Air fryer pizza puffs are an easy vegetarian snack made with flaky puff pastry, pizza sauce, colourful peppers and melted cheese. They are crisp on the outside, cheesy inside and cook in the air fryer in about 16 to 18 minutes.
These homemade pizza puffs are similar to pizza pockets, but instead of pizza dough they use ready-made puff pastry. Fold the pastry around the filling like a small envelope, then air fry until puffed and golden.
The term pizza puff can also refer to Chicago-style or frozen retail pizza puffs. This recipe is a simple homemade vegetarian version made with puff pastry sheets. If you enjoy quick pizza snacks, also try my air fryer pizza, air fryer tortilla pizza or air fryer English muffin pizza.
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Why Make Pizza Puffs in the Air Fryer?
The air fryer circulates hot air around the puff pastry, helping it rise and become crisp and flaky without deep frying. It is convenient for a small batch, needs little to no added oil and saves you from heating a full-size oven.
Quick Summary: Mix the pizza filling, add it to puff pastry squares, fold the corners into an envelope and air fry at 185°C or 365°F for 16 to 18 minutes.
Ingredients
- Frozen puff pastry sheets
- Pizza sauce
- Red pepper
- Green pepper
- Pizza blend cheese
- Sliced olives, optional
The step photos show a few sliced olives in the filling. They are optional, so you can leave them out for a simple pepper and cheese pizza puff.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities.
How to Make Air Fryer Pizza Puffs
Prepare the pizza filling
Add chopped red pepper, green pepper and optional sliced olives to a bowl, add the pizza sauce.
Add the cheese
Add the pizza blend cheese, mix until the vegetables are evenly coated with sauce and cheese.
Fill the puff pastry
Remove the puff pastry from the freezer, thaw for about 10 minutes, cut into squares. Place a small portion of pizza filling in the centre of each square.
Pro Tip: Keep the filling away from the edges and do not overfill. This makes the pastry easier to close and reduces sauce or cheese leaking while cooking.
Fold into pizza puff pockets
Bring the corners of each puff pastry square towards the centre, overlap them slightly and press gently to make a closed envelope.
Place in the air fryer
Arrange the pizza puffs in the air fryer in a single layer, leaving some space around them for air circulation. Lightly spray the tops with oil if desired.
Air fry until golden and flaky
Air fry at 185°C or 365°F for 16 to 18 minutes, until the pastry has puffed and turned crisp and golden. Allow the pizza puffs to rest for a few minutes before serving, as the cheese and sauce inside will be very hot.
Variations
- Cheese pizza puffs: Skip the peppers and use a little extra mozzarella or pizza blend cheese.
- Veggie pizza puffs: Add sweet corn, finely chopped onion, mushrooms or sliced olives.
- Italian-style: Add dried oregano, Italian herbs or pizza seasoning to the filling.
- Spicy pizza puffs: Add chilli flakes or a little chopped chilli to the filling.
- Mini pizza puffs: Cut the pastry into smaller squares for party-sized bites, checking them earlier as they may cook more quickly.
Example: Pizza sauce, peppers, olives, sweet corn and mozzarella make an easy veggie-loaded filling.
For another easy pastry snack, try these air fryer vegetable pasties. You may also like these air fryer vegetable spring rolls.
Substitutions
- Pizza blend cheese: Use mozzarella, cheddar or a mixture of mozzarella and cheddar.
- Pizza sauce: Use marinara sauce or a thick homemade tomato sauce. Avoid watery sauce as it can make the pastry soggy.
- Peppers: Use any colour of bell pepper or capsicum.
- Puff pastry: Shortcrust pastry can also be used, but it will be firmer rather than light and flaky.
- Vegan: Use dairy-free puff pastry and vegan pizza cheese. Check the puff pastry package as ingredients vary between brands.
Air Fryer Pizza Puffs Recipe
air fryer Hot pockets | homemade pizza pockets recipe
Equipment
- Air fryer
Instructions
- Remove the puff pastry sheets from the freezer and allow them to thaw for about 10 minutes.
- Cut the puff pastry sheets into equal-sized squares.
- Add the chopped red pepper, green pepper, pizza sauce and cheese to a bowl. Mix well.
- Divide the pizza filling between the pastry squares, keeping the filling in the centre.
- Bring the corners of each pastry square towards the centre and overlap them slightly to form an envelope-shaped pizza puff. Press gently to close.
- Arrange the pizza puffs in the air fryer in a single layer, leaving a little space between them.
- Air fry at 185°C / 365°F for 16-18 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, crisp and golden brown.
- Rest for a few minutes before serving, as the cheese and sauce inside will be very hot.
Notes
More Air Fryer Pizza Recipes
- Air Fryer Pizza
- Air Fryer Naan Pizza
- Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
- Air Fryer English Muffin Pizza
- Air Fryer Pizza Bagels
- Frozen Pizza in the Air Fryer
FAQs
Air fry homemade puff pastry pizza puffs at 185°C or 365°F for 16 to 18 minutes. They are ready when the pastry has risen and is crisp and golden. Cooking time can vary slightly between air fryer models.
Pizza puff can describe different pizza-filled snacks. This homemade version is made by filling puff pastry with pizza sauce, vegetables and cheese, folding it into a pocket and air frying until golden and flaky.
Yes. Assemble the pizza puffs and freeze them uncooked in a single layer. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Air fry directly from frozen and allow some extra cooking time, until the pastry is golden and the filling is hot.
Conclusion
These air fryer pizza puffs are an easy way to turn frozen puff pastry into a crisp, cheesy snack. The simple vegetable and pizza sauce filling is quick to prepare, while the air fryer gives the pastry a flaky golden finish without deep frying.
Serve the pizza puffs warm for an after-school snack, party appetizer or easy lunch. If you have leftover pizza instead, see how to reheat pizza in the air fryer, or try my frozen pizza in the air fryer guide for another quick option.
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