Air Fryer Pizza Rolls

The first time I made these, my teenage son walked through the door right as I was pulling them from the air fryer. He actually stopped mid sentence, caught off guard by how incredible the kitchen smelled. Within minutes, his friends had materialized from nowhere, and the entire batch vanished while they were still too hot to eat comfortably.

I started making these when my daughter began having friends over after soccer practice. Something about warm, handheld food makes teenagers actually sit at the table instead of grabbing snacks and disappearing. The best part is watching them debate whether the end pieces or middle pieces are better.

Ingredients

• Refrigerated pizza dough: Fresh dough works, but honestly the refrigerated kind creates such consistent results and saves so much time
• All purpose flour: Keep extra nearby for dusting your hands and the counter, because this dough gets surprisingly sticky
• Shredded mozzarella: Pre shredded is convenient, but shredding it yourself from a block makes it melt so much better
• Mini pepperoni slices: Regular pepperoni works too, but the mini pieces distribute more evenly throughout each roll
• Pizza sauce: Spread it thin, because too much makes the dough soggy in exactly the way you do not want
• Grated Parmesan: This adds that salty depth that makes these taste like they came from a restaurant
• Dried Italian herbs: Fresh herbs burn in the air fryer, so dried actually work better here
• Beaten egg: The secret to getting everything to stay sealed and achieving that gorgeous golden brown color
• Cooking spray: A light coat prevents sticking without adding the heaviness of brushing with straight oil
• Extra pizza sauce: Warm it up while the rolls cook, because dipping makes these absolutely perfect

Instructions

Preheat with intention:

Turn on your air fryer to 190°C (375°F) and let it run empty for about five minutes. This preheating step is what creates that initial sear that makes the exterior so crispy.

Roll with confidence:

Flour your surface generously and roll the dough into a rectangle roughly 30 by 25 centimeters. Do not stress about perfection, but try to keep the thickness even so the rolls cook at the same rate.

Sauce strategically:

Spread the pizza sauce across the dough, but leave about a one centimeter border around the edges. This bare border is what makes it possible to seal everything without sauce leaking out and making a mess.

Layer thoughtfully:

Sprinkle the mozzarella first, then the Parmesan, followed by your pepperoni or vegetables. Finish with the Italian herbs, distributing everything as evenly as your patience allows.

Roll and seal:

Start from one of the long edges and roll the dough into a tight log. Pinch the seam firmly to seal it, then place the log seam side down on your cutting board.

Slice with care:

Cut the log into twenty four equal pieces using a sharp knife, using a gentle sawing motion instead of pressing down. Pressing down squishes the rolls, which defeats the entire point of cutting them neatly.

Seal the edges:

Brush the cut sides of each roll lightly with the beaten egg. This step feels tedious but it is what prevents them from unrolling while they air fry.

Prep the basket:

Spray your air fryer basket thoroughly with cooking spray. Do not skip this or try to use less spray, because stuck pizza rolls are genuinely sad to clean up.

Arrange with space:

Place the rolls in the basket cut side up in a single layer. Leave room between them for air circulation, even if this means cooking in multiple batches.

Brush for gold:

Give the tops of each roll another light brush with the beaten egg. This second coat is what creates that restaurant quality shine and color.

Fry to perfection:

Cook for eight to ten minutes, flipping each roll halfway through. They are done when they are deeply golden and sound hollow when you tap them.

The waiting game:

Let them cool for two to three minutes before serving. This cooling period firms up the cheese slightly so each bite holds together instead of sliding everywhere.

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My youngest started requesting these for every family movie night, and it became this thing where we would all stand around the air fryer watching them cook through the glass. Something about the smell of melting cheese and pepperoni brings everyone into the kitchen, even before I announce that food is ready.

Make Ahead Magic

You can assemble these rolls up to twenty four hours in advance, placing the sliced pieces on a parchment lined baking sheet in the refrigerator. The cold rest actually helps the dough hold its shape better during cooking, so make ahead versions often turn out even prettier than freshly assembled ones.

Freezing For Later

Flash freeze the uncooked rolls on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to three months. Cook them from frozen, adding just two or three minutes to the air fry time, and you will have fresh tasting pizza rolls whenever the craving hits.

Serving Ideas That Work

These shine alongside a simple green salad when you want to call them dinner, or arranged on a platter with marinara, garlic butter, and ranch for dipping at parties. I have also served them as part of a snack spread with wings, mozzarella sticks, and veggie plates for the ultimate game day spread.

• Set up a toppings bar so guests can customize their own dipping combinations
• Warm the dipping sauce until it is hot, not just room temperature
• Sprinkle fresh parsley or grated Parmesan over the platter right before serving

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These rolls have become my go to for feeding a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen. Something about them just makes people happy.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ Can I make these rolls vegetarian?

Yes, simply replace mini pepperoni slices with diced bell peppers or other vegetables to keep it vegetarian.

→ What dough works best for these rolls?

Refrigerated pizza dough is ideal for ease, but you can also use whole wheat or gluten-free dough as preferred.

→ How do I prevent the rolls from sticking in the air fryer?

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking or olive oil spray before placing the rolls in a single layer.

→ Can I prepare these in advance?

Yes, assemble the rolls and refrigerate them briefly before air frying. This helps save time on serving day.

→ What can I use instead of egg wash for sealing?

For vegan options, brush the rolls with olive oil instead of beaten egg to seal and finish with a golden crust.

→ How long should I air fry the pizza rolls?

Air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway until golden brown and crisp.