Who’s ready for a simple air fryer appetizer that’s loaded with flavor? These Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Balls are the BEST! Perfect for football parties, family gatherings, or just a simple snack to grab and eat. 

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Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Balls

When I make this simple appetizer, I’m immediately grateful for two things in life: my air fryer, and cheese. It’s safe to say that my family feels the same way, too! 

We’re all fans of pizza but sometimes, ordering one and waiting for it to arrive or making a pizza from scratch just isn’t in the cards because life is busy and when we’re all hungry, we want something right then and there. 

This is where these cheese balls with pepperoni rock. I actually like to prep them ahead of time so that they’re ready to cook when the craving hits. And since the cooking time is just 8 minutes long, they’re hot and ready in literally a flash! 

Even though I call these pizza ball appetizers, we would totally eat this for dinner so do what your tastebuds are telling you to do! 

Make 12 cheese balls
Prep time: 15 minutes
Freezing time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes

What you’ll need to make Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Balls

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup chopped pepperoni
2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Breading:
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup flour
Salt and pepper
Nonstick cooking spray
Marinara sauce for serving

How to make Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Balls

• Stir together the cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and garlic
  powder.

• Use a one-inch cookie scoop to scoop out the mixture and roll it into a ball. Place the balls on a
  lined plate or baking sheet. Freeze the balls for at least 30 minutes, until they’re frozen solid.

• When ready to cook the cheese balls, preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees.
• Prepare the breading ingredients by stirring together the panko breadcrumbs and Italian
  seasoning in one bowl.

• Add the egg, milk, salt, and pepper to a separate bowl and whisk to
  combine.

• Pour the flour into a third bowl.

• Place each frozen cheese ball in the egg mixture, then dip it into the flour to coat.

• Dip the ball back in the egg mixture, then roll it into the breadcrumbs. Press the breadcrumbs into place and
  transfer each coated ball to the air fryer basket.
• Spray each ball with nonstick cooking spray and cook in the air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes, until
  the breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Tips for Making Pepperoni Pizza Balls in the Air Fryer

• Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer. The cheese balls need space to get crispy and delicious! 
• If you want to change up the type of cheese, do so! You can use different blends to change up the flavor. 

Be sure to check out my Bang Bang Meatballs and my Easy Game Day Appetizers Buffalo Bites as well! The more choices, the better! 

Yield: 12 pizza balls

Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Balls

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 48 minutes

You're going to love this simple air fryer recipe! These Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Balls are the BEST! Perfect for football parties, family gatherings, or just a simple snack to grab and eat. 

Print

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup chopped pepperoni
• 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Breading:

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 cup flour
• Salt and pepper
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Marinara sauce for serving

Instructions

1. Stir together the cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
2. Use a one-inch cookie scoop to scoop out the mixture and roll it into a ball. Place the balls on an alined plate or baking sheet. Freeze the balls for at least 30 minutes, until they’re frozen solid.
3. When ready to cook the cheese balls, preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees.
4. Prepare the breading ingredients by stirring together the panko breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning in one bowl.
5. Add the egg, milk, salt, and pepper to a separate bowl and whisk to combine.
6. Pour the flour into a third bowl.
7. Place each frozen cheese ball in the egg mixture, then dip it into the flour to coat.
8. Dip the ball back in the egg mixture, then roll it into the breadcrumbs. Press the breadcrumbs into place and transfer each coated ball to the air fryer basket.
9. Spray each ball with nonstick cooking spray and cook in the air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Notes

The amount of balls you can fit in the airfryer will depend on the size of the air fryer.

Recommended Products

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  Instant Vortex Plus 10 Quart Air Fryer, Rotisserie and Convection Oven, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate and Warm, 1500W, Stainless Steel and Black

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 210Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 393mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 7g

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