Pizza Pinwheels (Air Fryer or Oven)

Pizza Pinwheels are quick and easy to prepare with your favorite pizza toppings, then rolled tight, cut, and cooked until crispy. The perfect finger food for parties, game day gatherings, or serving for snacks.

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These Pizza Pinwheels are the perfect little pizza packages from store-bought crescent dough that have been stuffed with sauce, pepperoni, and cheese (or your favorite pizza toppings!)

Easy to make in 30 minutes in the air fryer or oven baked – they make the perfect appetizer or after-school snack.

Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Pinwheels

Our homemade Air Fryer Pizza Pinwheels are quick and easy to prepare (just like my Air Fryer Pizza Rolls recipe) and taste so much better than any processed store-bought product.

Making these mini air fryer pizzas is as simple as spreading sauce on your dough, filling it with your favorite pizza toppings, then rolling it tightly before cutting and cooking the pizza pieces.

Don’t have an air fryer, not to worry, we have instructions to make these pinwheels in the oven as well.

I love air fryer recipes to make my favorite finger foods, especially because they cut the cooking time in half and they come out crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside without deep frying in oil.

Why We Love This Pizza Pinwheels Recipe

Quick and easy to make. Can be air fried or oven baked.
Uses only 5 simple ingredients.
Taste like the perfect pizza that’s cooked without the crust.
Prepared like a pizza roll but sliced into small pinwheel.
Great grab and go lunch, Super Bowl snack, party appetizer, or simple supper.

Pizza PinWheels Ingredients

Crescent dough
Pizza sauce
Mozzarella cheese
Pepperoni: You can either slice your own or buy pre-sliced pepperoni.
Oil spray

Substitutions and Additions

Create Your Crust: Feel free to use puff pastry dough or pizza dough instead of the crescent dough, but keep in mind that the cooking time will be different.
Swap The Sauce: Instead of the traditional marinara sauce or tomato sauce, you can try using Alfredo, BBQ, or pesto sauce instead.
Add Some Spice: You can add some crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning if you like a little spice.
Vegan Version: For a vegan/vegetarian version, simply replace the pepperoni and dairy cheese with a variety of vegetables, like mushrooms, bell pepper, olives, onions, and spinach, and use a non-dairy cheese.
Pick Your Protein: Make your pizza pinwheels without pepperoni and choose a different meat (or even make it meatless). Try bacon, sausage, shredded chicken, salami slices, and even veggie crumbles.

How to Make Pizza Pinwheels

Prepare Your Pizza: Roll out the crescent dough, spread the sauce, and top with cheese and pepperoni.
Roll: Roll the dough into a log shape and slice into 8 rolls.
Cook: Place the rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway.
Serve: Serve hot and enjoy!

Can I cook air fryer pizza rolls in the oven?

Yes, you can also bake these rolls in the oven at 400 ˚F for about 15 minutes. Just be sure to watch them closely so they don’t burn!

Tips For Making Air Fryer Pizza Pinwheels

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can use a regular oven, but the cooking time will be longer and the rolls won’t be as crispy.
If you want your pizza rolls to be extra crispy, try spraying them with a bit of oil before cooking.
If you want your pizza rolls to be extra cheesy, feel free to add more cheese!
Make sure to roll the dough out into a rectangular shape so that you have enough surface area to add the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni.
When you’re rolling the dough into a log, make sure it’s tight so that the filling doesn’t fall out.
When you’re cutting the rolls, make sure to use a sharp knife so that you get nice, clean cuts.

How to Store Pizza Pinwheels

To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To Freeze: Cool the rolls completely and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To Reheat: Reheat in the microwave or in the air fryer at 320F for 5 minutes.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Cheese Sticks

Air Fryer Garlic Knots

The Best French Fries in Air Fryer

Air Fryer Croissants

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these pizza rolls ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare your pizza in advance. Just follow the instructions up until you cook the rolls. Then, place them in the fridge or freezer. When you’re ready to cook them, let them thaw for a few hours or overnight (if they’re frozen) and then cook them in the air fryer according to the instructions.

What are the taste and the texture of the pizza rolls?

The crust cooks nice and crispy, and the cheese is melted and gooey. The sauce is slightly sweet and tangy, and the pepperoni adds a delicious savory flavor.

What should I serve with these pizza rolls?

Serve your pizza pinwheels with a side of salad or some roasted vegetables. Or, if you’re feeling extra indulgent, you could dip them in some marinara sauce or ranch dressing!

More Delicious Recipes

5 from 1 vote

Pizza Pinwheels

Author — Jennifer Fishkind

Serves —

Print Rate PinSave

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 10

Total Time 35

Ingredients

Instructions

On a work surface, roll out the crescent dough into a rectangular.
Spread the sauce on the dough followed by the grated cheese and pepperoni slices.
Roll the dough to make a log shape.
Slice the log into 8 rolls.
Spray the air fryer with oil, and place the rolls in the air fryer in one single layer.
Cook at 370˚F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway.
Serve hot.

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:

To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To Freeze: Cool the rolls completely and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To Reheat: Reheat in the microwave or in the air fryer at 320F for 5 minutes.

Oven Instructions:

Follow all of the instructions above but bake in the oven at 400 F for about 15 minutes. Just be sure to watch them closely so they don’t burn!

Tips:

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can use a regular oven, but the cooking time will be longer and the rolls won’t be as crispy.
If you want your pizza rolls to be extra crispy, try spraying them with a bit of oil before cooking.
If you want your pizza rolls to be extra cheesy, feel free to add more cheese!
Make sure to roll the dough out into a rectangular shape so that you have enough surface area to add the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni.
When you’re rolling the dough into a log, make sure it’s tight so that the filling doesn’t fall out.
When you’re cutting the rolls, make sure to use a sharp knife so that you get nice, clean cuts.

Nutrition Info