Air Fryer Pizza Puffs: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Treat

Pizza puffs are a deep-fried dough snack, filled with cheese, tomato sauce, and other classic pizza ingredients such as sausage or pepperoni. They originated in Chicago and can be cooked in an air fryer. To cook pizza puffs in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place the frozen puffs in the basket, ensuring they are not touching. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and heated through. You can also cook them at 370°F for 15 minutes.

Pizza puffs in an air fryer: cooking time and temperature

Pizza puffs can be cooked in an air fryer, and the process is simple. The cooking time and temperature for pizza puffs in an air fryer depend on the brand of the air fryer and whether the pizza puffs are frozen or not.

For frozen pizza puffs, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes. Then, place the frozen pizza puffs in the basket, ensuring they are not touching each other. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and heated through.

If you are cooking unfrozen pizza puffs, the temperature remains the same at 350°F (175°C), but the cooking time is reduced to 8-10 minutes. Again, make sure the pizza puffs are not touching in the basket.

It is worth noting that some sources suggest cooking pizza puffs at a higher temperature of 400°F for 7 minutes on each side. However, this may depend on the specific model of the air fryer and its heating capacity.

Additionally, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer before cooking to ensure the pizza puffs start cooking immediately, helping them achieve a crispy, golden exterior. It is also important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket and to cook the puffs in batches if needed.

How to prevent pizza puffs from leaking during cooking

Pizza puffs are a delicious snack, but they can be messy to cook as they sometimes leak during the process. Here are some tips to prevent that from happening:

Seal the Edges Well

Take care to tightly pinch the edges of the dough closed. You can also try folding the dough over itself to create a better seal and ensure that the filling stays inside. This is a crucial step in preventing leaks, as a poor seal will allow the filling to escape during cooking.

Don't Overfill

Be careful not to add too much filling to your pizza puffs. Overfilling them will cause the dough to stretch and increase the likelihood of tears or leaks. Leave enough room to comfortably seal the dough without any strain.

Poke a Hole in the Top

To prevent pressure from building up inside the puffs, you can poke a small hole in the top of the dough before cooking. This will allow steam to escape and reduce the risk of the puffs bursting open.

Cook at a Slightly Lower Temperature

By reducing the cooking temperature, you can decrease the pressure build-up inside the pizza puffs. Keep a close eye on them, as cooking at a lower temperature will require a longer cooking time.

Use Parchment Paper

Even if your pizza puffs do leak, you can prevent a mess by lining your baking sheet with parchment paper. This will catch any leaks and make clean-up easier.

Don't Overcrowd the Air Fryer Basket

Avoid placing too many pizza puffs in the air fryer basket at once. This can cause uneven cooking and increase the chances of leaks. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.

By following these tips, you can minimize the chances of your pizza puffs leaking during cooking and enjoy them without the mess!

Can you freeze pizza puffs before cooking?

Yes, you can freeze pizza puffs before cooking. Freezing pizza puffs is a great way to preserve them for future meals and can be more convenient than storing them in the refrigerator. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to freeze pizza puffs:

• Prepare the pizza puffs: Follow your favourite pizza puff recipe or use a store-bought pizza dough. Shape the dough into balls, flatten them, and add your desired fillings, such as pepperoni and cheese. You can also get creative and experiment with different meats, vegetables, and types of cheese.
• Freeze the unbaked pizza puffs: Place the unbaked pizza puffs on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Make sure they are not touching each other. Put the baking sheets in the freezer until the pizza puffs are firm. This usually takes about an hour or two.
• Transfer to freezer containers: Once the pizza puffs are frozen solid, transfer them from the baking sheets to freezer-safe containers or bags. Make sure to label the containers with the date and contents. Squeeze out as much air as possible from the bags before sealing them tightly.
• Thaw and bake: When you are ready to enjoy your pizza puffs, take them out of the freezer and thaw them in the refrigerator or on the kitchen counter. Preheat your oven to the recommended temperature, usually around 400°F (200°C). Place the thawed pizza puffs on greased baking sheets and bake them according to your recipe's instructions, or until they are golden brown.

By following these steps, you can enjoy delicious, homemade pizza puffs whenever you crave them, without having to start from scratch each time.

What are the best dipping sauces for pizza puffs?

Pizza puffs are a deep-fried dough filled with cheese, tomato sauce, and other classic pizza ingredients. They can be cooked in an air fryer and served with a variety of dipping sauces. Here are some of the best dipping sauces for pizza puffs:

• Barbecue Sauce: A tangy and sweet sauce that complements the cheese, bread, and tomato flavours of pizza puffs.
• Marinara Sauce: A classic choice for dipping sauces, marinara sauce is thicker, sweeter, and chunkier than pizza sauce.
• Arrabbiata Sauce: A spicy version of marinara sauce made with red chillies. It adds a nice kick to the mild spice of pizza puffs.
• Alfredo Sauce: A creamy garlic sauce made with cheese, cream, flour, garlic, and aromatics. It pairs well with the cheese and bread in pizza puffs.
• Ranch Dressing: A popular choice that complements the flavours of pizza. It can be drizzled or dunked, and its cool creaminess mellows the vinegar and heat of spicy pizzas.
• Honey: Drizzling honey on pizza or dipping the crust in honey adds a sweet and savoury contrast. Spicy honey can also be used for an extra kick.
• Chili Oil: A complex and aromatic mixture of chilli flakes, garlic, oil, and salt that adds spice and flavour to pizza puffs.
• Garlic Butter: Turning your pizza crust into garlic bread by brushing or dipping it in garlic butter is a delicious option. You can make your own by mixing butter with roasted garlic and minced parsley.
• Beer Cheese or Fondue: Beer cheese is made with beer, mustard, onions, Worcestershire sauce, and cheese, while fondue is a Swiss dish made with Gruyere, kirsch, Swiss cheese, white wine, and garlic. Both are perfect for dipping your pizza puffs and continuing the cheesy party!
• Aioli: A traditional dipping sauce for vegetables, fish, and bread. Aioli is made with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt, resulting in a cleaner and lighter flavour than mayonnaise.
• Blue Cheese Dressing: Blue cheese is a pungent and intense cheese that can be found on artisanal pizzas. Blue cheese dressing has a milder flavour and is often paired with buffalo sauce on chicken pizzas. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for pizza puffs.
• Balsamic Vinaigrette: A unique and rich dip for pizza puffs made by emulsifying balsamic vinegar with olive oil, herbs, and aromatics.
• Whipped Feta Dip: Feta is speculated to be the first cheese ever made, and whipped feta tastes good on just about anything. It pairs especially well with Mediterranean flavours like fig, arugula, olive, and artichoke.
• Pesto: A classic favourite made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. Pesto is a perfect way to add some extra flavour to your pizza puffs.
• Hot Honey or Honey Butter: The sweet and savoury combination of honey and butter is a popular pairing for salty, buttery dishes. Dipping your pizza puffs in honey butter creates an instant bond with its richness.
• Chilli Infused Honey: A sweet and spicy sauce that goes well with cheesy pizza puffs.
• Avocado Ranch Dip: This dip is a great pairing with cheese pizza and can also be used specifically for dipping the pizza crust.
• Cowboy Butter: A creamy garlic butter dip with herbs, perfect for dipping pizza crusts, chicken tenders, or bread slices.

Can you use homemade dough for pizza puffs?

Yes, you can use homemade dough for pizza puffs. In fact, making pizza puffs from scratch is a fun and easy way to get the whole family involved in the cooking process.

Pizza puffs are a great snack or meal option, and can be made with just a few basic ingredients. The dough is a simple combination of flour, yeast, water, salt, olive oil, sugar, and Italian seasoning. Once you've made the dough and let it rise, you can start assembling your puffs.

Here's a step-by-step guide to making pizza puffs with homemade dough:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

First, mix the dry ingredients: flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and Italian seasoning. Then, add water and olive oil to form a soft dough. Knead the dough until it becomes elastic and smooth. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 2: Divide and Flatten the Dough

After the dough has risen, divide it into equal portions. The number of portions will depend on the size of your pizza puffs. For standard-sized muffin pans, divide the dough into 16 portions. Flatten each portion slightly with your fingertips and place them into the wells of the muffin pan.

Step 3: Add Sauce and Toppings

Spoon a small amount of tomato sauce onto each dough portion. You can use store-bought or homemade sauce, whichever you prefer. Next, add your favourite toppings. Pepperoni, sausage, and cheese are classic choices, but you can get creative and add whatever you like!

Step 4: Bake and Serve

Bake the pizza puffs in the oven until the dough is puffed up and golden brown around the edges. This should take around 15-20 minutes at 350°F. Once they're done, let them cool slightly before removing them from the pan. Pizza puffs can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature, and they also freeze well for future snacks or meals.

Air Frying Pizza Puffs

If you want to cook your pizza puffs in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 350-375°F and cook for about 15 minutes. You can cook them straight from frozen, and there's no need to defrost them first. Air frying gives the pizza puffs a golden brown exterior and a gooey, saucy interior.

Frequently asked questions