Air Fryer Pepperoni Balls: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance that uses hot air circulation to cook food, resulting in a crispy texture similar to deep-fried dishes. One popular recipe for air fryer enthusiasts is pepperoni balls, which can be made in various ways and served as appetizers, snacks, or even a main course. Frozen pepperoni balls can be cooked in an air fryer, and some recipes specifically call for cooking the balls from frozen for a moist interior and crispy exterior. This paragraph introduces the topic of cooking pepperoni balls in an air fryer, including the different types of recipes available and the convenience of using frozen pepperoni balls as a starting point.

Cooking frozen pepperoni balls in an air fryer

Ingredients and Supplies

You will need the following ingredients and supplies:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• One large bowl and three medium bowls
• A baking sheet
• An air fryer (an Instant Pot with an air fryer attachment will also work)
• 8 ounces of softened cream cheese
• 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup of chopped pepperoni (you can also use mini pepperoni)
• 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• Milk
• Salt and pepper
• Flour
• Marinara sauce for serving

Instructions

First, create the cheese filling by combining the softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Stir the filling ingredients until they are well mixed. Then, form the filling into bite-sized balls using a one-inch cookie scoop or a tablespoon to ensure they are all the same size. Place the filling balls on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper, making sure they are not touching, and freeze for at least 30 minutes until they are frozen solid.

Next, add the seasoned coating. Stir together the salt, pepper, egg, and milk in one bowl, the breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning in another bowl, and pour the flour into a third bowl. Dip each frozen cheese ball into the egg mixture, then place it in the bowl with the flour and roll it until it is fully coated. Dip the ball back into the egg mixture, and then transfer it to the breadcrumb bowl and roll it around to coat it, pressing the breadcrumbs into the coating to ensure they stick.

When you are ready to cook, place the coated pepperoni balls in the basket of the air fryer, spraying each ball liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even cooking on both sides.

Tips

• Let the cream cheese sit out at room temperature for around one hour before mixing, or heat it in the microwave for a few seconds to soften it.
• Grease your hands with a little nonstick cooking spray before rolling the cheese balls to prevent the filling from sticking to your hands.
• Serve the pepperoni balls with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
• If your air fryer does not have a dedicated "bake" mode, you may need to experiment with the time and temperature.

Air fryer pepperoni pizza cheese balls

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Marinara sauce for serving

Optional Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Salt and pepper

Method

• Stir together the cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
• Use a one-inch cookie scoop to scoop out the mixture and roll it into a ball. Place the balls on a lined plate or baking sheet. Freeze the balls for at least 30 minutes, until they’re frozen solid.
• When ready to cook the cheese balls, preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees.
• Prepare the breading ingredients by stirring together the panko breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning in one bowl.
• (Optional) Add the egg, milk, salt, and pepper to a separate bowl and whisk to combine. Pour the flour into a third bowl.
• Place each frozen cheese ball in the egg mixture, then dip it into the flour to coat.
• Dip the ball back in the egg mixture, then roll it into the breadcrumbs. Press the breadcrumbs into place and transfer each coated ball to the air fryer basket.
• Spray each ball with nonstick cooking spray and cook in the air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Tips

• Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer. The cheese balls need space to get crispy and delicious!
• If you want to change up the type of cheese, do so! You can use different blends to change up the flavor.
• You can also use Pillsbury biscuits as the base for your pizza balls.

Air fryer pepperoni chips

Ingredients

All you need to make these pepperoni chips is a package of sliced pepperoni (about 15 slices or 6 ounces) and non-stick spray. You can use any brand of pepperoni you like, but it's important to get the pre-sliced kind, as they need to be thin to get crispy in the air fryer. If you can only find thicker slices, you can also use a mandoline to slice them yourself.

Method

First, spritz your air fryer basket with non-stick spray. Then, arrange the pepperoni slices in a single layer in the basket, making sure they don't overlap. You may need to cook them in batches if you have a lot of pepperoni or a smaller air fryer.

Set your air fryer to 360-380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the pepperoni for 5-8 minutes. Once they're done, use tongs to transfer the slices to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the grease. You can place another paper towel on top to soak up any remaining grease. Let them sit for about 5 minutes to finish crisping.

These pepperoni chips are best served immediately, but you can also store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days. They are great on their own or with your favourite dip. Some recommended dips include spinach and artichoke dip, chive and onion cream cheese, or ranch dressing.

Air fryer pizza balls recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 can Pillsbury Grands biscuits, 8 count
• 4 oz. Pepperoni slices, each one cut in half
• 4 Mozzarella cheese sticks
• 2 tbsp. Melted butter
• 1 tbsp. Grated Parmesan
• 1/4 tsp. Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Pizza sauce, on the side, for dipping

Method:

• Open the can of biscuits and lay them out on a clean work surface or a cutting board.
• Using your fingertips, press each biscuit out until it’s flattened to about 1/4-inch thickness.
• Place a few pieces of pepperoni on top of each biscuit, then add 1-2 pieces of the mozzarella cheese sticks.
• Gather the biscuit around the ingredients, pinching it closed at the top. Place the pizza bomb onto a greased air fryer rack, pinched side down.
• Repeat the process to make the remaining 7 pizza bombs, placing them all onto the air fryer without touching. You may need to cook the pizza balls in batches depending on the size and type of your air fryer.
• In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with the Parmesan and red pepper flakes.
• Brush the butter mixture over the pizza bombs on the air fryer rack.
• Preheat the air fryer for 1-2 minutes. Air fry the pizza bombs at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked throughout.
• Brush with more Parmesan butter, if desired, before serving.
• Bake the pizza bombs in a preheated oven at 375 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked throughout.
• Brush with more Parmesan butter, if desired, before serving.

Tips:

• The pizza balls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 300 degrees until warm.
• To freeze, wrap each pizza ball individually in plastic wrap and aluminium foil, then place them into a large freezer bag or airtight container. They should freeze for up to 2-3 months.
• To reheat a frozen pizza ball, remove it from the freezer, unwrap it, and place it in a paper towel. Microwave on 30% power for about 1 1/2 minutes, followed by 1 1/2 minutes on high power. Let it stand for a minute before eating.
• A rack-style air fryer works best for making pizza bombs.
• When placing the pizza balls on the air fryer rack, ensure the dough is closed well on the bottom. If the dough isn’t sealed well, the cheese can leak out.

Reheating pepperoni balls in an air fryer

Preparing the Pepperoni Balls for Reheating:

Firstly, you will need to thaw or defrost your frozen pepperoni balls. You can do this by using a microwave, as suggested by Stanganelli's, the manufacturer of frozen pepperoni balls. Alternatively, you can let them thaw at room temperature, as some people suggest that the microwave can make them soggy.

Preheating the Air Fryer:

Before placing the pepperoni balls in the air fryer, you will need to preheat it. Set the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and preheat for about 1-2 minutes, or until it's good and hot.

Air Frying the Pepperoni Balls:

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the thawed pepperoni balls inside. Make sure they are not touching each other to allow for even cooking. Air fry the pepperoni balls for 8-10 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness. If you prefer them well done, you can air fry for a few minutes longer.

Serving the Pepperoni Balls:

Remove the pepperoni balls from the air fryer once they are heated through and golden brown. You can brush them with some Parmesan butter before serving, if desired. Serve warm with a side of pizza sauce or marinara sauce for dipping.

Storing and Reheating Tips:

If you have any leftover pepperoni balls, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you're ready to enjoy them again, reheat them in the air fryer at 300 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through. Avoid reheating them in the microwave, as it can make them soggy.

Frequently asked questions