Air Fryer Stromboli: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Stromboli is a rolled-up pizza filled with cheese, meat, and other toppings. It is similar to a calzone but more like a rolled sandwich with a crispy, golden crust. You can cook stromboli in an air fryer, and it is a healthier alternative to deep frying as it uses little to no oil. The air fryer is also a quick and easy way to cook stromboli, taking only 10 to 16 minutes. The air fryer circulates hot air around the stromboli, giving it an evenly cooked, crispy crust.

Stromboli fillings: meat, cheese, and other toppings

Stromboli is a rolled-up pizza filled with cheese, meat, and other toppings. The fillings are wrapped in pizza dough and then baked. The best part about stromboli is that you can customise it to your liking.

When preparing stromboli, it is important to remember that moisture is the enemy of any stromboli. Therefore, the meats or fillings should be dry, and the cheese should be well-drained. The dough should be rolled out into a rectangle, and the filling should be layered inside, starting with the driest ingredient, which is usually the meat. This can be followed by the cheese, and then the vegetables. The stromboli should be rolled up tightly to prevent the filling from falling out during cooking.

There are endless options for stromboli fillings. For meats, you can use cooked sausage, ham, bacon, salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, deli turkey, roast beef, or shredded chicken or beef. For cheese, you can use mozzarella, provolone, fontina, asiago, gruyere, or Swiss cheese. If using buffalo mozzarella, add a little salt on top. For vegetables, you can use mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, black olives, red onions, basil, or roasted red peppers.

You can also add a sauce to your stromboli. This could be pizza sauce, marinara sauce, tomato sauce, or garlic butter. Butter, garlic, and parsley also make a great spread for the dough before adding other fillings.

Rolling and sealing the stromboli

Rolling the Stromboli:

• Start with the pizza dough: Dust your work surface with flour and roll the dough out into a rectangle. The dough should be about 1/4-inch thick, and you want to make sure it's not too thin, or it may tear when you roll it up.
• Layer the fillings: Spread your chosen sauce over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Then, add your chosen fillings. It's important to start with drier ingredients, such as meat, followed by cheese, and then any vegetables or herbs. Repeat this process until you've used all your fillings.
• Roll it up: Now, carefully roll the dough into a tight log, starting from the long edge of the rectangle. As you roll, gently fold in the two shorter sides and make sure the seam is facing down. You can use a small amount of water or beaten egg to help seal the edges if needed.

Sealing the Stromboli:

• Brush with egg wash: Once you've formed the log, brush the entire surface with a beaten egg or egg wash. This will help hold the stromboli together and give it a golden, crispy crust.
• Cut slits: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a few slits on the top of the stromboli. This step is important as it allows steam to escape during cooking, preventing the stromboli from bursting open.
• Seal the ends: Finally, pinch or tuck in the ends of the stromboli to seal them tightly. You can also use a fork to gently press the ends together if you're worried about the seal.

Remember, the key to a well-rolled and sealed stromboli is taking your time and being careful with the dough. Once you've mastered this technique, you can experiment with different fillings and sauces to create your own unique stromboli recipes!

Air fryer temperature and timing

The cooking temperature and timing for stromboli in an air fryer depend on whether you are cooking it from fresh or reheating it.

Cooking Stromboli from Fresh

To cook stromboli from fresh in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to between 340°F and 380°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your stromboli and your air fryer, but it will likely take somewhere between 10 and 16 minutes. Check your stromboli after 10 minutes and adjust the temperature and timing as needed. If the stromboli is browning too quickly, you can cover it with foil for the remainder of the cooking time.

Reheating Stromboli

To reheat stromboli in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 4-7 minutes, or until heated through.

Using frozen stromboli

Stromboli is a rolled-up pizza filled with cheese, meat, and other delicious toppings. It's a great meal to share with friends and family. You can use an air fryer to make crispy and delicious stromboli without all the added fat. It's a healthier alternative to deep frying because it uses little to no oil.

If you are using frozen stromboli, you don't need to defrost it. It's meant to cook from frozen and will not cook properly if it has been defrosted. Any brand of frozen stromboli can be air-fried. However, it may need more or less cooking time depending on the size. You can make more than one stromboli at a time in the air fryer, but they must all be placed in the basket in a single layer.

• Remove the frozen stromboli from the package and place it in the air fryer basket.
• Set the temperature to 350°F for 16 minutes.
• After the time is up, if the stromboli is not quite done, put it back into the air fryer for a few more minutes to finish cooking.
• When the stromboli is done, remove it from the air fryer basket and serve it immediately.
• Allow the cooked stromboli to cool off for a few minutes before serving, so that you don’t burn your mouth on the hot cheese.

Reheating stromboli

First, slice the stromboli into 1-inch thick pieces for the best results. This will ensure even heating and prevent the crust from burning. Then, spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or avocado oil, or line it with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup. Set the temperature to between 350°F and 400°F, and heat for 4 to 10 minutes, flipping the stromboli halfway through. Check frequently to avoid overcooking the stromboli.

If you are reheating frozen stromboli, increase the cooking time. You can also sprinkle some mozzarella or grated Romano cheese on top of the stromboli before putting it in the air fryer for an extra layer of flavor.

Other methods for reheating stromboli include using a toaster oven, a skillet, or a conventional oven. These methods may take longer and may not yield the same crispy results as an air fryer.

Frequently asked questions