Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites — Are you looking for a different way to prepare your next meal? This recipe is perfect for those who want to try something new!

Sloppy Joe bites are an easy and fun way to have dinner with the family. Check out this recipe now!

Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites (5)
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Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites make a fun, easy lunch or dinner recipe. My kids love these, and since they only take minutes to make, they are the perfect kid-friendly meal.

This is a great recipe if you love a great sloppy joe! This dough is filled with the delicious Sloppy Joe filling and wrapped inside a buttery and tender dough, and with only a few ingredients, this is a winner!

My kids love a great sloppy joe sandwich, and now you can bake the filling right into the dough; it’s easy and delicious!

There is nothing better! This is a great family-friendly meal, and I love serving them during our weekly family movie night! They would also make a great and easy lunch to pack in their lunchboxes!

If you want other great and easy Air Fryer Lunch Recipes, my favorites are AIR FRYER TURKEY CLUB SANDWICH AIR FRYER ST. PATRICK’S DAY RAINBOW GRILLED CHEESE, FROZEN CHICKEN PATTIES IN THE AIR FRYER, and AIR FRYER HOT DOG TAQUITOS.

What Are Sloppy Joes?

Sloppy Joes are a combination of flavors originating from loose meat sandwiches, which were all the rage in the 1950s.

They combine ground beef, ketchup, tomato sauce, and other spices. And it’s amazing. If you love a great ground beef filling, this makes for a great sandwich! It’s easy, and it’s so good.

My kids love eating the sandwiches and Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites with a big old plate of French Fries!

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites

Prepare for a flavor-packed snack that’s as fun to eat as delicious! These Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites are a creative twist on the classic Sloppy Joe sandwich, wrapped in flaky crescent roll dough and air-fried to golden perfection.

They make for a fantastic appetizer, snack, or even a kid-friendly meal, and you’ll love how easy they are to prepare in your air fryer.

_Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites (1)

Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.

  • Frozen Dinner Rolls: An easy way to make these quick appetizer bites!
  • Ground Beef: Ground beef serves as the base of the filling, providing a savory, meaty flavor.
  • Ketchup: Ketchup provides a tangy, sweet, and slightly acidic element, forming the base of the Sloppy Joe sauce.
  • Tomato Sauce: A tangy way to infuse the sauce.
  • BBQ Sauce: Infuses the filling with a rich, savory garlic aroma and taste.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce adds depth of flavor with its umami, savory, and slightly tangy notes.
  • Garlic Powder: Infuses the flavor, savory garlic aroma, and taste.
  • Egg: The beaten egg is used to seal and glaze the dough, creating a golden-brown crust when air-fried.
  • Sesame Seeds: For serving.

How To Make Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites

Making Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites is a breeze, and they’ll be ready in no time. Here’s how to whip up this tasty snack:

Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites

Remove rolls from the package. Allow rolls to thaw for about thirty minutes or until soft enough to cut.  Cut each roll in half. Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.

Place one half-sized roll in each spot of the tin. Cover the muffin tin with plastic wrap. Allow rolls to rise.  Please place them in a warm spot for 2 hours or until they double in size. You can also place them in the fridge overnight. 

Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites

Place ground beef in a pan on the stove on medium heat. Add Worcestershire Sauce to ground beef. Cook for about 8-10 minutes. Stirring. Using a spatula, break the ground beef into tiny pieces as it cooks.

Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites

Once the ground beef is well done throughout, it is done. Remove the beef from the stovetop and drain away from the grease. Add the ketchup, tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, and garlic powder to the ground beef. Stir well. Set aside.

Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites

Preheat the air fryer to 325 degrees F, air fryer setting.  Take a risen roll in your palm or place it on a plate.  Stretch it gently so that it gets bigger and flatter.

Scoop a little less than a tablespoon of sloppy Joe filling into the middle of the dough. Use your fingers to bring the dough up on all sides until it meets. Pinch the edges together.

Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites

Place it in the air fryer basket (pinched side down). Repeat placing each filled roll in the air fryer basket, leaving enough room (about an inch) in between so they don’t touch.

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do multiple batches. Place egg in a bowl and beat for a second with a fork so the yolk and egg white mix. 

Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites

Using a pastry brush (or a spoon), carefully brush the roll’s tops and sides with the egg. Next, add a pinch of toasted sesame seeds to the top of each roll. Place the basket into the air fryer and cook for 8-10 minutes. 

They are done when the outside is golden brown, and the dough is fully cooked on the inside. You can test it by inserting a toothpick or just cutting it into the middle of one. 

Allow cooling on a cookie rack for a few minutes before serving.

Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites

Pro Tips:

  • This popular comfort food has an updated twist. Homemade Sloppy Joe mix in a soft pillow of dough, air-fried to perfection – for a fresh (slightly less messy) handheld version of a childhood classic!
  • These can be kept in the fridge for 2-3 days or frozen for up to two months! They are convenient to keep in the freezer and pop out a few here and there as a snack. (Microwave, bake, or air fry for a few minutes to reheat. )
  • Not only do they make a great after-school snack or party appetizer, but they also make a wonderful entrée paired with some fries and a salad, or even rice and veggies!
  • You can have all kinds of fun with these! Try adding bacon or even mozzarella cheese! You can even mix up the sauce a little or add diced onions or diced peppers!
  • If you find the dough breaking at all ( and oozing sloppy Joes), you may have stretched it too thin. Just try stretching it a little bit less. 
  • You could also bake these in the oven. Follow the directions the same, and when it comes time to cook:  bake on a parchment paper-lined sheet tray at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.
Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites

Faq’s

Can I make the Sloppy Joe filling in advance? Absolutely! You can prepare the Sloppy Joe filling in advance and store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. When you’re ready to make the bites, simply reheat the filling on the stovetop or in the microwave until it’s warm, and proceed with the recipe.

Can I use a different type of ground meat? Yes, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based ground meat substitute if you prefer. Just cook it as you would the ground beef in the recipe.

Can I freeze the Sloppy Joe Bites? Yes, you can freeze the unbaked Sloppy Joe Bites. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until firm. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy them, you can air fry them directly from the freezer, but you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

What dipping sauces go well with these bites? These Sloppy Joe Bites are delicious on their own, but you can serve them with various dipping sauces like ketchup, barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, or even a spicy aioli for extra flavor.

Can I use homemade crescent roll dough? Absolutely! If you prefer homemade dough or have a favorite recipe, you can use it to make the crescent roll triangles for these bites. Simply roll out your dough, cut it into triangles, and proceed with the recipe.

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Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites

Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites

5 from 7 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 24 Servings

Description

Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites make for such a fun and easy lunch or dinner recipe. My kids love these, and since they only take minutes to make, they are the perfect kid-friendly meal.

Ingredients 

  • 24 Frozen Dinner Rolls
  • 1 pound Ground Beef
  • 1/4 cup Ketchup
  • 8 ounces Tomato Sauce
  • 1/4 cup BBQ Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds, toasted

Instructions

Prepare The Bread:

  • Remove rolls from the package.
  • Allow rolls to thaw for about thirty minutes or until soft enough to cut. 
  • Cut each roll in half.
  • Spray a 24 count mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
  • Place one half-sized roll in each spot of the tin. 
  • Cover the muffin tin with plastic wrap. 
  • Allow rolls to rise. 
  • Place them in a warm spot for 2 hours or until they double in size. You can also place them in the fridge overnight.

Prepare Sloppy Joe filling: 

  • Place ground beef in a pan on the stove on medium heat.
  • Add Worcestershire Sauce to ground beef. Cook for about 8-10 minutes. Stirring. Using a spatula, break the ground beef down into tiny pieces as it cooks.
  • Once the ground beef is well done throughout, it is done. 
  • Remove the beef from the stovetop and drain away from the grease.
  • Add the ketchup, tomato sauce, bbq sauce, and garlic powder to the ground beef.
  • Stir well. Set aside.

Assembling The Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Bites:

  • Preheat the air fryer to 325 degrees F, air fryer setting.
  • Take a risen roll in your palm or place it on a plate. 
  • Stretch it gently so that it gets bigger and flatter.
  • Scoop a little less than a tablespoon of sloppy Joe filling into the middle of the dough.
  • Use your fingers to bring the dough up on all sides until it meets. Pinch the edges together.
  • Place it in the air fryer basket (pinched side down). Repeat placing each filled roll in the air fryer basket leaving enough room (about an inch) in between so that they don’t touch.
  • Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do multiple batches. 
  • Place egg in a bowl and beat for a second with a fork, so the yolk and egg white mix. 
  • Using a pastry brush (or a spoon), carefully brush the roll’s tops and sides with the egg.
  • Next, add a pinch of toasted sesame seeds to the top of each roll.
  • Place the basket into the air fryer and cook for 8-10 minutes. 
  • They are done when the outside is a golden brown, and the dough is fully cooked on the inside. You can test it by inserting a toothpick or just cutting it into the middle of one. 
  • Allow cooling on a cookie rack for a few minutes before serving.
  • Plate, serve, and enjoy!

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Notes

Notes

 
  • This popular comfort food gets an updated twist. Homemade Sloppy Joe mix in a soft pillow of dough, air fried to perfection – for a fresh (and slightly less messy) handheld version of a childhood classic!
  • These can be kept in the fridge for 2-3 days or frozen for up to two months! They really are convenient to keep in the freezer and pop out a few here and there as a snack. (Microwave, bake, or air fry for a few minutes to reheat. )
  • Not only do they make a great after-school snack or party appetizer, but they also make a wonderful entrée paired with some fries and a salad, or even rice and veggies!
  • You can have all kinds of fun with these! Try adding bacon or even mozzarella cheese! You can even mix up the sauce a little or add diced onions or diced peppers!
  • If you find the dough breaking at all ( and oozing sloppy Joe), you may have stretched it too thin. Just try stretching it a little bit less. 
  • You could also bake these in the oven. Follow the directions the same, and when it comes time to cook:  bake on a parchment paper-lined sheet tray at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 45kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 5gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 128mgPotassium: 123mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 72IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg

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