on Jan 21, 2022, Updated Feb 09, 2024 Savory pepperoni pizza balls are made in the air fryer and packed with cheesy pizza flavor, which means they’re the perfect party snack. Whether you’re looking for a simple party appetizer or a quick and easy game day snack, it doesn’t get much better than pizza! We love eating pizza in all the ways from pizza casserole to local takeout. But instead of ordering from your favorite delivery place the next time you’re planning for a party, try using your air fryer instead. These simple pepperoni cheese balls are a delicious combination of pepperoni pizza and mozzarella sticks. You’ll love the cheesy filling and crunchy crust on these yummy treats.
Ingredients/What to Buy
To make your own air fryer pepperoni balls, you’ll need the following.
Cream cheese Mozzarella cheese Pepperoni Italian seasoning Garlic powder Panko breadcrumbs Egg Milk Flour Salt and pepper Nonstick cooking spray
Cooking supplies needed include at one large bowl and 3 medium bowls, a baking sheet, and and of course, an air fryer. The Instant Pot with the air fryer attachment works well too.
Create the Cheese Filling
These flavorful cheese bombs are the perfect game day snack because they’re so easy to make! The recipe only takes a few minutes of prep work to put it together. In fact, the hardest part is waiting for the pizza bombs to freeze so you can cook them in your air fryer. But that part is important, so resist the temptation to skip it. The first step to making these delicious pepperoni bombs is preparing the cheesy filling. Start by combining the cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Stir the filling ingredients together until mixed well with the cream cheese. Then, form the filling into bite-sized balls. A one-inch cookie scoop is just the right size to form the balls, but you could also use a tablespoon to help keep the all the same size. After scooping the mixture, roll the cream cheese filling into a ball between the palm of your hands. Then, transfer the filling balls to a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. When all your cheese balls have been rolled out, make sure none of them are touching on your pan and place it in the freezer. Freeze for at least 30 minutes and be sure they’re frozen solid before you move on to the next step. This will help keep the cheese from melting while the outside crust browns in the air fryer. Once the cream cheese mixture is frozen, you can start coating the pepperoni balls in their crispy crust.
Add Seasoned Coating
Start by grabbing three different shallow bowls. While you work with the breading, preheat your air fryer. Stir together the salt, pepper, egg and milk in one bowl, the breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning in another, and pour the flour in a third bowl. Dip the frozen cheese balls into the egg mixture first, then place the ball in the bowl with the flour.
Roll the ball around until it’s fully coated in flour, then dip the ball back in the egg mixture. Transfer the cheese ball to the breadcrumb bowl and roll it around to coat it. Press the breadcrumbs into the coating to ensure they’re stuck to the egg wash. When you’re ready to start cooking, place the coated pizza bombs in the basket of the air fryer and spray each ball liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Halfway through the cook time, remove the basket from the air fryer and carefully turn them over to ensure they’re evenly cooked on both sides.
Tips for Making Air Fryer Pepperoni Balls
Once you try these cheesy pizza balls, they’re going to be your go-to appetizer for all your parties! And with these easy cooking tips, you’ll be a pro at making your own delicious pizza snacks in no time.
Make sure the cream cheese is softened
The best way to blend all your filling ingredients together is to make sure your cream cheese is nice and soft before you start mixing. Let the cream cheese sit out at room temperature for around one hour before you start mixing the filling or heat in the microwave for a few seconds to quickly soften it.
Chop the pepperoni for easier mixing
To make sure your pepperoni mixes evenly into the filling, it’s a good idea to chop the slices before mixing it into the filling. You can also use mini pepperoni to make prep work even easier.
Grease your hands when making the cheese balls
The filling mixture can be sticky, which means preparing these pizza balls can get pretty messy if you’re not careful. To keep the filling from sticking to your hands as you’re rolling the cheese balls, spray a little bit of nonstick cooking spray on your hands before you start rolling.
Serve with marinara for dipping
Once your cheese balls are ready to eat, don’t forget the dip! Serve your pepperoni pizza snacks with a side of marinara sauce to give them even more pizza flavor. Check out our crescent roll recipes for even more appetizer ideas and enjoy. These would be a great appetizer before enjoying our tasty bruschetta chicken bake recipe!
Print the Recipe
Print and save this recipe so you can use it again and again and again. Like this post? Share it with friends!
