Oh my gosh, have you ever had one of those days where you’re craving something crispy, cheesy, and downright delicious, but don’t want to deal with the greasy mess of deep frying? That’s exactly how I ended up perfecting these air fryer pizza rolls homemade! I’ll never forget the first time I made them—my kitchen smelled like a pizzeria, and they came out so golden and crisp, I nearly ate the whole batch myself. Forget store-bought frozen ones; once you try these fresh-from-the-air-fryer bites with melty mozzarella and spicy pepperoni, you’ll be hooked. And the best part? They’re ready in under 30 minutes from fridge to plate. Game night just got a major upgrade, friends!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Pizza Rolls Homemade
Okay, let me count the ways these little beauties will steal your heart (and probably your snack drawer):
- That perfect crunch: The air fryer works magic – golden outside, melty inside, zero sogginess. I swear it’s like pizza magic!
- Faster than delivery: 25 minutes start to finish. Seriously, you’ll be eating before your Uber Eats driver even finds parking.
- Your rules, your rolls: Add veggies, swap meats, go crazy with cheeses – it’s your pizza party in bite-size form.
- No grease puddles: All the crispiness of fried, without that “ugh I need a nap” feeling afterward. My jeans thank me.
- Kid (and adult) approved: These disappear faster than my willpower at a bakery. Great for parties or… you know… Tuesday.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Pizza Rolls Homemade
Here’s the beautiful thing about this recipe – you probably have half these ingredients in your kitchen already! I love that I can whip these up without a special grocery run. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough (about 13.8 oz) – I grab the classic kind near the biscuits at the store. Pro tip: let it sit at room temp for 15 minutes – it’ll be so much easier to roll!
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (packed) – The pre-shredded stuff works fine, but if you’ve got time, freshly grated melts like a dream.
- ½ cup pizza sauce (divided) – My secret? I use the little leftover jars from takeout nights. No waste!
- ¼ cup mini pepperoni slices – Regular pepperoni works too – just chop it up. Sometimes I do half pepperoni, half crumbled Italian sausage when I’m feeling fancy.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil – Just enough to give them that gorgeous golden color.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning – Or mix your own with dried oregano, basil, and a pinch of garlic powder.
See? Nothing crazy! And the best part is you can swap almost anything – use pesto instead of pizza sauce, try different cheeses, or add veggies. But this combo? It’s my go-to for that classic pizza flavor we all crave.
How to Make Air Fryer Pizza Rolls Homemade
Alright, let’s get to the fun part – turning these simple ingredients into crispy, cheesy pockets of joy! I promise it’s easier than folding a fitted sheet (why are those so impossible?). Just follow these steps and you’ll be snacking in no time.
Step 1: Prep the Dough
First things first – preheat that air fryer to 375°F. While it’s warming up, dust your counter with just a sprinkle of flour (trust me, this prevents sticky disasters). Roll out your pizza dough into a big rectangle – aim for about ¼ inch thick. Don’t stress about perfection here! Then, use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice it into 12 equal squares. They’ll look tiny now, but they’ll puff up beautifully.
Step 2: Fill and Seal Rolls
Now for the assembly line! Place about ½ teaspoon of pizza sauce in the center of each square – enough for flavor but not so much it oozes out. Top with cheese (I like to be generous here) and a couple pepperoni slices. Here’s the key: fold opposite corners together to make little triangles and pinch the edges really well. I use a fork to crimp the seams – it’s like giving each roll a little hug to keep all that goodness inside.
Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection
Lightly brush each roll with olive oil (this gives that golden crunch we love) and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Arrange them in the air fryer basket in a single layer – they need their personal space! Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway. You’ll know they’re done when they’re puffed up and that gorgeous golden brown color. Let them cool for a minute (if you can resist) – molten cheese burns are no joke!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Pizza Rolls Homemade
After making probably a hundred batches of these (what? I have a problem), I’ve picked up some tricks to guarantee pizza roll perfection every time:
- Give them breathing room! Overcrowding the basket leads to sad, steamed rolls instead of crispy ones. Work in batches if needed – it’s worth the wait.
- Parchment paper is your friend – cut a circle to fit your basket for easy cleanup (and no stuck cheese disasters).
- Crispness control: Add 1-2 extra minutes if you like them extra crunchy, but watch closely – they go from golden to dark fast!
- Seal with water: If edges won’t stick, dab your finger in water to help them seal – no cheese explosions!
Variations for Air Fryer Pizza Rolls Homemade
One of my favorite things about these pizza rolls is how easily you can mix things up! I’m constantly inventing new combos based on what’s in my fridge. Here are some of my go-to variations that always disappear fast:
- Veggie delight: Swap pepperoni for sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach. My niece swears by this version (and I swear by sneaking veggies into her diet).
- Breakfast twist: Scrambled eggs, crispy bacon bits, and cheddar cheese. Serve with maple syrup for dipping – sweet and salty perfection!
- Hawaiian style: Canadian bacon and pineapple chunks (don’t @ me, pineapple-on-pizza haters). Add a drizzle of barbecue sauce instead of pizza sauce if you’re feeling wild.
- Three-cheese: Mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta with a sprinkle of garlic powder. So simple, so good when you’re craving pure cheesiness.
- Vegan version: Dairy-free cheese and plant-based sausage crumbles work beautifully. My sister’s vegan and she inhales these.
The beauty is – there are no rules! Raid your fridge leftovers and get creative. Just keep the fillings small and not too wet, and you really can’t go wrong. What combo will you try first?
Serving Suggestions
Oh, the dipping possibilities! These air fryer pizza rolls homemade are practically begging for sauces. My personal favorite? A mix of marinara and ranch – don’t knock it till you try it! They’re perfect for game day spreads (just double the batch – trust me) or lazy movie nights when you want something fun without the fuss. Arrange them on a platter with small bowls of:
- Warm marinara (I jazz mine up with extra garlic and red pepper flakes)
- Creamy ranch dressing (the cool contrast is heavenly)
- Garlic butter for dipping (because more garlic is always the answer)
- Spicy honey drizzle (my latest obsession – sweet heat!)
Pop them on a board with some veggie sticks and call it a party!
Storage and Reheating
Okay, confession time – these rarely last long enough in my house to need storing, but when they do (miracle of miracles!), here’s how I keep them tasting fresh and crispy. Let them cool completely first – no one wants soggy pizza rolls – then pop them in an airtight container. They’ll stay good in the fridge for about 3 days… if you can resist that long!
Now, reheating is where the air fryer really shines again. Microwave? No way – you’ll get sad, rubbery rolls. Instead, toss them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. It’s like magic – they come out almost as crispy as when they were first made! If I’m feeling extra, I’ll give them a quick spritz of oil before reheating for that just-fried texture.
Want to freeze some for emergencies (read: 2am snack attacks)? Place cooled rolls on a baking sheet to freeze solid first, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for about a month. When the craving hits, no need to thaw – just add an extra minute or two to the air fry time. Game changer for quick lunches or surprise guests!
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s talk numbers – but remember, these are just estimates since we all tweak recipes differently! Based on the basic version with pepperoni and mozzarella (about 2 rolls per serving), here’s what you’re looking at:
- Calories: 180 per serving
- Fat: 8g (3g saturated)
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Sodium: 320mg
A few quick notes from my kitchen experiments: Using turkey pepperoni instead of regular cuts the fat by about 2g per serving. Going light on the cheese (sacrilege, I know) or using part-skim mozzarella also helps. But honestly? Sometimes you just need that full-fat, melty goodness – it’s all about balance!
Questions About Air Fryer Pizza Rolls Homemade
I get it – you’ve got questions before diving into pizza roll heaven! Here are the ones I hear most often (and my very honest answers):
Can I freeze these pizza rolls?
Absolutely! They freeze like a dream. Just let them cool completely, spread them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then toss them in a freezer bag. When the craving hits, air fry straight from frozen – just add 1-2 extra minutes. Perfect for emergency snack situations!
Will homemade dough work instead of refrigerated?
You bet! I’ve used my favorite pizza dough recipe many times – just roll it slightly thinner than usual. The only catch? Homemade dough might need an extra minute in the air fryer since it’s typically wetter than store-bought. Watch for that golden color to know when they’re done.
Why did my cheese leak out everywhere?
Ugh, been there! Two likely culprits: overfilling (stick to about a teaspoon of sauce) or not sealing the edges well enough. Pro tip: if your dough feels dry when sealing, dab the edges with water before pinching – it acts like edible glue!
Can I make these vegetarian or vegan?
100%! Skip the pepperoni or swap for veggies (just pat them dry first). For vegan versions, I’ve had great results with dairy-free cheese and plant-based meats. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavor is still awesome.
My air fryer cooks unevenly – any tips?
Totally normal! Try shaking the basket at the halfway mark instead of just flipping. If some rolls are browning too fast, move them to the center. And remember – no two air fryers are exactly alike, so your perfect time might be 7 minutes or 11. Trust your eyes more than the clock!
Share Your Results!
Okay, pizza roll crew – now it’s your turn! I want to see what delicious creations you come up with. Did you stick with classic pepperoni? Go wild with a breakfast version? Maybe you invented some crazy new combo I haven’t tried yet (please tell me if you did – I need ideas!). Snap a pic of your golden, crispy masterpieces and tag me on Instagram – nothing makes me happier than seeing your kitchen wins!
And hey, if you loved this recipe as much as I do, drop a quick rating below. Was it the perfect crunch? Did your kids go nuts for them? Your feedback helps other home cooks know what to expect. Plus, it gives me that warm fuzzy feeling knowing I helped make someone’s snack time a little more delicious.
Happy air frying, friends! May your pizza rolls always be crispy, your cheese always melty, and your dipping sauces plentiful.
Print
Irresistible Air Fryer Pizza Rolls Homemade in 25 Minutes
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make crispy and delicious pizza rolls at home using your air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1/4 cup pepperoni slices
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- Roll out the pizza dough and cut it into small squares.
- Place a teaspoon of pizza sauce, shredded cheese, and pepperoni slices on each dough square.
- Fold and seal the edges to form rolls.
- Brush the rolls with olive oil and sprinkle Italian seasoning.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Try adding vegetables or different cheeses for variety.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Italian-American