Italian Pizza Burgers

• • 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage (you can also use ground pork or beef, but Italian sausage adds great flavor)
  • 1 sheet of puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onions
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 large egg (for egg wash)
  • Olive oil spray (for crispiness)
• For the Dipping Sauce (Optional):
  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Sausage Filling:

• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the Italian sausage, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped onions, minced garlic, fresh parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to thoroughly mix the ingredients until the sausage mixture is well-combined. If the mixture feels too sticky, you can add a little more Parmesan cheese to help bind it.
• Set aside.

2. Prepare the Puff Pastry:

• On a clean surface, roll out the sheet of puff pastry to smooth out any folds.
• Cut the puff pastry into long rectangles (about 3-4 inches wide). Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cut them smaller to fit. You should aim to create at least 4 to 6 rolls.
• If using a larger piece of pastry, cut it into manageable pieces to ensure they fit in your air fryer.

3. Form the Sausage Rolls:

• Place a spoonful of the sausage mixture onto the edge of each rectangle of pastry. Make sure to leave space on the sides so the pastry can be folded over easily.
• Roll up the pastry over the sausage mixture, like you would with a wrap or a burrito. Pinch the edges of the pastry to seal it closed. If needed, you can use a little bit of water to help seal the edges.
• Beat the egg in a small bowl and brush the egg wash over the top of each sausage roll to help them turn golden and crispy when cooked.

4. Cook the Sausage Rolls in the Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking, or line it with parchment paper.
• Arrange the sausage rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren’t touching. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Air fry the sausage rolls at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the pastry is golden brown and crispy, and the sausage is fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 160°F or 71°C).

5. Prepare the Dipping Sauce (Optional):

• While the sausage rolls are cooking, combine the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Serve the dipping sauce alongside the sausage rolls.

6. Serve:

• Once the sausage rolls are cooked and golden, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. Pair them with the marinara dipping sauce and enjoy!

Notes:

• You can also make these sausage rolls with chicken sausage or a vegetarian sausage alternative for a lighter or plant-based option.
• Feel free to add additional herbs or spices (such as red pepper flakes for a bit of heat) to the sausage mixture.
• If you don’t have puff pastry, you can substitute it with shortcrust pastry for a more traditional texture.
• For extra flavor, try adding grated mozzarella cheese or sautéed mushrooms to the sausage mixture.

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Italian Pizza Burgers (Air Fryer Version)

Ingredients:

• For the Burgers:
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 hamburger buns (preferably soft and toasted)
• Toppings:
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (or cooked Italian sausage, or any Italian meat of your choice)
  • 1 medium tomato, sliced
  • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
  • Fresh basil leaves (optional)
• For the Garlic Butter (Optional):
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Burger Patties:

• In a bowl, combine the ground beef (or turkey), garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the seasonings throughout the meat.
• Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape them into burger patties. You can make them slightly larger than your buns to account for shrinkage during cooking.

2. Preheat the Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.

3. Cook the Burger Patties:

• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
• Place the burger patties in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping.
• Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) for beef or 165°F (74°C) for turkey.

4. Prepare the Garlic Butter (Optional):

• While the burgers are cooking, mix the melted butter with minced garlic and Italian seasoning.
• Brush the garlic butter onto the hamburger buns. Toast them lightly in a separate pan or in the air fryer for about 3-4 minutes at 350°F (175°C), or until golden and crispy.

5. Assemble the Italian Pizza Burgers:

• Once the burgers are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and set them aside for a moment.
• Place the bottom half of each toasted bun on a plate.
• Spoon a generous amount of marinara sauce over the patty.
• Add a handful of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
• If you’re using pepperoni, sausage, or any other Italian meat, layer them on top of the cheese.
• Add a few slices of fresh tomato and red onion to the burger.
• If desired, sprinkle some extra Italian seasoning or fresh basil leaves for garnish.

6. Melt the Cheese:

• Place the assembled burgers (with cheese) in the air fryer basket, and air fry for another 2-3 minutes at 375°F (190°C) until the cheese melts and the toppings are heated through.

7. Serve:

• Remove the burgers from the air fryer, top with the other half of the toasted buns, and serve immediately.
• Optionally, serve with a side of crispy fries or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

Notes:

• Feel free to customize the toppings to your preference—black olives, mushrooms, bell peppers, or even anchovies can make great additions for a more pizza-like experience.
• If you prefer a thicker burger, consider adding a little bit of breadcrumbs or egg to the meat mixture to bind it.
• The marinara sauce can be homemade for a more authentic flavor. You can also add some red pepper flakes to the sauce if you like a bit of spice.

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Conclusion:

Both the Air Fryer Sausage Rolls and Italian Pizza Burgers are crowd-pleasing, flavorful dishes that combine the convenience of the air fryer with classic Italian-inspired ingredients. With minimal prep time and easy-to-follow steps, these recipes make for a great dinner or game day treat. Whether you’re in the mood for a savory snack like sausage rolls or a hearty meal like pizza burgers, these recipes offer a perfect balance of indulgent comfort food with a quick and efficient cooking method.