Crispy Air Fryer Cheese Twists (Printable)

Golden cheesy twists air-fried to crispiness with garlic butter and Italian herbs, perfect as a savory snack.

# 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 (optional)

→ Topping

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

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes to ensure even cooking.
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 (if using) over the sauce.
04 - Fold the dough in half lengthwise to cover the filling. Gently press together to seal edges.
05 - Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough into 8 equal strips.
06 - Twist each strip several times and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
07 - In a small bowl, mix melted butter and minced garlic until well combined.
08 - Brush the tops of each twist generously with the garlic butter mixture.
09 - Air fry for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy.
10 - Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They are ridiculously fast to make, perfect for when cravings hit hard
  • The air fryer creates this impossibly crispy exterior while keeping the inside gooey and melty
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or the twists will steam instead of crisp, so cook in two batches if needed
  • Letting the dough rest for 5 minutes after rolling makes it easier to handle and less likely to snap back
03 -
  • Freeze uncooked twists on a baking sheet before transferring to a bag for easy future meals
  • Brush the dough edges with water before folding to help seal in the filling

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