Air Fryer Pizza Rolls: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Pizza rolls are a popular snack, especially for kids, and can be made in an air fryer in a matter of minutes. Frozen pizza rolls can be cooked in an air fryer in under 10 minutes, with some recipes suggesting a cooking time of 6-8 minutes at 380-390 degrees Fahrenheit. The rolls should be placed in a single layer in the air fryer basket and flipped halfway through. Some recipes suggest spraying the rolls with cooking spray or olive oil for extra crispness, but this is not necessary. Pizza rolls can also be made from scratch and cooked in an air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer to 380-390 degrees Fahrenheit

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the pizza roll-making process. It ensures that your pizza rolls cook evenly and come out extra crispy. Here's a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer to the optimal temperature range of 380-390 degrees Fahrenheit:

• Set the Temperature: Adjust the temperature dial or settings on your air fryer to 380-390 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range is ideal for cooking pizza rolls, as it ensures they cook quickly and evenly while achieving the desired crispiness.
• Allow for Preheating: Give your air fryer a few minutes to reach the desired temperature. The preheating time may vary depending on the model and brand of your air fryer, so refer to your device's instructions or user manual for specific guidelines.
• Check the Temperature: Depending on your air fryer, it may have a built-in temperature indicator or display that shows when it has reached the set temperature. If not, you can use an air fryer thermometer to ensure it has reached the desired temperature range.
• Prepare the Basket: While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the basket or tray by spraying it with olive oil or air fryer-safe cooking spray. This step is optional but can help prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
• Consistency is Key: Maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial for optimal cooking results. If you're cooking a large batch of pizza rolls, you may need to cook them in multiple batches to ensure the air fryer maintains the desired temperature.
• Adjust as Needed: Keep in mind that different air fryer models may have slight variations in temperature settings and cooking times. As such, it's a good idea to monitor your pizza rolls during the cooking process and adjust the temperature or time as needed.

By following these steps and preheating your air fryer to 380-390 degrees Fahrenheit, you'll create the perfect environment for cooking delicious, crispy pizza rolls that your family and friends will love!

Arrange pizza rolls in a single layer

Arranging pizza rolls in a single layer is crucial for achieving evenly cooked and crispy pizza rolls. When placing the frozen pizza rolls in the air fryer basket or tray, ensure they are not overcrowded and have some space around them. This arrangement allows hot air to circulate freely and ensures each roll cooks thoroughly. If you are making more than 20 pizza rolls, cook them in batches to maintain this single layer.

By cooking the pizza rolls in a single layer, you avoid having them stick together, promoting even cooking and the desired crispiness. It is essential to give each roll adequate space to breathe and cook evenly. This technique ensures that the outside of the rolls becomes delightfully crispy while the inside remains hot and cheesy.

Additionally, arranging the pizza rolls in a single layer helps prevent them from exploding. Pizza rolls tend to burst when steam builds up inside, causing the seams to rupture. By giving each roll some space, you reduce the chances of this happening.

For best results, stick to arranging the pizza rolls in a single layer, and your air-fried pizza rolls will come out perfectly crispy and cooked all the way through.

Cook for 6-8 minutes

Now for the fun part: the cooking! Set a timer for 6-8 minutes, and place the air fryer basket inside. It's important to keep an eye on your pizza rolls, especially if this is your first time making them. You don't want them to burn!

Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and use tongs to flip the pizza rolls. This ensures that they cook evenly on both sides. Close the air fryer and let the cooking continue.

Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the basket from the air fryer. The pizza rolls will be very hot, so it's best to use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves for this step. Place the basket on a heat-proof surface and let the pizza rolls sit for about 2 minutes. This allows the mozzarella cheese to cool down slightly so you don't burn your mouth when you take a bite!

Flip halfway through

Flipping the pizza rolls halfway through the cooking process is an important step in ensuring they cook evenly. This is because the hot air in the air fryer needs to be able to circulate around the rolls. Flipping them also helps to ensure that the pizza rolls become crispy on all sides.

If you are making a large batch of pizza rolls, you will need to cook them in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Overcrowding will prevent the hot air from circulating, which will result in the pizza rolls not cooking evenly. However, you do not need to place the pizza rolls in a single layer in the air fryer. You can stack them, but make sure that you do not overcrowd the basket.

If you are using an air fryer that is prone to sticking, you can line the air fryer with parchment paper, spray the tray or basket with an air fryer-safe cooking spray, or shake the pizza rolls about halfway through the cooking process.

It is also important to note that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the type of air fryer you are using. American air fryers, for example, are typically limited to around 1750 watts, which means it takes longer for them to heat up. Therefore, you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly.

Additionally, if you are making mini pizza rolls, you will need to decrease the cooking time by 1 to 2 minutes.

Let the rolls cool

Once you've cooked your pizza rolls, it's important to let them cool down. This is because the insides will be super hot, and you don't want to burn your mouth! You should let them sit for at least 2 minutes, or even 3 minutes if you want to be extra cautious. This will give the mozzarella cheese a chance to cool down a bit, so you can enjoy your pizza rolls without scalding your mouth.

While you're waiting for your rolls to cool, you can prepare some dipping sauces. Pizza sauce is a classic choice, but you could also try ranch dressing, nacho cheese, marinara sauce with Parmesan cheese, buffalo sauce, blue cheese, honey sriracha sauce, BBQ sauce, or honey garlic sauce. Get creative and experiment with different flavours!

If you're making a large batch of pizza rolls, you might need to cook them in multiple batches to ensure they get nice and crispy. In this case, you can reheat the earlier batches for 1-2 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit if they start to cool down too much while you're waiting for the rest to cook.

Once your pizza rolls have cooled down enough to eat, it's time to dig in! Enjoy the crispy, golden-brown exterior and the melted cheese inside. They're perfect as an after-school snack, for game days, or any time you're craving something comforting and delicious.

Frequently asked questions