This Air Fryer Pepperoni Rolls recipe is made by assembling seasoned marinara sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese in Rhodes Rolls, then air frying until golden brown and delicious. Enjoy!
Why You Will Love This Pepperoni Rolls Recipe
- Quick and Easy: With easy prep and minimal cooking time, these air fryer pepperoni rolls are perfect for busy weeknights or as a fuss-free appetizer for gatherings.
- Simple Ingredients: Simple pantry staples like Rhodes Rolls, marinara sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese come together to create a flavorful and easy snack that everyone will enjoy.
- Customizable: You can easily customize these pepperoni rolls by using homemade pizza dough, adding your favorite pizza toppings, or adjusting the seasonings to suit your taste preferences.
- Family-Friendly: Loved by kids and adults alike, this great recipe is a crowd-pleaser and will be a new family favorite. They're a fun snack for family movie nights, game day snacks, or packed lunches.
- Air Fryer Perfection: Cooking these rolls in the air fryer yields a golden exterior while keeping the inside soft and gooey.
Love the flavors of pizza? Then you've got to try my Pepperoni Pizza Dip and these Pizza Pinwheels!
Ingredients
Here's a look at what you need to pick up at the store to make this recipe.
- Rhodes Rolls: These pre-made rolls provide a convenient base for the pepperoni rolls. They are soft and fluffy, perfect for encasing the savory filling. You can use homemade pizza dough, an egg roll wrapper, wonton wrappers, crescent roll dough, or any pre-made roll dough that's available at your local grocery store.
- Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder, and Onion Powder: These seasonings add depth and complexity to the marinara sauce, infusing it with Italian-inspired flavors. You can use fresh minced garlic and onion instead of powders for a more intense flavor.
- Marinara Sauce: The marinara sauce serves as the base and adds moisture and tanginess to the filling. Choose your favorite store-bought marinara or use homemade pizza sauce for a personalized touch.
- Mozzarella Cheese Slices: Melty mozzarella cheese adds creaminess and richness to the pepperoni rolls, creating a gooey texture when melted. You can use shredded mozzarella cheese or any other melty cheese like Swiss cheese, provolone, or cheddar.
- Pepperoni Slices: Classic pepperoni slices add a bold and savory flavor to the rolls. Feel free to use cooked sausage, ham, or turkey pepperoni for a variation.
- Olive Oil: Brushing the rolls with olive oil before air frying helps them get a crispy and golden crust. You can also use garlic butter instead.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Variations
- Meatier Rolls. Simply add in some cooked and crumbled sausage, cooked ground beef, or bacon for a meatier variation.
- Extra Flavor. Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or chopped fresh herbs like basil or parsley for extra flavor.
- BBQ Rolls. Substitute the marinara sauce with barbecue sauce for a tangy twist.
- Vegetarian: You can omit the pepperoni or substitute it with your favorite vegetarian toppings.
How to Make Air Fryer Pepperoni Rolls
These homemade pepperoni rolls go together quickly and easily. Here's a look at the steps.
Step 1: Combine the marinara sauce with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Step 2: Flatten out each dough ball and shape them into rectangles. Place about 2 teaspoons of the seasoned marinara sauce in the center of each rectangle.
Step 3: Add three slices of pepperoni on top of the sauce.
Step 4: Add a slice of folded mozzarella cheese on top.
Step 5: Fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket. Press the edges and fold up the ends to seal the crease and ends completely.
Step 6: Brush the tops of the rolls with olive oil and place them in the bottom of the air fryer basket, seam side down, in a single layer, and not too crowded.
Step 7: Air fry the pepperoni rolls at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Step 8: Cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm with extra pizza sauce, tomato sauce, or BBQ sauce for dipping.
If you love recipes like this one, you may also enjoy our Easy Taco Egg Rolls.
Storage
- Storage & Reheating: Allow the leftover pepperoni rolls to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the rolls in the air fryer basket and cook for 3-5 minutes or until they are heated through.
- Freezing: To freeze, arrange the cooled pepperoni rolls in a single layer on a baking sheet and then freeze them until they turn solid. Transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze them for up to 2 months.
What to Serve with Pepperoni Rolls
Enjoy these as an appetizer, snack, or even an add-on for pizza and pasta.
- Serve the pepperoni rolls with a side of warm marinara sauce or warm pasta sauce for dipping for an extra burst of flavor. They also go great with a Buttermilk Ranch Dip.
- Enjoy them with your favorite pasta recipes like this Cheeseburger Pasta or Italian Sausage Pasta.
Recipe Tips
- Thaw the Rolls. Make sure the Rhodes Rolls are completely thawed and at room temperature before rolling them out. Cold dough is hard to shape and may not rise properly.
- Don't Overfill the Rolls. Overfilling will cause the filling to ooze out during cooking.
- Seal Tightly. Seal the edges of the rolls tightly to keep them from opening during air frying. I like to press the seams firmly to ensure that they stay closed.
- Cooking in the Air Fryer. Preheat the air fryer before adding the rolls to make sure they cook evenly and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow for proper circulation. This means you may need to cook in batches.
- Cool Slightly. Let the pepperoni rolls cool for a few minutes before serving to prevent burns as the filling inside is quite hot.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, homemade pizza dough can be used. Be sure to roll it out thinly for the best results.
Yes, you can assemble the rolls ahead of time and refrigerate them
until they are ready to air fry. Just make sure to let them come to room temperature before cooking.
Yes, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 375 degrees F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
Do you need more party appetizer inspiration? Here are some recipes you may also like to try!
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Air Fryer Pepperoni Rolls Recipe
Equipment
- Equipment Needed:
- Clean surface for rolling dough
Ingredients
- 10 Rhodes Rolls thawed and at room temperature
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- Mozzarella cheese slices
- Pepperoni slices
- Olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine marinara sauce with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Set the sauce aside.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes.
- On a clean surface, flatten each dough ball and shape them into rectangles. Make sure the dough balls are at room temperature for easy handling.
- Place about 2 teaspoons of the seasoned marinara sauce at the center of each rectangle. Top the sauce with 3 slices of pepperoni and a folded mozzarella cheese slice.
- Carefully fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket. Press the edges firmly to seal, ensuring no filling leaks out during cooking. Fold up the ends and press them into place to seal completely.
- Lightly brush the tops of the rolls with olive oil or spray them with non-stick cooking spray. Then, place your assembled rolls in the bottom of the air fryer basket, seam side down, making sure they are in a single layer and not too crowded.
- Air fry the pepperoni rolls at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Once cooked, remove the homemade pizza rolls from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm with extra pizza sauce, tomato sauce, or BBQ sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Thaw the Rolls. Make sure the Rhodes Rolls are completely thawed and at room temperature before rolling them out. Cold dough is hard to shape and may not rise properly.
- Don't Overfill the Rolls. Overfilling will cause the filling to ooze out during cooking.
- Seal Tightly. Seal the edges of the rolls tightly to keep them from opening during air frying. I like to press the seams firmly to ensure that they stay closed.
- Cooking in the Air Fryer. Preheat the air fryer before adding the rolls to make sure they cook evenly and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow for proper circulation. This means you may need to cook in batches.
- Cool Slightly. Let the pepperoni rolls cool for a few minutes before serving to prevent burns as the filling inside is quite hot.
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