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Air Fryer Pizza Pockets - Crispy, Cheesy, and Ready in Minutes

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade), or refrigerated biscuit dough for a shortcut
  • Pizza sauce or marinara
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Pepperoni slices (or your preferred protein: cooked sausage, shredded chicken, or ham)
  • Optional veggies: diced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach, olives
  • Optional extras: grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning
  • Olive oil or cooking spray
  • Egg (for egg wash, optional but helps with color and seal)
  • Flour (for dusting the surface if using pizza dough)
  • Garlic powder or garlic butter (optional for brushing)
  • Salt and black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 370–380°F (188–193°C). Preheating helps the pockets crisp up from the start.
  • Prep the dough: If using pizza dough, dust your counter with flour and roll it out to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 4–6 rectangles or circles. If using biscuit dough, press each biscuit into a flat round, about 5–6 inches across.
  • Mix your filling: In a small bowl, combine mozzarella with a spoonful of Parmesan and a pinch of Italian seasoning. Pat dry any watery veggies (like mushrooms or spinach) to prevent soggy pockets.
  • Assemble: Spoon 1–2 teaspoons of pizza sauce onto one half of each dough piece, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Add cheese and toppings. Do not overfill—too much filling causes leaks.
  • Seal the edges: Fold the dough over to form a half-moon or rectangle. Press edges firmly, then crimp with a fork. For extra security, brush the edge with beaten egg before sealing.
  • Vent the pockets: Use a sharp knife to cut 2–3 small slits on top of each pocket. This helps steam escape and keeps the crust crisp.
  • Brush and season: Lightly brush the tops with olive oil or egg wash. Sprinkle with a little garlic powder or Parmesan if you like.
  • Air fry in batches: Arrange pockets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t crowd them. Cook for 8–12 minutes, flipping once halfway, until deep golden and crisp.
  • Check doneness: The dough should be cooked through and the cheese melted. If needed, add 1–2 more minutes.
  • Rest briefly: Let pockets sit for 3–5 minutes. This helps the cheese set so it doesn’t spill out when you bite in.
  • Serve: Enjoy with warm pizza sauce or marinara for dipping. Add fresh basil or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a kick.