Air Fryer Pizza Roll Ups (5 Ingredients, 15 Minutes)

These air fryer pizza roll ups are a flour tortilla wrapped around pizza sauce, pepperoni, and a stick of string cheese, then air fried until the outside shatters and the cheese inside melts. Four roll-ups take about 15 minutes, start to finish, with five ingredients you probably already have.

I make these pizza roll ups when the kids want something warm and cheesy after school. I keep this version simple with pepperoni and mozzarella, plus warm marinara on the side for dipping.

If you want the bite-size, dough-wrapped kind, try my Air Fryer Homemade Pizza Rolls instead. This version uses tortillas, so there’s no dough to make and they’re ready faster.

Why this recipe works

• String cheese melts without leaking. A half stick holds its shape longer than shredded mozzarella, so the cheese melts inside instead of running into the basket.
• A light brush of olive oil gives the tortilla an even, golden crunch. Skip it and the edges brown while the middle stays pale.
• Warm tortillas roll without cracking. Twenty seconds in the microwave is all it takes.
• Seam side down keeps them closed in the air fryer without toothpicks.

Ingredients

Full amounts are in the recipe card below.

• Flour tortillas (8-inch): Soft taco size. Larger burrito tortillas work, but trim the extra so the roll-up isn’t too thick to crisp.
• Pizza sauce: Store-bought or homemade. Thicker sauce leaks less than thin marinara.
• Pepperoni: Regular or turkey pepperoni.
• Mozzarella string cheese: Cut each stick in half crosswise.
• Olive oil: For brushing. Olive oil spray works too.

How to make pizza roll ups in the air fryer

Step 1: Warm the tortillas. Stack them on a plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave about 20 seconds. They should bend without splitting.

Step 2: Preheat the air fryer. Set it to 375°F (190°C).

Step 3: Fill. Spread 1 tablespoon of sauce across the lower third of a tortilla, leaving a 1-inch border at the sides. Lay 5 pepperoni slices on the sauce, then a half stick of string cheese.

Step 4: Roll tightly. Roll from the filled edge up. A dab of sauce or water on the top edge helps it seal.

Step 5: Brush with oil. Lightly brush the outside of each roll-up.

Step 6: Air fry. Place seam side down in a single layer, not touching, and cook 5-6 minutes, until deep golden and crisp.

Step 7: Rest and serve. Let them cool 1-2 minutes before slicing or serving. The cheese is very hot.

I tested these pizza roll-ups in my Ninja Crispi air fryer, and all 4 roll-ups fit in one batch in a single layer with enough space between them to let the hot air circulate for a crispy finish.

Tips for crispy roll ups

• Don’t overfill. More than a tablespoon of sauce makes the tortilla soggy and pushes filling out the ends.
• Check at 5 minutes. Basket-style and oven-style air fryers brown at different speeds.
• Use parchment if you like, but only once the air fryer is preheated and the roll-ups are on top, so the paper can’t blow into the heating element.

Troubleshooting

• They unrolled. Place them seam side down, or secure with a toothpick and remove it before serving.
• Cheese leaked out. The roll-up was cooked too long or the cheese ran past the tortilla’s edge. Keep a border at both sides.
• Pale and soft. Brush on a little more oil and add 1-2 minutes.

Variations

• Supreme: Add a spoonful of cooked sausage and finely chopped peppers and onion.
• Cheese only: Skip the pepperoni and add a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella.
• Garlic butter: Brush with melted butter mixed with garlic powder and Italian seasoning instead of oil.
• Whole wheat or low-carb tortillas: Work the same way; low-carb tortillas may brown a minute faster.
• Corn tortillas: Not recommended. They tend to crack when rolled tightly.

Oven method

Bake on a parchment-lined sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, until golden.

Make ahead, storage, and reheating

Freeze: Freeze uncooked roll-ups on a tray, then bag up to 2 months. Air fry from frozen at 360°F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes, until hot in the center.

Make ahead: Assemble without the oil, cover, and refrigerate up to 1 day. Brush with oil just before cooking.

Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes; the microwave makes them soft.

FAQ

What do you serve with pizza roll ups? Warm pizza sauce or marinara for dipping, plus a green salad or Air Fryer Zucchini Chips for a quick lunch.

Can I use shredded mozzarella instead of string cheese? Yes, use about 2 tablespoons per roll-up. It melts faster and leaks more, so check at 4-5 minutes.

Do I need to flip them? No. Cooking seam side down for 5-6 minutes browns them all over in most air fryers.

How many pizza roll ups does this make? Four. Slice each into thirds for 12 bite-size pieces for a party.

More air fryer snacks

• Air Fryer Homemade Pizza Rolls
• Air Fryer Copycat Panera Pepperoni Flatbread
• Air Fryer Babybel Cheese
• Air Fryer Homemade Doritos Chips
• Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips
• Air Fryer Bacon and Crab Rolls

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