Pin It Last summer, my kids came home buzzing about these crispy golden bites everyone at school was making—pizza rolls from TikTok, they said, as if I should automatically know. I'd never made them before, so I grabbed a package of refrigerated pizza dough one afternoon and decided to experiment. Twenty minutes later, we had golden, gooey treasures coming out of the air fryer, and suddenly I understood the hype. They're ridiculously easy, endlessly customizable, and honestly, they've become my secret weapon for parties and those nights when the kitchen needs to feel less like a chore.
I made a big batch for my son's soccer team after a particularly rough practice, and watching these guys devour them straight from the container told me everything I needed to know about whether the recipe worked. One teammate asked for the method, and I realized I'd stumbled onto something worth sharing.
Ingredients
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough: This is your foundation, and honestly, it saves hours of proofing and kneading—don't feel guilty about using it.
- 120 g shredded mozzarella cheese: Fresh or pre-shredded works fine, though fresh melts slightly better if you're patient enough to shred it yourself.
- 60 g mini pepperoni slices: These little discs stay surprisingly crispy, but diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives work just as well.
- 4 tbsp pizza sauce: Use whatever's in your pantry—jarred marinara, homemade, or even a thin spread of pesto if you're feeling adventurous.
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese: This adds a salty, umami punch that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient is.
- 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs: Oregano and basil are the classics, but a pinch of garlic powder sneaks in nicely too.
- 1 egg, beaten: This seals the seams and gives you that beautiful golden sheen—crucial for holding everything together.
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray: Either works, though olive oil spray tastes slightly better if you're counting those details.
- Extra pizza sauce for dipping: The final touch that makes people linger at the snack table.
Instructions
- Get Your Air Fryer Ready:
- Preheat to 190°C (375°F) for about 5 minutes while you're gathering everything else. A properly heated air fryer is the difference between crispy edges and soft, doughy disappointment.
- Roll Out Your Canvas:
- Dust your counter with flour and roll the dough into a rectangle roughly 30 x 25 cm. You're not looking for perfect here—even uneven thickness will cook fine.
- Sauce and Seasonings:
- Spread pizza sauce evenly, leaving about 1 cm bare around the edges so the dough can seal properly. This border is your friend; ignore it and your filling leaks everywhere.
- Layer the Good Stuff:
- Scatter mozzarella, Parmesan, pepperoni, and herbs across the sauced surface. Don't hold back—these rolls can handle generous filling without falling apart.
- Roll It Up:
- Starting from one long edge, roll tightly as if you're making cinnamon rolls, then pinch that seam closed. This step feels satisfying, and the tight roll is what keeps everything sealed during cooking.
- Slice with Purpose:
- Use a sharp knife to cut the log into 24 pieces, wiping the blade between cuts so you don't drag filling everywhere. Clean cuts give you better seals and faster cooking.
- Seal the Seams:
- Brush beaten egg onto the cut ends of each roll—this is what actually holds them together in the air fryer. Think of it as insurance against leaky cheese.
- Prepare the Basket:
- Spray your air fryer basket generously so nothing sticks. You'll be flipping these halfway through, and stuck rolls are incredibly annoying to rescue.
- Arrange and Space:
- Place rolls in a single layer with a tiny bit of space between them. If you're cooking in batches, don't feel bad—they're worth the extra rounds.
- The Golden Finish:
- Give the tops another light egg wash for that irresistible golden-brown appearance. This takes thirty seconds and makes a real difference in how good they look.
- Air Fry with Patience:
- Cook for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through so both sides brown evenly. You'll smell when they're getting close—that crispy, cheesy aroma is your signal.
- Cool and Serve:
- Let them rest for 2–3 minutes so you don't burn your mouth on molten cheese. Serve immediately with extra sauce for dunking.
Pin It There was a moment during a late-night study session when my daughter and a friend emerged from the kitchen with a plate of these, and suddenly math homework didn't seem so pressing. Food that brings people together, even if just for five minutes, somehow matters more than we admit.
Creative Filling Ideas
The beauty of pizza rolls is that they're a blank canvas for whatever you love to eat. Beyond the classic pepperoni, I've tested dozens of combinations: a four-cheese blend with fresh basil, crispy bacon with caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms with garlic, even a white sauce version with spinach. The mozzarella holds everything together while the Parmesan adds that essential sharp note. Whatever combination you choose, keep the total filling volume roughly the same so the rolls cook evenly and the flavors actually shine through.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
These rolls are forgiving in a way that makes them perfect for meal prep. You can assemble them completely, layer them on a parchment-lined tray, and freeze them for up to three weeks; just add an extra minute or two to the air fryer time straight from frozen. Leftovers last about three days in an airtight container in the fridge, though I rarely see them make it past day two. Reheating is simple—just pop them back in the air fryer at 160°C for 3–4 minutes until they're warm and crispy again.
Why The Air Fryer Works So Well Here
Air fryers are genuinely the right tool for this job because they circulate hot air around the dough evenly, creating that crispy exterior while the cheese inside stays gooey instead of separating. Unlike a regular oven, you don't need to preheat for ages, and the cooking time is lightning-fast. That said, you can bake these at 200°C for 12–14 minutes if you don't have an air fryer, though you'll miss some of that textural contrast that makes them so addictive.
- The egg wash is non-negotiable for both sealing and that golden shine.
- Don't skip the halfway flip—it's the secret to even, thorough browning.
- Serving them warm is when they're at their absolute best.
Pin It These pizza rolls have become my go-to when I need something that's easy, impressive, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you're feeding a crowd or sneaking a few at midnight, they deliver every single time.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I keep the rolls crispy?
Brush the rolls with beaten egg before air frying and avoid overcrowding the basket to allow proper air circulation.
- → Can I make these vegetarian?
Yes, substitute pepperoni with diced bell peppers or mushrooms for a vegetarian alternative.
- → What dough works best for this dish?
Refrigerated pizza dough is ideal for ease and consistency, but whole wheat or gluten-free dough can also be used.
- → How long do they take to cook?
Air fry the rolls for 8 to 10 minutes at 190°C (375°F), flipping halfway to ensure even crispiness.
- → Can I prepare these ahead of time?
Yes, assemble rolls and keep them refrigerated before air frying; just add extra cooking time if chilled.
- → What can I use instead of egg wash?
You can brush olive oil on the rolls for a golden finish if you prefer to avoid eggs.