I love pizza in any form, so it seemed only logical to turn it into an appetizer. These little bundles can be made ahead of time and chilled until you’re ready to pop them into the air fryer.
PREP: 20 MIN.
COOK: 10 MIN./BATCH
MAKES: 20 SERVINGS
- 1 loaf (1 lb.) frozen pizza dough, thawed
- 20 slices pepperoni
- 8 oz. part-skim mozzarella cheese, cut into 20 cubes
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 small garlic cloves, minced
- Dash salt
- Marinara sauce, warmed
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes and grated Parmesan cheese
1. Preheat air fryer to 350°. Shape dough into 1 ½-in. balls; flatten into ⅛-in.-thick circles. Place 1 pepperoni slice and 1 cheese cube in center of each circle; wrap dough around pepperoni and cheese. Pinch edges to seal; shape into a ball. Repeat with the remaining dough, cheese and pepperoni.
2. In batches, place seam side up in a single layer on greased tray in air-fryer basket; cook until light golden brown, 6-8 minutes. Cool slightly.
3. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add garlic and salt, taking care not to brown butter or garlic; brush over puffs. Serve with marinara sauce; if desired, sprinkle with red pepper flakes and Parmesan.
Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked pizza puffs on waxed paper-lined baking sheets until firm. Transfer puffs to a freezer container; seal and return to freezer. To use, preheat air fryer to 350°; bake pizza puffs on greased tray in air-fryer basket as directed, increasing time as necessary until golden brown.
1 pizza puff: 120 cal., 6g fat (3g sat. fat), 15mg chol., 189mg sod., 11g carb. (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g pro.
