Air Fryer French Bread Pizza: Can You?

French bread pizza is a popular dish that can be made from scratch or bought frozen. It can be cooked in an air fryer in a few simple steps. The air fryer gives the pizza a crispy texture and cooks it evenly, making it a quick and easy meal option.

Customising your French bread pizza

French bread pizza is a fun and easy dish to customise. The basic recipe is simple: toast a sliced French baguette or loaf in the air fryer, add your desired sauce and toppings, then air fry again until the cheese is melted. But within this simple formula, there's a lot of room to get creative. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Sauce

The sauce forms the flavourful base of your pizza, so it's worth choosing something tasty. While a traditional tomato-based pizza sauce is a classic option, you could also try something different like:

• Pesto-mayo sauce: mix together pesto and mayonnaise for a creamy, herb-packed sauce.
• Alfredo sauce: try this creamy, cheesy sauce for a unique twist on the classic pizza.
• Homemade garlic-infused olive oil: for a simple, flavourful base.
• BBQ sauce: for a smokey, tangy flavour.

Toppings

The beauty of making pizza at home is that you can add any toppings you like. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Italian sausage: a classic, savoury option. Try it with mild or spicy sausage depending on your preference.
• Vegetables: try colourful bell peppers, white button or baby bella mushrooms, red onions, or artichoke hearts.
• Meat: pepperoni, salami, or cooked bacon bits are all tasty options.
• Cheese: while mozzarella is the classic choice, you could also mix things up with parmesan, asiago, or a combination of cheeses.

Size and shape

You can also customise the size and shape of your French bread pizzas. Try cutting the loaf into smaller pieces to make mini pizzas, or cut it into thick slices for a heartier option.

How to make French bread pizza in an air fryer

Ingredients

• French bread
• Pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
• Mozzarella cheese
• Olive oil
• Italian seasoning
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. pepperoni, bell peppers, red onions)

Optional ingredients:

• Garlic powder
• Oregano
• Parmesan cheese

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Slice the French bread in half lengthwise, and then cut each half into two or three pieces, depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Combine olive oil with Italian seasoning and brush the mixture over the cut sides of the bread.
• Place the bread cut-side up in the air fryer and toast for 3 minutes.
• Remove the bread from the air fryer. Spread pizza sauce over the toasted bread, then add cheese and your desired toppings.
• Place the pizzas back into the air fryer and cook for 4-7 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
• Allow the pizzas to cool for a couple of minutes before serving.

Tips

• To make the crust extra crispy, spray it with a light coat of oil before air frying.
• If you want to add another layer of flavor, brush the bread with a mixture of olive oil, crushed garlic, and Italian seasoning before air frying.
• If you're reheating leftover French bread pizza, cook it in the air fryer at 370°F for 3-4 minutes.

How to make French bread pizza from frozen

French bread pizza is a quick and easy meal to make from frozen, and it's a great way to feed the whole family. Here's a step-by-step guide to making French bread pizza in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Frozen French bread pizza (choose your favourite brand)
• Non-stick cooking spray (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
• Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray (if using).
• Place the frozen French bread pizzas in the basket, ensuring they are spaced apart and in a single layer.
• Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
• Allow the pizzas to cool for a minute before removing, slicing, and serving.

Tips:

• If you want to add extra toppings, do so in the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
• To make the crust extra crispy, spray it with a light coat of oil before air frying.
• If your air fryer is a different brand, you may need to adjust the cooking time or temperature.
• Always allow the pizzas to cool for a minute or two before serving to avoid burning your mouth!

How to make French bread pizza from scratch

French bread pizza is a quick and easy meal that can be made in an air fryer or an oven. It's a versatile dish that can be customised with your favourite toppings and sauces. Here's a step-by-step guide to making French bread pizza from scratch:

Ingredients:

First, gather your ingredients. The beauty of French bread pizza is its versatility, so feel free to get creative with your choices. Here are some common ingredients to consider:

• French bread (a large loaf)
• Butter or olive oil
• Fresh herbs like parsley, basil or oregano
• Garlic (fresh cloves or powder)
• Pizza sauce (bottled or homemade)
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. pepperoni, vegetables, meats)
• Cheese (mozzarella, parmesan, or a mix)

Preparation:

Step 1: Prepare the Bread:

• Cut the French bread in half lengthwise, creating two long pieces. You may also need to cut these pieces into smaller sections to fit your air fryer or oven.
• If desired, flatten the bread before toasting to prevent curling. You can do this by placing a rimmed baking sheet on top and pressing down gently.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter:

• Combine butter or olive oil with garlic and fresh herbs. You can use either fresh garlic cloves or garlic powder. Mix well.
• Spread the garlic butter mixture onto the cut surfaces of the bread. This step adds flavour and helps prevent the bread from becoming soggy.

Step 3: Toast the Bread:

Place the bread in your air fryer or oven and toast until lightly browned and crisp. In an air fryer, this should take around 1-2 minutes at 400°F. In an oven, preheat to 400-450°F and bake for 5-8 minutes.

Step 4: Add Sauce and Toppings:

• Remove the bread from the air fryer or oven and spread your chosen pizza sauce over the toasted surfaces.
• Add your desired toppings. If using meat or vegetables with high moisture content, cook them beforehand to avoid sogginess.
• Generously sprinkle cheese over the sauce and toppings. You can use a single type of cheese or a combination.

Step 5: Bake the Pizza:

Place the pizzas back into the air fryer or oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. In an air fryer, bake at 370°F for about 5 minutes. In an oven, bake at 350-375°F for 8-10 minutes.

Step 6: Finishing Touches:

• For extra flavour and crispness, place the finished French bread pizzas under the broiler for a minute or two to make the cheese and toppings extra crispy.
• Let the pizzas cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Customisation:

French bread pizza is highly customisable, so feel free to experiment with different sauces, toppings and cheeses to find your perfect combination. Here are some ideas for variations:

• Margherita: Use tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and basil leaves.
• BBQ Chicken: Swap pizza sauce for barbecue sauce, add cooked chicken, bacon, red onions, and cilantro, then top with a mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
• Veggie Lovers: Load up on your favourite vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and zucchini. Just be sure to slice them thinly and cover with cheese to hold everything in place.
• Buffalo Chicken: Toss cooked chicken in buffalo sauce and add blue cheese or ranch dressing, diced celery, and shredded cheddar.
• Meat Lovers: Go wild with Italian sausage, bacon bits, pepperoni, ham, and more.

So, there you have it! A delicious, homemade French bread pizza made from scratch. Enjoy the fruits of your labour, and feel free to experiment with different ingredients to find your perfect pizza combination.

Best air fryer temperatures for French bread pizza

French bread pizza is a quick and easy meal to make in an air fryer, and it's a great way to use up any leftover French bread or baguette. The best temperature to cook French bread pizza in an air fryer is between 370°F and 400°F. Depending on your air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature slightly, but most recipes recommend cooking at 400°F for the best results.

Cooking Times

The cooking time for French bread pizza in an air fryer will vary depending on the toppings and the size of the pizza, but on average, it should take around 5-8 minutes. It's important to keep an eye on the pizza while it's cooking, as it can go from perfectly cooked to burnt in a matter of seconds.

Fresh vs Frozen

If you're cooking frozen French bread pizza, it's best to cook it straight from frozen. There's no need to defrost it first. Simply preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook the pizza for 5-6 minutes.

If you're making fresh French bread pizza, you'll need to toast the bread first. Set your air fryer to 400°F and toast the bread for 1-2 minutes, then add your toppings and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Reheating

French bread pizzas can be reheated in the air fryer. Set the temperature to 350°F and heat the pizza for 3-5 minutes.

Tips

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook no more than two pizzas at a time to ensure even cooking.
• Let the pizzas cool for a minute or two before serving to avoid burning your mouth.
• For a crispier crust, spray the crust lightly with oil before air frying.
• To add extra flavour, brush the bread with a mixture of olive oil, crushed garlic, and Italian seasoning before adding the toppings.
• Get creative with your toppings! French bread pizza can be customised to your taste, so experiment with different sauces, cheeses, and toppings.

Frequently asked questions