Easy Copycat Rosati’s Dough Nuggets Recipe

Craving those addictive fried dough bites from Rosati’s? These crispy pizza dough nuggets capture all the savory, garlicky goodness of the restaurant favorite right in your own kitchen. What started as a simple Italian tradition of frying leftover pizza dough has become one of the most beloved appetizers at this Chicago-based pizza chain. With golden exteriors, tender interiors, and that signature garlic-butter coating, these nuggets disappear faster than you can make them.

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What Makes These Dough Nuggets So Good 

If you are someone who can’t keep your hands off soft breadsticks with dipping sauces, you are going to love this recipe for seasoned fried dough. Pieces of crispy pizza dough surpass the average pizza chain’s breadsticks with its savory seasoning and garlic-butter sauce.

Why You Will Want To Make These Again and Again 

Italian fried pizza dough is hot, fresh, and delicious. If you use prepared pizza dough, they are even a breeze to make.

Fried dough nuggets have enough intensity to serve as a standalone snack, but by reducing the seasoning a bit, they are the perfect accompaniment to a soup or salad. With so many possibilities, you better stock up on ingredients for pizza dough!

Ingredients You Will Need 

This recipe makes the fried dough from pizza dough, so you’ll need:

For Homemade Pizza Dough:

• Water – Activates the yeast and creates the dough base
• Dry instant yeast – Provides the leavening power for light, airy texture
• Olive oil – Adds richness and helps create tender dough
• Bread flour – Higher protein content creates the perfect chewy texture
• Salt – Enhances flavor and strengthens gluten structure
• Non-stick spray or extra olive oil – Prevents dough from sticking during rising

Using yeast can be a little intimidating to some people. Don’t worry. You shouldn’t have any problems if you use dry instant yeast that comes in a packet, like Fleischmann’s. You can also use instant yeast from a jar, but single-serve packets are easier. 

Bread flour is different from all-purpose flour. Bread flour has more protein, essential for forming a denser structure and chewier consistency. 

For Frying:

• Vegetable oil – Creates the crispy golden exterior when heated to proper temperature

For Garlic-Butter Coating:

• Unsalted butter – Rich base that carries all the flavors
• Fresh garlic – Provides that signature aromatic punch
• Parmesan cheese – Adds nutty, salty complexity
• Italian seasoning – Blend of herbs that creates the authentic taste

Italian seasoning is not the same as a dry Italian dressing mix. It is a single mix that contains common Italian dried herbs, including basil, thyme, oregano, and parsley. It is the key to this garlic-butter sauce, so make sure you use a good one. Something like McCormick Italian Herb Seasoning that comes with an attached grinder is ideal. 

For Serving:

• Marinara sauce – Classic dipping sauce that complements the fried dough

How To Make Fried Dough With Pizza Dough

To make homemade pizza dough:

1. Stir together a half cup of warm water and the entire packet of instant yeast. After a few minutes, you should notice bubbles form. Restart with new yeast if you don’t see any bubbles after 5 minutes. 
2. Add the flour and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer. If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can use a bread machine, food processor, or just a mixing bowl and dough whisk. 
3. Mix the flour and salt together until combined with the wire whisk attachment. Salt can kill yeast, and distributing it throughout the flour helps protect it. 
4. Pour in the activated yeast, olive oil, and all the room temperature water into the bowl of the stand mixer. 
5. Mix with a dough hook on low until the pizza dough comes off the sides and forms a ball. 
6. Remove the dough and knead for a minute or two.
7. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Allow it to rise until it is double in size. 
8. Punch the dough down to release all the gas. At this point, you can bag the dough and refrigerate it for up to three days or freeze it for up to a month. 

To fry the dough nuggets:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a fryer or Dutch oven until it reaches 350°F.
2. Divide the dough in half. Put half onto a floured work surface to come up to room temperature. Return the rest of the dough to the fridge. 
3. Roll out the dough into a rectangle about 3/4-inch thick. 
4. Cut the dough into roughly even-sized squares. 
5. Place a paper towel-lined wire rack over a baking tray. 
6. Fry three or four pieces of dough at a time until the first side is golden brown. Use a spider to flip and fry the other side of the bread. Transfer the fried bread onto the towel-lined wire rack to drain. 

To finish the fried pizza dough:

1. Mix together the Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese in a large mixing bowl. 
2. Combine the melted butter and grated garlic in another large mixing bowl. 
3. Add all the still warm fried bread into the bowl with melted butter. Toss to coat.
4. Transfer the fried bread into the bowl with seasoning. Toss to coat. 
5. Serve immediately with a side of marinara sauce in a small bowl.

What To Serve With Dough Nuggets 

You can enjoy Italian fried pizza dough as a savory snack, but it is also great as a side for salads and soups. If serving as a snack, a sauce or two. marinara sauce, buffalo sauce, melted Velveeta cheese, sour cream dip, and ranch dressing are all great options. 

Storage & Reheating Instructions for Leftover Dough Nuggets

• Refrigerator Storage: Store in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Note that texture will soften slightly when chilled.
• Reheating Method: Reheat in 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, turning once after 7 minutes for even heating. Never microwave, as this makes them chewy.
• Freezing: Freeze in single layer on baking tray, then transfer to freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.

Favorite Appetizer Recipes

• Cream Cheese Wontons
• Fried Mozzarella Sticks
• Fried Pickle Spears
• Homemade Pizza Rolls
• Italian Rice Balls
• Deep Fried Mushrooms
• Loaded Baked Potato Tots
• Pizza Monkey Bread
• Porcupine Meatballs
• Scallops Wrapped in Bacon

Popular Pizza Recipes

• BBQ Chicken Pizza
• Formaggio Pizza
• Uno’s Pizza

Check out more of my easy appetizer recipes and the best Italian recipes on CopyKat!