Crispy Air Fryer Pizza Twists (Printer-friendly)

Golden, cheesy bread twists with rich pizza flavors, air-fried to a perfect crunch for snacks or appetizers.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 1 can (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough

→ Cheese & Fillings

02 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1/2 cup pizza sauce, plus more for dipping
05 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
06 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

→ Topping

07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
08 - 1 garlic clove, minced
09 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes.
02 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a rectangle approximately 10 x 14 inches.
03 - Spread the pizza sauce evenly over half of the dough. Sprinkle mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes over the sauce.
04 - Fold the dough in half lengthwise to cover the filling. Gently press together to seal.
05 - Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough into 8 strips.
06 - Twist each strip several times and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed.
07 - In a small bowl, mix melted butter and minced garlic. Brush the tops of each twist with garlic butter.
08 - Air fry for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
09 - Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything you adore about pizza in a fun, twisty, finger food format
  • The air fryer creates this impossibly crispy exterior while keeping the inside gooey and melty
  • They come together in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for unexpected guests or sudden cravings
02 -
  • Never overcrowd your air fryer basket—work in batches if needed because touching twists will steam instead of crisp
  • The difference between good and great twists is letting them cool for just 2 minutes before serving, which lets the cheese set slightly
  • If your dough keeps springing back when rolling, let it rest on the counter for 10 minutes to relax the gluten
03 -
  • Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper for effortless cleanup, though the cheese will still get wonderfully crispy on the bottom
  • If you don't have an air fryer, these bake beautifully at 400°F for 12-15 minutes on a parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Double the batch immediately because these disappear faster than you can imagine

Go back