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

Pizza rolls are a quick and easy snack to make in an air fryer. They can be cooked in less than 10 minutes and are a perfect snack for kids after school. The best way to cook frozen foods is in an air fryer as it gets them crispy. You can use a variety of pizza rolls, such as Totino's, Aldi's Mama Cozzi's, or make them from scratch with pizza dough or wonton wrappers stuffed with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce. The temperature and cooking time may vary depending on the type of air fryer you have, but on average, you should cook pizza rolls at 380°F for 7-9 minutes.

How to cook pizza rolls in an air fryer

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the pizza roll-making process. It ensures your snack reaches the desired level of crispiness and cooks evenly. To preheat your air fryer, first, set the temperature to between 380°F and 400°F. The preheating time will vary depending on the model of your air fryer, but it should take around 3 minutes to heat up. Some air fryers will beep or display a message when they are ready, while others may need to be manually preheated. Once preheated, place your pizza rolls in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space around them to allow the hot air to flow and make them crispier. Avoid stacking or overcrowding the basket, as this can cause uneven cooking.

Different air fryer models may have different preheating requirements. For example, some air fryers may require you to set the cook time in addition to the temperature during the preheating process. Consult your air fryer's instruction manual to determine the specific preheating instructions for your model.

When preheating your air fryer, it is important to ensure that the air can circulate freely. Do not cover the air fryer basket or block the air intake in any way. This will ensure that the hot air can circulate effectively and cook your pizza rolls evenly.

Additionally, while preheating your air fryer, you can prepare your pizza rolls by taking them straight from the freezer and placing them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. There is no need to thaw or defrost them beforehand. You can also line the bottom of the air fryer basket with foil or perforated parchment paper to catch any potential drips or messes, although this is not necessary for pizza rolls as they are not sticky.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can proceed to cook your pizza rolls. Depending on the desired level of crispiness and your air fryer's performance, set the cooking time to between 6 and 9 minutes. Remember to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking on both sides.

Don't overcrowd the basket

When cooking pizza rolls in an air fryer, it is important not to overcrowd the basket. This is because the hot air needs to be able to circulate around the pizza rolls to cook them evenly. If the basket is overcrowded, the hot air will not be able to circulate properly, and the pizza rolls may cook unevenly or become soggy.

To avoid overcrowding the basket, it is recommended to cook the pizza rolls in a single layer. This means that you should not stack the pizza rolls on top of each other. If you have a large quantity of pizza rolls to cook, it is best to cook them in multiple batches. For example, if you are cooking a 50-count bag of pizza rolls, you may want to limit each batch to half of the bag. This will ensure that the hot air can circulate freely around the pizza rolls and that they cook evenly.

It is also important to note that the cooking time for pizza rolls in an air fryer can vary depending on the size and model of the air fryer, as well as the size and type of pizza rolls being cooked. Therefore, it is always a good idea to monitor the pizza rolls while they are cooking and adjust the cooking time as needed. For example, if you are cooking mini pizza rolls, you may need to decrease the cooking time by 1 to 2 minutes.

Additionally, to ensure even cooking and prevent the pizza rolls from becoming soggy, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the pizza rolls. This will ensure that the air fryer is nice and hot when the pizza rolls are added, resulting in crispy pizza rolls.

By following these tips and avoiding overcrowding the basket, you can ensure that your pizza rolls cook evenly and come out crispy and delicious every time.

Shake the basket halfway through

Shaking the basket halfway through the cooking process is an important step in ensuring your pizza rolls cook evenly. By giving the basket a good shake, you can flip the pizza rolls over so that they cook uniformly on both sides. This will help you achieve that desired golden, crispy finish. Depending on the temperature and cooking time you've set, the halfway mark will vary.

For instance, if you're cooking at 380°F for 6-8 minutes, you'll want to shake the basket at the 3-4 minute mark. If you're cooking at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket at the 3-minute mark is ideal, and you can check again at 6 minutes to ensure they don't burn.

If you're cooking in batches, it's a good idea to reheat the previous batches for 1-2 minutes at 350°F if they cool down too much while waiting for the fresh batches to cook. This way, everyone can enjoy their pizza rolls together!

Remember, the key to getting that perfect crispiness and colour is to shake the basket halfway through, so the pizza rolls don't stick to the basket and cook evenly on all sides.

Use a light coating of oil spray

While it's not necessary to use oil when cooking pizza rolls in an air fryer, a light coating of oil spray can help make your pizza rolls extra crispy. If you want to use an oil spray, you can add it to the air fryer basket before placing the pizza rolls inside. You can also rub some olive oil on the basket to prevent sticking.

When using an oil spray, be sure to place the pizza rolls in a single layer in the basket to allow the hot air to flow more easily and make them crispier. Stacking or overcrowding the basket can cause the pizza rolls to cook unevenly.

To prevent the pizza rolls from bursting, it's important to not overcook them. Pull them out of the air fryer before the seams burst and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

By following these steps and using a light coating of oil spray, you can achieve delicious, crispy pizza rolls that are perfect for a quick snack or appetizer.

Reheat at 400°F for 3 minutes

Reheating pizza rolls in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to get them crispy and delicious. To reheat your pizza rolls, first, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This will ensure that your pizza rolls are cooked evenly and come out with a nice golden-brown crust. It usually takes around 3 minutes for the air fryer to be heated and ready for the pizza rolls.

Once your air fryer is preheated, place the pizza rolls inside. Make sure to put them in a single layer to allow for even cooking and to prevent overcrowding. You can cook as many pizza rolls as can fit in a single layer, but if you have more, simply cook them in multiple batches.

Set the timer for 3 minutes and start the air fryer. Keep an eye on your pizza rolls as they cook, as you don't want them to burn. After 3 minutes at 400°F, your pizza rolls should be warmed through and crispy. If you prefer them extra crispy, you can add another minute or two to the cooking time.

Finally, remove the pizza rolls from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before enjoying. The insides of the pizza rolls can get very hot, so it's important to let them cool down slightly to avoid burning your mouth. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as marinara or ranch, and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions