Air-Fryer Pizza Puffs

These air-fryer pizza puffs have everything you love about a classic slice of pepperoni pizza—gooey mozzarella, zesty pepperoni and garlicky goodness—tucked into chewy dough balls. Made with store-bought pizza dough, these bite-sized pizza snacks are a snap to prepare. Just portion the dough, tuck in pieces of pepperoni and cheese, roll into balls and air-fry until golden. Brush them with garlic butter and serve them with marinara for dipping, and you’ll have a winning after-school snack or easy party appetizer.

Ingredients for Air-Fryer Pizza Puffs

• Pizza dough: After air-frying, the dough becomes soft, chewy and golden—just like pizza crust. If you’re starting with frozen pizza dough, thaw it overnight in the fridge before making pizza puffs. You can also use refrigerated or homemade pizza dough, or swap in whole wheat or gluten-free dough.
• Pepperoni: Use regular, spicy or turkey pepperoni—whichever variety you like best. Mini pepperoni will also work, but you’ll need more than 20 slices to compensate for the size difference.
• Mozzarella cheese: Cubed mozzarella melts into a gooey, stretchy center. Use a block of low-moisture mozzarella (not the fresh kind) for best results. Mozzarella string cheese is a great shortcut—simply cut each cheese stick into five or six pieces.
• Butter: We finish the pizza puffs with melted butter for a rich flavor. If you’re using the optional toppings or another garnish, don’t skip this step—the butter helps it adhere.
• Garlic: Use fresh minced garlic to add savory flavor to the melted butter, or substitute 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder for the two cloves of garlic in a pinch.
• Marinara sauce: Pair the pizza puffs with your favorite jarred or homemade marinara sauce for a tangy dipping sauce. While the pizza puffs are cooking, warm the marinara in the microwave or on the stovetop.
• Optional garnish: For a spicy kick, sprinkle the pizza puffs with crushed red pepper flakes. A dusting of grated Parmesan adds salty, extra-cheesy flavor. Use one or both to suit your tastes.

Directions

Step 1: Shape the pizza dough

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Shape the pizza dough into 20 balls, 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Use your palm or the bottom of a drinking glass to flatten each dough ball until it’s 1/8-inch thick.

Editor’s Tip: Use a kitchen scale to portion the dough evenly. This ensures that each pizza puff is the same size and cooks at the same rate.

Step 2: Fill the dough with cheese and pepperoni

Layer one pepperoni slice and one cheese cube in the center of a dough circle. Wrap the dough around the pepperoni and cheese filling, pinching the edges to seal. Lightly roll the dough between your hands to form a smooth ball. Repeat until all the dough circles are filled and rolled.

Editor’s Tip: For a meatier bite, use double pepperoni. Layer one pepperoni slice in the dough, then place the mozzarella cube, then add another slice of pepperoni.

Step 3: Air-fry the pizza puffs

Grease your air-fryer basket. Working in batches, arrange the pizza puffs in the basket in a single layer with the seam side facing up. Cook for six to eight minutes until lightly golden brown.

Test Kitchen Tip: In our testing, we have found that cook times vary dramatically between brands of air fryers. As a result, we give wider than normal ranges on suggested cook times. Begin checking at the first time listed and adjust as needed.

Step 4: Brush the pizza puffs with garlic butter, then serve

While the pizza puffs cook, melt the butter in a small saucepan set over low heat. Add the minced garlic and salt to taste, taking care not to brown the butter or garlic. Brush the warm garlic butter over the cooked pizza puffs. Sprinkle the tops with red pepper flakes and grated Parmesan, if desired. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.

Recipe Variations

• Use all cheese: Skip the pepperoni and go all-in with a mix of melting cheeses, such as mozzarella, provolone or cheddar, for a richer, sharper flavor.
• Switch up the meat: Substitute the pepperoni with your favorite meaty pizza topping. Try browned Italian sausage, crumbled bacon, diced ham or mini meatballs. Be sure to drain the meat well to prevent the puffs from getting soggy.
• Sprinkle with herbs: Stir dried basil, oregano or Italian seasoning into the melted garlic butter for an extra layer of flavor.
• Add veggies: Stuff the puffs with veggies, but be sure to saute and drain them first to remove excess moisture. Try finely chopped bell peppers, onion, mushrooms, spinach or black olives. Just be careful not to overfill the dough—too much filling can cause the puffs to split as they cook.
• Make them spicy: Use spicy pepperoni or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a spicy kick.
• Try a different dough: Try whole wheat dough for a heartier bite, or use gluten-free pizza dough to accommodate dietary needs.
• Bake the puffs: No air fryer? No problem. Place pizza puffs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

How to Store Air-Fryer Pizza Puffs

These pizza puffs will taste best fresh out of the air fryer, but leftovers can be stored for three or four days. Let them cool, pack them into an airtight container and store them in the fridge. To reheat, set the air fryer to 350° and cook them for three to five minutes until warmed through.

Can you freeze air-fryer pizza puffs?

Yes, you can freeze unbaked pizza puffs for two to three months. After stuffing and sealing the puffs, arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment or waxed paper. Cover them with storage wrap and freeze until the puffs are firm. Transfer the pizza puffs to a freezer-safe container or resealable bag and return to the freezer. Air-fry as directed, increasing the cooking time until the puffs are golden brown on the outside and the cheese melts on the inside.

Air-Fryer Pizza Puff Tips

Can I bake the pizza puffs?

Absolutely! Baking is an excellent alternative if you don’t have an air fryer or if you want to make a large batch for a party. Preheat your oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment. Arrange the pizza puffs in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. To check for doneness, cut one open—if the cheese is melted and the dough is cooked through, you’re good to go.

Do you need to flip the pizza puffs?

There’s no need to flip the pizza puffs in the air fryer. As long as you air-fry them in a single layer, they’ll cook and brown evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Avoid crowding or stacking the puffs—there needs to be space for the hot air to circulate to achieve a crisp, golden finish.

Why are my pizza puffs splitting?

Pizza puffs in the air fryer could be splitting for a few reasons. Our Test Kitchen found that cooking them at a higher temperature caused the dough to open as the cheese melted, so stick with the recommended 350° temperature. Air fryers vary greatly, so we recommend cooking a single test pizza puff before cooking the whole batch to get your model’s perfect time and temperature.

Ensure each puff is well-sealed and cooks with the seam side facing up to prevent splitting. You could also try sandwiching the mozzarella between two slices of pepperoni to help contain the cheese as it melts.