Air-Fryer Pizza: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens when it comes to cooking pizza. They are faster, convenient, and give you a perfectly crispy crust. The strong fan in an air fryer can blow lightweight toppings around, so it is recommended to use a rack over the pizza to prevent toppings from flying around. You can also add cheese on top of your toppings to keep them from flying around. This method is also great for reheating leftover pizza.

Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Pizza in an Air Fryer

Pre-cooking the pizza crust

First, prepare your dough by rolling it out to fit the size of your air fryer basket. It is recommended to roll it out thinly, less than 1/4 inch thick, to ensure even cooking. If you are using store-bought pizza dough, follow the package instructions for preparation.

Next, preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature may vary depending on your air fryer model and personal preferences, so some experimentation may be needed. Spray the air fryer basket with oil or non-stick spray to prevent the dough from sticking.

Now, transfer the dough to the air fryer basket and pre-cook it for about 3 minutes. This timing may vary slightly depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't overcook. This step is crucial, especially if you are using homemade dough, to ensure the crust cooks thoroughly without overcooking the toppings.

After pre-cooking the crust, open the air fryer basket and get ready to dress your pizza. You can keep the crust in the air fryer for efficiency, but be careful not to burn yourself. If you are using pita or naan as a base, skip this step as they are already pre-baked.

Finally, add your desired toppings to the pre-cooked crust. It is recommended to add the cheese first, as it helps to anchor the toppings and prevent them from flying around due to the strong fan in the air fryer. Sauce and other toppings can then be added.

Once your pizza is assembled, close the air fryer basket and continue cooking for an additional 4 to 7 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. Keep an eye on it to ensure the toppings don't overcook or burn.

By following these steps for pre-cooking the pizza crust, you'll be well on your way to enjoying a delicious, crispy, and golden pizza straight from your air fryer!

Choosing toppings

Firstly, you'll want to choose a sauce. Tomato sauce is a classic, simple choice, but you could also use pizza sauce, marinara sauce, tomato basil sauce, or pesto. If you want to get fancy, you can make your own sauce from scratch.

Next, you'll want to add your cheese. Freshly shredded mozzarella cheese works well, as it melts nicely and doesn't make the pizza too greasy or soggy. You could also tear up balls of fresh mozzarella, use dollops of ricotta, or grate fresh Parmesan or pecorino. Other cheese options include feta, gruyere, provolone, or blue cheese.

Now, it's time for your toppings of choice! You can choose from classic options like pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, olives, ham, beef, or bell peppers. If you want to get creative, try artichoke hearts, kale, garlic prawns, or rocket. You could also add in some extra flavor with herbs like oregano, thyme, basil, chives, or lemon verbena, or flavored olive oils like lemon, tangerine, or makrut lime.

Remember to keep your cheese, sauce, and other "melty" ingredients below the uppermost layer of toppings, as they may prevent other ingredients from cooking through completely. You can also add extra cheese and toppings like basil and red pepper flakes just before serving for a fresh flavor and texture.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for your pizza in an air fryer will depend on whether you are cooking a fresh pizza or reheating a leftover one. It will also depend on the type of crust you are using.

Fresh Pizza

If you are cooking a fresh pizza, you will need to pre-cook the crust first. Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) or 400°F and cook the crust for 3 minutes. Then, add your sauce, cheese, and other toppings. Place the pizza back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 4-8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown and crispy. The total cooking time for a fresh pizza in an air fryer is typically around 7-10 minutes.

Frozen Pizza

If you are cooking a frozen pizza, preheat your air fryer to 370°F. Cook the frozen pizza for 6-8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.

Reheating Leftovers

To reheat leftover pizza in the air fryer, set the temperature to 320-325°F (165°C) and cook for 2-5 minutes, or until the pizza is hot and crispy.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the brand and size of your air fryer, so be sure to check on your pizza frequently to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn. Additionally, the fan in an air fryer can blow lightweight toppings around, so consider using a rack over your pizza to prevent this from happening.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

First, take your leftover pizza out of the fridge. Set the temperature of the air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). You can also set it to 320 or 325 degrees Fahrenheit if you prefer. Preheat the air fryer for a few minutes to ensure consistent cooking.

Step 2: Place the Pizza in the Air Fryer

Carefully place the leftover pizza in the air fryer basket. If your pizza is too big to fit in the basket, consider cutting it into slices before placing them in the air fryer.

Step 3: Reheat the Pizza

Cook the pizza for 2 to 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it, as the cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer. The pizza is ready when it is hot, crispy, and the cheese has melted.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

Once the pizza is reheated to your liking, carefully remove it from the air fryer and serve it hot. Enjoy your freshly reheated pizza!

Note: If you are reheating frozen pizza, consider increasing the cooking time by a few minutes. Always check on your pizza during the reheating process to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn.

Freezing and storing pizza

Freezing pizza is a great way to save leftovers for another day. It can be done with just about any type of pizza, from fast-food delivery pizza to homemade pizza. Freezing pizza will prevent it from getting stale and stop microorganisms from growing, keeping it fresh for longer.

To freeze leftover pizza, place the pizza on a baking sheet and put it in the freezer for around 30 minutes to flash freeze. Then, wrap the pizza tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to enjoy your frozen pizza, preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the pizza for 6-8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.

You can also freeze pizza dough to have it ready to go whenever you're craving a homemade pizza. To freeze pizza dough, it's recommended to pre-bake the crust, as this will help extend its viability in the freezer. Arrange the shaped dough on a baking sheet and place it in the coldest part of the freezer, uncovered, for about an hour or until it's no longer sticky. Then, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a plastic bag for additional protection. Store the dough in the coldest part of your freezer, preferably away from the door, for up to 30 days.

When you're ready to use your frozen dough, transfer the dough from the freezer to the fridge the night before you plan to make pizza. This allows the dough to thaw slowly and evenly. On the day you plan to bake, take the dough out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature, which will make it easier to shape.

Frequently asked questions