Air Fryer Totino's Pizza: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

Totino's Party Pizza is a convenient and tasty snack that can be cooked in an air fryer. The air fryer's cooking process ensures a crispier crust than other methods, like oven-baking. It also has a shorter cooking time, taking just 10-12 minutes, making it a great option for a quick dinner or snack. The pizzas are placed directly into the air fryer basket and cooked at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in ensuring your Totino's Party Pizza cooks evenly and achieves that sought-after crispy crust. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer to is 400°F (200°C). This temperature is high enough to cook the pizza thoroughly and give it a nice golden-brown finish.

Different air fryer models have different preheating requirements. Some modern air fryers may not require preheating at all, while others may need to be preheated for a few minutes before cooking. It is always a good idea to refer to your air fryer's user manual to determine its specific preheating instructions.

Once your air fryer has reached the desired temperature, you can proceed with the next steps of preparing and cooking your Totino's Party Pizza. Remember to place the pizza directly into the air fryer basket, ensuring it is in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation.

By preheating your air fryer, you can be confident that your pizza will cook evenly and efficiently, resulting in a delicious and crispy treat.

Prepare the pizza

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat the tray. Preheating the air fryer ensures that your pizza cooks evenly and achieves the desired crispy crust.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza

While the air fryer is preheating, take the Totino's Party Pizza out of its packaging. No thawing is required; you can cook the frozen pizza directly from the freezer. If desired, add some shredded mozzarella cheese or your favourite toppings.

Step 3: Arrange the Pizza

Place the frozen Totino's Party Pizza, with or without added toppings, in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Ensure there is only one layer of pizza to allow proper air circulation. You can use parchment paper or aluminium foil to prevent sticking, but this may affect the crispiness of the crust.

Step 4: Cook the Pizza

Cook the pizza for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so keep a close eye on it after 5 minutes to avoid overcooking.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

Open the air fryer basket and use tongs to lift the pizza slightly to inspect the crust. The crust should be golden brown and crispy when done.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once the pizza is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer with caution as it will be very hot. Allow it to cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy your crispy Totino's Party Pizza!

Cook the pizza

Now that you have your Totino's Party Pizza and your air fryer ready to go, it's time to cook! Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure you get a delicious, crispy pizza:

• Preheat your air fryer: While some sources suggest that preheating is not necessary, others recommend setting your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 4 minutes to ensure even cooking and a crispy crust.
• Prepare the pizza: Take the Totino's Party Pizza out of its packaging. You can add your desired toppings at this stage—extra cheese, pepperoni, or any other toppings of your choice. However, be careful not to overload the pizza as it may affect cooking.
• Place the pizza in the air fryer basket: Ensure that you place the pizza in the centre of the basket and that it's in a single layer. If you're cooking multiple pizzas, make sure they don't overlap. You can use parchment paper or aluminium foil to prevent sticking, but this may affect the crispiness of the crust.
• Air fry: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the pizza for about 6 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it, especially after the 5-minute mark, to ensure it doesn't get too crispy or burn. The pizza is ready when the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.
• Remove the pizza: Use a spatula to carefully remove the hot pizza from the air fryer basket. Place it on a cutting board or plate.
• Rest and serve: Allow the pizza to rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This will ensure that it's not too hot, and it gives the cheese a chance to set a little so it's not too gooey.

Tips for the Perfect Pizza

• Experiment with cooking times: Depending on your air fryer model and your preferred level of crispiness, you might need to adjust the cooking time. You may need to experiment a little to find the perfect balance between a crispy crust and an evenly cooked pizza.
• Avoid using too much oil: Totino's Party Pizzas already have a thin layer of oil on the crust. If you want to add a bit more, a light spritz of cooking spray or a small amount of brushed-on oil should be enough.
• Cook in batches: If you're cooking multiple pizzas, it's best to do them in batches to maintain proper air circulation and ensure even cooking.
• Customise your toppings: Feel free to get creative and add your favourite toppings! Just remember not to overload the pizza.
• Reheating: If you have leftovers, you can easily reheat your pizza in the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 350°F (177°C) and heat the pizza for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it's hot and crispy again.

Check for doneness

Checking for doneness is an important step in cooking Totino's Party Pizza in the air fryer to ensure it is cooked to perfection. After the pizza has been cooking for approximately 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the air fryer model, it's time to check if it's done. Open the air fryer basket and use tongs to carefully lift the pizza and inspect the crust. The crust should be golden brown and crispy when it's ready. If it's not quite there yet, you can close the basket and continue cooking for a few more minutes before checking again.

It's important to keep an eye on the pizza after the initial 5 minutes of cooking time to prevent overcooking. The exact cooking time will vary depending on the model of your air fryer, so it's crucial to monitor the pizza closely. Once the crust reaches the desired golden brown colour and crispiness, it's ready to be removed from the air fryer.

When checking for doneness, remember to exercise caution as the pizza will be hot. Use tongs or a spatula to lift the pizza and avoid touching it with your hands. If the pizza is cooked to your liking, carefully remove it from the air fryer and place it on a plate or cutting board. Allow it to cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Additionally, it's worth noting that the cheese should be melted and lightly browned when the pizza is done. The edges of the pizza should also have a golden brown colour. These visual cues, along with the crispiness of the crust, will help you determine if the pizza is cooked to perfection.

In summary, checking for doneness involves opening the air fryer basket, using tongs to lift the pizza and inspecting the crust colour and crispiness. Adjust the cooking time as needed, and always exercise caution when handling the hot pizza. By following these steps, you can ensure that your Totino's Party Pizza is cooked just right and ready to be enjoyed.

Serve and enjoy

Once your Totino's Party Pizza is cooked to perfection, carefully remove it from the air fryer as it will be very hot. Place it on a cutting board or plate and allow it to cool slightly before slicing it into portions. You can cut it into squares or wedges, depending on your preference.

Totino's Party Pizza is best served hot and crispy, so it's recommended to serve it immediately after cooking to prevent it from becoming soggy. If you want to add a little extra flair, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top before serving.

This pizza is perfect as a snack or a quick dinner, and it goes well with a variety of dipping sauces. Some popular options include marinara sauce, barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, or extra pizza sauce. You can also serve it with a side of Air Fryer Frozen French Fries or Air Fryer Onion Rings.

If you're serving it to a crowd or a bunch of hungry kids, Totino's Party Pizza is a great option as it's a crowd-pleaser and easy to prepare. You can also cut it into strips and serve it as an appetizer for game day or movie night.

So, serve up those crispy, golden slices of Totino's Party Pizza, dip them into your favorite sauce, and enjoy the delicious combination of melted cheese and tangy tomato sauce!

Frequently asked questions