Crispy Air Fryer Cheese Twists (Printable)

Golden, cheesy twists with savory herbs, air-fried to crispy perfection—ideal for snacks or appetizers.

# 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 Steps:

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.
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).
07 - In a small bowl, mix melted butter and minced garlic. Brush the tops of each twist with garlic butter.
08 - Air fry for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
09 - Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come together in under 30 minutes using ingredients you probably already have lurking in your fridge
  • The air fryer creates this impossibly crispy exterior while keeping the inside gooey and melty
  • People will think you spent way more effort on these than you actually did
02 -
  • Do not skip the flipping step halfway through cooking, the difference in even browning is worth the extra 30 seconds
  • Let them cool for literally 2 minutes before diving in, the cheese turns into molten lava straight from the air fryer
  • These are absolute best within 10 minutes of cooking, but they reheat surprisingly well at 350°F for 2 minutes
03 -
  • Use a pizza cutter for the cleanest strips, a regular knife tends to drag the dough
  • Twist firmly but gently, over-twisting can cause the dough to tear and your cheese to escape
  • Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper for easier cleanup, just cut holes for air circulation

Return