Air Fryer Cheesy Pepperoni Bombs
Crispy Golden Dough Filled with Gooey Cheese, Pepperoni, and Pizza Flavor
These Air Fryer Cheesy Pepperoni Bombs are the perfect bite-sized pizza snack made with soft dough, gooey melted cheese, savory pepperoni, and Italian herbs. Each little pizza bomb is crispy on the outside, warm and cheesy on the inside, and packed with classic pepperoni pizza flavors.Ready in minutes using the air fryer, these cheesy bites are perfect for parties, game nights, kids’ snacks, lunch boxes, or a quick comfort-food craving. Serve them with warm marinara sauce for dipping and enjoy a restaurant-style pizza appetizer at home.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 12 pepperoni bombs
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the Pizza Bombs
1 can refrigerated pizza dough or crescent roll dough (8 ounces)
24 slices mini pepperoni or 12 regular pepperoni slices, cut in half
12 cubes mozzarella cheese (about 1-inch pieces)
¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Garlic Butter Topping
3 tablespoons melted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
For Serving
Warm marinara sauce
Ranch dressing
Garlic aioli
Extra Parmesan cheese
Equipment
Air fryer
Parchment paper or silicone liner
Small bowl
Pastry brush
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
Preheat the air fryer to:
350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes
Open the pizza dough and cut it into 12 equal pieces.
Flatten each piece into a small circle.
Fill the Pizza Bombs
Place one mozzarella cube in the center of each dough piece.
Add:
2 pepperoni slices
A pinch of shredded mozzarella
A sprinkle of Italian seasoning
Fold the dough around the filling and pinch the edges tightly to seal.
Roll gently into a smooth ball.
Repeat with remaining dough pieces.
Make Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine:
Melted butter
Minced garlic
Fresh parsley
Italian seasoning
Mix well.
Air Fry the Pepperoni Bombs
Place the pizza bombs in the air fryer basket with space between each piece.
Brush the tops with garlic butter.
Air fry at:
350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes
until:
The dough is golden brown.
The cheese is melted.
The outside is crispy.
For extra golden tops, brush with more garlic butter during the last minute.
Serve
Remove carefully and allow to cool for 2 minutes.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Serving Suggestions
These cheesy pepperoni bombs pair perfectly with:
Marinara sauce
Ranch dip
Caesar salad
Tomato soup
Air fryer potato wedges
Chicken wings
Fresh vegetables
Tips for Perfect Pepperoni Bombs
Seal the dough tightly to prevent cheese from leaking out.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
Use mozzarella cubes for the best cheese pull.
Let refrigerated dough sit at room temperature for a few minutes before shaping.
Serve immediately for the crispiest texture.
Variations
Three Cheese Pizza Bombs
Use mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese.
Meat Lovers Pizza Bombs
Add cooked sausage, bacon, and extra pepperoni.
Veggie Pizza Bombs
Add mushrooms, peppers, spinach, and olives.
Spicy Pepperoni Bombs
Add jalapeños and crushed red pepper flakes.
Garlic Cheese Bombs
Skip pepperoni and fill with extra cheese and herbs.
Storage
Store leftover pepperoni bombs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing
Freeze unbaked pizza bombs for up to 2 months.
Air fry directly from frozen, adding an extra 3–5 minutes to the cooking time.
Reheating
Reheat in the air fryer at:
330°F (165°C) for 3–4 minutes
until warm and crispy.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Calories: 165
Protein: 7g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 430mg
Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on ingredients used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use biscuit dough instead of pizza dough?
Yes. Biscuit dough creates a softer, fluffier pizza bomb.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble them and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before air frying.
Why did my cheese leak out?
The dough may not have been sealed tightly enough. Pinch all seams firmly before cooking.
Can I use different fillings?
Absolutely. Try ham and cheese, chicken Alfredo, or spinach and feta.
Final Thoughts
These Air Fryer Cheesy Pepperoni Bombs are a fun and delicious way to enjoy pizza flavors in a crispy, bite-sized snack. With golden dough, melty cheese, and savory pepperoni inside, they are perfect for any occasion and guaranteed to be a family favorite.