Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Air Fryer Pizza Pinwheel Bites are the perfect combination of convenience and flavor. The crescent roll dough is the ideal base for all your favorite pizza toppings, and the air fryer ensures they come out perfectly crispy every time. They’re quick to make, and you can easily customize them with your favorite fillings—whether you prefer classic pepperoni, veggies, or a mix of both. Serve them with a side of pizza sauce for dipping, and you have a snack that everyone will love, from kids to adults!
Ingredients
- 1 package of crescent roll dough (8 oz)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Olive oil spray
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
1. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Dough
Open the package of crescent roll dough and unroll it into one large rectangle. Use a rolling pin to smooth out the seams and create a uniform sheet.
3. Spread the Sauce
Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
4. Add the Fillings
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce. Layer on the sliced pepperoni, followed by the black olives (if using). Sprinkle the Italian seasoning and garlic powder over the top for extra flavor.
5. Roll it Up
Starting from one edge, carefully roll the dough tightly into a log shape. Ensure the filling stays inside as you roll.
6. Slice the Pinwheels
Once rolled, use a sharp knife to slice the log into approximately 1-inch wide pinwheels. You should have around 10-12 pinwheels.
7. Air Fry the Pinwheels
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place the pinwheels in the basket in a single layer, making sure they have space between them for air circulation. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
8. Cook
Air fry the pinwheels at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them towards the end to prevent burning.
9. Serve
Once cooked, remove the pinwheel bites from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve with additional pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (Air fry time: 8-10 minutes)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Veggie Pinwheels: Add sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, or onions for a veggie-packed version of these pinwheels.
- Different Meats: Swap out the pepperoni for cooked sausage, bacon bits, or even grilled chicken for a different flavor.
- Cheese Lovers: Add other types of cheese like cheddar, provolone, or Parmesan for extra cheesy goodness.
- Spicy Kick: Spice things up by adding a few dashes of red pepper flakes or jalapeños to the filling.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat in the oven for a few minutes to keep them crispy.
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought pizza dough instead of crescent roll dough?
Yes, you can substitute store-bought pizza dough, but you may need to adjust the cooking time. Crescent roll dough tends to cook faster and gives a flakier texture.
2. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the pinwheels, slice them, and store them in the fridge for up to a day before air frying them. Just make sure to keep them covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
3. Can I make these vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply omit the pepperoni and use vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini as your filling.
4. How do I prevent the pinwheels from unrolling during cooking?
Make sure to roll the dough tightly and evenly, and if needed, you can lightly press the edges to seal them before cutting. Also, ensure there’s enough space in the air fryer basket for good air circulation.
5. Can I freeze these pinwheels?
Yes, you can freeze the uncooked pinwheels for later. After slicing, place them on a baking sheet and freeze them for about 1 hour. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. When ready to eat, air fry from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.
6. Can I make these without an air fryer?
Yes! You can bake these pinwheels in a regular oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
7. Can I use a different dipping sauce?
Of course! These pinwheels go well with ranch dressing, marinara sauce, or even a garlic butter dip.
8. How can I make them extra crispy?
To make them extra crispy, lightly spray them with olive oil spray before air frying, or increase the air fry time by a minute or two (but watch them closely to avoid burning).
9. Can I add more cheese inside the pinwheels?
Yes! Feel free to add more cheese to the filling for a cheesier bite.
10. Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes, you can use dairy-free cheese and substitute a dairy-free crescent roll dough for a completely dairy-free snack.
Conclusion
These Air Fryer Pizza Pinwheel Bites are a fun, tasty, and customizable snack that everyone will love. They’re quick to make, deliciously crispy, and perfect for any occasion, whether you’re entertaining guests or just looking for a delicious snack to enjoy at home. Try different toppings and sauces to suit your taste, and enjoy this guilt-free indulgence that’s always a crowd-pleaser!
Air Fryer Pizza Pinwheel Bites
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Air Fryer Pizza Pinwheel Bites are a crispy, cheesy, and customizable snack made with crescent roll dough, pizza sauce, mozzarella, and your favorite toppings, air-fried to perfection.
Ingredients
1 package of crescent roll dough (8 oz)
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Olive oil spray
Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Unroll the crescent roll dough into one large rectangle and smooth out the seams with a rolling pin.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, then add sliced pepperoni and black olives (if using). Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log shape and slice into 1-inch wide pinwheels.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Arrange the pinwheels in a single layer in the basket, ensuring space between them for air circulation.
- Air fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Check near the end to prevent overcooking.
- Remove from the air fryer, garnish with fresh basil, and serve with additional pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
Customize your pinwheels with other fillings like vegetables or different meats.
For extra crispiness, lightly spray with olive oil before air frying.
For a cheesy twist, try adding extra types of cheese such as cheddar or provolone.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (Air fry time: 8-10 minutes)
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
