These air fryer cheesy garlic bites are crispy on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside, and loaded with buttery garlic flavor. Think of them like bite-sized garlic bread rolls with a melted cheese center—fast, easy, and perfect for dipping.
The air fryer gives them a golden crust without needing deep frying or long oven baking. Inside, the cheese melts into a rich, stretchy center while the garlic butter coating soaks into every bite for maximum flavor.
They’re perfect as a snack, appetizer, party food, or side dish for pasta, soups, or salads. You can also serve them with marinara sauce or ranch for dipping.
Ingredients
Makes about 12–16 bites
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (or pizza dough)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- Extra mozzarella for stuffing (optional for extra gooey centers)
Instructions
1. Preheat air fryer
Preheat to 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes.
2. Prepare garlic butter
Mix together:
- melted butter
- garlic
- salt
- parsley
- Italian seasoning
Set aside.
3. Assemble bites
- Flatten each biscuit piece slightly.
- Place a small pinch of mozzarella in the center.
- Fold dough around cheese and roll into a ball.
- Pinch tightly to seal so cheese doesn’t leak out.
4. Coat
- Brush each ball with garlic butter mixture.
5. Air fry
- Place in air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 7–10 minutes.
- Flip halfway for even browning.
6. Finish
- Brush again with remaining garlic butter right after cooking.
- Let cool 2–3 minutes before serving (cheese will be very hot inside).
Nutrient Facts (approx. per bite)
- Calories: 90–120
- Carbs: 10g
- Protein: 3–4g
- Fat: 5–7g
Tips for Best Results
- Seal dough tightly to prevent cheese leakage.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer—airflow = crispiness.
- Brush with butter after cooking too for extra flavor.
- Serve immediately for the best cheesy pull.
Variations
Spicy Garlic Bites
Add red pepper flakes to the butter.
Pizza Bites
Add a tiny spoon of marinara inside with cheese.
Keto Version
Use fathead dough (mozzarella + almond flour dough) instead of biscuit dough.
Extra Cheesy Version
Mix cheddar + mozzarella inside for stronger flavor.
