Oh my gosh, have you ever had one of those nights where you NEED garlic bread but don’t want to turn on the oven? Enter my lifesaver—these air fryer garlic knots pizza dough bites! They’re crispy outside, pillowy inside, and dripping with garlicky butter goodness in just 20 minutes flat. I stumbled onto this trick during a desperate snack emergency last football season, and now it’s my go-to for impromptu gatherings (or, let’s be real, solo carb cravings). The magic? That air fryer crunch without any fuss—just store-bought dough, a killer garlic butter bath, and a snowy sprinkle of Parmesan. Game changer.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Garlic Knots Pizza Dough
Trust me, these garlic knots are about to become your new obsession—here’s why:
- Crazy fast: From dough to devouring in under 20 minutes (no oven preheating drama!)
- That perfect crunch: The air fryer gives them golden, crispy edges while keeping the centers soft
- Zero stress: Even my kitchen-disaster-prone cousin can’t mess these up
- Pantry hero: Uses ingredients you probably already have (pizza dough? Check. Garlic? Double check.)
- Versatile: Fancy appetizer or midnight snack—no judgment here
Ingredients for Air Fryer Garlic Knots Pizza Dough
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these garlicky little miracles. I promise it’s nothing fancy—just simple stuff that packs a flavor punch:
- 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought saves time, but homemade works beautifully if you’re feeling ambitious)
- 3 tbsp melted butter (I use unsalted so I can control the saltiness, but salted works in a pinch)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (fresh is key here—none of that jarred stuff!)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (dried works, but fresh makes all the difference)
- 1/4 tsp salt (adjust to taste—I usually add a tiny extra pinch)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (freshly cracked if you’ve got it)
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (the powdery kind sticks best, but any will do)
How to Make Air Fryer Garlic Knots Pizza Dough
Okay, here’s the fun part—let’s turn that dough into golden, garlicky perfection! I swear this is easier than folding a fitted sheet (and way more rewarding). Follow these steps, and you’ll have restaurant-worthy knots faster than you can say “more garlic, please.”
Step 1: Prep the Dough
First, give your pizza dough some love by letting it rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes—this makes it way easier to work with. Lightly flour your hands and counter (trust me, sticky dough fights are no fun). Divide it into 8 equal pieces—I eyeball it, but you can use a kitchen scale if you’re feeling precise. Roll each piece into a rope about 6 inches long. Pro tip: If the dough keeps shrinking back, let it rest another 5 minutes—it’s just being stubborn! Then tie each rope into a simple knot, tucking the ends underneath. Don’t stress about perfection—rustic-looking knots taste just as amazing.
Step 2: Air Frying the Garlic Knots
Fire up your air fryer to 350°F (175°C)—no preheating needed if yours heats up fast like mine. Arrange the knots in the basket with a little breathing room (I do 4 at a time to avoid crowding). Cook for 4 minutes, then flip them with tongs—this ensures even browning. Give them another 4-6 minutes until they’re gorgeously golden. Peek at the 8-minute mark—all air fryers run a bit different! They’re done when they sound hollow if you tap them (or when your kitchen smells like an Italian bakery).
Step 3: Adding the Garlic Butter
While the knots cook, mix your melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Warning: This mixture will smell so good you might want to drink it (resist!). As soon as the knots come out of the air fryer, brush them generously with the garlic butter—the warmth helps them soak up all that flavor. Sprinkle with Parmesan immediately so it sticks. Serve hot and watch them disappear—I guarantee someone will try to sneak an extra one when you’re not looking!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Garlic Knots Pizza Dough
After making these garlic knots more times than I can count (okay, fine—I lost track after week three), here are my foolproof tricks:
- Air fryer quirks: Start checking at 7 minutes—some models run hotter! If they brown too fast, lower the temp by 25°F.
- Stick-proof move: Lightly spray the basket with oil—those dough ends love to cling.
- Garlic hack: Let the butter-garlic mix sit 5 minutes before brushing to mellow sharpness.
- Spice it up: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the butter? Yes please.
- Double batch? Keep cooked knots warm in a 200°F oven while frying the rest.
Variations for Air Fryer Garlic Knots Pizza Dough
Once you’ve mastered the basic version, try these fun twists—I’ve tested them all during my garlic knot “experiments” (read: carb-fueled creativity sessions):
- Cheesy surprise: Tuck a cube of mozzarella inside each knot before air frying—melty pull-apart magic!
- Herb butter: Swap parsley for rosemary or basil in the garlic butter
- Everything bagel: Sprinkle with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and garlic flakes post-butter
- Sweet version: Skip the savory stuff—brush with cinnamon honey butter instead
The best part? You can mix and match—my niece loves half cheesy, half plain. No rules, just delicious!
Serving Suggestions
These garlic knots scream “dunk me!”—I love them with warm marinara for dipping (the kind with extra garlic, obviously). They’re also killer alongside a simple Caesar salad or piled high next to a bowl of spaghetti. Pro move? Serve them straight from the air fryer basket—rustic charm and zero cleanup!
Storage and Reheating
If by some miracle you have leftovers (rare in my house!), pop them in an airtight container—they’ll keep for 2 days at room temp or 4 days in the fridge. To revive that crispy magic, reheat in the air fryer at 325°F for 2-3 minutes. No sad, soggy knots here! For freezer storage, wrap individually in foil and thaw before reheating.
FAQs About Air Fryer Garlic Knots Pizza Dough
I get asked these questions ALL the time—here are my tried-and-true answers after making approximately a zillion batches:
Can I use homemade pizza dough? Absolutely! Just make sure it’s risen properly—too dense and your knots will be hockey pucks. My quick tip? Let homemade dough rest 30 minutes after shaping before air frying.
Why do my knots stick to the basket? Two words: oil spray. A quick spritz prevents those dough ends from clinging for dear life. Also, don’t skip flipping them halfway!
Can I make these ahead? You bet—shape the knots and refrigerate up to 8 hours before cooking. The garlic butter? Mix it early too—the flavors meld beautifully!
Help! My garlic burns! Been there! If your air fryer runs hot, add minced garlic AFTER cooking and brush with plain melted butter first.
Whole wheat dough okay? Yep, but cook 1-2 minutes longer—it browns slower. The texture’s denser but still delicious with extra garlic butter!
Nutritional Information
Each garlic knot clocks in at about 120 calories—not bad for buttery, garlicky heaven! Here’s the full breakdown per serving (but remember, exact numbers vary based on your dough brand and how generously you brush that garlic butter):
- Calories: 120
- Carbs: 16g
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 5g
Psst—want them lighter? Use less butter or a low-fat dough, but… where’s the fun in that?
Final Thoughts
Go make these garlic knots right now—I dare you not to fall in love! Tag me when you do so I can drool over your creations. Happy air frying!
Print
20-Minute Irresistible Garlic Knots in Air Fryer Pizza Dough
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 8 garlic knots
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy garlic knots made from pizza dough, cooked in an air fryer for a quick and delicious snack.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Divide pizza dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each into a rope shape.
- Tie each rope into a knot and place in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix melted butter, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Brush garlic butter over the warm knots and sprinkle with Parmesan.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use store-bought pizza dough for convenience.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Add red pepper flakes for extra spice.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Italian