Cooking frozen pizza rolls in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty snack or appetizer. Air fryers use rapid air circulation technology to crisp up foods, allowing you to achieve a crispy texture without deep frying. This makes air fryers a healthful option for cooking frozen foods like pizza rolls. The cooking time will vary based on the size of the pizza rolls and the temperature of the air fryer, but you can expect it to be quite fast. Here are some quick answers about cooking times for frozen pizza rolls in an air fryer:
Quick Answers
- Small pizza rolls (about 1 ounce each): 5-7 minutes at 400°F
- Medium pizza rolls (about 2 ounces each): 7-9 minutes at 400°F
- Large pizza rolls or pizza pockets (3 ounces or larger): 9-12 minutes at 400°F
- Check internal temperature of 165°F for doneness
- Adjust time as needed for level of crispness
- Let rolls rest 1-2 minutes after cooking for filling to set
As you can see, cooking times are pretty short when using an air fryer for frozen pizza rolls. The key things to keep in mind are the size of the rolls, checking their internal temperature, and adjusting cook time based on how crispy you like them. Read on for more details and tips about cooking frozen pizza rolls to perfection in your air fryer.
What Size Are Most Frozen Pizza Rolls?
Frozen pizza rolls come in a few different sizes, which affects cooking times. Here’s an overview of some typical sizes:
- Small: Around 1 ounce each. These are bite-sized.
- Medium: Around 2 ounces each. These are a nice poppable size.
- Large: 3 ounces or larger. More like a pocket or calzone size.
On average, most frozen pizza rolls are approximately 2 ounces each. However, it’s always smart to check the package once you take them out of the freezer for exact sizing. This will help determine the best cooking time.
Recommended Air Fryer Temps for Pizza Rolls
An air fryer temperature of 400°F is ideal for getting frozen pizza rolls crispy on the outside while hot and melty on the inside. Here are some details:
- Set your air fryer to 400°F before starting to preheat it.
- You want a high enough temp to crisp and brown the outside of the dough.
- The filling also needs to get piping hot, reaching 165°F for food safety.
- Checking with an instant read thermometer is advised to confirm doneness.
- Adjust cook time up or down slightly if needed for your preferred texture.
Cooking at 400°F gives the best balanced result between a crispy outside and fully cooked inside in a short amount of time. It gets the pizza rolls nice and hot throughout without over-browning the edges.
Cooking Time for Small 1 Ounce Pizza Rolls
If you’re cooking bite-sized pizza rolls that are around 1 ounce each, follow these guidelines:
- Air fryer temp: 400°F
- Cook time: 5-7 minutes
- Shake the basket halfway through
- Check internal temp of 165°F
The small size will cook up quickly. Make sure to toss them gently in the basket halfway through to promote even browning. Check a couple rolls in the center to confirm they reached the safe minimum internal temperature.
Cooking Time for 2 Ounce Pizza Rolls
For medium sized frozen pizza rolls that are about 2 ounces each:
- Air fryer temp: 400°F
- Cook time: 7-9 minutes
- Shake halfway through
- Verify internal temperature of 165°F
These timings are for average sized pizza rolls containing about 2 ounces of filling. The cook time is slightly longer than smaller rolls since there is more filling to heat through. Be sure to shake the basket midway for even cooking.
Cooking Time for Large or Pizza Pockets
If you are cooking extra large frozen pizza rolls, pizza pockets, or calzones that contain about 3 ounces or more each, use the following guidelines:
- Air fryer temp: 400°F
- Cook time: 9-12 minutes
- Shake halfway through
- Check internal temp of 165°F
Larger frozen pizza rolls or pockets may need up to 12 minutes to fully cook in an air fryer depending on thickness. Test a couple in the center with a thermometer to be sure they reached a safe minimum internal temperature before removing them.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Pizza Rolls in an Air Fryer
Follow these handy tips for perfectly cooked frozen pizza rolls in your air fryer every time:
- Leave space around rolls for air circulation. Don’t overcrowd.
- Spray oil lightly over rolls if needed to promote browning.
- Shake basket gently halfway through cook time.
- Let rolls rest 1-2 minutes before eating so filling can set.
- Track cook times and adjust as needed for your preference.
- Add dipping sauces like marinara or ranch for serving.
Making sure not to overfill the air fryer basket, oiling the rolls, and shaking during cooking will result in evenly browned and crisped results. Tracking cook times for different pizza roll sizes is helpful for getting the time just right. Enjoy your air fried pizza rolls!
How to Tell When Pizza Rolls Are Done in an Air Fryer
Here are some signs to look for so you know when pizza rolls are fully cooked in an air fryer:
- Golden brown exterior and crispy texture
- Hot, melty, gooey cheese filling
- Internal temperature reaches 165°F
- Dough is cooked through and not doughy
- Filling ingredients are heated through
Checking the internal temperature is the most reliable doneness test. But also look for rolls that are crispy on the outside with delicious melted cheese and hot filling on the inside. The dough should be fully cooked and not doughy or raw tasting.
Charts with Cook Times for Pizza Rolls
Here are some cooking time charts for easy reference when making pizza rolls in your air fryer:
Cook Times at 400°F
| Pizza Roll Size | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Small (1 ounce) | 5-7 minutes |
| Medium (2 ounces) | 7-9 minutes |
| Large (3 ounces+) | 9-12 minutes |
Temperature Guidelines
| Doneness Test | Target Temperature |
|---|---|
| Minimum internal temp | 165°F |
| Crispy exterior | 400°F air fryer temp |
These charts help summarize proper air fryer temperatures and estimated cook times for different sizes of frozen pizza rolls. Make sure to adjust times as needed based on filling preferences.
Common Questions
Should you preheat an air fryer for pizza rolls?
Yes, it’s best to preheat your air fryer before cooking frozen pizza rolls. Preheating helps the air fryer recover its temperature faster when the frozen food is added. This prevents cooling down the cooking chamber too much.
Do you flip pizza rolls in an air fryer?
You don’t need to flip individual pizza rolls during air frying. Simply shake the basket gently halfway through the cook time. This helps rolls brown evenly and cook through.
Can you cook pizza rolls from frozen in an air fryer?
Absolutely! Air fryers are great for cooking frozen foods like pizza rolls. The circulated hot air quickly crisps the outside and heats the inside without thawing first.
How long do you cook pizza rolls for?
Cook times for frozen pizza rolls in an air fryer are 5-7 minutes for small rolls, 7-9 minutes for medium rolls, and 9-12 minutes for large pizza pockets. Check internal temp and adjust time as needed.
Conclusion
Cooking frozen pizza rolls in the air fryer is super fast and easy. With just 5-12 minutes of air frying at 400°F, you can enjoy perfect snacks or appetizers without deep frying. Be sure to check internal temperatures for doneness. Adjust cook times based on the size of your pizza rolls and your desired crispiness. With the right techniques, your air fryer will make pizza rolls crunchy and delicious in no time.