Air Fryer Pizza Rolls: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Pizza rolls are a quick and easy snack to make in an air fryer. They can be made from scratch or store-bought, and are a great snack for kids and adults alike. The best way to cook frozen pizza rolls is in an air fryer, as it gets them really crispy and they cook faster than in a traditional oven. The cooking time will depend on the air fryer model, but on average, it takes around 8 minutes to cook pizza rolls at 380-390°F. It is recommended to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the pizza roll-making process. While some recipes suggest that preheating is not necessary, others recommend preheating your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. This step may vary depending on the model of your air fryer and whether it has a built-in preheat functionality. If your air fryer doesn't have this feature, you should preheat it manually.

It's worth noting that if you choose to preheat your air fryer, you may need to reduce the overall cooking time of your pizza rolls by 1-3 minutes to prevent overcooking. This adjustment ensures that your pizza rolls don't turn out extremely crisp or hard.

Additionally, the preheating step may also depend on the starting temperature of your pizza rolls. Some recipes suggest that you keep the pizza rolls frozen until you are ready to cook them, while others recommend allowing them to warm up while the air fryer preheats.

To summarise, the decision to preheat your air fryer for making pizza rolls may depend on your air fryer's model, its built-in features, and your personal preferences.

Use foil or parchment paper

Using foil or parchment paper is a great way to ensure your air fryer stays clean and mess-free when making pizza rolls. It also makes clean-up a breeze! Here are some tips for using foil or parchment paper when making pizza rolls in your air fryer:

Use Air Fryer Liner Foil:

Before tossing in your pizza rolls, it is recommended to use an air fryer liner foil. This will help catch any cheese or filling that may ooze out during the cooking process, making clean-up easier. Make sure the foil liner is evenly distributed and that you have enough pizza rolls so that the liner stays in place. If you have too few rolls, the foil will blow around in the basket, which you want to avoid.

Parchment Paper for Easy Clean-Up:

Using parchment paper is another excellent option for mess-free pizza roll cooking. Parchment paper can help prevent the dough from sticking to the air fryer basket and make clean-up a breeze. Simply place the parchment paper in the air fryer basket before adding your pizza rolls.

Avoid Overcrowding:

Whether using foil or parchment paper, be sure not to overcrowd your air fryer. Place the pizza rolls in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping. This will allow for even cooking and prevent the rolls from sticking together.

Check on Your Pizza Rolls:

When using foil or parchment paper, it is important to keep an eye on your pizza rolls to prevent overcooking or exploding. Check on them at the 5-6 minute mark to see how they are cooking. If the cheese starts to ooze out, remove them from the air fryer before they explode.

Adjust Cooking Time:

If you are using foil or parchment paper, you may need to adjust the cooking time. The foil liner or parchment paper may affect the airflow in the air fryer, so you may need to increase the cooking time by a minute or two. However, be sure to keep an eye on your pizza rolls to prevent overcooking.

Customize Your Pizza Rolls:

Remember, you can easily customize your pizza rolls by adding your favourite toppings, meats, or vegetables. Get creative and experiment with different combinations to find your favourite flavour!

Don't overcrowd the basket

When making pizza rolls in an air fryer, it's important not to overcrowd the basket. This is because hot air needs to be able to circulate around the rolls to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy. If you fill the basket to the top with pizza rolls, the hot air won't be able to circulate properly, and your pizza rolls may end up undercooked or unevenly cooked.

To avoid overcrowding the basket, it's best to limit each batch to half a bag of pizza rolls. For example, if you're using a 50-count bag of pizza rolls, only cook around 25 at a time. If you need to make a larger quantity, simply cook them in multiple batches. You can keep the first batch warm by reheating them in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

It's also important to note that you should always cook pizza rolls in a single layer in the air fryer. This will ensure that the hot air can circulate around each roll properly. If you stack the pizza rolls, they may not cook evenly, and you'll end up with some rolls that are crispy and others that are undercooked.

By following these tips and avoiding overcrowding the air fryer basket, you'll be able to cook delicious, crispy pizza rolls that are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Use frozen pizza rolls

Using frozen pizza rolls in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a snack or appetizer. It is also a great way to get your pizza rolls crispy and avoid the microwave, which can make the outside of the rolls tough.

Step One:

Preheat your air fryer to 380-390 degrees Fahrenheit. Note that not all air fryers have a preheat function, so check your model's instructions. If you are using a Ninja Foodi air fryer, you may need to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.

Step Two:

Place the frozen pizza rolls in the air fryer basket or tray. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping or overcrowded. This will ensure they cook evenly and get crispy. You can spray the basket or tray with a light coating of oil or cooking spray to make them extra crispy and prevent sticking, but this is not necessary.

Step Three:

Air fry at 375-390 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-8 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the size of the pizza rolls, so check on them periodically to ensure they don't burn or explode.

Step Four:

Remove the pizza rolls from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. The insides will be very hot, so this step is important to avoid burning your mouth.

Tips:

• You can use any brand of frozen pizza rolls, but some popular options include Totino's, Annie's, and Amy's.
• You can serve the pizza rolls with a dipping sauce such as pizza sauce, marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or honey mustard.
• If you are cooking a large quantity of pizza rolls, you may need to cook them in multiple batches to ensure they get crispy.
• To reheat leftover pizza rolls, place them in the air fryer at a lower temperature, such as 320-350 degrees Fahrenheit, for about 2-3 minutes.

Flip halfway through

Flipping your pizza rolls halfway through the cooking process is an important step in ensuring they cook evenly. Depending on the air fryer model, you may need to manually flip the rolls with tongs or simply shake the basket to turn them over.

For optimal results, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer for a few minutes before adding the pizza rolls. The ideal cooking temperature is between 375°F and 400°F, and the rolls should be cooked for a total of 8 to 10 minutes. However, it is crucial to monitor the rolls closely, especially after the 6-minute mark, as they can quickly overcook or explode due to steam buildup.

To prevent the pizza rolls from sticking and promote even browning, some recipes suggest spraying the air fryer basket or tray with olive oil or avocado oil before adding the rolls. Additionally, coating the rolls themselves with a light layer of oil can enhance their crispness.

When cooking frozen pizza rolls, it is generally advised to cook them straight from frozen rather than thawing them first. This helps achieve the desired crispy texture. It is also important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow for even cooking and prevent the hot air from being trapped.

Frequently asked questions