Air Fryer Pizza: Is It Possible?

Pizza cooked in an air fryer is not only possible but also a convenient, quick, and easy way to enjoy a pizza with a crispy crust and gooey cheese. The air fryer's fast cooking time means that toppings should be thinly sliced so they cook evenly and quickly. The pizza dough can be made from scratch or store-bought, and the air fryer can handle any thickness of crust.

Pizza dough preparation

Ingredients:

First, gather your ingredients. The exact quantities may vary depending on your recipe, but the basic ingredients for pizza dough are:

• Flour
• Water
• Yeast
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Sugar (optional)

Mixing the Dough:

In a stand mixer or a large bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for about 10 minutes. The yeast will feed on the sugar and become activated, releasing bubbles. This step is essential for the dough to rise properly.

Once the yeast mixture is bubbly, add the flour, olive oil, and salt. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment and knead the mixture on medium speed until a smooth dough forms. If mixing by hand, combine the ingredients and then turn them out onto a floured surface to knead. Knead the dough for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Proofing:

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let the dough rest in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles in size. This process, known as proofing, allows the yeast to work and the dough to become airy and light. Depending on the room temperature, proofing can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Shaping the Dough:

Once the dough has proofed, it's time to shape it. Divide the dough into four equal parts to make personal-sized pizzas. Use a rolling pin to roll each piece into a thin, round shape, ensuring it will fit in your air fryer basket. If you prefer a thicker crust, roll the dough to your desired thickness, keeping in mind the size of your air fryer.

Parchment Paper:

Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper. Parchment paper helps to easily transfer the dough into the air fryer and prevents sticking. Cut the parchment paper to a size that is slightly larger than your crust to avoid blocking airflow.

Pre-Cooking the Crust:

Place the shaped dough onto the parchment paper in the air fryer. Lightly brush or spray the dough with olive oil and prick it in several places with a fork. This step helps create a crispy crust and prevents the dough from puffing up too much. Pre-cook the crust at 375°F to 400°F for about 3 minutes, then remove the basket and flip the crust over.

Now you have a pre-cooked pizza crust ready for your desired toppings!

Air fryer settings

Air fryers can be used to cook pizzas from scratch, reheat leftover pizzas, or cook frozen pizzas. The settings you use will depend on the type of pizza you are cooking, the thickness of the crust, and your personal preferences.

Cooking Pizzas from Scratch

When cooking a pizza from scratch in an air fryer, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to a temperature between 375°F and 400°F (190°C to 205°C). The pizza crust should be cooked first, for around 3 minutes, and then flipped over to prevent a white bottom. The toppings are then added, and the pizza is cooked for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. The total cooking time for a pizza from scratch is around 6-8 minutes.

Reheating Leftover Pizzas

To reheat leftover pizza in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 370°F. Place the pizza in the air fryer basket and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until hot and crispy.

Cooking Frozen Pizzas

To cook a frozen pizza in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 370°F. Place the frozen pizza in the air fryer basket and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.

Other Considerations

When cooking pizza in an air fryer, it is important to use parchment paper to allow airflow and prevent the pizza from sticking. The type of cheese and toppings used are up to personal preference, but it is recommended to pat mozzarella dry with paper towels before adding it to the pizza to prevent a soggy pizza. Additionally, thinner crusts should be baked on parchment, while thicker crusts will need the support of a pan.

Toppings and customisation

The best part about making pizza in an air fryer is the ease of customisation. You can add any toppings you like, and it cooks beautifully! The cooking time is no more than 10 minutes in total. If you use a pre-made crust or base, you can have pizza in as little as 6 minutes.

You can use any blend of cheese that you like. A classic combination is mozzarella and Parmesan, or mozzarella and cheddar. You can also add a few cubes of mozzarella to give those irresistible cheese pulls when you grab a slice. If you're using shredded cheese, it melts more evenly and quickly.

If you're using fresh mozzarella balls, you can drain them by leaving them to soak on kitchen paper, covered in the fridge, for a few hours or overnight. This will help the cheese retain its shape during cooking.

Pepperoni is a classic topping, but feel free to get creative. You can add anything from bell peppers to mushrooms or cooked ground beef. If you like spicy, sweet, and savoury flavours, try a combination of crumbled bacon, thin slices of jalapeno, and chunks of pineapple.

If you're making a Margherita pizza, you can use basil pesto instead of fresh or dried basil. It's packed with more flavour and is easy to make at home.

If you're using toppings that take longer to cook, like meat or vegetables, you can pre-cook them before adding them to your pizza. This will ensure that your toppings are cooked evenly and that your pizza doesn't get soggy.

You can also customise your pizza dough. If you want a chewy yet soft crust, you can use naan bread dough. For a thicker crust, you'll need to use a pan to support the dough in the air fryer. You can also make a gluten-free crust by using a specific gluten-free recipe.

Cooking time

The cooking time for pizza in an air fryer varies depending on the type of crust and the number of toppings.

For a simple thin crust pizza with a small number of toppings, the cooking time is typically around 6 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you are using a thicker crust or a larger number of toppings, the cooking time may need to be increased to 8-10 minutes.

It is recommended to cook the dough for 3 minutes before adding any toppings. This helps to ensure that the dough is cooked thoroughly and prevents it from becoming soggy. After adding the toppings, the pizza should be cooked for an additional 6-7 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the crust is golden and crispy.

If you are using a frozen pizza, the cooking time may be longer, around 6-8 minutes. It is important to preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit before cooking frozen pizzas.

The beauty of cooking pizza in an air fryer is that you can customize the toppings and crust to your liking without worrying about the cooking time. Whether you prefer a thin and crispy crust or a thicker, softer crust, the air fryer can accommodate your preferences. Simply keep an eye on the pizza and adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Serving suggestions

Pizza cooked in an air fryer can be served with a side salad or garlic bread to make it a complete meal. It can also be paired with a chilled glass of beer or wine.

If you are reheating leftover pizza, preheat the air fryer to 350°F. You can also reheat pizza in the air fryer if it has gone cold while you eat it; simply place it back in the air fryer for a minute or so to regain its heat.

If you are cooking pizza for a larger group, it may be more practical to pre-bake the dough and then add the toppings afterward, as this will save time. You can also make the dough and sauce in advance and store them in the fridge for up to two days.

If you are making your own dough, you can use a simple combination of flour, baking powder, salt, and yogurt, or a more complex mixture of warm water, sugar, yeast, flour, olive oil, and salt. You can also use store-bought dough, or a naan bread or flatbread as a base.

When it comes to toppings, you can add any that you like, but remember that the air fryer's fast cooking time means toppings should be thinly sliced so they cook evenly and quickly. You can add the toppings before cooking the pizza, or halfway through the cooking process to allow the base to cook more thoroughly. If you are using cheese, it is recommended to add this last, as other toppings may blow off while cooking.

Frequently asked questions