Air Fryer Pizza Bombs: Your Ultimate Guide to Easy, Cheesy, and Quick Pizza Bites!
Get ready to revolutionize your snack game with these incredible Air Fryer Pizza Bombs! Imagine bite-sized bundles of warm, soft biscuit dough, generously filled with gooey melted cheese and all your favorite pizza toppings, all cooked to crispy, golden perfection in your air fryer. These aren’t just snacks; they’re an experience – perfect for a quick bite, a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or even a fun, interactive meal for the whole family.
This easy recipe transforms a handful of simple ingredients into a fun, irresistible treat that both kids and adults will adore. The beauty of these pizza bombs lies in their versatility: you can customize each “bomb” with a variety of fillings, ensuring everyone gets exactly what they crave. Imagine setting up a “pizza bomb bar” with an array of chopped sausage, olives, mushrooms, onions, ham, bacon, and other delicious pizza fillings. Let your guests or family members create their own personalized pockets of pizza goodness!
These delectable bites are not just for casual snacking. They make perfect appetizers for game days, movie nights, or any party, pairing wonderfully with other air fryer favorites like Air Fryer Chicken Wings and Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers. Looking for an effortless side dish? Try these Air Fryer Frozen Biscuits for golden, fluffy biscuits in mere minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Pizza Bomb Recipe
- Super Quick & Easy: With minimal prep and fast air frying, you can have a batch ready in under 15 minutes.
- Kid-Friendly & Fun: A fantastic way to get kids involved in the kitchen and enjoy their favorite flavors in a playful format.
- Highly Customizable: Adapt the fillings to suit any dietary preference or taste. The possibilities are endless!
- Perfect for Any Occasion: From a quick after-school snack to an impressive party appetizer, these bombs fit right in.
- Less Mess Than Traditional Pizza: No sticky dough to roll for a whole pizza, and easy cleanup with the air fryer.
Simple Ingredients You Will Need
One of the best things about this recipe is how few ingredients are required to create something so incredibly satisfying. You likely have most of these on hand already!
- Can of Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: This is your secret weapon! I highly recommend using Pillsbury Biscuits for their consistent quality and flaky texture, but any brand of refrigerated biscuit dough will work wonders. Look for the “flaky layers” variety for extra tender results.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: The quintessential pizza cheese! It melts beautifully, providing that irresistible cheesy pull. Feel free to use a blend of mozzarella and provolone, or even add a touch of parmesan for extra flavor.
- Pizza Sauce: A small amount of your favorite pizza or marinara sauce is essential for that classic pizza flavor. You can use store-bought or homemade. Marinara sauce also works perfectly here.
- Mini Pepperoni: These tiny pepperoni slices are ideal for fitting inside the small biscuit bombs. If you only have regular-sized pepperoni, simply cut them into smaller pieces before adding them.
Optional Add-ins for Customization: While the basic ingredients are fantastic, don’t hesitate to get creative! Think finely diced cooked sausage, crumbled cooked bacon, chopped olives, sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or even a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Remember to chop any additional toppings very finely to ensure they fit well within the biscuit dough and cook evenly.
Essential Equipment
The star of this recipe is, of course, the air fryer! I personally use a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer, which provides ample space for cooking multiple pizza bombs at once. Keep in mind that air fryers can vary significantly in power and cooking efficiency, so cooking times may need to be adjusted by 1-2 minutes depending on your specific model. A good quality air fryer ensures consistent heat and that signature crispy exterior.
How to Make Air Fryer Pizza Bombs: Step-by-Step Instructions
Making these pizza bombs is incredibly simple. Just follow these easy steps:
Step 1: Prepare Your Air Fryer Basket. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray, or line it with air fryer parchment paper. This crucial step prevents the biscuit dough from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Set the prepared basket aside while you assemble your pizza bombs.
Step 2: Prepare the Biscuit Dough. Open your can of refrigerated biscuit dough. For optimal bite-sized portions, gently pull each biscuit in half horizontally, effectively creating two thinner discs from each original biscuit. Then, on a clean cutting board or your kitchen counter, use a rolling pin to roll out each biscuit half, or simply flatten it by hand, until it’s about ¼ inch in thickness. This creates a larger surface area for filling and ensures even cooking.
Step 3: Fill Your Pizza Bombs. Spoon 1-2 teaspoons of your chosen pizza sauce into the center of each flattened biscuit. Don’t overdo it, as too much sauce can make the dough soggy or burst during cooking. Next, add a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella, followed by any additional toppings you desire, such as mini pepperoni. Make sure all the fillings are concentrated in the center of the biscuit to make sealing easier.
Step 4: Seal Your Pizza Bombs. Carefully lift opposite sides of the biscuit dough and bring them together over the filling. Pinch the edges tightly and firmly to seal in all the delicious ingredients, forming a small ball or parcel. Ensure there are no gaps where the cheese or sauce could escape during cooking. A good seal is key to preventing messy leaks!
Step 5: Air Fry to Golden Perfection. Place the sealed pizza bombs in a single layer in the prepared air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding, as this can lead to uneven cooking. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 6-8 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown and puffed up. For even crisping, remember to turn the pizza bombs halfway through the air frying process. If your air fryer doesn’t require preheating, you can place them directly in; otherwise, preheating for 3-5 minutes is recommended.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy! Once cooked, carefully remove the hot pizza bombs from the air fryer basket. Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauces. Be cautious, as the filling will be very hot!
Expert Tips for the Best Air Fryer Pizza Bombs
- Pinch the Edges Tightly: This is arguably the most important tip! Be sure to tightly seal the edges of the biscuit dough by pinching them firmly together. This prevents your delicious cheese and sauce from leaking out while air frying, ensuring a perfectly contained pizza bite. Take your time with this step to avoid any blowouts.
- Don’t Overfill: While it’s tempting to cram in as much filling as possible, resist the urge! Too many ingredients can cause the dough to split open during air frying. These are designed to be small, flavorful bites, so cut your fillings into tiny pieces and use just a pinch of each favorite inside. A little goes a long way.
- Prepare the Basket Properly: Lightly spraying the air fryer basket with olive oil or lining it with air fryer parchment paper is crucial. This not only prevents the pizza bombs from sticking but also aids in achieving that beautiful golden-brown crust. Ensure even coverage of spray or proper placement of parchment.
- Turn Halfway Through Air Frying: Flipping the pizza bombs halfway through the cooking cycle is essential for even browning and thorough cooking on all sides. This helps to create a uniformly crispy exterior and ensures the dough cooks through without burning one side.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Cook your pizza bombs in a single layer, ensuring there’s enough space around each one for air to circulate freely. Overcrowding will steam the food instead of crisping it, leading to soggy results. If you’re making a large batch, cook in multiple rounds.
- Check for Doneness: The biscuit dough should be golden brown and the cheese melted and bubbly inside. If you’re unsure, you can carefully cut one open to check the internal doneness. Remember, air fryers vary, so adjust cooking time as needed.
- Serve Immediately: These pizza bombs are best enjoyed fresh and warm when the dough is crispy and the cheese is perfectly molten.
Creative Variations to Try
The beauty of Air Fryer Pizza Bombs is how incredibly adaptable they are! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors to create new family favorites:
- Change Up Sauces: Go beyond classic marinara! Swap traditional pizza sauce for a vibrant pesto for a fresh, herbaceous flavor. Try alfredo sauce for a creamy white pizza bomb, or use barbecue sauce for a tangy BBQ chicken pizza twist. The choice of sauce can completely transform the profile of your pizza bomb.
- Seasoned Crust: Elevate the dough itself! Before adding your fillings, brush the inside of each piece of flattened dough with a mixture of melted garlic butter. You can also sprinkle a little Italian seasoning or garlic powder directly onto the dough for an extra layer of flavor.
- Vegetarian Delight: Load them up with finely diced bell peppers, sautéed onions, spinach, black olives, or sun-dried tomatoes. You can even use a mix of different cheeses.
- Meat Lover’s Dream: Beyond pepperoni, consider cooked and crumbled Italian sausage, tiny pieces of cooked ham, or even shredded cooked chicken for BBQ chicken bombs.
- Breakfast Bombs: Fill with scrambled eggs, cooked crumbled sausage or bacon, and cheddar cheese for a delicious on-the-go breakfast.
- Sweet Treat Bombs: For a dessert twist, fill biscuit dough with a spoonful of fruit pie filling (apple, cherry), seal, air fry, and then dust with cinnamon sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze.
- Different Cheeses: While mozzarella is classic, experiment with cheddar, Monterey Jack, provolone, or a spicy pepper jack for a kick.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you happen to have any leftovers (it’s rare!), allow them to cool completely to room temperature first. Then, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best results, don’t store them when still warm, as this can create condensation and make them soggy.
While they are fantastic on their own, dipping sauces can take these pizza bombs to the next level! I love serving them with extra pizza or marinara sauce for double the flavor. Melted garlic butter is another excellent choice, adding a rich, savory touch. Ranch dressing also makes a surprisingly delicious pairing, offering a cool, creamy contrast. You can also drizzle them with extra melted cheese or a sprinkle of fresh herbs. It’s truly all about your personal preference!
Absolutely! If you prefer to use homemade pizza dough or store-bought pizza dough, you certainly can. Simply roll out your dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter or knife to cut it into roughly 4×4 inch squares or circles. Then proceed with the filling and sealing steps as outlined in the recipe. The cooking time might vary slightly, so keep an eye on them until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Yes, you can! To freeze, prepare the pizza bombs up to the point of air frying. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about 1-2 hours, or until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored for up to 1-2 months. When ready to cook, you can air fry them directly from frozen. They might require an extra 2-4 minutes of cooking time, so check for doneness.
The best way to reheat leftover pizza bombs is in the air fryer! This will bring them back to their original crispy glory. Place them in the air fryer basket at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy again. Avoid the microwave, as it will make the dough soggy.
More Delicious Air Fryer Biscuit Dough Recipes
Once you see how easy and versatile biscuit dough is in the air fryer, you’ll want to try these other fantastic recipes:
Desserts
Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs
Desserts
Air Fryer Cherry Pie Bombs
Breakfast
Air Fryer Biscuit Bombs
Dinner
Air Fryer Taco Bombs
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8
Air Fryer Pizza Bombs
Becky
5 minutes
6 minutes
11 minutes
Rate
Equipment
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1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup mini pepperoni, or pepperoni cut into small pieces
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Instructions
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Prepare the basket by lightly spraying with non-stick cooking spray, or line with air fryer parchment paper. Then set aside.
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Open can of biscuit dough and pull each biscuit in half. Then, on a cutting board roll out dough with a rolling pin or flatten each biscuit by hand on your kitchen counter or cutting board, until they are about a 1/4 inch in thickness.
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Spoon 1-2 teaspoons of pizza sauce into the center of each biscuit. Then, add a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella, plus any additional toppings, keeping them all in the center of biscuit.
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Lift opposite sides of biscuit and pinch edges together, sealing in the ingredients.
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Place in the prepared air fryer basket and air fry at 350 degrees F for 6-8 minutes, until golden brown, turning halfway through air frying.
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Once done, remove from air fryer basket and serve warm.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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There you have it – a simple yet incredibly delicious recipe for Air Fryer Pizza Bombs that will become a staple in your kitchen. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or just craving a quick, cheesy treat, these homemade pizza bites are sure to hit the spot. Happy air frying!