These Crispy Air Fryer Pizza Rolls are the ultimate quick snack, far superior to the soggy microwave version or the slow oven method. By using the air fryer, you transform frozen pizza rolls into golden, crunchy bites with a perfectly melted cheesy center in just minutes.
With a satisfying crunch on the outside and a piping hot filling, this is the easiest way to cure a snack attack or feed hungry kids fast.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: These offer the classic taste of pizza savory tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and a seasoned crust without the delivery wait time.
- Texture: The air fryer ensures the outer shell becomes incredibly crisp and golden, while the inside remains gooey and soft.
- Time: 1 minute prep, 5-7 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Very Easy. It is practically effortless and fail-proof.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need an air fryer (basket or tray style) and a pair of tongs. The ingredients are minimal: just your favorite bag of frozen pizza rolls and a safe cooking spray to ensure they don’t stick to the basket.
Ingredient Notes
- Frozen Cheese Pizza Rolls – Keep these in the freezer until you are ready to cook. Do not thaw them beforehand, or the filling may leak out during cooking.
- Olive Oil Spray – It is crucial to use a non-aerosol, propellant-free spray. Many aerosol sprays contain harsh chemicals that can chip or peel the non-stick coating of your air fryer basket over time. A simple oil mister or pump bottle is best.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Flavor Variations – While this recipe uses cheese pizza rolls, the method works perfectly for pepperoni, sausage, or combination flavors.
- Extra Seasoning – For a gourmet twist, sprinkle the rolls with garlic powder, dried oregano, or grated Parmesan cheese immediately after they come out of the air fryer.
- Dipping Sauces – Serve with a side of marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or garlic butter for dipping.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
- Prep the Air Fryer: If your air fryer has a separate elevated crisping tray or plate, be sure to insert it. Lightly grease the crisper plate or bottom of the air fryer basket with the non-aerosol, propellant-free olive oil spray.
- Arrange: Place the 12 frozen cheese pizza rolls in a single layer in the air fryer so that they are not overlapping. This ensures the hot air circulates around each roll for maximum crispiness.
- Optional Crispiness: If you want them extra crispy, you can spray the tops of the pizza rolls with a little more of the olive oil spray.
- Cook: Air fry at 375° F for 5-7 minutes until the pizza rolls are golden brown. Shake the basket gently after 3 minutes to flip them around and ensure even browning.
- Cool: Allow the pizza rolls to sit for a few minutes before eating. This is important as the filling will be extremely hot and can burn your mouth if eaten immediately.
Pro Tip: Every air fryer runs slightly differently. Check your rolls at the 5-minute mark. If you see filling starting to ooze out of the seams, they are done!
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcrowd: Stick to a single layer. If you pile them up, the ones in the middle will end up soggy and steamed rather than crispy. Cook in batches if you need to make more than 12.
- Shake the Basket: Shaking the basket halfway through cooking prevents the rolls from sticking to the bottom and helps them brown evenly on all sides.
- Let Them Rest: The filling inside pizza rolls gets much hotter than the outside crust. Letting them rest for 2-3 minutes allows the cheese to set slightly and prevents burns.
FAQs
- Do I need to preheat the air fryer? For this recipe, preheating is not strictly necessary, but it does help crisp the shell faster. If you do not preheat, you may need to lean towards the 7-minute cook time.
- Why did my pizza rolls explode? This usually happens if they are cooked too long or at too high of a temperature. If they burst, reduce the time by a minute next batch.
- Can I reheat leftovers? Yes, you can reheat cooked pizza rolls in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to crisp them back up.
Serving Suggestions
- After School Snack: Serve these on a platter with carrot sticks and ranch for a balanced kid-friendly snack.
- Game Day: Make a double batch and serve with warm marinara sauce alongside wings and chips.
- Simple Lunch: Pair with a Caesar salad for a quick and easy lunch.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Best Fresh: These are definitely best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer while they are crispy.
- Freezer Storage: Keep the rolls frozen until you are ready to eat. There is no need to prep them in advance.
Crispy Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 12 Rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Crispy Air Fryer Pizza Rolls are the ultimate quick snack, far superior to the soggy microwave version or the slow oven method. By using the air fryer, you transform frozen pizza rolls into golden, crunchy bites with a perfectly melted cheesy center in just minutes. With a satisfying crunch on the outside and a piping hot filling, this is the easiest way to cure a snack attack or feed hungry kids fast.
Ingredients
- 12 frozen cheese pizza rolls
- Non-aerosol, propellant-free olive oil spray
Instructions
Prep the Air Fryer
If your air fryer has a removable crisper plate, ensure it is inserted. Lightly grease the bottom of the air fryer basket or the plate with the non-aerosol olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
Arrange the Rolls
Place the 12 frozen cheese pizza rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overlap them; keeping them in one layer ensures the hot air circulates around each roll for maximum crunch.
Optional Crispiness
For extra crunch, give the tops of the pizza rolls a quick, light spritz of the olive oil spray before cooking.
Cook
Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 5 to 7 minutes. Shake the basket gently at the 3-minute mark to flip them around and ensure even browning.
Cool
Remove the rolls from the air fryer and allow them to sit for 2 to 3 minutes. This step is vital as the filling becomes molten hot and needs time to set and cool slightly to avoid burning your mouth.
Notes
Prevent Explosions: Every air fryer is different. Check the rolls at the 5-minute mark. If you see the filling starting to ooze out of the seams, they are done!
Gourmet Upgrade: Immediately after removing them from the air fryer, toss the hot rolls in a bowl with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and dried parsley for a restaurant-style twist.
Crowd Control: If you need to make more than 12 rolls, cook them in batches. Overcrowding the basket will result in steamed, soggy rolls rather than crispy ones.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 Rolls
- Calories: 440
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
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