Rolls alongside warming bowls of your favorite soup, such as:

• Creamy tomato soup
• Chicken noodle soup
• Broccoli cheddar soup
• Butternut squash soup

With Salads:

Crescent rolls add a comforting, carb-y element to fresh and healthy salads. Pair them with:

• Caesar salad
• Spinach and strawberry salad
• Greek salad
• Cobb salad

With Hearty Casseroles:

Serve crescent rolls on the side of baked casseroles like:

• Mac and cheese
• Chicken pot pie casserole
• Green bean casserole
• Shepherd’s pie

With Pasta Dishes:

Use crescent rolls as a substitute for traditional garlic bread. Pair them with:

• Spaghetti Bolognese
• Fettuccine Alfredo
• Lasagna

Ingredients Substitutes

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls are convenient and delicious, but sometimes you might prefer to skip the store-bought dough for various reasons, such as dietary restrictions, allergies, or simply wanting a homemade touch.

1. Substitutes for Crescent Roll Dough (Store-bought Alternatives or Homemade)

The star of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls is, of course, the pre-made crescent dough. If you don’t have access to it or wish to make something from scratch, here are some great substitutes:

a. From-Scratch Crescent Dough Recipe:

If you’re making crescent rolls without pre-made dough, you’ll need a mix of flour, fat, and leavening agents. Here are substitutes for key components:

Flour:

• Use all-purpose flour for the most traditional texture.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, such as Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur brands.
• For a healthier twist, you can try whole wheat flour, though the texture of the rolls will be slightly denser.

Fat (Butter, Margarine, or Oil):

Crescent rolls rely on fat for their soft, flaky structure. Here are alternatives:

• Vegan Butter or Margarine: For a dairy-free or vegan option.
• Coconut Oil: Use solid, room-temperature coconut oil for a plant-based alternative.
• Shortening or Lard: These work well for a flakier texture, though they aren’t suitable for vegan or health-conscious options.
• Olive Oil or Neutral Oil: While less common, oils can work if you’re replacing solid fats, but they may result in rolls with a softer texture and less flakiness.

Milk (or Milk Alternatives):

Milk is sometimes used if you’re making crescent dough from scratch (to hydrate the dough and add richness).

• Non-Dairy Milks: Almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk can all be substituted in a 1:1 ratio for dairy-free or vegan options.
• Water with a Touch of Fat: If you’re out of milk, plain water mixed with a teaspoon of butter, margarine, or oil can mimic the creaminess of milk.

Leavening Agents (Yeast/Baking Powder):

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls use both yeast and baking soda for leavening.

• Substitute dry active yeast with instant yeast or rapid-rise yeast (with adjustments to the activation method).
• If you only use baking powder instead of yeast, your rolls will rise, but they won’t have the same airy, layered texture as the yeast-risen dough.

b. Store-Bought Dough Alternatives

If you don’t have Pillsbury Crescent Roll dough, you can use other pre-made doughs to save time.

• Puff Pastry Dough: While puff pastry is flakier and more delicate, it can be rolled and shaped into crescents.
• Pie Crust Dough: For a denser, less layered crescent roll, use refrigerated pie crusts and roll them into crescents.
• Biscuit Dough: While the texture is spongier, biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands or homemade biscuits) can be an easy alternative.
• Bread Dough: For a lighter, flakier texture, you can also use pizza dough or regular bread dough with a little extra butter incorporated.

2. Substitutes for Fats (Butter, Margarine, or Shortening)

The buttery flavor in Pillsbury Crescent Rolls is one of their defining traits. If you need to substitute butter for health, dietary, or availability reasons, here are options:

• Vegan Butter or Margarine: Great for plant-based or dairy-free rolls. Look for brands like Earth Balance or Miyoko’s.
• Coconut Oil: Provides richness, though it may lend a slight coconut flavor to the rolls. Ensure it’s in solid form when using.
• Olive Oil or Canola Oil: Though these won’t give you the light, flaky layers butter does, they can work as a substitute in recipes that require fat for moisture.

3. Substitutes for Sweeteners (Sugar or Honey)

A small amount of sugar is often added to crescent roll recipes to give them that slight sweetness we all love. Here’s how you can substitute it:

• Brown Sugar: Works well as a substitute for white sugar and adds a touch of molasses flavor.
• Honey or Maple Syrup: Use these in equal amounts for a natural sweetener, but reduce the liquid in your recipe slightly to adjust for the moisture.
• Coconut Sugar: A lower glycemic alternative that works as a great substitute for regular sugar.
• Artificial Sweeteners or Stevia: If you want to reduce sugar, you can use a powdered or liquid sweetener, but be sure to adjust ratios based on the product instructions.

4. Substitutes for Eggs (If Needed)

If your from-scratch crescent dough recipe calls for eggs (often in enriching or brushing the dough for a golden finish), here are alternatives:

• Flax Egg: Combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2 ½ tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken before using.
• Aquafaba: The liquid from canned chickpeas can be used as an egg substitute (3 tablespoons = 1 egg).
• Applesauce or Mashed Banana: For a sweet alternative, these work well but may slightly alter the flavor of the dough.
• Milk or Butter for Egg Wash Substitute: For brushing the rolls before baking, use melted butter, cream, or a non-dairy milk for that golden finish.

Final Thoughts

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls are truly a culinary chameleon—they can be dressed up for a fancy meal or kept simple for everyday occasions.

More Pillsbury Recipes:

• Copycat Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
• Copycat Pillsbury Football Cookies Recipe