Easy Air Fryer Pizza Rolls deliver all the crispy, cheesy satisfaction of the frozen variety but taste infinitely better because they’re made fresh with real ingredients you can see and control. These little pockets of pizza perfection feature flaky dough wrapped around gooey melted mozzarella and savory pepperoni, then air-fried until golden brown and impossibly crispy on the outside while staying molten and delicious on the inside. The air fryer eliminates the need for deep frying in cups of oil, making these pizza rolls lighter and less greasy while still achieving that signature crunch that makes them so addictive. Perfect for game day snacks, after-school treats, party appetizers, or anytime you need something quick and crowd-pleasing that both kids and adults will devour.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These homemade pizza rolls are surprisingly easy to make, requiring just a handful of ingredients and minimal cooking skills, yet they taste exponentially better than anything from the frozen aisle. The air fryer creates an incredibly crispy exterior without the mess, smell, or calories of deep frying, and the cooking time is cut in half compared to baking in a conventional oven. You have complete control over the fillings, so you can customize them to suit different tastes, dietary restrictions, or whatever ingredients you have on hand. The recipe scales beautifully whether you’re making a small batch for a snack or multiplying it to feed a crowd at your next party. Unlike frozen pizza rolls that can have hot spots and cold centers, homemade ones cook evenly and you can serve them at the perfect temperature without any surprise lava-hot cheese burns.
The Science of Convection Cooking
- Air fryers work through convection, circulating superheated air around food at high speeds to create crispy exteriors.
- The rapid air movement removes moisture from the surface of the dough, creating a crust through a process called dehydration.
- This moisture removal happens much faster than in a conventional oven because the concentrated airflow is more efficient at evaporating water molecules.
- The Maillard reaction occurs on the dough’s surface when proteins and sugars react at high heat, creating golden-brown color and complex flavors.
- The compact cooking chamber and proximity to the heating element means air fryers reach cooking temperature faster and maintain more consistent heat than large ovens.
Ingredients You Need
- Pizza Dough: 1 lb store-bought or homemade pizza dough at room temperature
- Mozzarella Cheese: 1.5 cups shredded for gooey filling
- Pepperoni: 32 slices (about 2 per roll) or diced for easier folding
- Pizza Sauce: ½ cup for filling, plus extra for dipping
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon for the dough
- Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon for extra flavor
- Olive Oil Spray: For brushing the rolls
- Parmesan Cheese: 2 tablespoons grated for sprinkling (optional)
How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle about ⅛ inch thick. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough into 16 equal squares, approximately 3×3 inches each. If the dough is too elastic and keeps shrinking back, let it rest for 5 minutes before continuing.
Step 2: Place about 1 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella and 2 small pieces of pepperoni in the center of each dough square. Add a tiny spoonful of pizza sauce if desired, but don’t overfill or the rolls will burst during cooking. Leave a ½-inch border around all edges.
Step 3: Brush the edges of each dough square with water or beaten egg. Fold one corner diagonally to the opposite corner to create a triangle, or bring all four corners to the center to create a square pocket. Press the edges firmly with your fingers, then use a fork to crimp and seal them completely, making sure there are no openings.
Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the pizza rolls in a single layer with space between each one, working in batches if necessary. Lightly brush or spray the tops with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
Step 5: Air fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the pizza rolls are golden brown and crispy on all sides. The cheese should be melted and the dough fully cooked with no raw spots. Let them cool for 2-3 minutes before serving, as the filling will be extremely hot. Serve with warm pizza sauce or marinara for dipping.
3 Mistakes That Ruin Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
- Overfilling the Pizza Rolls: It’s tempting to stuff as much cheese and pepperoni as possible into each roll, but overfilling causes the seams to burst open during cooking, leaking cheese all over the air fryer basket and leaving you with deflated, empty shells. Stick to about 1 tablespoon of filling total per roll, and leave a generous border around the edges for proper sealing.
- Skipping the Oil Spray: Many people think air fryers don’t need any oil at all, but a light spray or brush of oil is essential for achieving that golden, crispy exterior. Without it, the dough will cook but remain pale and slightly leathery instead of developing that beautiful crunch and color. Just a light mist is all you need, not enough to make them greasy.
- Overcrowding the Basket: Stacking pizza rolls or arranging them too close together prevents hot air from circulating around each piece, resulting in some rolls that are perfectly crispy while others remain soft and pale. Always leave space between rolls and cook in batches if necessary. The few extra minutes are worth it for consistently crispy results on every single piece.
What to Serve with Easy Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
These crispy pizza rolls are perfect for game day parties, movie nights, or as an after-school snack that kids and adults both love. Serve them alongside Loaded Cheesy Ground Beef Nachos for an ultimate finger-food feast, or pair with The Best Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad for a more balanced meal that still feels fun and indulgent.
FAQ
Can I make these ahead of time? Yes! Assemble the pizza rolls completely, then freeze them on a baking sheet until solid before transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Cook directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the cooking time. This makes them perfect for meal prep or having ready-to-cook snacks on hand.
What other fillings can I use? The possibilities are endless! Try cooked sausage and bell peppers, ham and pineapple for Hawaiian pizza rolls, spinach and feta for a Greek twist, or even buffalo chicken with ranch. Just make sure any vegetables are pre-cooked and well-drained so they don’t add excess moisture that makes the dough soggy.
Why did my pizza rolls explode in the air fryer? This usually happens because the rolls weren’t sealed properly or they were overfilled. Make sure to press the edges very firmly and use a fork to crimp them shut, creating a tight seal. Also check that you’re not using too much filling, which creates pressure as the cheese melts and steam builds up inside.
Easy Air Fryer Pizza Rolls (Crispy in 8 Minutes)
Ingredients
Method
- Step 1: Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle about ⅛ inch thick. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough into 16 equal squares, approximately 3×3 inches each. If the dough is too elastic and keeps shrinking back, let it rest for 5 minutes before continuing.
- Step 2: Place about 1 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella and 2 small pieces of pepperoni in the center of each dough square. Add a tiny spoonful of pizza sauce if desired, but don't overfill or the rolls will burst during cooking. Leave a ½-inch border around all edges.
- Step 3: Brush the edges of each dough square with water or beaten egg. Fold one corner diagonally to the opposite corner to create a triangle, or bring all four corners to the center to create a square pocket. Press the edges firmly with your fingers, then use a fork to crimp and seal them completely, making sure there are no openings.
- Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the pizza rolls in a single layer with space between each one, working in batches if necessary. Lightly brush or spray the tops with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
- Step 5: Air fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the pizza rolls are golden brown and crispy on all sides. The cheese should be melted and the dough fully cooked with no raw spots. Let them cool for 2-3 minutes before serving, as the filling will be extremely hot. Serve with warm pizza sauce or marinara for dipping.
Notes
