Oh my gosh, you have to try these homemade pizza rolls! They’re my go-to snack for game days, movie nights, or when my kids’ friends come over (which is basically every weekend). I’ll never forget the first time I made them – my husband ate half the batch before they even hit the table! The air fryer makes them ridiculously easy – crispy on the outside, gooey-cheesy on the inside, and ready in under 20 minutes. Forget frozen store-bought ones – these taste like they came straight from a pizzeria, but you can customize them with whatever toppings you love.
Why You’ll Love These Homemade Pizza Rolls
Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never go back to the frozen kind. Here’s why they’re a total game-changer:
- Crazy quick: From fridge to table in under 20 minutes—even my teenager can make them!
- Perfectly crispy: The air fryer gives that golden crunch you’d get from deep-frying, but way easier.
- Your rules: Swap in veggies, different cheeses, or even BBQ chicken—it’s your pizza roll universe.
- Crowd magic: I’ve yet to meet anyone (kid or adult) who doesn’t go wild for these at parties.
Seriously, they disappear faster than I can make them—just ask my sneaky snack-thief of a husband!
Ingredients for Homemade Pizza Rolls
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these addictive little bundles of joy. I promise, you probably have most of this in your kitchen already! The magic happens with just a handful of simple ingredients—no fancy grocery runs required.
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough (8 oz): The store-bought kind works perfectly here—just make sure it’s fresh!
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce: Use your favorite jarred kind, or my secret—leftover homemade sauce if you’ve got it.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (packed): Freshly grated melts better than pre-shredded (those anti-caking agents can make it grainy).
- 1/4 cup mini pepperoni: Or chop regular slices—I use kitchen scissors for quick work.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: For that golden crispy finish.
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning + 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder: My flavor-boosting duo—shake ’em right from the jar!
- Cooking spray: To keep those rolls from sticking to the basket.
See? Nothing complicated—just tasty, real ingredients ready to transform into magic.
How to Make Homemade Pizza Rolls in the Air Fryer
Okay, here comes the fun part! Making these pizza rolls is so easy you’ll wonder why you ever bought frozen ones. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have crispy, cheesy perfection in no time. The key is preheating your air fryer (don’t skip this!) and sealing those edges tight so all that gooey goodness stays inside where it belongs.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
First, dust your counter with just a pinch of flour – this keeps the dough from sticking to everything (trust me, sticky dough disasters are no fun). Roll out your pizza dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. I use my hands to gently stretch it at first, then a rolling pin to even it out. Cut into 12 equal rectangles – they don’t have to be perfect, but similar sizes help them cook evenly. Pro tip: a pizza cutter makes this step super quick!
Step 2: Add Fillings
Now for the good stuff! Spoon about a teaspoon of sauce onto each rectangle – I like to leave a little border so it doesn’t squish out when rolling. Then sprinkle with cheese and add 3-4 mini pepperonis (or a pinch of chopped regular ones). Warning: don’t overfill! Too much and they’ll burst open while cooking. Just think “moderation” – you want just enough filling to make each bite delicious without causing a cheesy explosion in your air fryer.
Step 3: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection
Roll each piece up tightly, pinching the edges to seal (this part reminds me of making tiny burritos). Lightly brush with olive oil and sprinkle with the seasoning mix. Now, the magic happens! Place them seam-side down in your preheated air fryer basket (I fit about 6 at a time so they have room to crisp up). Cook at 375°F for 7-9 minutes until they’re beautifully golden brown. The smell is incredible – like a pizzeria in your kitchen! Let them cool for a minute before biting in – that cheese is molten lava hot right out of the fryer.
Tips for the Best Homemade Pizza Rolls
After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds), here are my foolproof secrets for pizza roll perfection:
- Fresh is best: That refrigerated dough works great, but use it within a day or two of purchase – older dough won’t roll as nicely.
- Watch your air fryer: All models vary, so check at 7 minutes. They should be deep golden – if pale, add 1-2 more minutes.
- Serve immediately: These are at their crispiest right out of the basket! The cheese stays gloriously stretchy for about 10 minutes.
- Don’t crowd: Give each roll some breathing room in the basket – they crisp better with space between them.
Follow these simple tricks, and you’ll be the pizza roll hero of your next gathering!
Variations for Your Homemade Pizza Rolls
Oh, the possibilities! One of my favorite things about these pizza rolls is how easily you can mix up the flavors. Here are some of my family’s favorite twists:
- Veggie delight: Swap pepperoni for sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and roasted red peppers – my vegetarian niece goes crazy for these!
- BBQ chicken: Use BBQ sauce instead of marinara, shredded chicken, and a mix of cheddar and mozzarella.
- Breakfast version: Scrambled eggs, crumbled bacon, and a sprinkle of cheddar make the perfect morning snack.
- Spicy kick: Add jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the filling for those who like it hot.
Really, anything that tastes good on pizza works here – get creative!
Serving Suggestions for Homemade Pizza Rolls
Oh, the dipping possibilities! While these pizza rolls are amazing on their own, I always set out little bowls of extra marinara for dunking—my kids call it “pizza roll soup.” For game days, I mix up a quick garlic-parmesan dip (mayo + sour cream + garlic powder) that disappears almost as fast as the rolls. Ranch dressing works surprisingly well too—don’t knock it till you try it! Arrange them on a platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing at parties. Just be warned: you might need to make a double batch once people start popping them like candy!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Here’s the good news – these pizza rolls keep beautifully! Just pop any leftovers in an airtight container (if you have any leftovers, that is). They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, toss them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes – they’ll crisp right back up like magic. Trust me, they’re almost as good reheated as they are fresh! Just don’t microwave them – you’ll lose that perfect crispy texture.
Homemade Pizza Rolls Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s keep it real – these aren’t health food, but everything in moderation, right? Based on my standard recipe with full-fat mozzarella and pepperoni, each serving (about 3 pizza rolls) comes out to roughly 340 calories with 15g fat. But here’s the thing – nutrition varies wildly depending on your ingredients. Use part-skim cheese? Fewer calories. Load up on veggies? More fiber. The air fryer already cuts way down on oil compared to deep frying, so we’re off to a good start!
FAQs About Homemade Pizza Rolls
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are the most common things people ask me about these addictive little pizza rolls:
Can I bake these instead of using an air fryer?
Absolutely! Bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until golden. They won’t get quite as crispy, but still delicious.
Can I freeze these before cooking?
Yes! Assemble the rolls, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Cook frozen – just add 2-3 extra minutes.
What dough can I substitute?
Homemade pizza dough works great. Biscuit dough? Surprisingly awesome! Croissant dough? Oh yes – next-level flaky goodness.
How do I keep them from bursting open?
Don’t overfill, seal edges tightly, and place seam-side down. A little water on the edges helps seal them shut.
Can I make these ahead for parties?
You bet! Prep them up to 4 hours ahead, cover with damp paper towel, then air fry when guests arrive.
Try this recipe and share your results! Tag me in your pizza roll masterpieces – I love seeing your creative twists!
Print
Irresistible Homemade Pizza Rolls Ready in 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Crispy homemade pizza rolls made in the air fryer, perfect for snacks or game day.
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough
- 1/2 cup marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup mini pepperoni or chopped pepperoni
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- Roll out pizza dough on a lightly floured surface and cut into rectangles.
- Spoon a small amount of marinara sauce onto each piece of dough.
- Add mozzarella cheese and pepperoni on top.
- Roll dough tightly and pinch edges to seal.
- Lightly brush with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
- Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray and place pizza rolls seam-side down.
- Air fry for 7–9 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh dough for best results.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Serve with extra marinara sauce for dipping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg