Irresistible 30-Minute Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Rolls

Oh my gosh, you HAVE to try these Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Rolls! I stumbled upon this combo one night when I needed something quick but didn’t want to sacrifice flavor – and wow, did it deliver. The air fryer works magic here, turning simple crescent rolls into golden pockets of crispy goodness while keeping the BBQ chicken filling juicy and tender inside.

What I love most is how ridiculously easy these are. From fridge to table in under 30 minutes? Yes please! That tangy BBQ sauce mixed with melty cheese and shredded chicken creates this perfect balance that makes everyone at my house come running when they smell it cooking. And the texture? Absolute perfection – crispy outside, soft inside, with just enough chew to make each bite satisfying.

These rolls have become my go-to when friends drop by unexpectedly or when I need a quick appetizer that looks fancier than it is. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be hooked!

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Rolls

Let me tell you why these little rolls have become my kitchen MVP:

• Crazy fast cooking: We’re talking 8-10 minutes in the air fryer – faster than ordering takeout!
• That perfect crunch: The air fryer gives these rolls an irresistible golden crispiness without any deep-frying mess.
• Minimal cleanup: Just one mixing bowl and the air fryer basket – my kind of cooking!
• Crowd-pleasing magic: The combo of smoky BBQ sauce, melty cheese, and tender chicken makes everyone ask for seconds.
• Versatile superstar: Perfect as appetizers, game day snacks, or even a quick dinner with a side salad.

Seriously, these Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Rolls check all the boxes – delicious, easy, and guaranteed to disappear fast!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Rolls

Here’s what you’ll need to make these irresistible rolls – I promise it’s all simple stuff you might already have on hand! The secret is using quality ingredients and prepping them just right:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded – I always grab a rotisserie chicken to save time, but leftover grilled chicken works great too!
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce – Use your favorite brand – smoky, sweet, or spicy, it’s all good!
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor punch, but any melty cheese will do
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions – They add the perfect fresh crunch
• 1 package (8 count) refrigerated crescent roll dough – Keep it chilled until you’re ready to use it!
• 1 tbsp melted butter – For that gorgeous golden crust
• 1 tbsp garlic powder – My little flavor booster that makes all the difference

Pro tip: Have everything measured and ready to go before you start assembling – it makes the process so much smoother! And don’t skip chilling your dough if you’re not using it right away; warm dough is a nightmare to work with.

How to Make Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Rolls

Okay, let’s get to the fun part – making these irresistible rolls! I’ve made this recipe dozens of times, and I’ve learned all the little tricks to get them perfect every time. Follow these steps, and you’ll have golden, crispy rolls with that amazing BBQ chicken filling in no time.

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

First things first – grab a big mixing bowl and toss in your shredded chicken. I like to use my hands to break up any big chunks. Now pour in that glorious BBQ sauce – don’t be shy! The mixture should be well-coated but not swimming in sauce (think thick sandwich filling consistency).

Next comes the cheese – oh, that beautiful, melty cheese! Sprinkle it in along with the chopped green onions. Give everything a good stir until it’s evenly combined. You want every bite to have a bit of everything – chicken, sauce, cheese, and that fresh onion crunch.

Step 2: Assemble the Rolls

Here’s where the magic happens! Unroll your crescent dough and separate it into triangles. Now, take about 2 tablespoons of filling and plop it onto the wide end of each triangle. Don’t overfill – trust me, I’ve learned the hard way that less is more here!

Now for the rolling: start at the wide end and gently but firmly roll toward the point, tucking the sides in as you go to keep all that delicious filling inside. Pinch the ends to seal – this prevents any cheesy leaks during cooking. You’ll end up with these cute little stuffed crescent packages ready for the air fryer.

Step 3: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) – this is crucial for that perfect crispiness! While it’s heating, brush each roll with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder. That butter is going to give you that gorgeous golden color we all love.

Carefully place the rolls in the basket, leaving about an inch between them – they need room to puff up! Cook for 8-10 minutes, but start checking at 7 minutes (air fryers can vary). You’re looking for that deep golden brown color and crispy texture. If they’re browning too fast, just lower the temp by 25 degrees.

Pro tip: Let them cool for a minute before biting in – that filling gets HOT! But oh, that first crispy bite is absolutely worth the wait.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Rolls

After making these rolls more times than I can count, here are my foolproof tips for Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Rolls that’ll have everyone begging for the recipe:

• Rotisserie chicken is your friend! It saves SO much time and adds amazing flavor. Just shred it while it’s still warm – the meat pulls apart easier.
• Resist the urge to overfill! I know it’s tempting, but too much filling makes the rolls burst open. About 2 tablespoons per triangle is perfect.
• Check early, check often! Air fryers vary, so peek at 7 minutes – they might be done already! Better safe than burnt.
• Space is key! Crowding the basket leads to uneven cooking. Give each roll some breathing room.
• Serve immediately! These beauties are best piping hot when the cheese is gooey and the crust is at its crispiest.

Follow these simple tricks, and your Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Rolls will turn out restaurant-quality every single time!

Variations for Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Rolls

Oh, the possibilities with these rolls! Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, try these fun twists to keep things exciting:

• Buffalo chicken lovers: Swap the BBQ sauce for buffalo sauce and use blue cheese instead of cheddar – spicy perfection!
• Bacon boost: Mix in 1/4 cup cooked, crumbled bacon to the filling – because everything’s better with bacon, right?
• Southwest style: Add diced jalapeños and swap the BBQ sauce for chipotle mayo – hello, smoky heat!
• Italian twist: Use marinara instead of BBQ sauce and mozzarella cheese – like mini chicken parm rolls!

The beauty of these Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Rolls is how easily you can customize them to whatever flavors you’re craving. Get creative – I’d love to hear what combos you come up with!

Serving Suggestions

These rolls are delicious on their own, but oh boy, wait till you try them with my favorite dipping sauces! Ranch dressing is a classic pairing, but for something special, mix equal parts BBQ sauce and mayo – trust me, it’s addictive. For a light meal, serve with a crisp garden salad or some crunchy carrot and celery sticks. The contrast of the fresh veggies with the warm, cheesy rolls? Absolute perfection!

Storing and Reheating

These rolls are best fresh, but if you have leftovers (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes – they’ll crisp right back up like magic! No microwave sogginess here.

Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Rolls FAQs

I get asked these questions ALL the time about my Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Rolls, so let me share what I’ve learned through lots of trial and (happy) error!

Can I use homemade dough instead of crescent rolls?

Absolutely! While refrigerated crescent dough is super convenient, homemade dough works great too. Just roll it out to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into triangles. The key is keeping the dough chilled until you’re ready to use it – warm dough is a nightmare to work with!

How do I prevent sogginess?

Two secrets: First, don’t overdo the BBQ sauce – the filling should be moist but not dripping. Second, make sure your air fryer is fully preheated before adding the rolls. That initial blast of hot air is what creates that perfect crispy crust we all love.

Can I make these ahead of time?

You bet! Assemble the rolls up to 4 hours before cooking and keep them refrigerated. Just add a minute or two to the cooking time since they’ll be going in cold. The butter brushing and garlic sprinkle should wait until right before they go in the air fryer though!

What if my air fryer basket is small?

No worries – just cook in batches! Keep the waiting rolls in the fridge so the dough stays firm. And remember, crowding leads to steaming instead of crisping, so resist the urge to squeeze them all in at once.

Can I freeze these?

Yes, but with a caveat – they’re best fresh. If you must freeze, do it after cooking. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. The texture won’t be quite as perfect, but still delicious!

Nutritional Information

Here’s the scoop on what’s in these tasty rolls – but remember, these numbers are just estimates! Your actual counts might vary depending on the brands you use and how generous you are with that delicious filling. Each Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Roll comes in at about 220 calories, with 12g protein to keep you satisfied. They’ve got 5g sugar (mostly from the BBQ sauce) and 480mg sodium, so if you’re watching those, you might want to use a lower-sodium sauce. The beauty of homemade is you control the ingredients – swap in light cheese or sugar-free sauce if you prefer!

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