Air Fryer Pizza: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great alternative to cooking pizza in a conventional oven. They can be used to cook frozen pizzas, reheat leftover slices, or make pizzas from scratch. The main benefit of using an air fryer is that it doesn't heat up your kitchen, and it's also a more energy-efficient way of cooking. You can use store-bought pizza dough or make your own, and you can top your pizza with whatever you like. The only downside is that air fryers don't get hot enough to char the crust in the same way a conventional oven does, but you'll still get a golden brown, evenly baked crust.

Pre-cooking the crust

Firstly, prepare your pizza dough by rolling it out to fit the size of your air fryer basket. You can use store-bought or homemade dough, whichever you prefer. If using a package of refrigerated dough, cut it in half to make two personal-sized pizzas. Shape each piece into a circle, crimping the edges to form a crust.

Next, preheat your air fryer. Different recipes recommend different temperatures, ranging from 375°F to 380°F (190°C). It's worth noting that some recipes suggest preheating for about 5 minutes, while others advise preheating to the desired temperature. Lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking. You can also line it with parchment paper, which makes it easier to transfer the pizza in and out of the air fryer.

Now it's time to cook the crust. Place the dough in the air fryer basket and prick it in several places with a fork to prevent it from rising too much. Cook the crust for about 3 minutes. This step ensures that your crust will be crispy without overcooking the toppings.

After the initial cook, it's crucial to flip the crust over to prevent the bottom from remaining white. This is especially important if your air fryer doesn't have a bottom heating element. By flipping the crust, you ensure even cooking on both sides.

Once you've flipped the crust, you can proceed to add your desired toppings. However, if you want an extra crispy crust, there are a few additional steps you can take. One option is to cook the crust for another 3 minutes on the second side before adding any toppings. Alternatively, you can transfer the crust to a stovetop or frying pan to brown the bottom further before adding the toppings.

Remember, the key to a perfect air-fried pizza crust is to pre-cook it, flip it halfway through, and adjust the cooking time and temperature according to your air fryer's specifications.

Air fryer temperature and time

The temperature and time for cooking pizza in an air fryer depend on the type of pizza you are cooking. For example, the cooking time and temperature for frozen pizza will be different from fresh pizza.

If you are making a fresh pizza, you should preheat your air fryer to between 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The pizza should then cook for around 7-9 minutes. However, you should check the pizza regularly to ensure it doesn't burn.

If you are cooking a frozen pizza, you should reduce the temperature and cooking time suggested for a conventional oven. For example, if the packet suggests cooking the pizza at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, you should instead cook it at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes.

You can also reheat pizza in an air fryer. To do this, set the temperature to 320-325 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 4-5 minutes.

Pizza toppings

When it comes to pizza toppings, the sky's the limit! You can get creative and choose whatever toppings you like. Here are some classic combinations to get you started:

Classic Pizza:

• Pepperoni
• Bell peppers
• Onions

Seafood Pizza:

Try a seafood combination, such as shrimp, crab, or salmon with a white sauce.

Vegetarian Pizza:

• Sliced olives
• Bell peppers
• Red onion
• Sliced mushrooms

Meat Lovers Pizza:

• Seasoned ground beef
• Pepperoni
• Lots of cheese

Hawaiian Pizza:

• Ham
• Pineapple chunks

BBQ Chicken Pizza:

• Pre-cooked chicken
• Red onion
• BBQ sauce

Margherita Pizza:

• Fresh basil
• Tomato slices
• A drizzle of olive oil

Four Cheese Pizza:

• Mozzarella
• Parmesan
• Gouda
• Blue cheese

Spicy Pizza:

• Jalapeños
• Spicy sausage
• Red pepper flakes

Remember, the key to successful air fryer pizza is to thinly slice your toppings so they cook evenly and quickly. Now, go ahead and experiment with your favourite combinations!

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

Leftover pizza is a delicious next-day breakfast, lunch, or snack. While some people enjoy cold pizza straight from the fridge, reheating pizza can bring it back to its former glory.

Air fryers are basically mini convection ovens. While a regular oven takes longer to heat up, an air fryer can reheat your pizza in about a minute.

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350–375 °F. Preheating is an important step to ensure your crust gets crispy.

Step 2: Place the Pizza in the Air Fryer

Place your pizza slices flat in the middle of the air fryer, ensuring they are in a single layer and do not overlap.

Step 3: Set the Timer

Set the timer for 2–4 minutes, depending on the thickness of your pizza. Thick crust pizzas will need an extra minute or two, while thin crust pizzas can be cooked at up to 400 °F for just 2 minutes.

Step 4: Check the Pizza

Check the pizza after 1 minute to ensure it's not burning. Remove or continue cooking as necessary, checking in often for optimal results. The amount of toppings and the overall thickness of the pizza will affect the amount of time it will take to reheat.

Step 5: Remove the Pizza

Use tongs to remove the slices from the air fryer to avoid burning your fingers. Serve the hot pizza immediately.

Tips:

• Avoid using the pizza preset buttons on your air fryer, as these are calibrated for cooking frozen pizzas.
• If you notice the pizza starting to brown, turn the heat down by 25–30 °F.
• If your toppings are burning, remove them before reheating the pizza and add them back in during the last 1–2 minutes.
• For extra crispy slices, spray them with a little olive oil before cooking.

Pizza dough

You can use store-bought or homemade pizza dough. A 12-inch piece of dough will make two personal pizzas.

If you're making your own dough, you can use a simple recipe that only requires Greek yoghurt and gluten-free self-raising flour. You can also add salt to taste.

Making the Dough

Add yoghurt, flour, and salt to a bowl and mix together. Knead the mixture until it forms a smooth ball that is no longer sticky. You can add a little extra flour if the dough is too sticky, or a little extra yoghurt if it's too dry and crumbly.

Rolling the Dough

The size of your air fryer basket will determine how big your pizza bases can be. Cut the dough into two pieces (or three if your air fryer basket is small).

Roll out one portion on a lightly floured non-stick baking sheet until it's fairly thin (less than 1/4 inch thick). Roll it out to be a similar shape to your air fryer basket so that it fits comfortably. You can cut around the edges of the dough for neat edges and to ensure it fits.

Pre-Baking the Crust

Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F (190°C). Spray the air fryer basket with oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Place the pizza crust in the air fryer basket and prick it all over with a fork to help it bake flat. Spray or brush the crust lightly with oil.

Cook the crust for 1-3 minutes, then flip it over and cook for another 1-3 minutes. Repeat this process with any remaining crusts.

Toppings

Once the crust is pre-baked, you can add your desired toppings. It's recommended to add the cheese last, as lighter toppings may blow off while cooking.

Cooking the Pizza

Lower the air fryer temperature to 370°F and cook the pizza for 1-3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the crust is golden brown and crispy.

Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions

You can make the pizza dough the night before and let it rise in a covered bowl in the fridge.

To freeze pizzas, pre-bake the crusts and add toppings. Place the pizzas on a baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag for up to three months.

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

Frequently asked questions