Crispy Air Fryer Cheese Twists (Printable)

Golden, cheesy twists infused with Italian herbs and air fried to a crunchy finish, perfect for any occasion.

# 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 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
06 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Topping

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

# Directions:

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.
05 - Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough into 8 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. Brush the tops of each twist with garlic butter.
08 - Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy.
09 - Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They disappear faster than you can make them, so consider doubling the batch
  • The air fryer creates restaurant style crunch without deep frying mess
02 -
  • Work in batches so the twists have room to crisp up without overcrowding the basket
  • Let them cool for just 2 minutes before serving, otherwise the cheese will burn your tongue
03 -
  • Room temperature dough stretches more easily without springing back
  • A light coating of cooking spray on the air fryer basket prevents sticking without added oil

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