Air Fryer Pizza: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can bake a pizza in an air fryer! It's a quick and easy way to make a pizza that's ready in less than 10 minutes. The air fryer gives you a perfectly crispy bottom crust that can be difficult to achieve in a traditional oven. You can use store-bought or homemade pizza dough, and load it up with your favourite toppings.

Pre-baking the crust

First, prepare your pizza dough by rolling it out thinly and shaping it into a circle. You can use store-bought or homemade dough, but ensure it fits your air fryer basket. Spray the basket with olive oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Then, prick the dough all over with a fork to help it bake evenly and flat.

Next, preheat your air fryer to around 375-400°F (190°C). Place the dough in the basket and pre-bake for about 1-3 minutes. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't overcook or fold. Then, flip the dough and cook for another 1-3 minutes. This step ensures that your crust gets crispy without overcooking the toppings later.

Once the crust is lightly golden, remove it from the air fryer. If you're making a thin-crust pizza and your air fryer doesn't have a bottom heating element, use tongs to flip the crust. This step ensures even browning on both sides.

Now your crust is ready for toppings! Add your sauce, cheese, and desired toppings. Just remember, if you're making a thick-crust pizza, you might want to add the toppings after the initial bake, as thicker crusts need more time to cook through.

Finally, place the pizza back in the air fryer and cook at 375°F for about 7-9 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer, so check frequently to avoid overcooking.

Choosing toppings

When it comes to choosing toppings for your air fryer pizza, the possibilities are endless. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you decide:

Choose Your Cheese

Cheese is a must-have topping for pizza, and there are several options to consider. Mozzarella is a classic choice, known for its stretchy, gooey texture and rich flavour. Buffalo mozzarella, in particular, has a higher moisture content, ensuring it stays soft and creamy even after baking. You can also use other types of cheese, such as Parmesan, which adds a sharp, nutty flavour. For a more indulgent option, try a mix of cheeses like mozzarella, Pecorino, and cheddar.

Meat Toppings

If you're a meat lover, there are plenty of options to choose from. Pepperoni is a classic choice and adds a spicy kick to your pizza. Other options include cooked shredded chicken, sirloin steak, and even pepperoni. If you're looking for something different, why not try salami, bacon, or sausage? Just remember that meat toppings may take longer to cook, so consider pre-cooking them slightly to ensure they're fully cooked through.

Vegetable Toppings

Vegetables add colour, texture, and nutrients to your pizza. Popular options include onions, peppers (both green and red), mushrooms, and olives. If you're feeling adventurous, try something different like spinach, artichokes, or sun-dried tomatoes. You can also use fresh herbs like basil to add a burst of flavour. Just be mindful that some vegetables, like peppers and onions, may take longer to cook, so consider pre-cooking them slightly to speed up the cooking process.

Other Topping Ideas

Why not get creative and experiment with unique topping combinations? Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Caramelized onion and Brussels sprout pizza
• Three-cheese roasted grape pizza
• Gorgonzola pear pizza
• Beet pesto pizza with goat cheese and kale
• Spicy pepperoni and jalapeño pizza
• BBQ chicken and red onion pizza
• Mushroom and spinach pizza
• Pineapple and ham pizza

Tips for Adding Toppings

When adding toppings to your air fryer pizza, keep these tips in mind:

• Add the cheese first: Start by spreading your sauce, then add a layer of cheese before adding any other toppings. This will help anchor the toppings and prevent them from flying off during cooking.
• Be mindful of cooking times: Some toppings, like meats and vegetables, may take longer to cook. Pre-cooking them slightly can help speed up the overall cooking process and ensure everything is cooked through.
• Use a rack: To prevent toppings from blowing around in the air fryer, place a rack over your pizza while it cooks. This will help keep everything in place.
• Don't overload the pizza: It's best not to overload your pizza with too many toppings, as this can affect cooking times and make it difficult for the heat to penetrate the pizza properly.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for air-fried pizza will depend on the type of crust you want and the toppings you choose.

If you're making a thin crust, you'll need to pre-bake the crust for around 3 minutes at 375°F (190°C) to 400°F (204°C). Then, add your toppings and cook for another 7 to 8 minutes at the same temperature.

For a thicker crust, you'll also want to pre-bake the crust, but this time for around 8 to 10 minutes at 400°F (204°C). Then, add your toppings and continue baking for about 15 minutes.

Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer brand and size, so it's important to check on your pizza frequently to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn.

Additionally, if your air fryer doesn't have a bottom heating element, you may need to flip your pizza crust halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.

When reheating leftover pizza in the air fryer, set the temperature to 320°F to 325°F (160°C-165°C) and cook for 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

To reheat your pizza, first, take it out of the fridge. Then, preheat your air fryer to 320-370 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, cook your pizza for 2-5 minutes, or until hot and crispy.

If you are reheating frozen pizza, you may want to cook it for a little longer—around 6-8 minutes.

Making frozen pizza in an air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Pizza Crust

• Start by preheating your air fryer. Most recipes recommend preheating between 375-400°F (190-204°C). This step is important to ensure your pizza cooks evenly.
• While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your pizza crust. If you're using frozen pizza dough, follow the package instructions to thaw and roll it out. For a thin and crispy crust, roll it out to less than 1/4 inch thick.
• If your air fryer basket is prone to sticking, consider spraying it with olive oil or lining it with a parchment paper liner. This will make it easier to remove your pizza once it's cooked.

Step 2: Pre-Bake the Crust

• Place the pizza crust in the air fryer basket and pre-bake it for 1-3 minutes. This step helps create a crispy base for your pizza.
• Keep a close eye on the crust during this step, as it can quickly burn or fold in on itself.
• Once the crust is lightly browned, flip it over and cook the other side for an additional 1-3 minutes.

Step 3: Add Toppings

• Remove the pre-baked crust from the air fryer and start adding your desired toppings.
• It's best to add the cheese first, as it will help weigh down the other toppings and prevent them from blowing off during cooking.
• Be generous with your toppings, but don't overload the pizza, as this can affect cooking times and the overall crispiness of your pizza.

Step 4: Cook the Pizza

• Lower the air fryer temperature to around 370°F (188°C) and place the topped pizza back into the air fryer.
• Cook the pizza for 4-8 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. The pizza is ready when the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown and crispy.
• If you're concerned about toppings blowing off, you can place an air fryer rack or another type of lid over the pizza during cooking.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

• Carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer and let it cool down slightly before serving.
• Air-fried pizza is best served fresh, but if you have any leftovers, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer. Simply preheat the air fryer to 320-370°F (160-188°C) and cook the pizza for 2-5 minutes until crispy.

Frequently asked questions