Air Fryer Pizza: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can bake pizza in an air fryer! It's a quick and easy way to enjoy homemade pizza, and you can get that crispy crust and gooey cheese without heating up your entire kitchen. The best part? You can personalise your pizza with your favourite ingredients, adding texture, flavour, and variety to each bite.

Pre-made vs. homemade pizza dough

There are several options when it comes to pizza dough for your air fryer pizza. You can use pre-made dough, which is a convenient, time-saving option, or you can make your own dough from scratch for a more personalised and homemade touch. Both options will yield delicious results, and it's a matter of preference and convenience. Here's a detailed look at the pros and cons of each choice:

Pre-made Pizza Dough

Pre-made pizza dough, either store-bought or from a local bakery, offers a quick and easy solution for your air fryer pizza. It saves you the time and effort of making dough from scratch, which can be particularly useful if you're short on time or don't enjoy the dough-making process. Pre-made dough is typically already rolled out to the perfect thickness, saving you another step in the pizza-making process. Additionally, pre-made dough often comes in a variety of flavours and thicknesses, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your taste and preferences.

However, one potential downside of pre-made dough is that it may not offer the same level of customisation as making your own. You are limited to the options available, and it may be more challenging to find specific flavours or dietary requirements. Nonetheless, pre-made dough is an excellent choice for convenience and ease of use, especially if you're looking for a quick and tasty weeknight meal.

Homemade Pizza Dough

Making your own pizza dough from scratch allows for a high level of customisation and creativity. You can control the ingredients, ensuring that the dough suits your taste and any dietary needs. For example, if you prefer a thinner and crispier crust, you can roll out the dough to your desired thickness. Additionally, making your own dough can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially if you enjoy the process of baking and cooking from scratch. It gives you the satisfaction of creating a meal entirely from scratch.

However, making homemade pizza dough does require more time and effort. You'll need to plan ahead, as the dough often needs time to rise and rest before being rolled out. Additionally, making dough from scratch may be more cost-effective if you're on a budget, as you'll need to purchase all the individual ingredients. Nonetheless, for those who enjoy the process and have the time, homemade pizza dough can elevate your air fryer pizza experience.

In conclusion, both pre-made and homemade pizza dough options have their advantages and disadvantages. Pre-made dough offers convenience and saves time, while homemade dough allows for customisation and a more personalised touch. Ultimately, the choice depends on your personal preferences, the amount of time you have available, and your level of interest in the pizza-making process. Whichever option you choose, you're sure to enjoy a delicious air fryer pizza!

Pizza sauce

Choosing Your Sauce

The beauty of making pizza at home is that you can choose your favourite sauce or even make it yourself. You can opt for a store-bought pizza sauce, tomato sauce, marinara sauce, or tomato basil sauce. If you're feeling adventurous, you can make your own marinara sauce from scratch, which is sure to impress.

Preparing the Sauce

If you're using a store-bought sauce, simply open the jar or bottle and get ready to spread it on your pizza dough. If you're making your own sauce, here's a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Garlic, minced
• Onion, finely chopped
• Basil, fresh or dried
• Oregano, fresh or dried
• Bay leaf
• Canned crushed tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Heat a saucepan over medium heat and add a generous glug of olive oil.
• Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing until translucent.
• Toss in your herbs (basil, oregano, and bay leaf) and give them a quick stir to release their flavours.
• Pour in the crushed tomatoes and give everything a good mix.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes on low heat, allowing the flavours to meld.
• Remove the bay leaf and let the sauce cool before using it on your pizza.

Assembling the Pizza

Once you have your sauce ready, it's time to assemble your pizza. Here are the steps:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
• Prepare your air fryer basket by lining it with parchment paper or spraying it with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Roll out your pizza dough on a floured surface to fit the size of your air fryer basket.
• Carefully transfer the dough into the air fryer basket.
• Spread a light layer of your chosen pizza sauce over the dough.
• Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
• Add your desired toppings—pepperoni, onions, peppers, or anything you like!
• Air fry your pizza for about 7-10 minutes, keeping an eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. The pizza is done when the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
• Remove the pizza from the air fryer carefully and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.

There you have it! A delicious, homemade pizza with a perfectly cooked crust and a tasty sauce, all made possible by your air fryer. Enjoy!

Cheese

Air-Frying Pizza with Cheese

Air-frying pizza is a quick and easy way to enjoy a pizza with a crispy crust and melted cheese. Here are some tips and instructions for achieving the perfect air-fried pizza with cheese.

Mozzarella cheese is the classic choice for pizza as it melts beautifully, creating a gooey and stretchy texture. You can use shredded or sliced mozzarella, with shredded mozzarella being easier to sprinkle over your pizza.

However, you can also experiment with different types of cheese to suit your taste preferences. Some alternatives to mozzarella include:

• Cheddar
• Parmesan
• Asiago
• Monterey Jack
• American cheese
• A blend of cheeses

Preparing the Cheese

When preparing your pizza, it is recommended to pre-cook the crust for about 3 minutes to achieve a crispy base. After flipping the crust, you can add your desired toppings, including the cheese.

For the cheese itself, you can simply sprinkle or layer it over your pizza sauce. If you are using sliced mozzarella, you may want to cut it into chunks for easier melting.

Additionally, you can lightly drizzle extra virgin olive oil in a circle over the cheese. This step is optional but adds a nice flavour to the pizza.

Cooking the Pizza

Once your pizza is assembled, it's time to air-fry it! Set your air fryer to 350-380°F (180-190°C) and cook your pizza for about 6-8 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on your pizza to ensure it doesn't burn.

Your pizza is done when the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove it from the air fryer carefully, let it cool down a bit, and then dig in!

Toppings

When it comes to toppings for your air fryer pizza, the sky's the limit! You can personalise your pizza with your favourite ingredients, adding texture, flavour, and variety to each bite.

• Pepperoni
• Salami
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Garlic
• Bell peppers
• Tomatoes
• Basil leaves
• Olives
• Steak
• Red peppers

When adding toppings to your pizza, it's important not to overload the pizza as this can affect the cooking time and the overall taste. It's also a good idea to add a sprinkle of cheese over your toppings to help anchor them and prevent them from flying around the air fryer.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of toppings to find your perfect pizza!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for baking pizza in an air fryer depend on the type of pizza you are making and the brand of air fryer you are using.

For a pizza made with pita bread as its base, the temperature should be set to 350°F (176.6°C) and the cooking time should be around 6 minutes. However, it is important to keep an eye on the pizza as it cooks, as the timing may vary depending on the brand of air fryer. Some air fryers may cook the pizza in 5 minutes, while others may take up to 7 minutes.

For a pizza made with a standard dough base, the temperature should be set to 375°F (190°C). The cooking time for this type of pizza is typically between 8 and 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Again, it is important to monitor the pizza during cooking, as the timing may vary depending on the brand and size of the air fryer.

When making pizza in an air fryer, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the pizza. This helps to ensure even cooking and a crispy crust. Additionally, it is worth noting that air fryers tend to cook pizzas more quickly than traditional ovens, so adjustments may need to be made to your usual cooking times.

Frequently asked questions