Air Fryer Pepperoni Roll Recipe

Crispy Air Fryer Pepperoni Roll Recipe: A Tasty Game Day Win

Weeknight dinners reach new heights with this simple air fryer pepperoni roll that promises crispy, cheesy perfection in minutes.

Small kitchen miracles happen when melted mozzarella meets golden-brown dough and savory pepperoni slices.

West Virginia’s classic snack gets a modern twist through smart appliance magic.

Our compact culinary adventure requires minimal ingredients and delivers maximum satisfaction.

Crisp edges and gooey centers await anyone willing to experiment with this quick recipe.

The magic happens fast, with each bite promising delightful comfort and flavor.

Grab some napkins and get ready to wow everyone at the table.

Why Air Fryer Pepperoni Roll Is A Snack-Time Favorite

  • Quick and Effortless Meal: Whip up these pepperoni rolls in just 15 minutes with minimal prep work, making it a perfect solution for busy weeknights or last-minute hunger pangs.
  • Customize Your Flavor: Easily adapt the recipe by adding different cheeses, meats, or herbs to create your own unique version that suits your taste buds and pantry ingredients.
  • Kid-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: These crispy, cheesy rolls are guaranteed to make children and adults alike jump with excitement, transforming a simple snack into a delightful mealtime experience.
  • Versatile Party Starter: Serve these golden-brown rolls as a crowd-pleasing appetizer at game nights, casual gatherings, or potluck parties, ensuring everyone comes back for seconds.

Everything You Need For Air Fryer Pepperoni Roll

Dough and Base:
  • Pizza Dough: Soft and stretchy base for creating a delicious rolled snack, preferably store-bought or homemade for best texture.
  • Olive Oil: Helps create a golden, crispy exterior and adds rich flavor to the rolls.
Cheese and Protein:
  • Mozzarella Cheese, Pepperoni Slices: Classic pizza combination that provides melty, savory goodness inside the roll, choose full-fat mozzarella for best melt and pepperoni with good meat-to-fat ratio.
Seasonings:
  • Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning: Adds depth of flavor and aromatic herbs to enhance the overall taste of the pepperoni rolls, dried herbs work perfectly for this recipe.

How To Make Air Fryer Pepperoni Roll

Step 1: Warm Up The Air Fryer

Crank your air fryer to a toasty 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 Celsius) and let it heat up while you prepare your delicious pepperoni rolls.

Step 2: Stretch The Dough

Grab your pizza dough and roll it out on a clean surface. Slice the dough into four neat rectangles that will become your crispy pepperoni masterpieces.

Step 3: Create Cheesy Pepperoni Layers

Sprinkle your rectangles with a generous amount of mozzarella cheese, then add a delightful stack of pepperoni slices right in the center of each piece. Your taste buds will be dancing already!

Step 4: Roll And Seal The Goodness

Carefully roll each rectangle into a tight bundle, tucking in the sides like a cozy blanket. Pinch the edges firmly to keep all that cheesy, pepperoni goodness sealed inside.

Step 5: Add Flavor Boosters

Lovingly brush each roll with olive oil, then shower them with:
  • Garlic powder
  • Italian seasoning

These magical sprinkles will transform your rolls into flavor explosions.

Step 6: Air Fry To Perfection

Arrange the rolls in your air fryer basket, making sure they have a little breathing room between them. This ensures each roll gets crispy and golden.

Step 7: Cook Until Gorgeous

Let the air fryer work its magic for 8-10 minutes. You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown color and a crispy exterior that screams “eat me now!”

Tips For Better Air Fryer Pepperoni Roll Results

  • Seal Edges Tightly: Pinch and press the dough edges firmly to prevent cheese from leaking during air frying, ensuring a perfect, intact pepperoni roll.
  • Oil Brush for Crispy Crust: Generously coat the rolls with olive oil to achieve a golden, crispy exterior that adds extra flavor and attractive sheen.
  • Space Rolls Strategically: Arrange rolls with small gaps in the air fryer basket to allow hot air circulation, promoting even cooking and crispiness.
  • Customize Seasoning Blend: Experiment with different herb and spice combinations like dried basil, red pepper flakes, or parmesan cheese to elevate the flavor profile.
  • Check Doneness Carefully: Watch the rolls closely after 6 minutes to prevent overcooking, ensuring a perfectly crisp outside and soft, melty inside.

Storing Your Air Fryer Pepperoni Roll Easily

  • Seal leftover pepperoni rolls in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat in the air fryer at 350F for 23 minutes to restore their crispy texture and delicious warmth.
  • Freeze cooled rolls in a freezer-safe bag for maximum 2 months, separating each roll with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm them up in the air fryer for a fresh-from-the-oven taste.

Tasty Pairings With Air Fryer Pepperoni Roll

  • Craft a Classic Italian Wine Pairing: Enjoy these crispy pepperoni rolls with a glass of bold chianti or sangiovese, whose robust red fruit notes and slight acidity perfectly complement the rich, savory pepperoni and melted cheese.
  • Create a Cool Beer Companion: Grab a cold amber ale or hoppy IPA that cuts through the roll's richness, with its malty undertones and crisp finish balancing the pepperoni's spicy kick.
  • Design a Fresh Salad Side: Serve alongside a zesty arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette, providing a bright, peppery contrast that refreshes the palate between bites of the hearty, cheesy rolls.
  • Mix a Tangy Dipping Sauce: Whip up a quick marinara or garlic aioli for dunking, adding an extra layer of flavor that enhances the rolls' crispy exterior and savory filling.

Fun Ideas To Twist Air Fryer Pepperoni Roll

  • Spicy Salami Sensation: Swap pepperoni with spicy salami and add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
  • Mediterranean Veggie Roll: Replace pepperoni with roasted bell peppers, spinach, and crumbled feta cheese for a veggie-packed version.
  • Cheesy Chicken Pocket: Substitute pepperoni with shredded cooked chicken and add a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheese for a protein-rich alternative.
  • Italian Sausage Explosion: Use crumbled Italian sausage instead of pepperoni and mix in some chopped fresh basil for a robust flavor profile.

Air Fryer Pepperoni Roll FAQ Guide

  • What makes these pepperoni rolls different from traditional pizza rolls?

These air fryer pepperoni rolls are lighter, crispier, and cook much faster than oven-baked versions. The air fryer creates a perfectly golden exterior while keeping the inside soft and cheesy.

  • Can I use homemade pizza dough for this recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade pizza dough works great and can add a fresher flavor compared to store-bought. Just ensure your dough is rolled out evenly for consistent cooking.

  • Is there a way to make these rolls less greasy?

Yes, use part-skim mozzarella and choose leaner pepperoni. Blotting the pepperoni with a paper towel before adding to the roll can also help reduce excess oil.

  • Are these pepperoni rolls kid-friendly?

Definitely! Kids love these handheld rolls because they’re easy to eat, cheesy, and have a fun, crispy texture that makes them irresistible.

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Air Fryer Pepperoni Roll Recipe

Air Fryer Pepperoni Roll Recipe


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4.5 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

West Virginia’s beloved air fryer pepperoni roll delivers mouthwatering comfort with crispy golden edges and melted cheese inside. Snacking perfection awaits you with this quick, satisfying treat that brings mountain state magic straight to your kitchen.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 20 slices pepperoni

Cheese:

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Dough and Seasonings:

  • 1 can refrigerated pizza dough
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

Optional Dipping Sauce:

  • Marinara sauce

Instructions

  1. Stretch the pizza dough into uniform rectangular shapes on a clean work surface, ensuring even thickness.
  2. Distribute mozzarella cheese generously across the center of each dough section, creating a creamy base for the pepperoni.
  3. Arrange pepperoni slices in a neat, overlapping pattern over the cheese, covering the entire central area.
  4. Carefully fold the dough edges inward, encasing the cheese and pepperoni completely, and press firmly to create a secure seal.
  5. Drizzle olive oil across the exterior of each roll, ensuring complete coverage for a golden, crisp finish.
  6. Sprinkle a blend of garlic powder and Italian seasoning over the oiled surface, adding robust flavor and aromatic complexity.
  7. Position the prepared rolls inside the air fryer basket, maintaining slight separation to allow consistent heat circulation.
  8. Cook in the preheated air fryer, rotating midway through to promote even browning and achieve a crispy, appetizing exterior.
  9. Remove when the rolls transform into a rich, golden-brown color with a satisfyingly crunchy texture.

Notes

  • Seal the edges tightly to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking.
  • Experiment with different cheese varieties like provolone or cheddar for unique flavor combinations.
  • Customize the filling by adding sliced olives, bell peppers, or jalapeños for extra texture and taste.
  • Adjust air fryer time based on dough thickness and desired crispiness, checking midway to prevent burning.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Lunch
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell

Founder & Chief Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Grilling Techniques and Innovations​
  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Culinary Education and Workshops​
  • Food Photography and Styling

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking. ​


Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.

Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.

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