Air Fryer Pizza Buns
Air fryer pizza buns are rolled-up pizza dough, sliced into rounds and cooked until the cheese bubbles and the edges turn golden. Ready-made dough does most of the work, so the whole batch takes about 40 minutes, including cooking in two rounds. They suit lunchboxes, a quick supper with soup or a party table, and the filling is easy to change to whatever is in the fridge.
- Total
- 38 min
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 23 min
- Serves
- 4
- Per serving
- 470kcal
Which dough and fillings work best
Chilled pizza dough from the supermarket gives the softest centre, and ready-rolled sheets save you the rolling. Pizza base mix made up at home works too. Keep the filling fairly dry: grated mozzarella melts better than fresh balls, which release water. For a vegetarian version, swap the pepperoni for sweetcorn and sliced olives.
Preparing air fryer pizza buns step by step
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Roll out the dough Lightly flour the worktop and roll the dough into a rectangle about 30 x 40cm and 3–4mm thick. Spread over the pizza sauce, leaving a 1cm border along one long edge.
- Add the filling Scatter over the mozzarella, pepperoni and oregano. Press the toppings down gently so they stay put when you roll.
- Roll and slice Starting at the long edge without the border, roll the dough up tightly. Press the bare edge to seal, then cut the log into 8 even slices with a sharp knife, each about 3cm thick.
- Preheat and load the basket Heat the air fryer to 180°C for . Line the basket with a perforated liner or baking paper, set 4 buns cut-side up with a 2cm gap between them, and brush the tops lightly with olive oil.
- Cook the first batch Cook at 180°C for , until the tops are golden and the cheese is bubbling. The centre should feel springy, with no raw dough. If the tops colour too fast, drop the heat to 170°C for the last .
- Cook the second batch Lift out the first buns and repeat with the remaining 4, brushed with the rest of the oil, for another . Leave all the buns to stand for before serving, as the cheese stays very hot.
Serving and variations
Serve the air fryer pizza buns warm with a small bowl of pizza sauce for dipping, or with a green salad for a light lunch. For a spiral version with a different shape, try air fryer pizza pinwheels. If you would rather cook a whole pizza, air fryer frozen pizza is the quickest route.
Other fillings that suit this method: ham and cheddar, pesto with mozzarella, or tomato, red onion and goat's cheese. Whatever you choose, keep the total filling around 300g, so the dough still seals and cooks through.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Pizza Buns
- The filling leaks out and the base turns soggy.
- Use a thin layer of sauce and keep the border clear, then roll tightly. Chop the pepperoni so no large pieces push the layers apart.
- The tops brown before the middle is cooked.
- Cut the slices no thicker than 3cm and lower the heat to 170°C for the last 2 minutes. Thicker slices need a few more minutes, so check one in the centre.
- The buns spread out and lose their shape.
- Roll the log tightly and cut with a sharp, floured knife using a sawing motion, without squashing it. Set the buns cut-side up with a gap between them.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Pizza Buns
How long do you cook pizza buns in the air fryer?
About 10 minutes at 180°C per batch. The buns are done when the tops are golden and the cheese is bubbling.
Can I cook all 8 buns at once?
Only in a large basket of about 6 litres or more. In a standard 4–5 litre basket, 4 buns fit with room for hot air to circulate, so cook two batches.
What can I use instead of pepperoni?
Cooked ham, sweetcorn, finely chopped peppers or sliced mushrooms all work. Cook mushrooms first so they do not release water into the dough.
Can you reheat or freeze them?
Yes. Keep cooled buns in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat at 160°C for 3–4 minutes until steaming hot all the way through. They freeze for up to 2 months and can be reheated from frozen at 160°C for 8 minutes.
How did you like the recipe?
4.8 / 5 · 40 ratings
