Air Fryer Pizza: Cooking Digiorno To Perfection

Air fryers are a quick and convenient way to cook frozen pizzas, and they can be used to cook a variety of pizza types, including deep-dish and French bread pizzas. They can also be used to cook pizzas from different brands, such as DiGiorno, Red Baron, and Totino's. When cooking a frozen pizza in an air fryer, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking and to prevent the pizza from becoming soggy. The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the type of pizza and the model of the air fryer, but it typically ranges from 6 to 10 minutes at temperatures between 325°F and 400°F.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your food cooks evenly and that the timing in your recipe is accurate. When cooking a Digiorno pizza in your air fryer, preheating is essential to achieving the desired crispy texture and fully cooked interior.

To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set the temperature to the desired level. Most sources recommend preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit when cooking frozen pizza. This temperature setting will help ensure that your pizza cooks through and that the cheese melts properly. However, some sources suggest preheating to 380 degrees Fahrenheit, especially if you are using a silicone basket, as it will brown the cheese more evenly.

The time needed to preheat your air fryer will depend on the model and its settings. Some air fryers may take around 4-5 minutes to reach the desired temperature, while others may take longer or shorter amounts of time. It is important to refer to your air fryer's instructions or user manual to determine the specific preheating requirements and guidelines for your particular model.

Once your air fryer has preheated to the set temperature, you can proceed with placing your Digiorno pizza inside and following the cooking instructions. Remember that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model and the type of pizza you are cooking. Always keep an eye on your pizza to avoid overcooking or burning.

By preheating your air fryer, you'll be one step closer to enjoying a perfectly cooked and delicious Digiorno pizza straight from your air fryer!

Add toppings

You can add toppings to your frozen pizza before cooking it in the air fryer. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, if your toppings are not frozen, they may cook faster than the rest of the pizza and burn, so keep an eye on them. Secondly, due to the quickly moving hot air in the air fryer, your toppings may shift around during cooking and could fall off the pizza.

If you want to add extra cheese to your pizza, it is recommended to add it after cooking the pizza. Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes are popular choices for sprinkling on top of a freshly cooked pizza. You can also add some spice to your pizza with Sriracha or spicy ranch dressing.

If you want to add some crispiness to your pizza, you can spray olive oil or vegetable oil over the top before cooking it. However, note that using parchment paper or foil in the air fryer will result in a softer crust as it prevents maximum airflow.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for a Digiorno pizza in an air fryer depend on the type of pizza and the air fryer model. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to allow the pizza to get crispy on the outside and fully cooked and hot on the inside.

For a Digiorno 3-meat pan pizza, one source recommends cooking at 400°F for 7 to 14 minutes. Another source suggests cooking the same pizza at 400°F for 4 minutes.

For a Digiorno Rising Crust Frozen Pizza, one source recommends cooking at 380°F for 10 minutes, rotating the pizza halfway through to avoid cold spots.

For personal-sized pizzas, it is recommended to cook at 380°F for 6 to 10 minutes. If the pizza has a thicker crust, it may take 8 minutes or more.

For a standard crust, cooking at 310°F for 6 to 7 minutes should yield the best results.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the type of pizza and the air fryer model. For thin crust pizzas, reduce cooking time by 2-3 minutes to prevent burning. For deep-dish pizzas, increase cooking time by 2-3 minutes to ensure the crust is thoroughly cooked. French bread pizzas should be cooked at a lower temperature to prevent the cheese from burning before the crust is fully cooked.

Rotate the pizza

To cook a DiGiorno pizza in an air fryer, you should first preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is preheating, you can remove the pizza from its packaging and place it in the air fryer basket.

Once the air fryer is preheated, put the basket into the air fryer and set a timer for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, rotate the pizza to avoid cold spots. Then, place the basket back into the air fryer and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Depending on the crust type and your air fryer model, cooking times may vary. For thicker crusts, you may need to cook the pizza for up to 8 minutes or more after rotating it. If you are using a thinner crust, reduce the cooking time by 2-3 minutes to prevent the crust from burning.

You can also spray the top of the pizza with vegetable or olive oil before cooking to add crispiness. However, this step is optional, as the pizza crust already contains a fair amount of oil, which will be released during the cooking process.

Remove and serve

Once your Digiorno pizza is cooked, carefully remove it from the air fryer. Be sure to use oven mitts to protect your hands, as the air fryer basket will be very hot. Place the pizza on a heat-proof surface or a wire rack to cool slightly for 2-3 minutes. This will allow the cheese to set slightly and prevent it from sliding off when you slice it.

Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut the pizza into slices. If you want to get fancy, you can use a pizza wheel to create evenly sized slices. You can also use kitchen scissors to cut the pizza, but be careful not to burn your hands on the hot cheese.

Now it's time to serve your delicious, crispy air-fried pizza! You can serve it on a plate or a pizza pan. If you're feeling extra hungry, you can even fold the slices in half to create a "New York-style" pizza experience. Don't forget to provide napkins or paper towels, as this pizza is sure to be deliciously messy!

For an extra flavour boost, you can offer a variety of toppings and dips to go with your pizza. Some popular options include Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, Sriracha, spicy ranch dressing, or nacho cheese. You can also provide a simple marinara sauce for dipping if you prefer a more traditional approach. Enjoy your freshly cooked Digiorno pizza, straight from the air fryer!

Frequently asked questions