Air Fryer Pizza: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens for cooking pizza. They can be used to reheat leftover pizza or cook it from scratch. The main benefit of using an air fryer is that it produces a perfectly crispy crust without drying out the toppings. It's also faster than a conventional oven, as there's no need to preheat, and it keeps your kitchen cool as it gives off almost no heat. You can use store-bought or homemade pizza dough, and any toppings you like. However, it's important to note that air fryers don't get hot enough to char the crust in the same way as a traditional oven.

Reheating leftover pizza

Air frying is the best way to reheat leftover pizza. It's quick, easy, and gives a perfectly crispy texture with gooey, melted cheese. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (176°C) for a few minutes. This will ensure that your pizza reheats evenly and quickly.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Slices

Place the pizza slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. You can place the pizza directly into the basket or line the basket with a disposable parchment paper liner or reusable silicone liner for easy cleanup. If you're using a lot of cheese, it's helpful to lay a piece of parchment paper underneath to catch any cheese or oil that melts off the sides. Just be sure to punch a few small holes in the parchment paper directly under the crust to ensure proper air circulation.

Step 3: Air Fry the Pizza

Close the basket and set the timer for 3-5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the crust. For thin-crust pizza, air fry for 3-4 minutes. For thick-crust or deep-dish pizza, lower the temperature to 300°F (150°C) and heat for 5-7 minutes. Check on your pizza occasionally to ensure it's heating to your liking. If it's browning too quickly, lower the temperature by 25 degrees. If it's not done after the recommended time, you can add more time as needed.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

Carefully remove the hot pizza from the air fryer with a spatula or tongs and serve immediately. That's it! You now have a perfectly reheated slice of pizza with a crispy crust and melted cheese.

Tips:

• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure even heating.
• Don't overcrowd the basket. Make sure each slice has enough space around it for optimal crispiness.
• Avoid using the wrong temperature. Reheating at too high a temperature can scorch your pizza, while too low a temperature may result in soggy, under-heated pizza.
• Pay attention to pizza thickness. Thin crusts will cook faster, while thick crusts or deep-dish pizzas will take longer. Adjust the temperature and timing accordingly.
• Check for doneness. Don't rely solely on the timer. Peek in frequently to avoid overcooking.

Air fryer temperature and time

The temperature and time for cooking pizza in an air fryer depend on the type of pizza and the model of the air fryer.

For fresh pizza, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 380°F/190°C or 375°F for 5 minutes. Then, cook the pizza for 7 to 12 minutes, depending on the desired crispness. For a thin crust, 3 to 4 minutes at 375°F should be enough. If you are cooking a thicker crust or deep-dish pizza, lower the temperature to 300°F and increase the cooking time to 5 to 7 minutes.

When reheating leftover pizza in the air fryer, it is best to set the temperature to 350°F for thin-crust pizza and 300°F for thick-crust or deep-dish pizza. Reheat for 3 to 5 minutes for thin-crust pizza and 5 to 7 minutes for thick-crust or deep-dish pizza.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the brand and size of the air fryer, so it is recommended to check on the pizza frequently to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn.

Pizza toppings

Classic Toppings:

• Pepperoni
• Bell peppers
• Onions

Seafood Toppings:

Seafood (see a separate recipe for this)

Vegetarian Toppings:

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

Meat Lovers Toppings:

• Seasoned ground beef
• Pepperoni
• Lots of cheese

Hawaiian Toppings:

• Ham
• Pineapple chunks

BBQ Chicken Toppings:

• Pre-cooked chicken
• Red onion
• BBQ sauce

Margarita Toppings:

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

Four Cheese Toppings:

• Mozzarella
• Parmesan
• Gouda
• Blue cheese

Spicy Toppings:

• Jalapeños
• Spicy sausage
• Red pepper flakes

Pizza dough

Choosing the Dough

You can opt for store-bought pizza dough, usually found in the refrigerated section, or make your own from scratch. If you're short on time, pre-cooked dough is also an option, which you can roll out and place directly into the air fryer. For a more personalised touch, you can even make your own dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge to rise overnight. This gives you more control over the ingredients and thickness of your dough.

Preparing the Dough

When preparing the dough, it's important to roll it out thinly and evenly. The recommended thickness is less than 1/4 inch, as this promotes even cooking and a crispier crust. After rolling, cut the dough into equal parts to make personal-sized pizzas that fit your air fryer. If you're using raw dough, poke a few holes in it with a fork to prevent air bubbles from forming during cooking.

Cooking the Dough

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 375-400°F. Place the dough in the air fryer basket or on a parchment-lined air fryer rack. For an extra crispy crust, brush the dough lightly with olive oil before cooking. Cook the dough for 3-5 minutes on each side, keeping a close eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your dough and the model of your air fryer.

Tips for Success

• If you're making multiple pizzas, pre-cooking the dough first and adding toppings later can save time and ensure a crispier crust.
• To prevent toppings from flying off during cooking, use an air fryer rack to hold them in place, or add cheese both under and on top of the toppings.
• If your air fryer doesn't have a bottom heating element, you may need to flip the dough halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
• For a thicker crust, use a pan or cake tin to provide support and prevent the dough from sagging.
• If you want to add meat toppings, pre-cook them before placing them on the pizza to avoid undercooked meat.

Pizza size and shape

The size of pizza you can make in an air fryer depends on the dimensions of your air fryer's bake space. Check the size of your air fryer's bucket, drawer, or shelf to determine the maximum size of the pizza you can cook. For example, if your air fryer can only accommodate an 8-inch pan, you will need to adjust the amount of dough used for your pizza.

A pizza crust recipe calling for 3 cups (about 360g) of flour will typically yield two medium-thick 12-inch round pizzas or a half-sheet rectangular pizza. This amount of dough can also be used to make four 8-inch round pizzas.

If your air fryer can only fit an 8-inch pan, you may want to halve the recipe or store the excess dough in the fridge to bake more pizzas the next day.

When shaping your dough, keep in mind that thinner-crust pizzas can be baked directly on parchment paper, while thicker crusts will need the support of a pan. Drizzle the pan with olive oil, and leave the parchment paper ungreased.

Additionally, it's important to ensure that your pizza will fit in your air fryer basket. You may need to cut the dough in half and shape each piece into a circle, crimping the edges to form a crust.

Frequently asked questions