If you love pizza you'll love these quick and easy Air Fryer Pizza Bites. They're a great way to enjoy the cheesy flavor of your favorite pizza in a crispy, cheesy bite-sized treat. Take your appetizer game up a notch and dip them into a flavorful creamy marinara for a total game changer!
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Air Fryer Snacks
Air fryers are a quick and easy way to make a healthier appetizer. You have none of the hassle with deep fat frying but all of the crisp and mouth-watering flavor you love in a simple, easy-to-cleanup method.
Everything from Air Fryer Ravioli to Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers, and Air Fryer Taquitos to Air Fryer Chicken Wings, this amazing appliance helps create a healthier version of your favorite air fryer snacks without compromising on flavor.
Why You'll Love These Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
No working with biscuit or pizza dough - simply mix the ingredients together, roll it into balls, and air fry.
Air-fried cheese balls dipped in cream cheese marinara sauce are perfect for cheese lovers!
A delicious homemade alternative to frozen pizza rolls with mystery ingredients and preservatives.
Great for an appetizer or snack. Perfect after-school snack for kids.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make pizza bites:
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Pasta Sauce
- Egg
- All-purpose Flour
- Italian Seasoning
Here's what you'll need to make the creamy marinara sauce:
- Diced Tomatoes
- Olive Oil
- Onions
- Garlic
- Italian Seasoning
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Honey
- Cream Cheese
How to Make Pizza Bites in Air Fryer
- Combine mozzarella cheese, pasta sauce, egg, and Italian Seasoning in a medium bowl.
- Mix well.
- Start by adding 3 tablespoons of flour to the cheese mixture.
- Mix well. If the dough is too wet and sticky to work with, add another tablespoon of flour.
- Roll into 1 ½-inch balls. Hint: To make the dough easier to work with, flour your hands so the dough doesn't stick to them.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes. Carefully place dough balls, as many as will fit comfortably with space still around them, into the basket lined with parchment paper that has been sprayed with avocado or olive oil.
- Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes or until browned and crispy. Repeat with remaining pizza bites.
2CM Tip: When air-frying the pizza bites in batches, keep the air-fried ones warm in the oven at the lowest heat setting.
And voila! warm, crispy air fry pizza rolls ready to dip into a deliciously creamy marinara. Perfect air fryer snacks for game time, as a finger food party appetizer, or just a quick snack.
How to Make Creamy Marinara Sauce
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan. Add onions and saute for 5 to 7 minutes or until translucent.
- Continue to saute while adding garlic and red pepper flakes.
- Cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Pour in tomatoes and Italian seasoning.
- Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in balsamic vinegar and honey.
- Beat softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add it to the marinara.
- Stir until blended. Keep the sauce warm until ready to serve.
How to Serve Pizza Bites
Place the warm air-fried pizza bites on a plate along with a small bowl of warm creamy marinara dipping sauce.
You can also serve air fryer pizza rolls with garlic butter. Melt 1 stick of butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add up to 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
To Store: Let the pizza bites cool to room temperature. Place them in an airtight container or plastic zip-top bag. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To Freeze: Place them on a baking sheet with space between them. Place the baking sheet in the freezer. When the pizza bites are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. They will last up to 3 months in the freezer.
To Reheat Refrigerated Leftovers: Air fry at 350°F for 5 minutes or until warmed through.
To Reheat Frozen Pizza Bites: Air fry at 350°F for 8 minutes or until warmed through.
Popular Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Air Fryer Pizza
- Air Fryer Meatballs
- Air Fryer Steak Bites
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters
Find lots of delicious and easy air fryer recipes right here on 2CM!
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Air Fryer Pizza Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
Pizza Bites
- 7 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded
- ¼ cup pasta sauce
- 1 egg
- 3-4 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Creamy Marinara Sauce
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
Instructions
Pizza Bites
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the shredded mozzarella, egg, pasta sauce, and Italian seasoning.
- Add 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the cheese mixture and stir well. If the mixture has not formed a thick sticky dough, add another tablespoon of flour.
- Form the mixture into 1 ½-inch balls using a spoon or cookie scoop.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with avocado or olive oil spray. Place the pizza bites in the basket, leaving enough room around each so they cook evenly.
- Air fry the pizza bites for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Creamy Marianra
- You can make the marinara ahead of time or just before making the pizza bites.
- In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add onion and saute until translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Continue to cook while adding chopped garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for another 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes and Italian seasoning, stirring to mix.
- Simmer the marinara for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the marinara from the heat and stir in balsamic vinegar and honey.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add the cream cheese to the marinara and stir until well combined.
- Serve warm with the pizza bites. It is also a great dip for breadsticks and air fryer ravioli.
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