Crispy Air Fryer Cheese Twists

The smell of garlic butter hitting hot dough still makes my stomach do a little flip, even after making these countless times. I stumbled onto this recipe during a frantic weekend when friends announced they were dropping by in an hour and my pantry was embarrassingly bare. That can of pizza dough I'd forgotten about saved my reputation, and now these twists have become my go-to emergency appetizer that somehow feels fancy enough for company.

Last Super Bowl, I made three batches because they disappeared faster than I could plate them. My brother stood by the air fryer, claiming to help but really just snagging them fresh out of the basket, burning his fingers and not caring one bit.

Ingredients

• Refrigerated pizza dough: The secret weapon in every home cook's arsenal, it rises beautifully and develops that perfect bread-like texture
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: Use fresh shredded if you can, it melts so much creamier than the pre-shredded stuff with anti-caking agents
• Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds that salty umami punch that makes these taste like they came from a pizza joint
• Pizza sauce: Get the good stuff here, it's half the flavor profile so do not skimp
• Dried Italian herbs: Oregano, basil, thyme whatever blend you love, just make sure it is fresh
• Red pepper flakes: Just a hint of warmth that cuts through all that cheese
• Unsalted butter: Melted and mixed with garlic for that finishing brush that makes everything better
• Fresh garlic: Do not use the jarred stuff here, fresh minced is non-negotiable for that restaurant-quality aroma

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer:

Get it to 375°F and let it heat up for a solid 3 minutes while you prep everything else

Roll out the dough:

Flour your surface and roll that refrigerated dough into a rectangle about 10 by 14 inches, do not stress about perfection

Add the good stuff:

Spread sauce over just half the dough, then pile on mozzarella, Parmesan, herbs, and those red pepper flakes if you like a little kick

Fold and press:

Fold the naked half over the cheesy half, press gently to seal, and use a sharp knife to cut into 8 strips

Twist them up:

Give each strip several twists and place them in your air fryer basket without overcrowding, work in batches if you need to

Garlic butter magic:

Whisk together melted butter and minced garlic, then brush it all over the tops of those twists

Air fry to perfection:

Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, flip them halfway through, and pull them out when they are golden brown and crispy

Finish and serve:

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top if you are feeling fancy and serve immediately with extra pizza sauce for dipping

Pin It

My niece now requests these every time she visits, calling them pizza straws, and honestly the kid has a point. There is something magical about that portable, dippable format that makes you feel like a kid again.

Make Them Your Own

Once you have the basic technique down, the variations are endless. I have added pepperoni slices inside before twisting, and let me tell you, pepperoni cups form in the air fryer and get all crispy and amazing. Chopped olives, sautéed spinach, or even cooked and crumbled sausage work beautifully too.

The Dough Dilemma

Store-bought pizza dough is perfectly fine here, but if you have a favorite homemade dough recipe, go for it. Just keep in mind that thicker doughs might need an extra minute or two in the air fryer. I have found that slightly under-rolling the dough actually gives you a better bread-to-cheese ratio.

Serving Strategies

These are the ultimate crowd-pleaser at parties, game days, or casual weeknight dinners. I like to set up a little dipping station with warmed pizza sauce, maybe some ranch for the daring, and keep fresh batches coming out of the air fryer. The aroma alone will gather everyone in the kitchen.

• Double the recipe for a party because people will eat more than you expect
• Keep the finished twists warm in a 200°F oven if you are making multiple batches
• Set up everything you need before guests arrive so you can socialize while cooking

Pin It

There is something incredibly satisfying about pulling golden, cheesy twists out of the air fryer and watching people's faces light up. These have become my signature bring-along dish, and I always get asked for the recipe.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ What type of dough works best for these twists?

Refrigerated pizza dough provides the perfect balance of softness and structure, holding the fillings well while crisply air frying.

→ Can I customize the filling flavors?

Yes, adding pepperoni, olives, or other favorite toppings inside the twists boosts flavor and variety.

→ How do I achieve the crispiest texture?

Air frying at 375°F and turning halfway ensures an even, golden-brown crispness on all sides.

→ Is it necessary to brush the twists with garlic butter?

The garlic butter glaze adds flavor and helps develop a golden crust, but it can be omitted if preferred.

→ How should leftovers be stored and reheated?

Store leftover twists in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes to restore crispness.