This mouthwatering Air Fryer Garlic Knot Pizza combines two beloved Italian favorites into one irresistible dish. Ready in just 25 minutes, this creative recipe delivers a perfect fusion of soft, garlicky knots and classic pizza toppings.
Each serving packs 20g of protein while the air fryer ensures a perfectly crispy crust without excessive oil. It’s a crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner that brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your kitchen table.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Garlic Knot Pizza
- Refrigerated Biscuits: 1 can, forms the base of our knots
- Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted for the perfect golden finish
- Italian Seasoning: 1 tablespoon dried, adds authentic Italian flavor
- Cheeses: 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and 3/4 cup shredded Mozzarella
- Garlic Salt: 1/2 teaspoon for savory depth
- Pepperoni: 1/2 cup, quartered for easy distribution
- Spray Oil: For coating the air fryer basket
- Fresh Herbs: For garnishing your masterpiece
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Halve each biscuit and gently shape into triangles
- Create Flavor Base: Mix melted butter, Italian seasoning, Parmesan, and garlic salt
- Season: Spread the butter mixture on one side of each dough piece
- Add Toppings: Layer with mozzarella and pepperoni (reserve 1/4 cup cheese and 2T pepperoni)
- Shape: Fold each piece taco-style and form into loose knots
- Air Fry: Cook at 350°F for 12-14 minutes in oiled basket
- Final Touch: Top with reserved cheese and pepperoni, let melt using residual heat
- Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh herbs before serving
Cooking Techniques
Making these pizza knots in your air fryer is super easy! The secret to perfect knots is gentle handling of the dough – don’t pull or stretch too hard. When shaping your knots, think of it like folding a soft taco and then loosely tying it. If your dough feels sticky, a light dusting of flour on your hands can help. Keep an eye on them during cooking since air fryers can vary – you’re looking for a nice golden-brown color.
Variations and Substitutions
You can make these pizza knots your own! Switch up the fillings with cooked sausage, ham, or go veggie with mushrooms and bell peppers. Not a fan of mozzarella? Try cheddar or provolone instead. For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes to your butter mixture. If you’re out of Italian seasoning, use a mix of oregano and basil. Want a different flavor? Try pesto instead of the garlic butter mixture!
Storage Tips
These pizza knots taste amazing fresh from the air fryer, but you can save leftovers too! Let them cool completely, then pop them in an airtight container. They’ll keep in your fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, just put them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until they’re warm and the cheese gets melty again. The microwave works too, but the texture won’t be as crispy.
Serving Suggestions
Make these pizza knots the star of your next movie night or game day spread! Serve them with warm marinara sauce for dipping – it’s a must! They’re perfect next to a fresh green salad or some crispy air fryer vegetables. For a fun party setup, put out different dipping sauces like ranch, garlic butter, or pizza sauce and let everyone pick their favorite.
Air Fryer Garlic Knot Pizza
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
For the Garlic Knots
- 2 tablespoons Butter melted
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning dried
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt
- 1 can refrigerated biscuits
- 3/4 cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup Pepperoni cut into quarters
- Spray Oil
- Fresh Herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Remove the biscuit dough from the tube and cut each piece in half.
- Gently stretch or roll the pieces into triangles.
- Whisk together melted butter, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, and Garlic salt. Spread the mixture onto one side of each dough piece.
- Top the dough pieces with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Set aside ¼ cup of cheese and 2T of pepperoni for later.
- Gently fold the dough pieces in half the long way (like a taco), Then pull the ends together to form a loose knot. Place the knots into an oiled air fryer pot.
- Air fry at 350F/175C for 12-14 minutes.
- Remove from air fryer, top with remaining cheese and pepperoni. Place back into the warm air fryer and let the residual heat melt the cheese. If needed, run the air fryer for one minute to melt the cheese.
- Garnish with fresh herbs
