Air Fryer Frozen Pizza: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen pizza. They can cook a frozen pizza in under 10 minutes, which is much quicker than a conventional oven. The convection heating in an air fryer cooks the pizza evenly, resulting in a crispy crust and melted cheese. The size of the pizza and the type of air fryer will determine the cooking time and temperature. For example, a mini pizza will take around 5 minutes to cook, while a large pizza can take up to 15 minutes. The ideal temperature for cooking frozen pizza is between 380-400°F.

Preheat settings and timings

For a small, personal pizza, preheat your air fryer to 380°F to 400°F and cook for 6 to 10 minutes. If you are cooking a frozen French bread pizza or Ellio's pizza, lower the temperature to 350°F and cook for about 5 minutes. For a personal frozen deep-dish pizza, such as Red Baron's, keep the temperature at 400°F but only cook for 6 to 8 minutes.

If you are cooking a gluten-free pizza with a cauliflower crust, preheat your air fryer to 380°F and cook for 9 to 11 minutes. However, check the pizza at the halfway mark and rotate it for even cooking. For an extra crispy base, add an additional minute to the cooking time.

For a thicker crust, you may need to increase the cooking time. If your pizza is burning on top before the crust is cooked, try spraying a light layer of oil on top of the pizza to prevent the toppings from burning.

If you are reheating leftover pizza in the air fryer, there is no need to preheat the appliance. Set the temperature to 350°F and cook for 2 to 4 minutes, depending on whether your crust is thin or thick.

Pizza sizes and types

Pizza comes in many shapes and sizes, and you can cook them all in an air fryer! From frozen French Bread Pizza to Deep Dish Pizza to Ellio's rectangle pizza, there's a way to cook your pizza in an air fryer to achieve the perfect level of crispiness.

If you're cooking a small frozen personal pizza or mini pizza, you should set your air fryer to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for around 5 to 8 minutes. For a frozen French bread pizza, 350 degrees for about 5 minutes should do the trick. If you're cooking a personal frozen deep-dish pizza, set your air fryer to 400 degrees and cook for 6 to 8 minutes. For an Ellio's pizza, 350 degrees for about 5 minutes, adding a little extra cheese in the last minute, will give you a delicious, crispy pizza.

If you're cooking a larger pizza, you'll need to adjust your cooking time and temperature accordingly. As a rule of thumb, larger pizzas will take longer to cook and should be cooked at a lower temperature.

You can also cut an uncooked frozen pizza into slices and put them in the air fryer for a quick, crispy slice!

Reheating pizza

• Preheat your air fryer to 325-350°F (160-180°C).
• Place your cold pizza slices in the air fryer basket or oven-style air fryer, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. For oven-style air fryers, place the slices on a baking tray with space between them.
• Cook the pizza for 3-6 minutes, depending on the thickness of the crust. For thin crusts, 2-4 minutes is usually enough, while thicker crusts may need up to 6 minutes. Check the pizza regularly to ensure it doesn't burn.
• If you're using an oven-style air fryer, remember that the higher the shelf, the quicker the pizza will reheat.
• Once the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted, carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer and enjoy!

Some additional tips for reheating pizza in an air fryer:

• If your pizza is starting to brown too much, especially near the crust, turn the heat down by 25-30°F.
• Use parchment paper or a silicone liner for easy cleanup.
• If you want extra crispy slices, spray them with a little olive oil before cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket or tray. Leave space between the slices to allow for even cooking and proper reheating.
• If your toppings are at risk of burning, remove them before reheating and add them back during the last 1-2 minutes.

Storing leftover pizza

Yes, you can cook frozen pizza in an air fryer. The crust ends up crispy while the cheese melts at the perfect rate. Here are some tips on how to do it:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F.
• Place the frozen pizza in the air fryer and cook for 6 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the crust, or until the pizza is hot and the cheese has melted.
• If you are cooking a small frozen personal pizza (mini pizza), cook it at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes.
• For frozen French bread pizza, cook at 350°F for about 5 minutes.
• For personal frozen deep-dish pizza, cook at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes.
• If you want to add a little extra cheese to your pizza, add it in the last minute of cooking.
• You can also cut an uncooked frozen pizza into slices and put them in the air fryer for a quick slice.

Now, for storing leftover pizza:

Leftover pizza should not be stored in its box in the refrigerator, as the cardboard and freely circulating air will cause the slices to dehydrate. Instead, use one of the following methods to store leftover pizza:

Method 1: Stack in a Resealable Bag

Let the remaining slices cool down, then stack them into a resealable bag. Place the bag in the refrigerator. If you have an airtight container large enough to hold the slices, you can use that instead.

Method 2: Layer and Wrap Tightly in Plastic Wrap

Place a single layer of slices on a dinner plate. Top with a layer of wax, freezer, foil, or parchment paper. Keep stacking, alternating pizza and paper, until all the pizza is on the plate. Wrap the stack tightly in plastic wrap before placing it in the refrigerator.

Properly stored leftover pizza will retain its quality for three to four days in the refrigerator or up to two months in the freezer.

Toppings

Meats

Pepperoni, sausage, ham, Canadian bacon, ground beef, and bacon are all great options to add some savoury flavour to your pizza.

Pineapple

Yes, pineapple on pizza is a divisive topic, but if you're a fan, go for it!

Vegetables

Try mushrooms, onions, olives, peppers, or tomatoes for added texture and flavour.

Seasonings

Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and onion salt can take your pizza to the next level.

Extra Cheese

For an extra gooey slice, add some more cheese to your pizza during the last minute of cooking.

Remember, the beauty of making pizza at home is that you can customise it to your liking. So get creative and experiment with different combinations of toppings to find your favourite!

Frequently asked questions