Air Fryer Pizza Bombs Recipe

Ready to transform your weeknight cooking with a crispy, cheesy sensation? Air fryer pizza bombs are about to become your new favorite quick meal hack. These handheld flavor explosions combine classic pizza ingredients into a compact, golden-brown treat that'll have everyone asking for seconds. Imagine biting into a perfectly sealed dough pocket filled with gooey mozzarella and zesty pepperoni, all crisped to perfection in minutes. Curious how to create these irresistible morsels? Let's unlock the secrets to making restaurant-quality pizza bombs right in your kitchen.

Recipe Highlights

• Use refrigerated pizza dough cut into 2-3 inch circles, filled with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni, then carefully sealed into compact balls.
• Prepare pizza bombs by folding dough edges upward, pinching seams tightly to prevent cheese leakage during air frying.
• Air fry pizza bombs at an optimal temperature until golden brown, brushing tops with marinara sauce and Italian seasoning before cooking.
• Achieve perfect results by maintaining moderate dough filling, ensuring uniform shape, and sealing edges thoroughly to prevent potential leaking.
• Serve immediately with additional marinara sauce for dipping, and consider experimenting with alternative fillings like ham, vegetables, or different cheese varieties.

History

While pizza bombs might seem like a modern culinary invention, they're actually rooted in traditional Italian street food and appetizer culture. You'll find their origins trace back to classic calzone and stuffed bread techniques that Italian nonnas have perfected for generations.

These compact, flavor-packed bites evolved from centuries-old methods of encasing delicious fillings within dough, transforming simple ingredients into portable meals. Think of them as a natural progression from traditional Sicilian sfincione and Roman pizza variants that prioritized convenient, handheld eating experiences.

Regional Italian cooking traditions heavily influenced their development, with each area contributing unique filling combinations and preparation methods. Your pizza bombs represent a contemporary interpretation of these time-honored culinary practices, blending nostalgic flavors with innovative cooking technologies like the air fryer.

Recipe

Pizza bombs are a delightful twist on traditional pizza, offering a compact and flavorful way to enjoy classic pizza ingredients. These bite-sized treats combine the rich flavors of pepperoni, cheese, and marinara sauce within a crispy, golden-brown exterior, making them perfect for snacking or appetizers.

Using an air fryer ensures a quick and healthier cooking method, creating a perfectly crisp outside while maintaining a soft, gooey interior. The high-circulation heat allows for even cooking and a deliciously satisfying result that will impress both kids and adults alike.

Ingredients:

• 1 tube refrigerated pizza dough
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup pepperoni, chopped
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• Cooking spray

Prepare the pizza bombs by first letting the pizza dough come to room temperature for easier handling. Divide the dough into 8-10 equal portions, then flatten each piece into a small circle.

Place a spoonful of mozzarella cheese and chopped pepperoni in the center of each dough circle. Carefully fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pinching and sealing the edges completely to prevent leakage.

Brush the tops of the sealed dough balls with marinara sauce and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, then place the pizza bombs inside, ensuring they aren't touching.

Cook the pizza bombs in the air fryer at 370°F for 8-10 minutes, or until they're golden brown and the cheese is melted. Allow the pizza bombs to cool for 2-3 minutes before serving, as the filling will be extremely hot.

For best results, serve immediately and enjoy the crispy, cheesy goodness. When preparing pizza bombs, ensure all seams are tightly sealed to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking. If the dough is difficult to work with, refrigerate it for a few minutes to make it more manageable.

Experiment with different fillings like ham, additional cheeses, or vegetables to create your own unique pizza bomb variations.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by rolling out your pizza dough and creating small, uniform circles that'll serve as the base for your pizza bombs.

Place a generous pinch of mozzarella cheese and a slice of pepperoni in the center of each circle, then carefully fold and seal the edges, ensuring no filling can escape during cooking.

Brush the tops with a thin layer of marinara sauce, sprinkle with Italian seasoning, and get ready to transform these little bundles into crispy, golden treasures in your air fryer.

Step 1. Prepare Pizza Dough Circles

After gathering your ingredients, carefully unroll the pizza dough onto a clean, lightly floured surface to begin creating your pizza bomb circles.

Use a rolling pin to gently flatten the dough, maintaining an even thickness of about ¼ inch. Cut the dough into 2-3 inch circular sections using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, ensuring consistent sizing for uniform cooking.

Key preparation tips:

• Dust your work surface with flour to prevent sticking
• Roll dough gently to avoid tearing
• Use a round cookie cutter for precise circle shapes if available
• Keep circles roughly the same diameter (2-3 inches)
• Stack prepared circles between parchment paper to prevent adhesion
• Work quickly to maintain dough's optimal temperature and elasticity

Aim for thin, even circles that'll easily fold and seal around your chosen fillings.

Step 2. Add Cheese and Pepperoni

With your perfectly shaped dough circles ready, it's time to transform these humble rounds into flavor-packed pizza bombs.

Place a generous pinch of shredded mozzarella (about 1 tablespoon) directly in the center of each circle, ensuring even distribution. Next, layer 1-2 slices of pepperoni on top of the cheese, cutting them into smaller pieces if needed to fit comfortably.

Carefully fold the dough edges upward, creating a compact, sealed ball. Pinch and twist the seams firmly, preventing any cheese from escaping during cooking.

Work methodically, checking each pizza bomb to guarantee a tight seal. The goal is a neat, uniform shape that'll crisp beautifully in the air fryer.

Gently press the sealed edges to ensure maximum structural integrity.

Step 3. Seal Edges Tightly

Sealing the edges of pizza bombs demands precision and care to prevent cheese blowouts during air frying. You'll want to pinch and fold the dough carefully, creating a tight seal that traps your delicious filling inside.

Use your fingertips to press and crimp the edges, ensuring no gaps remain where cheese might escape.

Key sealing techniques include:

• Folding edges over completely
• Using gentle pressure to close seams
• Rotating the dough ball while sealing
• Checking for any thin or weak spots

Wet your fingers slightly with water if the dough seems dry, which helps create a more secure closure.

Roll the pizza bomb between your palms to create a smooth, uniform ball that'll cook evenly and look professionally prepared.

Double-check each bomb's seal before placing it in the air fryer.

Step 4. Brush With Marinara Sauce

Once you've meticulously sealed your pizza bombs, grab a pastry brush and marinara sauce to elevate their flavor and appearance. Choose a high-quality marinara with robust tomato notes and a smooth consistency that'll complement your pizza bombs' savory filling.

Lightly dip your brush into the sauce, ensuring you don't oversaturate the dough, which could prevent proper crisping. Gently sweep the marinara across the top of each bomb, creating a thin, even layer that'll caramelize beautifully during cooking.

The sauce not only adds depth of flavor but also helps the Italian seasoning adhere more effectively. Focus on coverage without pooling, using delicate, controlled brush strokes.

This final touch transforms your pizza bombs from simple snacks to restaurant-quality appetizers, promising a visually appealing and deliciously glazed result.

Step 5. Air Fry Until Golden Brown

Although prepping your pizza bombs takes precision, air frying them to golden-brown perfection is surprisingly straightforward.

Place your carefully sealed pizza bombs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they're spaced about 1 inch apart to allow proper hot air circulation.

Set your air fryer to 370°F, the ideal temperature for achieving a crisp exterior without burning. Cook for 8-10 minutes, watching for a uniform golden-brown color that signals they're done.

Pro tip: Peek inside the basket around the 6-minute mark to check progress, rotating the bombs if your air fryer doesn't distribute heat evenly.

You'll know they're ready when the dough looks uniformly golden and sounds hollow when tapped, with cheese just starting to bubble through potential small cracks.

Final Thoughts

If you've been searching for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that combines the irresistible flavors of pizza with a fun, handheld format, these air fryer pizza bombs are your perfect culinary solution.

They're incredibly simple to prepare, requiring minimal kitchen skills and basic ingredients you might already have on hand. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility; you can easily swap pepperoni for ham, add different cheeses, or create vegetarian versions with bell peppers and mushrooms.

When serving, pair these crispy bombs with extra marinara for dipping, and watch as your guests devour them.

They're perfect for game day, family gatherings, or spontaneous snack attacks. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first batch isn't Instagram-worthy.