Air Fryer Pizza Rolls Recipe

If you're craving a quick snack that hits the spot every single time, air fryer pizza rolls are your new best friend. These crispy treats come out golden brown on the outside with gooey cheese melting on the inside, and the best part? They're ready in just 12 minutes. Whether you're using frozen pizza rolls or making homemade versions with egg roll wrappers, your air fryer pizza rolls will taste like they came straight from your favorite pizzeria. I've been making air fryer pizza rolls for my family every game day, and trust me, they disappear faster than I can make them.

The magic of cooking pizza rolls in air fryer is all about that perfect crispiness you just can't get from a microwave. My kids actually request these air fryer pizza rolls for their school treats, and I love how simple they are to throw together. No more soggy bottoms or unevenly heated centers; just perfectly cooked pizza rolls every single time.

Background & Why This Recipe Stands Out

What makes air fryer pizza rolls so special is the way hot air circulates around each roll, creating that restaurant-quality crunch without deep frying. Traditional oven-baked pizza rolls take forever and often come out dry, while microwaved versions turn rubbery. But when you make pizza rolls in air fryer, you get the best of both worlds: speed and texture. This method works beautifully for frozen pizza rolls in air fryer cooking, but it's even better when you make them from scratch.

I started experimenting with homemade pizza rolls in air fryer after realizing how easy it was to customize flavors. You can stuff them with pepperoni, sausage, veggies, or whatever your heart desires. The air fryer pizza rolls recipe I'm sharing today is foolproof, and I've tested it dozens of times with different fillings and wrappers. Whether you're hosting a party or just need a quick appetizer, these pizza rolls will become your go-to snack option.

Jump to:

• Background & Why This Recipe Stands Out
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Recipe Variations & Substitutions
• Equipment Recommendations
• Storage & Meal Prep Tips
• Grandma's Secret That Changed Everything
• FAQ
• Time to Get Rolling
• Related
• Pairing
• Air Fryer Pizza Rolls Recipe

Ingredients

For Homemade Pizza Rolls (Makes 12-15 rolls)

Wrappers:

• Egg roll wrappers or wonton wrappers
• Olive oil or cooking spray

Filling:

• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Pizza sauce (plus extra for dipping)
• Mini pepperoni slices (or diced regular pepperoni)
• Cooked Italian sausage, crumbled (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder

For Sealing:

• Egg, beaten (egg wash)
• Water in a small bowl

For Frozen Pizza Rolls

• Frozen pizza rolls (any brand)
• Cooking spray

Notes on Ingredients:

• Swap egg roll wrappers with spring roll wrappers for a lighter, crispier texture
• Use turkey pepperoni for a healthier option
• Try gluten-free wrappers if needed
• Add jalapeños for a spicy kick
• Substitute marinara for pizza sauce; they work equally well

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Filling & Workspace

1. Set up your work area with a clean cutting board and have all ingredients ready
2. Mix the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a medium bowl
3. Chop your pepperoni into smaller pieces if using regular-sized slices
4. Cook and crumble any sausage you're adding, then let it cool slightly
5. Beat one egg in a small bowl for sealing the wrappers
6. Keep a small dish of water nearby for moistening wrapper edges

Step 2: Assemble Your Pizza Rolls

1. Lay one wrapper on your work surface with a corner pointing toward you (diamond shape)
2. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce in the center of the wrapper
3. Add about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture on top of the sauce
4. Place 4-5 pepperoni pieces over the cheese
5. Dip your finger in water and moisten all four edges of the wrapper
6. Fold the bottom corner up over the filling, then fold in the left and right corners
7. Roll tightly toward the top corner, pressing to seal completely
8. Brush the sealed roll with egg wash to help it crisp up
9. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling

Step 3: Prep the Air Fryer & Cook

1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 3-4 minutes
2. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking
3. Place pizza rolls in a single layer with space between each (don't overcrowd)
4. Lightly spray the tops of the rolls with cooking spray for extra crispiness
5. Cook for 8-10 minutes for homemade rolls or 6-8 minutes for frozen pizza rolls in air fryer
6. Flip the rolls halfway through cooking (around the 4-5 minute mark)
7. Check that they're golden brown and crispy on all sides
8. For frozen rolls, add 1-2 extra minutes if needed

Step 4: Rest & Serve

1. Remove pizza rolls carefully using tongs (they'll be very hot inside)
2. Let them rest on a cooling rack or plate for 2-3 minutes before eating
3. This cooling time prevents burned mouths and lets the cheese set slightly
4. Serve with extra pizza sauce, marinara, ranch dressing, or garlic butter for dipping
5. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if you're feeling fancy

Expert Cooking Tips

Temperature Control Matters Getting your air fryer pizza rolls perfectly crispy comes down to temperature. I've found that 380°F is the sweet spot for most air fryers. Too hot, and the outside burns before the inside heats through. Too cool, and you'll get pale, soft rolls instead of golden crispy ones.

Don't Skip the Flip

• Always flip your rolls halfway through cooking
• This creates even browning on all sides
• Use silicone-tipped tongs to avoid tearing the wrappers
• If making a double batch, cook in batches rather than stacking

Spacing is Everything

• Leave at least ½ inch between each roll
• Proper air circulation is what makes them crispy
• Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of frying
• You may need to cook in 2-3 batches for a full recipe

The Egg Wash Secret Brushing your homemade pizza rolls with egg wash before air frying creates an incredible golden color and adds an extra layer of crispiness. This restaurant trick makes homemade versions look and taste professional.

Prevent Soggy Centers

• Don't overfill your wrappers (less is more)
• Make sure filling is completely cool before wrapping
• Seal edges tightly to prevent leaking
• Pat any meat fillings dry with paper towels before adding

Best Cooking Times Reference

• Frozen pizza rolls: 6-8 minutes at 380°F
• Homemade with egg roll wrappers: 8-10 minutes at 380°F
• Homemade with wonton wrappers: 6-8 minutes at 380°F
• Mini pizza bites: 5-6 minutes at 380°F

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

• Classic Pizza Combinations
• The beauty of making pizza rolls in air fryer is how easily you can customize them. Here are my family's favorite variations:
• Pepperoni Lovers: Double the pepperoni and add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for heat. Use a mix of regular and turkey pepperoni for interesting flavor layers.
• Sausage Supreme: Combine Italian sausage with green peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Make sure vegetables are pre-cooked and drained well.
• Hawaiian Style: Mix diced ham with pineapple chunks and mozzarella. Pat the pineapple very dry to avoid soggy wrappers.
• Veggie Delight: Use spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, and olives with a mix of mozzarella and feta cheese.
• Breakfast Pizza Rolls: Fill with scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheddar cheese for a morning twist.
• Wrapper Alternatives

• Crescent Roll Dough: Roll out crescent dough, cut into squares, and use as wrappers for a flakier texture
• Pizza Dough: Cut homemade or store-bought pizza dough into small rectangles
• Tortillas: Use small flour tortillas for pizza tortilla rolls (cook at 360°F for 7-9 minutes)
• Phyllo Dough: Creates ultra-crispy, delicate pizza rolls

Dietary Modifications

For those with dietary restrictions, air fryer pizza rolls are easy to adapt:

• Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free wrappers or make with gluten-free pizza dough
• Dairy-Free: Swap mozzarella for dairy-free cheese alternatives; nutritional yeast adds cheesy flavor
• Low-Carb: Use low-carb tortillas or make cheese "shells" by baking cheese circles
• Vegetarian: Skip meat and load up on vegetables, beans, or plant-based proteins

Sauce Variations

Don't limit yourself to pizza sauce! Try these alternatives:

• Alfredo sauce for white pizza rolls
• Pesto for a fresh, herby flavor
• Buffalo sauce with chicken for spicy rolls
• BBQ sauce with pulled pork

Equipment Recommendations

Having the right tools makes creating perfect air fryer pizza rolls even easier:

• Air Fryer (3-6 quart capacity): Any brand works, but basket-style air fryers give the best results for pizza rolls
• Silicone Tongs: Essential for flipping rolls without tearing the wrappers
• Pastry Brush: For applying egg wash and oil
• Cooling Rack: Prevents bottoms from getting soggy while rolls cool
• Small Bowls: For organizing ingredients and keeping workspace tidy
• Pizza Cutter: Great for cutting wrappers or dough into perfect squares
• Cooking Spray (olive oil or avocado oil): Helps achieve golden color
• Meat Thermometer: Optional but helpful to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F

If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake these pizza rolls at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. However, they won't get quite as crispy as air fryer pizza rolls do.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Storing Cooked Pizza Rolls

Refrigerator Storage:

• Let cooked air fryer pizza rolls cool completely to room temperature
• Place in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
• Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until crispy again

Freezer Storage:

• Arrange cooled pizza rolls on a baking sheet in a single layer
• Freeze for 2 hours until solid (flash freezing prevents sticking)
• Transfer to freezer-safe bags or containers
• Label with date and contents
• Keep frozen for up to 3 months
• Reheat from frozen at 380°F for 8-10 minutes

Meal Prep Strategies

Make-Ahead Uncooked Rolls: The best way to always have air fryer pizza rolls ready is to prep them in advance. Assemble your rolls completely, then freeze them uncooked using the flash-freeze method above. When you're ready to eat, cook them straight from frozen, adding just 2-3 extra minutes to the cooking time.

Batch Cooking:

• Make a double or triple batch on meal prep day
• Cool and store as directed above
• Perfect for packing in lunch boxes (include a small container of sauce)
• Great for after-school treats or quick dinner sides

Filling Prep: You can prepare your cheese mixture and cook any meats up to 2 days ahead. Store in separate containers in the fridge. This makes assembly super quick when you're ready to make pizza rolls in air fryer.

FAQ

Time to Get Rolling

Now that you've got all my secrets for making perfect air fryer pizza rolls, it's time to get cooking! These crispy treats are so much better than anything you'll buy frozen, and once you master the basic technique, you can experiment with endless flavor combinations. I make air fryer pizza rolls at least twice a week because they're quick, kid-friendly, and absolutely delicious.

If you loved this recipe, you'll definitely want to try my Zucchini Pizza Boats Recipe for another fun pizza-inspired dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners. And when you're feeling adventurous, check out my Lemon Pizza Recipe for a surprising and refreshing take on pizza that'll impress your guests. Both recipes share that same crowd-pleasing appeal as these air fryer pizza rolls, but with their own unique twists. What filling combination will you try first?

With love from my kitchen to yours,
Taylor Monroe

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this air fryer pizza rolls recipe: