Crispy Air Fryer Cheese Twists (Printable)

Golden, cheesy bread twists infused with herbs and garlic, air-fried to a crispy finish.

# 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.
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. Work 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 Hacks:

01 -
  • These twists come together in under 30 minutes using ingredients you probably already have in your fridge
  • The air fryer creates impossibly crispy exteriors while keeping the cheese inside perfectly melted and gooey
02 -
  • Never overcrowd the air fryer basket or the twists will steam instead of crisp up properly
  • Let them cool for just 2 minutes before serving because the molten cheese inside can burn your mouth instantly
03 -
  • Work quickly once you have rolled out the dough because it continues to rise and becomes harder to handle
  • Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper for effortless cleanup when cheese inevitably escapes

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