kid-friendly snacks

Egg rolls meet pizza in this genius air fryer creation that delivers all the flavors you love in a crispy, handheld package. These cheesy pizza egg rolls combine marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and pepperoni wrapped in a golden, crunchy egg roll wrapper. Ready in just 10 minutes, they’re perfect for game day snacks, quick lunches, or whenever pizza cravings hit but you want something different. What makes these pizza egg rolls so appealing is their versatility and convenience. You can customize the fillings to match your favorite pizza toppings, make them ahead for easy entertaining, and cook them in your air fryer without the mess and calories of deep frying. The crispy exterior and gooey, cheesy interior create the perfect texture contrast that makes these impossible to stop eating. Why Air Fryer Pizza Egg Rolls Work So Well Air fryers revolutionize egg roll preparation by creating incredibly crispy wrappers without submerging them in oil. The rapid hot air circulation crisps every surface evenly, delivering results that rival deep frying while being significantly healthier and cleaner. The compact cooking chamber maintains consistent high heat that crisps the egg roll wrapper while melting the cheese inside perfectly. You get that satisfying crunch on the outside with hot, gooey cheese inside without any greasiness. Quick cooking time of just 5 minutes per side means you go from craving to eating in about 10 minutes total. The air fryer preheats quickly and cooks efficiently, making these egg rolls perfect for satisfying sudden snack attacks. Easy cleanup represents a major advantage over traditional frying which requires dealing with large amounts of hot oil. Air fryers need only a quick wipe-down after use, making the whole process more appealing for frequent cooking. Consistent results come from the air fryer’s controlled temperature and even heat distribution. Once you find the right timing for your specific air fryer, you can expect perfect pizza egg rolls every time. Healthier preparation uses minimal oil while achieving maximum crispiness. These egg rolls contain a fraction of the fat and calories of deep-fried versions without sacrificing texture or flavor. Choosing the Right Ingredients Simple ingredients make these pizza egg rolls accessible while allowing for endless customization based on your preferences and what’s in your kitchen. Egg Roll Wrappers: Use standard egg roll wrappers found in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. Spring roll wrappers work too but create a different, more delicate texture. Keep wrappers covered with a damp towel while working to prevent them from drying out and cracking. Marinara Sauce: Any pizza or marinara sauce works well, but thicker sauces prevent soggy wrappers. If your sauce is thin, simmer it for a few minutes to reduce and thicken before using. Avoid using too much sauce, which can make wrappers soggy and difficult to seal. Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully and provides that classic pizza cheese pull. Fresh mozzarella works but contains more moisture that can make wrappers soggy, so pat it dry before using. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect melting, but it’s more convenient and works fine for these egg rolls. Pepperoni: Mini pepperoni or diced regular pepperoni distributes evenly throughout the filling. Turkey pepperoni offers a leaner option while maintaining that classic pizza flavor. You can also use salami, ham, or leave meat out entirely for vegetarian versions. Italian Seasoning: A sprinkle of Italian herbs enhances the pizza flavor. Dried oregano, basil, or garlic powder all work well. Fresh herbs contain too much moisture for this application. Oil for Brushing: A light coating of oil helps achieve golden, crispy wrappers. Use olive oil spray, vegetable oil, or even melted butter brushed on before air frying. Ingredients You’ll Need For the Egg Rolls: Optional Add-ins: For Serving: Step-by-Step Preparation Technique Success with these pizza egg rolls comes from proper assembly technique and understanding how the air fryer environment affects cooking. Following these steps ensures crispy, sealed egg rolls with perfectly melted fillings. Wrapper Preparation: Lay out egg roll wrappers on a clean work surface with one corner pointing toward you, creating a diamond shape. Keep unused wrappers covered with a damp towel to prevent drying and cracking. Filling Assembly: Place about 1-2 tablespoons of marinara sauce in the center of each wrapper, spreading it slightly but leaving plenty of border space. Add a small handful of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce, then arrange pepperoni pieces over the cheese. Sprinkle with a pinch of Italian seasoning. Avoid Overfilling: The biggest mistake is adding too much filling, which prevents proper sealing and causes leakage during cooking. Less is more – you want enough filling for flavor but not so much that wrappers can’t seal completely. Sealing Technique: Dip your finger in water and run it along all four edges of the wrapper to create a seal. Fold the bottom corner up over the filling, then fold in the left and right corners. Roll tightly toward the top corner, ensuring no gaps where filling could escape. Press the final corner firmly to seal completely. Check for Gaps: Hold each completed egg roll up to the light to check for any openings in the wrapper where filling might leak. If you spot gaps, use a dab of water on your finger to seal them before cooking. Oil Application: Lightly brush or spray each egg roll with oil on all sides. This step is crucial for achieving golden, crispy wrappers. Don’t skip it or your egg rolls will be pale and less crispy. Air Fryer Preparation: Preheat your Cosmo air fryer to 360°F. Proper preheating ensures immediate cooking when egg rolls are added, helping achieve crispy exteriors while melting the cheese inside perfectly. Arrangement: Place egg rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each one. Don’t let them touch or overlap, which prevents even crisping. You’ll likely need to cook in batches depending on your air fryer size. First Side Cooking: Air fry at 360°F for 5 minutes on the