Air Fryer Pizza Bites: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Pizza bites are a quick and easy snack to make in an air fryer. They are a great option when you need to feed a crowd or a bunch of hungry kids. You can make pizza bites from scratch or use store-bought frozen pizza rolls. To make pizza bites from scratch, you can stuff biscuit dough with mozzarella and pepperoni, brush with garlic butter, and air fry for 5 minutes. If you're using frozen pizza rolls, you can cook them straight from frozen in the air fryer for about 7-9 minutes at 380°F. You can serve pizza bites with dips like ranch, marinara sauce, or buffalo sauce.

Cooking Pizza Bites in an Air Fryer

Pizza bites from frozen

Pizza bites are a great snack to make in an air fryer, and they can be cooked straight from frozen! There's no need to preheat the air fryer, and you can cook around 10–12 pizza bites at a time.

First, decide whether you want to add oil to your pizza bites. This will give them a more golden crust, but it's not necessary. If you do want to add oil, you can either brush or spray the frozen pizza bites with oil, or you can add the oil directly to the pack, shake it, and then empty the pizza bites into the air fryer basket.

Next, place the pizza bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 380–400°F and cook for 5–9 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through cooking, and keep an eye on the pizza bites after the 5-minute mark to make sure they don't burn.

Once the pizza bites are golden brown, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute or two before serving. They can be served as a snack or appetizer, with dips such as creamy ranch, tangy buffalo sauce, or marinara sauce.

Oil and seasoning

Oil:

When preparing pizza bites in an air fryer, it is essential to use oil to prevent sticking and promote even cooking. The type of oil you use is important, and you should opt for a non-aerosol, propellant-free oil spray to avoid damaging the non-stick finish of your air fryer. Avocado oil, canola oil, or coconut oil are all suitable options. If using coconut oil, be aware that the final taste may vary slightly due to the distinct flavour of coconut oil. You can also use a spritzer bottle filled with your preferred oil if you don't have a suitable oil spray. Before placing the pizza bites in the air fryer, lightly coat the basket with oil or, if using frozen pizza bites, spray them directly with oil. This step will ensure that your pizza bites come out crispy and delicious.

Seasoning:

Seasoning is a great way to elevate the flavour of your pizza bites. While some prefer to enjoy their pizza bites with just cheese and pepperoni, adding Italian seasoning can take your bites to the next level. You can also experiment with other seasonings like red pepper flakes or dried herbs such as oregano or basil to find your perfect flavour combination. Additionally, if you're feeling adventurous, try incorporating garlic powder into your seasoning mix for a more robust flavour profile. By playing around with different seasonings, you can customise your pizza bites to suit your taste preferences.

Remember, the key to successful pizza bites in an air fryer is finding the right balance of oil and seasoning to prevent sticking and enhance flavour. Don't be afraid to experiment with different oils and seasonings to discover the perfect combination for your taste buds. Enjoy the crispy, golden-brown results straight from your air fryer!

Dips and sauces

Pizza bites cooked in an air fryer are a great snack on their own, but you can also serve them with a variety of dips and sauces.

If you're looking for a dip, try a classic marinara sauce, garlic mayo, or spicy mayo. You can also serve them with ranch dressing, which can be made by mixing sour cream, parmesan cheese, and green onion. If you're feeling indulgent, serve these crispy pizza bites with French fries or sweet potato fries.

For a sauce, you can use pizza sauce, pasta sauce, or tomato sauce. Cover each triangle of crescent roll dough with 1-2 tablespoons of sauce before adding your other toppings. You can also add butter or oil to your pizza bites before cooking them in the air fryer for a crispier texture.

If you want to get creative, you can make your own pizza spice blend by combining Italian seasoning, garlic, oregano, and basil. You can also add red, yellow, or green bell peppers for a bit of colour and flavour.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for pizza bites in an air fryer can vary depending on the brand, style, and age of your air fryer, as well as the type of pizza bites you are cooking. It is recommended to preheat your air fryer for a couple of minutes before adding the pizza bites. The temperature can be set to 380°F or 400°F, and the cooking time can range from 5 to 15 minutes.

For pizza bombs, it is recommended to cook them for 5 minutes in the air fryer. For pizza bagel bites, cook them for about 6 minutes at 400°F. If you want crispy cheese and slightly crunchy bagels, you can cook them for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary, so it is suggested to check the pizza bites after 6 minutes to ensure they are cooked to your desired level of doneness.

For pizza rolls, the cooking time can range from 7 to 9 minutes at 380°F. It is recommended to shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking process to flip the pizza rolls and ensure even cooking. If the pizza rolls are not fully cooked after 8 minutes, you can continue cooking in 1-minute increments until they reach your desired level of doneness.

It is worth mentioning that some sources suggest cooking times of less than 10 minutes for frozen pizza bites, rolls, or snacks. This shorter cooking time may be due to the efficiency of air fryers in cooking frozen foods, as they can produce crispy results without the need for preheating or thawing.

Gluten-free options

If you're looking for a gluten-free option for pizza bites in the air fryer, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can find gluten-free pizza bites in the frozen food aisle, such as the Feel Good Foods Three Cheese Bites, which are made with cauliflower and rice flour. These can be cooked in the air fryer using the same temperature and timing instructions as glutenous pizza bites.

Another option is to make your own gluten-free pizza bites from scratch. This allows you to control the ingredients and customize the fillings to your taste. The dough for gluten-free pizza bites is simple to make and requires no yeast, so there is no need for it to rest. Simply mix the ingredients, roll out the dough, fill, and air-fry! A simple recipe includes flour, baking powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning for the dough, with pizza sauce or marinara, mozzarella or Muenster cheese, and pepperoni, mushrooms, or olives for the filling.

You can also get creative with dips and sauces to enhance the flavour of your gluten-free pizza bites. Try serving them with warmed pizza sauce, marinara, wing sauce, ranch dressing, blue cheese dip, or any other sauce you enjoy.

Remember, cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer brand and model, so keep an eye on your pizza bites to ensure they cook to a golden-brown perfection.

Frequently asked questions