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    Home » Crescent Roll Recipes

    Cheesy Pesto Crescents

    Published: Apr 4, 2025 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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    cheesy pesto crescents pin
    Three uncooked cheesy pesto crescents rest on a baking tray, ready to be baked to golden perfection. Mess for Less logo appears at the bottom left.
    A cheesy pesto crescent of dough with a piece of cheese rests on a baking sheet.
    Two unbaked triangular cheesy pesto crescent dough pieces rest on a parchment-lined surface, waiting for their turn in the oven.
    ingredients for pesto crescent rolls
    cheesy pesto crescent
    cheesy pesto crescents pin
    ↓ Jump to Recipe

    You can make many things with store-bought crescent rolls, whether you are looking for a sweet or savory treat. Plus, kids love them, which is always a win in my house. We have made the best crescent roll recipes, and these Cheesy Pesto Crescents are no exception.

    In the past, we have made Pepperoni Pizza Crescents and Peach Pie Crescents. But this recipe combines three of my favorite ingredients: crescent rolls, cheese, and pesto. Yum!

    cheesy pesto crescents pin
    Jump to:
    • Pesto Crescent Rolls
    • Crescent Roll Recipes
    • Ingredients For Cheesy Pesto Crescents
    • Kitchen Tools You'll Need
    • How To Make Cheesy Pesto Crescents
    • Tips for Making Pesto Cheese Rolls
    • FAQs For Pesto Crescent Rolls
    • Pesto Recipes
    • Cooking With Crescents
    • 📖 Recipe

    If you’re juggling a busy schedule like me, you’ll appreciate how quickly crescents with pesto come together and how you can turn simple ingredients into something special.

    Pesto Crescent Rolls

    These crescents are awesome because they use store-bought crescent rolls, making them a no-fuss snack or appetizer. The combination of melted cheese and flavorful pesto inside a crispy crescent roll will please even the pickiest eaters.

    Pesto crescents are perfect when you need something warm, comforting, and satisfying in minutes. And the best part? You can make them in your toaster oven, so you don’t have to heat the entire kitchen.

    Kids will love these crescents because they’re cheesy and fun to eat. But adults will love them too since they’re fancy enough to serve at any gathering without much effort.

    Two golden-brown cheesy pesto crescents stacked on a green plate with a rich cheese filling oozing out.

    Crescent Roll Recipes

    Crescent roll recipes are super popular because they’re versatile and easy to customize. Whether you’re using them to make savory snacks or sweet treats, crescent rolls are the perfect base for countless creations.

    • Bacon Egg and Cheese Crescent Roll Breakfast
    • Pizza Crescents
    • Apple Pie Muffins Using Crescent Rolls
    • Turkey and Cheese Crescent Roll Recipe

    Ingredients For Cheesy Pesto Crescents

    • Crescent rolls – This is your base for the recipe. Look for an 8-count pack in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.
    • String cheese – I love this for its pull-apart texture. You’ll cut each stick in half to create perfectly portioned cheesy centers.
    • Pesto sauce – You can use store-bought pesto or homemade if you have it on hand. This sauce brings a herby, garlicky punch to the flavor. I used approximately three tablespoons.
    crescent rolls, pesto, mozzarella cheese

    Kitchen Tools You'll Need

    You don’t need much to make these crescents, and that’s what makes this recipe so easy. You’ll need a baking sheet, a knife to cut the string cheese, and an oven or a toaster oven to bake them in. If you are missing any of these, you can purchase them below:

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    How To Make Cheesy Pesto Crescents

    Unroll the tube of crescents and separate them into triangles. Place some pesto sauce into the center of each triangle.

    Two unbaked triangular cheesy pesto crescent dough pieces rest on a parchment-lined surface, waiting for their turn in the oven.

    Slice each string cheese in half and place that half on top of the pesto.

    Cheesy pesto crescents crafted from triangle-shaped dough and a rich cheese stick rest invitingly on a baking sheet, ready for the oven.

    Roll into a crescent shape. Seal the edges as much as you can at this point. It might require some stretching of the dough to get the edges sealed.

    Three uncooked cheesy pesto crescents rest on a baking tray, ready to be baked to golden perfection.

    Bake these cheesy pesto crescents at 375 degrees from 11-13 minutes, until the tops turn golden brown. Mine were done closer to the 11 minute mark.  They are at their best when they are warm and the gooey cheese just oozes out of them.

    You'll love how this is one of those kids recipes that the entire family will want again and again!

    Tips for Making Pesto Cheese Rolls

    Tip 1: Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

    Tip 2: For an extra crispy top, brush the crescents with a little melted butter before baking.

    Tip 3: Experiment with fillings. Swap pesto for marinara sauce or try adding some cooked chicken or pepperoni.

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    FAQs For Pesto Crescent Rolls

    How should I store leftover Cheesy Pesto Crescents?

    If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in the oven or toaster oven for a few minutes to bring back the crispy texture.

    Can I use a different type of cheese?

    Yes, you can. While string cheese works wonderfully, you can try mozzarella slices, shredded cheese, or even cheese sticks with flavors like cheddar or pepper jack.

    How do I stop the cheese from leaking out of crescent rolls?

    Make sure to stretch the edges of the crescent dough and seal them completely around the filling. You can also press the edges into the dough to create a tighter seal.

    Pesto Recipes

    Pesto is super versatile and adds a fresh, bold flavor to all kinds of dishes. It’s an easy way to make meals taste better without much effort. Whether you’re jazzing up a quick dinner or trying something new, pesto makes everyday food feel a little more special.

    • Pesto Recipe With Pine Nuts
    • Chicken Pesto Orzo Recipe
    • Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
    • Chicken Pesto Kabobs

    These Cheesy Pesto Crescents are quick, simple, and absolutely delish. Whether you’re making them for a family snack or serving them to guests, they’ll disappear off the plate in no time.

    Cooking With Crescents

    • Crescent Roll Breakfast Ideas
      Crescent Roll Breakfast Ideas
    • Crescent S'mores Bars Recipe
      Crescent S'mores Bars Recipe
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      Chicken Crescent Squares Recipe
    • Best Crescent Roll Recipes pin
      Best Crescent Roll Recipes

    📖 Recipe

    cheesy pesto crescent

    Cheesy Pesto Crescents

    Vicky
    Cheesy, easy, and so yummy! These Cheesy Pesto Crescents are the perfect snack or appetizer for any occasion. Made with just three simple ingredients, they’re a hit with kids and adults alike.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Total Time 17 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 8
    Calories 121 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 Crescent rolls 8-count pack
    • 3 tablespoon Pesto sauce
    • 4 sticks String cheese cut in half

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 375°F.
    • Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate into triangles.
    • Add about 1 teaspoon of pesto to the wider part of each triangle and place half a string cheese over it.
    • Roll each triangle into its crescent shape, sealing the edges.
    • Place crescents on a baking sheet and bake for 11–13 minutes, or until golden brown.
    • Serve warm and enjoy!

    Notes

    • Line your pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat—it’ll keep things from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
    • Want an extra crispy top? Brush a little melted butter over the crescents before baking.
    • Get creative with the fillings! Swap out marinara for pesto or toss in some cooked chicken or pepperoni.
    We aim to provide accurate nutritional information, but keep in mind that figures can vary based on the specific ingredients or brands you use and how you prepare the recipe.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 121kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 276mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 113IUCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.4mg
    Keyword Cheesy Pesto Crescents
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Crescent Roll Recipes

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    • Cooking Cheesy Beef Taco Crescent Cups with Kids

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Hani Shabbir says

      October 20, 2014 at 11:23 pm

      I am always trying different variations, this I have to try! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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