Air-Fryer French Bread Pizza: A Quick, Crispy Treat

French bread pizza is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be made in an air fryer. It is a convenient option for those short on time or energy, as it can be prepared and cooked in under 20 minutes. The process is simple: slice a French bread loaf in half, add toppings, and cook in the air fryer for 4-10 minutes. The air fryer's ability to cook frozen foods means that there is no need to defrost the pizza before cooking, and it can be prepared straight from the freezer. This makes it an ideal choice for a rapid lunch, simple dinner, or fun family pizza night.

Frozen vs homemade

French bread pizza is a quick and easy meal to make in an air fryer, whether you're using frozen or homemade. The main difference between the two is the preparation time: frozen french bread pizzas require no prep time, while homemade pizzas require some assembly.

Frozen French Bread Pizza

Frozen French bread pizzas can be cooked directly from the freezer in the air fryer. There is no need to defrost them first—in fact, they won't cook properly if they've been defrosted. Simply preheat your air fryer for 4 minutes at 400°F, lay the pizza in the basket, and cook for 8 minutes at 370°F. This method works with any brand of frozen French bread pizza and any model of air fryer, though you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature depending on your air fryer.

Homemade French Bread Pizza

Making French bread pizza from scratch is a fun way to get the whole family involved in pizza night. Each person can make their own personal pizza with their choice of toppings. The process is simple: first, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. Then, slice your French bread in half lengthwise and brush the cut sides with olive oil and Italian seasoning. Place the bread in the air fryer basket and toast for 3 minutes. Remove the bread from the air fryer and add your desired toppings. The entire process, from assembly to serving, takes about 20 minutes.

Preheating the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the French bread pizza-making process. It ensures that your pizza cooks evenly and that the crust is crispy. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer to is 400°F (200°C). Depending on the source, preheating should take between 4 minutes and the time it takes for your oven to preheat.

If you are making a fresh French bread pizza, you can pre-toast the bread in the air fryer before adding your toppings. To do this, slice the French bread in half lengthwise, and then cut each half into sections that will fit into your air fryer. Brush the bread with olive oil and Italian seasoning, and place it in the air fryer basket, cut-side up. Toast the bread for around 3 minutes, until it is crispy and golden brown.

If you are making a frozen French bread pizza, you do not need to defrost it before placing it in the air fryer. In fact, defrosting the pizza may cause it to cook improperly. Simply remove the pizza from the freezer and place it in the air fryer basket.

Preparing the French bread

Firstly, select a loaf of French bread that is soft with a good flavour and a soft crust. It is important to avoid bread with a dry crust as this can affect the texture of your pizza.

Once you have chosen your bread, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This step is essential to ensure your pizza cooks evenly and achieves a crispy crust. While the air fryer is preheating, slice the French bread in half lengthwise through the middle. Then, slice each half lengthwise again and split it open to create the perfect base for your toppings.

Next, prepare a mixture of olive oil and Italian seasoning. Brush this mixture onto the cut sides of the French bread halves. This step adds flavour and helps to create a crispy crust. Place the bread, cut side up, into the air fryer basket and toast for about 3 minutes. This sets the base for your toppings and helps prevent the pizza from becoming soggy.

Now your French bread is prepared and ready for toppings! Remember, you will likely only be able to fit one half of the French loaf in your air fryer at a time, so toast the second half while you add toppings to the first.

Adding toppings

French bread pizza cooked in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious meal. The best part about this homemade dish is that it tastes much better than the frozen version. It is also highly customizable, allowing you to pick your toppings and have your favorites.

To start preparing your French bread pizza, you will need a few simple ingredients. These include a loaf of French bread, which you can usually find at your local grocery store, and your desired toppings. For the toppings, you can choose from a variety of options, including classic pepperoni, fresh vegetables, different types of cheese, and herbs like fresh basil. You can also experiment with sauces, such as Alfredo sauce or a homemade garlic-infused olive oil base, to give your pizza a unique twist.

Once you have gathered your ingredients, follow these simple steps:

• Slice the loaf of French bread in half and then cut it into pieces that will fit your air fryer basket.
• If you want a super crispy crust, brush the cut sides of the bread with a mixture of olive oil and Italian seasoning before toasting.
• Place the bread in the air fryer basket and toast for about 3 minutes. This step is optional but helps prevent the pizza from becoming soggy.
• Remove the bread from the air fryer and add your desired toppings. You can add a thin layer of marinara sauce, followed by toppings such as diced onions, bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, or any of your favorite add-ons.
• Put the loaded French bread back into the air fryer and cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remember to check on it halfway through to prevent overcooking.
• Remove the pizza from the air fryer and let it cool for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to cut into neat portions.

With these simple steps, you can enjoy a delicious and customizable French bread pizza that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for French bread pizza in an air fryer depend on whether you are cooking it from scratch or frozen.

Cooking from Frozen

French bread pizza cooked from frozen typically takes between 5 to 10 minutes. Most sources recommend cooking the pizza at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. However, some sources suggest cooking it at 375°F for 5 minutes or 370°F for 8 minutes. It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the brand of air fryer and the size and power of the appliance. Therefore, it is recommended to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly.

Cooking from Scratch

When cooking French bread pizza from scratch in an air fryer, the cooking time is typically shorter, ranging from 4 to 5 minutes. The recommended temperature remains the same at 400°F (200°C). It is important to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking and a crispy crust.

Additional Tips

To ensure the pizza cooks evenly, it is recommended to place the pizzas in a single layer and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Additionally, allowing the pizzas to cool for a minute or two before serving helps the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to slice and serve.

For a homemade French bread pizza, the total preparation and cooking time is approximately 20 minutes. This includes the time required for assembling the pizza and cooking the ingredients.

Frequently asked questions