4 servingsair fryas needed

Pumpkin-Shaped Mozzarella Buns

By Instant Pot Culinary Team

Icon of two silouettes of people

4 Servings

Pumpkin-Shaped Mozzarella Buns
Red background with darker red circles

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 35 min

Cook Time: 5 min

Cooking Technique: Air Fry

Diet: Vegetarian

Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 24 mini mozzarella balls
  • 1 Pillsbury Crescent Dough sheet
  • 24 pretzel sticks
  • ¾ cup marinara sauce, for serving
  • Kitchen twine, as needed
These cute little pumpkins are perfect to serve at your next Halloween party! While it takes a bit of time to tie the strings, we promise the end result will be worth it. Part dinner roll, part mozzarella stick, these are sure to please both kids and adults alike!

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Spread the crescent dough sheet on a cutting board. Cut the dough into 24 even squares.
  2. Place a mozzarella ball in the center of each square. Fold the corners around the ball and pinch to close. Gently roll the ball in your hands to ensure all seams are closed.
  3. Cut three even strands of kitchen twine about 5-inches long. Place one on the cutting board, then another on top in a crisscross fashion about 1/3 to the right, and then top with the last one further 1/3 to the right, creating a wheel with spokes. Place the dough-covered mozzarella ball in the center of the strings. Firmly tie each string over the top of the center of the ball. Cut off any excess string and repeat as necessary.
  4. Place the balls in the air fryer basket, careful to not overcrowd the basket. Air Fry at 350°F / 175°C for 4-6 Minutes, or until golden brown. Overcook, and the mozzarella will burst through the dough. Repeat air frying as necessary with remaining mozzarella balls.
  5. Using a knife or kitchen scissors, carefully snip away all the strings. Stick a small pretzel stick in the center of each ball to look like a stem. Serve warm or room temperature with the marinara sauce.

About the chef

Instant Pot® Culinary Team

Instant Pot® Culinary Team

When life’s moving fast and dinner needs to happen faster, the Instant Pot Culinary Team is here to make it deliciously doable. We cook up recipes for every Instant Pot appliance you’ve got your hands on—so whether you’re tackling Tuesday night or going all-out for the weekend, you’ll have the flavor without the fuss. No overthinking, no babysitting, just good food that works with your schedule (not against it).

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