Start by rolling out your prepared pizza dough on a floured surface, aiming for an even thickness. Cut the dough into 8 equal squares, each large enough to encase the filling. Keep covered with a clean kitchen towel to avoid drying out.

In the center of each dough square, place approximately 1 tsp of pizza sauce, followed by 3 slices of pepperoni and 1 cube of mozzarella cheese. Push down slightly to make room for sealing.

Gather the edges of the dough over the filling and pinch them together firmly to seal. Shape into a ball, ensuring no leaks. Wrap each ball with kitchen twine to create a pumpkin effect.

In a small bowl, beat 1 large egg with ½ tsp of paprika and ½ tsp of turmeric. Brush this mixture over each pumpkin-shaped dough ball for a golden color when air-fried.

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the stuffed pumpkins inside ensuring space between them. Air fry for 5 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until golden.

Remove twine after cooking. Garnish each pumpkin with a pretzel twist 'stem' and a sprig of fresh basil. Serve hot alongside extra pizza sauce for dipping.