These air fryer garlic knots with pizza dough are unbelievably easy to make! They come out perfect every time; lightly browned on the outside and soft on the inside. They get tossed in a garlic herb mixture creating the perfect bite! You only need 15 minutes to make this easy appetizer!
Note: This recipe was originally published on April 20, 2021. It was republished with an updated recipe and photos including helpful step-by-step instructions on August 29, 2024.
These dairy-free garlic knots can be made in no time! Using premade pizza dough is the key to this quick recipe. The pizza dough doesn’t require any rise time and it cooks surprisingly fast in the air fryer! Using extra virgin olive in place of butter makes this recipe a bit healthier and keeps it vegan.
This tasty finger food pairs well with tomato dipping sauce, arugula basil pesto, asparagus and pea pasta, or dunked into a bowl of broccoli zucchini soup!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Air fryer garlic knots are perfect for a last-minute side dish. I like to keep at least one premade pizza dough in the freezer specifically for this recipe.
- There is no rise time since we use pre-made pizza dough. While you opt to make your own dough, I find that store bought dough works well.
- The cooking time is quick, only 8 minutes! Additionally, the air fryer won’t heat up your house like the oven does.
Ingredient Notes
- Pizza dough - I buy premade pizza dough in the refrigerated section of the grocery store near the cheese. I like using multigrain dough but feel free to use your favorite!
- Garlic - you can’t make garlic knots without garlic! I recommend using 1-2 cloves but free to use more if you’d like.
- Extra virgin olive oil - I use olive oil instead of butter to keep this recipe vegan. I love the flavor of olive oil!
- Italian herbs - this is optional but adds a subtle flavor to the garlic knots.
- Flaky salt - this is optional but topping off the garlic knots with a dusting of flaky salt really adds an extra special touch.
Substitutions and Variations
- Parmesan - grate a dusting of parmesan cheese onto the garlic knots after they have been tossed in the garlic and oil.
- Cinnamon sugar - toss in cinnamon sugar before air frying.
- Fresh herbs - top with fresh herbs such as chives, parsley or basil.
- Butter - you can use butter or vegan butter in place of the olive oil to add richer flavor.
- Lemon zest - top the garlic knots with lemon zest for a bright flavor!
Step by Step Instructions
Mix together the olive oil, garlic and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Set aside.
Cut the premade pizza dough into 8 equal sized pieces. Sprinkle a tablespoon or two of flour on your surface if the dough is sticky.
Roll each piece into a log shape, about 6 inches long.
Tie the rolled out dough into a knot.
Tuck the ends of the dough behind the knot. Repeat with each piece until you have 8 garlic knots.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the air fryer is preheated, add the garlic knots in a single layer.
Air fry for 8 minutes.
Remove the garlic knots from the air fryer. Toss them in a large bowl with olive oil, minced garlic and Italian seasoning, or brush them with the olive oil mixture.
Add the garlic knots to a serving dish and top with lemon zest and flaky salt.
Hint: Serve immediately while warm. Serve with tomato dipping sauce if desired. They are also great on their own or served with soup!
Tips and Tricks
- If the pizza dough is sticky you may want to have some flour to use as you roll and shape the knots.
- Use the olive oil mixture AFTER the garlic knots cook in the air fryer. Adding it before cooking will cause the garlic to burn. The knots will cook perfectly without adding any oil to the air fryer.
- Don’t over crowd the air fryer or they will end up sticking together. I can fit all 8 into my air fryer but you may have to work in batches if you have a smaller air fryer.
Storing and Freezing
Store the garlic knots in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days. If you are storing them any longer I recommend putting them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
You can freeze garlic knots but I recommend doing so before tossing them in garlic and oil. To reheat the garlic knots, simply add them to the air fryer for 2 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Frequently Asked Questions
It only takes 8 minutes to air fry garlic knots from dough. Using the air fryer is slightly quicker than using the oven, plus you won’t heat up the entire house with the oven.
Yes you can make garlic knots using pizza dough in the oven (instead of the air fryer). Follow the same recipe but preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. After the oven is preheated, bake the garlic knots for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned on the top.
Yes this recipe is vegan because we use olive oil instead of butter to create a delicious garlic herb coating. Double check the ingredients on the pizza dough to make sure it is dairy-free.
Air Fryer Garlic Knots with Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 1 package premade pizza dough 1 pound of dough
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced or grated
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch of Flaky salt
Optional:
- Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Mix together the olive oil, garlic and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Divide the premade pizza dough into 8 equal sized pieces. Sprinkle the flour on your work surface to prevent the dough from sticking
- Roll each piece of dough into a log shape, about 6-8 inches long.
- Tie each long piece of dough into a knot.
- Tuck the ends of the dough behind the knot. Repeat with each piece until you have 8 garlic knots.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the air fryer is preheated, add the garlic knots in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch.
- Air fry the garlic knots for 8 minutes.
- Remove the garlic knots from the air fryer. Toss them in a large bowl with the extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Mix until they are evenly coated.
- Add the garlic knots to a serving dish and top with flaky salt if desired.
Notes
- If the pizza dough is sticky you may want to have some flour to use as you roll and shape the knots.
Use the olive oil mixture AFTER the garlic knots cook in the air fryer. Adding it before cooking will cause the garlic to burn. The knots will cook perfectly without adding any oil to the air fryer.
Joanne says
Look forward to making these in the air fryer, love the simplicity of the recipe!! Thank you.
Emily Toshiko says
I hope you enjoy them!
Em says
These are so easy to make when you need a quick side or appetizer. I always add extra garlic!