If you’re craving something quick, cheesy, and garlicky, these air fryer garlic dough balls are perfect! They’re golden, crispy on the outside, and soft and cheesy on the inside just the right bite-sized treat for any movie night or gathering. Plus, they’re super easy to make and will be ready in a flash. If you don’t have an air fryer, don’t worry; you can easily make them in the oven too! Let’s get started.
Method in Detail
1. Make the Garlic Butter
Start by melting the butter in a small pan over low heat or in the microwave. Once it’s fully melted, add in the garlic feel free to adjust the amount based on how strong you want the garlic flavor to be! For an extra touch, stir in some fresh parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything together until well combined. This garlic butter will give your dough balls that irresistible garlicky flavor on the inside and the outside.
2. Prepare the Dough
Next, grab your roll of pizza dough from the supermarket. Place it on a clean surface and cut it into 16 even squares. These squares don’t need to be perfect having different sizes adds a homemade, rustic touch to the dough balls. The squares don’t need to be too small; just big enough to hold a piece of mozzarella in the middle.
3. Add the Cheese
Now, take a small piece of mozzarella (about the size of a marble or pearl) and place it right in the center of each dough square. Gently pinch the dough around the cheese to seal it in, making sure it’s tightly rolled. You want to ensure that the cheese is fully wrapped inside to avoid any leaks during cooking. Roll it into a ball shape, making sure the dough is smooth and the cheese is safely tucked inside.
4. Brush with Garlic Butter
Place the dough balls into your air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd them each ball should have enough space around it to crisp up nicely. Once they’re in the basket, use a basting brush to generously coat each dough ball with the garlic butter you made earlier. This step is essential, as the garlic butter will help them crisp up and infuse that delicious garlic flavor.
5. Air Fry
Set your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and cook the dough balls for 12-14 minutes. Keep an eye on them, and look for a golden-brown color and crispy texture on the outside. The exact time may vary depending on the size of your dough balls and the air fryer model, so check towards the end and adjust the time if needed. For extra flavor, once the dough balls are done, brush on some more of that melted garlic butter for an even richer taste.
Necessary Tools
- Air fryer (or oven if you’re using that instead)
- Knife for cutting dough
- Grater (if you prefer grated mozzarella)
- Basting brush for butter
- Mixing bowl for garlic butter
Garlic Dough Balls Recipe
Difficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes12
minutes22
minutesIngredients
1 roll of pizza dough (from your supermarket)
100g mozzarella (preferably in small chunks or pearls, but grated will work too)
For the garlic butter:
100g butter
Garlic (as much as you like, depending on your garlic love!)
Fresh parsley
Salt and pepper
Directions
- Make the garlic butter: Melt the butter in a small pan or microwave. Add in your garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Prepare the dough: Cut the pizza dough into 16 small squares. Don’t worry if they’re not perfect this will just add to the rustic charm!
- Add the cheese: Take a small chunk or pearl of mozzarella and place it in the center of each dough square. Then, roll them tightly into little balls.
- Brush with garlic butter: Place the dough balls in the air fryer basket. Brush them generously with the garlic butter you made earlier.
- Air fry: Set your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and cook for 12-14 minutes until golden brown. Make sure to brush on more melted butter right before serving.
Notes
- Air fryer size: If your air fryer basket is small, make sure to work in batches. You want each dough ball to have enough space to cook evenly and become crispy.
- Watch the cheese: When rolling up the dough balls, make sure the cheese is tucked inside tightly. If not, it might ooze out and burn during the cooking process.
- Adjust time for oven: If you’re using the oven instead of an air fryer, you’ll need to bake them at 180°C (350°F) for about 15-20 minutes. Just keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
Serving Suggestions
These garlic dough balls are fantastic on their own, but you can also serve them with a side of marinara sauce for dipping or a fresh green salad to balance out the richness. They also pair beautifully with a hot bowl of tomato soup or your favorite pasta dish!
Fun Fact
Did you know garlic was used in ancient times not just for cooking but as a medicinal herb? It was believed to ward off evil spirits, and even today, it’s known for its health benefits, including boosting the immune system!
Conclusion
These garlic dough balls recipe are a must-try for anyone who loves cheesy, garlicky goodness! They’re quick, easy, and super satisfying, perfect for when you need a snack or a fun appetizer to share. Whether you use an air fryer or the oven, they’re guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering. Enjoy!
