Crispy Air Fryer Pizza Bread

The smell of garlic butter hitting hot dough still makes my stomach rumble. I stumbled onto this recipe during a chaotic Friday night when friends unexpectedly dropped by and my pantry was nearly empty. That can of pizza dough sitting in the back of the fridge saved my reputation as a host. Now these twists have become my emergency secret weapon.

Last Super Bowl, I made three batches and they disappeared before the game even kicked off. My brother-in-law stood by the air fryer, grabbing them straight from the basket with zero shame. The combination of crispy outside and gooey inside is absolutely addictive.

Ingredients

• Refrigerated pizza dough: This shortcut ingredient creates perfectly puffy twists that taste homemade without the effort
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: Low moisture mozzarella melts beautifully without making the dough soggy
• Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds that salty umami punch that makes these feel like pizzeria quality
• Pizza sauce: Use your favorite jarred sauce or homemade if you have time
• Italian herbs: Dried oregano and basil bring classic pizza flavor to every bite
• Red pepper flakes: Just enough heat to keep things interesting without overwhelming
• Unsalted butter: Melting this with fresh garlic creates that irresistible brush-on topping
• Fresh parsley: Adds a bright pop of color and fresh flavor to finish

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer:

Set it to 375°F and let it warm up for about 3 minutes while you prep everything

Roll out the dough:

On a lightly floured surface, stretch the pizza dough into a rough rectangle about 10 by 14 inches

Add the fillings:

Spread pizza sauce over half the dough, then sprinkle with mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes

Fold and seal:

Fold the dough in half lengthwise and gently press the edges together to keep everything inside

Cut into strips:

Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice the dough into 8 even strips

Twist and place:

Twist each strip several times and arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket

Make garlic butter:

Mix melted butter with minced garlic in a small bowl

Brush and cook:

Brush each twist with garlic butter and air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through

Finish and serve:

Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately with extra pizza sauce for dipping

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These twists have become my daughters favorite after school snack. She comes home starving and heads straight for the air fryer. Watching her twirl them around her fingers while doing homework at the counter makes all the prep worth it.

Perfecting The Twist Technique

I learned the hard way that twisting too tightly makes the cheese burst out during cooking. A gentle three twist motion gives you that beautiful spiral shape while keeping everything contained inside. The dough also needs to be at room temperature for easy twisting.

Make Ahead Magic

You can assemble these twists up to 24 hours in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before air frying. The garlic butter should be brushed on just before cooking for maximum flavor.

Creative Variations To Try

Sometimes I swap the pizza sauce for pesto and add sun-dried tomatoes for an Italian market twist. My kids love when I add pepperoni slices inside before twisting. The variations are endless once you master the basic technique.

• Try adding chopped cooked bacon and ranch seasoning for a fun twist
• Spinach and feta make these feel like fancy spanakopita bites
• Jalapeño and extra sharp cheddar turn up the heat beautifully

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These twists have saved more last minute gatherings than I can count. Hope they become your go to comfort food too.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I prevent the twists from becoming soggy?

Ensure even air circulation in the fryer by placing twists in a single layer and flipping them halfway through cooking. Using melted butter with garlic helps keep the tops crisp and flavorful.

→ Can I add other ingredients to the filling?

Yes, feel free to add sliced pepperoni, chopped olives, or other favorite toppings inside the dough before twisting for extra flavor variety.

→ What is the best dough to use for these twists?

Refrigerated pizza dough works well for convenience, but homemade dough can be substituted for a fresher, personalized texture.

→ How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes to restore crispiness before serving.

→ What herbs complement the flavor best?

A blend of dried oregano, basil, and thyme enhances the Italian-inspired flavor profile and pairs perfectly with the cheeses and garlic butter.