Air Fryer Pizza Rolls Recipe Quick Snack
There are some snacks that just hit the spot, and for me, a warm, cheesy, savoury bite is top of the list. Forget those frozen cardboard-tasting things from the supermarket. We’re talking about making our own pizza rolls, and with the help of an air fryer, they become something truly special. The outside gets unbelievably crisp, encasing a core of gloriously melty mozzarella, rich tomato sauce, and spicy pepperoni. It’s a texture and flavour combination that just works, every single time.
This air fryer pizza rolls recipe has become a staple in our house. It’s the first thing my kids ask for when their friends come over for a movie night, and honestly, I’m just as excited as they are. They are brilliant for a weekend lunch, an after-school treat, or just when you fancy something utterly satisfying without spending ages in the kitchen. What we’re creating here is a homemade snack that delivers all the classic pizza flavours we love, but in a fun, dippable, and wonderfully convenient format.
We’ll be making a simple, two-ingredient dough that requires no yeast and no proving time, which is a real game-changer. It’s forgiving, straightforward to work with, and produces a lovely, soft-yet-sturdy wrap for our delicious fillings. This is one of those recipes you’ll memorise and come back to again and again. So, let’s get the air fryer preheated and make some of the best pizza rolls you’ve ever tasted.
Recipe Overview
This air fryer pizza rolls recipe yields wonderfully crisp, golden-brown parcels with a molten cheese and pepperoni centre. The simple yoghurt-based dough provides a slightly tangy, soft bite that contrasts beautifully with the crunchy exterior. I’ve found that the key is not to overfill them; a little restraint ensures they don’t leak in the air fryer and all that cheesy goodness stays right where it should be.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Servings: 16 rolls (serves 4)
- Difficulty: Easy
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Pizza Rolls Recipe
- Genuine Pizza Flavour: We use a proper tangy tomato passata seasoned with oregano and garlic, combined with quality mozzarella and spicy pepperoni. Each bite tastes like a miniature slice of authentic pizza.
- Ready in Under 30 Minutes: From gathering your ingredients to pulling the hot, crispy rolls out of the air fryer, the whole process comes together in about 25 minutes.
- A Flexible Recipe: You can easily swap the fillings. Try adding finely chopped mushrooms, peppers, or swapping the pepperoni for cooked ham or spicy salami. It’s very adaptable to what you have in the fridge. For other family-friendly meal ideas, our Easy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe For Family Dinner is always a hit.
- Great for Casual Gatherings: These are ideal when you have friends over to watch the match or for a relaxed games night. They are easy to eat with your hands and great for dipping.
- Family Tested and Approved: My kids absolutely devour this every time I make it. There are never any leftovers, which I always take as the highest compliment a home cook can receive.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this recipe, we rely on a few quality ingredients. I always recommend grating your own mozzarella from a block rather than using the pre-shredded kind. The block mozzarella melts much more smoothly because it isn’t coated in anti-caking agents. I often use the Napolina brand passata as it has a rich, authentic tomato flavour.
- For the Dough:
- 180g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
- 150g plain full-fat Greek yoghurt
- 1/2 tsp salt
- For the Filling:
- 60ml tomato passata
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- A pinch of salt and black pepper
- 120g block mozzarella, coarsely grated
- 50g thinly sliced pepperoni, chopped
- For the Topping:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Marcus’s Tip: If you don’t have self-raising flour, you can use plain flour. Just add 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder and an extra pinch of salt to the plain flour and whisk it together before adding the yoghurt.
How to Make Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
The process for these pizza rolls is very straightforward. We’ll mix the dough, roll it out, add our toppings, and then let the air fryer work its magic to get them perfectly crisp. Don’t rush the rolling and sealing stage; a few extra seconds here prevents any filling from escaping.
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, combine the self-raising flour and salt. Add the Greek yoghurt and mix with a fork until a shaggy dough forms. Tip it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 1-2 minutes until it comes together into a smooth ball. It should be soft but not sticky.
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the tomato passata, 1 tsp of dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Assemble the Pizza Log: Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll the dough out into a rectangle, roughly 25cm by 35cm. Spread the seasoned tomato passata evenly over the dough, leaving a 1cm border along one of the long edges.
- Add the Fillings: Sprinkle the grated mozzarella evenly over the sauce, followed by the chopped pepperoni.
- Roll and Seal: Starting from the long edge opposite the clean border, tightly roll the dough up into a log. Lightly brush the clean border with a little water and press it firmly to seal the log closed.
- Chill and Slice: I find that chilling the log for 10 minutes in the freezer makes it much easier to slice cleanly. Once chilled, use a sharp knife to slice the log into 16 even rolls, each about 2cm thick.
- Prepare for Air Frying: In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, grated Parmesan, and the remaining 1/2 tsp of oregano. Gently brush this mixture over the tops and sides of each pizza roll.
- Air Fry to Perfection: Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (160°C fan) for 3 minutes. Place the pizza rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they have a little space between them. You may need to cook them in two batches. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, or until the dough is cooked through, the tops are golden brown, and the cheese is bubbling.
- Serve Immediately: Carefully remove the pizza rolls from the air fryer. They will be very hot! Let them cool for a minute or two before serving with your favourite dipping sauce.
Tips From My Kitchen
- Temperature Control is Key: Don’t be tempted to crank the heat up too high. An air fryer at 180°C is hot enough to cook the dough and crisp the outside without burning it before the centre is hot and melty.
- The Secret to Clean Slices: I used to struggle with squashed, messy rolls until I discovered this technique. Chilling the log in the freezer for just 10 minutes firms it up beautifully. I learned that this small step makes a massive difference, giving you perfectly round rolls every time.
- Make-Ahead Method: You can assemble the pizza log, wrap it tightly in cling film, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, just slice, brush with the oil mixture, and air fry as directed.
- Storage and Reheating: Store any leftover pizza rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat and bring back their crispiness, pop them back in the air fryer at 160°C for 2-3 minutes.
Delicious Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, it’s great fun to experiment with different fillings. Here are a few ideas that we love in my house:
- Spicy ‘Nduja & Honey: For a more grown-up flavour, swap the pepperoni for crumbled ‘nduja sausage. After air frying, drizzle with a little hot honey for a fantastic sweet and spicy kick.
- Vegetarian Pesto & Mozzarella: Omit the pepperoni and spread a layer of green pesto on the dough before adding the mozzarella. Finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes or olives also work wonderfully here.
- Hawaiian Style: For those who enjoy the classic combination, add finely diced cooked ham and small pineapple chunks along with the mozzarella. Ensure the pineapple is drained well to avoid a soggy dough. For another fantastic treat, why not try our Stuffed Cookies Recipe With Gooey Center for dessert?
What to Serve With Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
These are fantastic on their own, but a good dip takes them to the next level. Here are a few serving suggestions:
- Classic Marinara Sauce: A simple, warm tomato sauce for dipping reinforces that classic pizza flavour. You can find excellent guidance on making a simple sauce over at BBC Good Food.
- Garlic and Herb Dip: A creamy dip made with soured cream or crème fraîche, minced garlic, and fresh chives provides a cool, tangy contrast to the hot, savoury rolls.
- A Simple Rocket Salad: A lightly dressed salad with rocket, Parmesan shavings, and a lemon vinaigrette helps cut through the richness of the cheese and pepperoni.
Frequently Asked Questions
Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, combine the self-raising flour and salt. Add the Greek yoghurt and mix with a fork until a shaggy dough forms. Tip it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 1-2 minutes until it comes together into a smooth ball. It should be soft but not sticky.
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the tomato passata, 1 tsp of dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Assemble the Pizza Log: Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll the dough out into a rectangle, roughly 25cm by 35cm. Spread the seasoned tomato passata evenly over the dough, leaving a 1cm border along one of the long edges.
- Add the Fillings: Sprinkle the grated mozzarella evenly over the sauce, followed by the chopped pepperoni.
- Roll and Seal: Starting from the long edge opposite the clean border, tightly roll the dough up into a log. Lightly brush the clean border with a little water and press it firmly to seal the log closed.
- Chill and Slice: I find that chilling the log for 10 minutes in the freezer makes it much easier to slice cleanly. Once chilled, use a sharp knife to slice the log into 16 even rolls, each about 2cm thick.
- Prepare for Air Frying: In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, grated Parmesan, and the remaining 1/2 tsp of oregano. Gently brush this mixture over the tops and sides of each pizza roll.
- Air Fry to Perfection: Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (160°C fan) for 3 minutes. Place the pizza rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they have a little space between them. You may need to cook them in two batches. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, or until the dough is cooked through, the tops are golden brown, and the cheese is bubbling.
- Serve Immediately: Carefully remove the pizza rolls from the air fryer. They will be very hot! Let them cool for a minute or two before serving with your favourite dipping sauce.
Notes
I really hope you enjoy making this air fryer pizza rolls recipe as much as we do. It’s a wonderfully satisfying and adaptable snack that always gets compliments. Give it a go for your next movie night or weekend treat, and let me know how you get on in the comments below. I’d love to hear about any creative fillings you come up with!
Happy cooking,
Marcus Bennett
