Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Recipe Yield: 8 roll-ups
Serving Size: 2 roll-ups
Cuisine: American
Course: Appetizer, Snack, Lunch
Ingredients
- 8 slices sandwich bread, crusts removed
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 24 slices pepperoni
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce, plus extra for dipping
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Cooking spray
Equipment Needed
- Air fryer
- Rolling pin
- Small mixing bowl
- Pastry brush
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in under 20 minutes
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- Kid-friendly and perfect for lunchboxes
- Crispy texture without deep frying
- Customizable with your favorite pizza toppings
- Great for parties and gatherings
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Bread
Using a rolling pin, flatten each slice of bread until it becomes thin and easy to roll. Removing the crusts beforehand helps create smooth and tightly rolled pizza roll-ups.
Step 2: Add the Fillings
Spread approximately 1 teaspoon of pizza sauce over each slice of flattened bread, leaving a small border around the edges.
Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.
Place 3 slices of pepperoni on top of the cheese.
Step 3: Roll the Bread
Starting from one end, carefully roll each slice into a tight log shape. Press gently along the seam to help keep the roll-up closed during cooking.
Step 4: Season the Exterior
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
Brush the outside of each roll-up with the seasoned butter mixture.
Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the tops.
Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
Preheating helps ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.
Step 6: Air Fry the Pizza Roll-Ups
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Arrange the roll-ups seam-side down in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as proper airflow is important for even browning.
Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 7–8 minutes or until the roll-ups are golden brown and crispy.
For extra crispiness, turn them halfway through cooking.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Carefully remove the pizza roll-ups from the air fryer and allow them to cool for 2–3 minutes.
Serve warm with additional pizza sauce, ranch dressing, or garlic dip for dipping.
Cooking Intensity Level
Preparation Intensity: Low
This recipe is beginner-friendly and requires only basic kitchen skills such as rolling bread and assembling ingredients.
Cooking Intensity: Low to Medium
The air fryer does most of the work, making this a simple recipe with minimal hands-on cooking.
Flavor Intensity: High
The combination of mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, Italian herbs, garlic, and Parmesan creates bold pizza-inspired flavors in every bite.
Expert Tips for Success
Roll Tightly
Tightly rolled bread helps prevent the fillings from leaking during cooking.
Don’t Overfill
Adding too much sauce or cheese can cause the roll-ups to burst open while air frying.
Use Fresh Mozzarella Carefully
Fresh mozzarella contains more moisture. If using it, pat it dry first to avoid soggy roll-ups.
Work in Batches
If necessary, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
Check Early
Air fryer models vary slightly. Begin checking for doneness after 6 minutes.
Variations
Supreme Pizza Roll-Ups
Add diced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and cooked sausage for a supreme pizza flavor.
Hawaiian Pizza Roll-Ups
Use diced ham and pineapple chunks for a sweet and savory twist.
Meat Lovers Version
Combine pepperoni, cooked sausage, bacon bits, and mozzarella cheese.
Vegetarian Pizza Roll-Ups
Skip the meat and fill with mushrooms, olives, peppers, spinach, and extra cheese.
Spicy Pizza Roll-Ups
Add crushed red pepper flakes or sliced jalapeños for extra heat.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator
Store leftover pizza roll-ups in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer
Freeze cooked roll-ups in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes until hot and crispy.
Serving Suggestions
These Air Fryer Pizza Roll-Ups pair perfectly with:
- Marinara sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Garlic butter dip
- Caesar salad
- Fresh vegetable sticks
- Mozzarella sticks
- Potato wedges
They are excellent for game nights, family movie nights, lunchboxes, birthday parties, and casual entertaining.
Nutrition Information
Per Serving (2 Roll-Ups)
- Calories: 230
- Protein: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Calcium: 180mg
- Iron: 1.5mg