Air Fryer Pizza: Store-Bought To Homemade Taste

Cooking store-bought pizza in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a perfectly crispy crust. It's a convenient method for those busy weeknights or when hosting friends. Air fryers cook food by blowing hot air around, so it's important to note that toppings may blow around if not anchored down by a rack or some cheese. To avoid a soggy pizza, ensure your air fryer is well-oiled and preheated, and pat down wet ingredients to reduce moisture.

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C)

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process, as it ensures your food will be heated more thoroughly and efficiently. When preparing store-bought pizza in an air fryer, it is recommended that you preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This temperature is slightly lower than the standard oven temperature of 350°F, as air fryers cook faster due to the circulation of hot air.

To preheat your air fryer to 375°F, first, ensure that your air fryer basket is well-oiled to prevent any sogginess in your pizza crust. This step is crucial, as excessive moisture from toppings can make the crust soggy. You can also pat your mozzarella dry with paper towels before adding it to your pizza to further prevent sogginess.

Once your air fryer basket is prepared, set the temperature to 375°F and let it preheat for a few minutes. The preheating time will depend on your air fryer model, but it usually takes around three to four minutes. During this time, you can roll out your pizza dough and prepare your toppings.

After preheating, place your pizza in the air fryer and follow the cooking instructions. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the type of pizza you are cooking. For example, frozen pizzas may take around 6-8 minutes to cook, while reheating leftover pizza may only take 2-3 minutes.

It is important to note that not all recipes are suitable for air frying, and some adjustments may be necessary. For instance, you may need to reduce the amount of oil or fat in your recipe, as air fryers require less oil than ovens. Additionally, air fryers may cook food faster than ovens, so you may need to reduce the cooking time by around 20-25%.

Use store-bought pizza dough or a pre-cooked base

You can use store-bought pizza dough or a pre-cooked base to make pizza in an air fryer. If you're using store-bought pizza dough, roll it out to fit the size of your air fryer basket. You can also use pre-cooked pizza dough, which can be placed directly into the air fryer.

If you're using a store-bought pizza base, it's important to ensure that it's the right size for your air fryer. If the base is too big, it won't fit properly and could impact the cooking time and results. It's also important to note that some store-bought pizza bases may be too thin and fragile for an air fryer, so it's a good idea to check the packaging or instructions before using them in an air fryer.

When using store-bought pizza dough or a pre-cooked base, the cooking process is similar to using homemade dough. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and ensure a non-stick surface by spraying the air fryer basket with oil. Gently place the dough or base in the basket, brush it with olive oil, and cook for about 3 minutes. Then, flip the dough or base and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

After the initial cooking, you can add your desired toppings. It's recommended to add a thin layer of tomato sauce and scatter chunks of mozzarella or other cheese onto the partially cooked crust. You can also add other toppings like pepperoni, vegetables, or meat. Continue cooking for about 7 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese has melted.

Pat mozzarella dry to prevent sogginess

To prevent sogginess, it is important to pat mozzarella dry before placing it on a pizza that will be cooked in an air fryer. This is because fresh mozzarella is packed in liquid, traditionally brine, water, or whey, and is therefore very wet. If not dried, it can make your pizza soggy.

To dry your mozzarella, take it out of its liquid and slice or tear it into small pieces. Then, place the pieces on a kitchen or paper towel and let them sit for 25 to 30 minutes. You can also use another towel to absorb moisture from the top of the slices. To remove even more moisture, slice the cheese thinly to expose more surface area. Another method is to first slice the cheese, then put it into a strainer over a bowl to drain. After this, you can pat the mozzarella dry with paper towels.

To further prevent sogginess, you can combine the dried mozzarella with some shredded low-moisture mozzarella. Additionally, when assembling your pizza, do not add the sauce and cheese until the pizza is halfway cooked. This will give the dough time to form a crust that will protect it from moisture.

Cook the crust for 3 minutes, then flip

Cooking store-bought pizza in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to enjoy a delicious, crispy pizza. After preheating your air fryer and preparing your dough, it's time to cook the crust. Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and place the crust inside. Let it cook for 3 minutes, then it's time to flip!

Flipping the crust is an important step to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture. Use a spatula to carefully flip the crust over, so the side that was facing down is now facing up. This step is especially important if you want to avoid a pale, undercooked bottom on your pizza. A golden, crispy crust is a key part of a delicious pizza!

Once you've flipped the crust, you can continue with the cooking process. Depending on your air fryer model and the desired level of crispiness, you may need to cook the crust for an additional 2-4 minutes. Keep a close eye on it to avoid overcooking.

Flipping the crust halfway through the cooking process ensures that the heat is distributed evenly, preventing a soggy bottom and ensuring a perfect pizza base. This technique is a great way to achieve that sought-after, restaurant-quality crispiness in the comfort of your own home.

Assemble pizza and cook for another 4-7 minutes

Once you've cooked the crust, it's time to assemble your pizza. You can add a thin layer of tomato sauce and scatter chunks of mozzarella or buffalo mozzarella onto the partially cooked crust. If you're using fresh mozzarella, make sure to pat it dry with paper towels to prevent a soggy pizza. You can also add other toppings like pepperoni, vegetables, or steak at this stage.

Some people suggest adding the cheese last, as lighter toppings may blow off while cooking. You can also add a little extra cheese on top of your other toppings to help anchor them and keep them from flying around the air fryer. If you have an air fryer rack, you can place this on top of the pizza to prevent toppings from flying around.

Once you've added your toppings, place the pizza back in the air fryer and cook for another 4-7 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and golden brown, and the cheese has melted. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer, so keep an eye on your pizza to make sure it doesn't burn.

If you're reheating leftover pizza in the air fryer, set the temperature to 325°F (165°C) and cook for about 4 minutes.

Frequently asked questions