Crispy Air Fryer Pizza Rolls: Your New Favorite Snack

If you are looking for the ultimate combination of nostalgia and modern convenience, look no further. These Crispy Air Fryer Pizza Rolls are a massive upgrade from the frozen cardboard-flavored snacks of your childhood. We are talking about flaky, golden-brown dough wrapped around zesty pepperoni, gooey mozzarella cheese, and savory marinara sauce, all brushed with a garlic herb butter that glistens under the kitchen lights. They are dangerously easy to make, ready in under 20 minutes, and guaranteed to disappear faster than you can say “pizza night.”

Whether you need a quick after-school snack, a crowd-pleasing game day appetizer, or just a late-night treat, these homemade pizza rolls deliver. The air fryer works its magic by circulating hot air around the dough, creating a texture that is impossibly crispy on the outside while ensuring the cheese inside is molten and stretchy. It is the perfect bite.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Super Fast: From prep to plate in less than 20 minutes.
• Better Than Frozen: Fresh ingredients mean real flavor, not preservatives.
• Customizable: Fill them with sausage, veggies, or extra cheese—whatever you love.
• Kid-Friendly: Little hands love helping to roll these up (and eating them, of course).

Ingredients

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You don’t need to make dough from scratch to get amazing results.

• Refrigerated Crescent Roll Dough or Pizza Dough: 1 tube (8 oz). Crescent sheets work best for a seamless look, but perforated triangles work too if you pinch the seams.
• Pepperoni Slices: 24-30 slices. You can also use mini pepperoni or chopped salami.
• Mozzarella Cheese: 4-6 mozzarella sticks (cut in half) or 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. String cheese works perfectly because it doesn’t melt out as quickly as shredded cheese.
• Pizza Sauce: ½ cup. Plus extra for dipping. Choose a thick sauce so the rolls don’t get soggy.
• Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted. This is for the glorious finish.
• Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon. To season the butter.
• Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon. Dried oregano, basil, and thyme add that classic pizzeria smell.
• Parmesan Cheese: 2 tablespoons, grated. For sprinkling on top.

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Dough

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. While it heats up, unroll your crescent dough or pizza dough on a clean, flat surface. If you are using crescent rolls with perforations, pinch the seams together firmly to create one large rectangle, then cut it into 8 even squares or rectangles.

Step 2: Add the Fillings

Place a teaspoon of pizza sauce in the center of each dough rectangle. Spread it slightly but leave a border so it doesn’t leak. Layer 3-4 slices of pepperoni on top of the sauce, then place half a mozzarella stick (or a generous pinch of shredded cheese) in the center.

Step 3: Roll Them Up

Fold the corners of the dough over the filling, pinching the edges tightly to seal. This is crucial! If you don’t seal them well, the cheese will escape during cooking. You want a tight little packet of pizza goodness.

Step 4: The Garlic Butter Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic powder, and half of the Italian seasoning. Brush this mixture generously over the tops of your unbaked pizza rolls. This ensures they come out golden and glistening.

Step 5: Air Fry

Place the rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd them; they need space for the air to circulate. You may need to cook in two batches. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 6–8 minutes. Check them at the 6-minute mark; they should be puffed up and golden brown. If the bottom looks doughy, flip them and cook for 1 more minute.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Remove from the air fryer carefully (they will be hot!). Immediately brush with any remaining garlic butter and sprinkle with the parmesan cheese and remaining Italian herbs. Serve warm with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Overfill: It is tempting to stuff them, but too much sauce or cheese will cause the rolls to burst open and make a mess in your air fryer basket.
• Use Parchment Paper: For easy cleanup, you can use air fryer parchment liners, but make sure they are perforated so air can flow.
• Seal Tight: Use a fork to crimp the edges if you are having trouble getting the dough to stick. A little dab of water on your finger can help act as glue.
• Cheese Choice: While shredded cheese melts faster, mozzarella sticks (string cheese) hold their shape better and provide that satisfying “cheese pull.”

Variations to Try

The Meat Lovers: Add cooked crumbled sausage and bacon bits along with the pepperoni.
The Veggie: Skip the meat and add diced bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms (sauté them lightly first to remove excess moisture).
The Spicy Kick: Add sliced jalapeños inside or sprinkle red pepper flakes into the garlic butter glaze.
The Hawaiian: Yes, we went there. Add a small piece of ham and a chunk of pineapple.

Serving Suggestions

These pizza rolls are a star on their own, but they play well with others. Serve them alongside a fresh Caesar salad to cut through the richness, or pair them with buffalo wings for the ultimate appetizer spread. For dipping, warm marinara is classic, but ranch dressing or garlic butter sauce are also incredible options.

Storage and Reheating

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Do not microwave them unless you want them soft and soggy. Pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to crisp them back up.

Enjoy your homemade, crispy, cheesy, savory Air Fryer Pizza Rolls! They are proof that you don’t need a delivery driver to enjoy great pizza flavor.