Air Fryer Oven: The Perfect Frozen Pizza

Cooking frozen pizza in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a crispy crust and melted cheese. It's a convenient alternative to using a conventional oven, as you don't need to wait for it to preheat. The air fryer's convection heating cooks the pizza evenly, preventing it from becoming soggy.

To cook frozen pizza in an air fryer, you should first check the instructions on the pizza box. Different types of pizzas may require adjustments to temperature and cooking time. As a general guide, preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F (180°C and 200°C). Place the frozen pizza inside and cook for around 5 to 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crispy.

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an essential step in making frozen pizza. By doing so, you ensure that the pizza cooks evenly and efficiently, resulting in a crispy crust and melted cheese. The ideal temperature range for preheating is between 350°F and 400°F. This temperature range is higher than what you would typically use for reheating leftover pizza, which is usually around 350°F.

When cooking frozen pizza in an air fryer, it's important to note that the size of your pizza and the type of air fryer you have will impact the cooking time and temperature. Most air fryers are designed for smaller, personal pizzas rather than full-sized ones. Therefore, you might need to adjust the temperature and cooking time depending on the size and thickness of your pizza. Thicker crusts or deep-dish pizzas may require a slightly higher temperature or a longer cooking time.

Additionally, it's worth mentioning that different brands of air fryers can vary in terms of how hot they run. If you know your air fryer tends to run hot, consider reducing the temperature to 360°F to avoid burning your pizza. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on your pizza while it's cooking to ensure it doesn't burn.

To achieve the perfect crispy crust, it is recommended to cook your frozen pizza directly in the air fryer basket or on the racks without any parchment paper or aluminium foil underneath. This allows the hot air to circulate and crisp up the crust. However, if you're concerned about the toppings burning before the crust is cooked, you can lightly spray a layer of oil on top of the pizza to prevent this.

In summary, preheating your air fryer to the recommended temperature range of 350°F to 400°F is crucial for achieving the best results when cooking frozen pizza. Be sure to adjust the temperature and cooking time as needed based on the size and thickness of your pizza, as well as the characteristics of your specific air fryer model.

Place the frozen pizza in the air fryer

Now that your air fryer is preheated, it's time to place the frozen pizza inside.

First, remove the pizza from its packaging. If it has a metallic cooking sheet insert, keep this—you can place the pizza on it when cooking. If your pizza is too big to fit in the air fryer, you can slice it into smaller pieces and cook these in batches.

Next, place the frozen pizza in the centre of your air fryer basket or rack. If you're cooking more than one pizza, you can stack them using the crisping sheets that sometimes come with frozen pizzas. You can also buy perforated parchment paper or silicone mats to help with this.

Once the pizza is in the air fryer, cover it with a square of aluminium foil, folded in half if necessary, to prevent the pizza from burning.

Cook for 5-10 minutes

Now, it's time to cook your pizza! Place the frozen pizza in the air fryer and cook for 5-10 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the type of pizza you are making and your desired crispness. For instance, if you are making a mini pizza, it will likely be fully cooked after 5-6 minutes. On the other hand, deep-dish pizzas will take a little longer to cook.

While the pizza is cooking, you can prepare your favourite dipping sauce and grate some Parmesan cheese to serve on the side. Once the pizza is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool down for a few minutes before serving.

If you are cooking multiple pizzas, the cooking time for the second pizza will be slightly shorter as the air fryer is already preheated.

Remove from the air fryer and serve

Once your pizza is cooked to your liking, it's time to take it out of the air fryer and serve it. Use a spatula to carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer basket or rack, being mindful of the hot air and surfaces. Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes before serving. This will give you time to prepare any sides or dips you want to serve with your pizza.

Some great sides to serve with your pizza include a simple salad, garlic bread, or breadsticks. For dips, you can go for classics like pizza aioli, marinara, or ranch. Don't forget to sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top of your pizza for an extra touch of flavour.

If you're cooking for a group, you might want to cut the pizza into slices before serving. This will make it easier for people to take a piece without disturbing the whole pie. You can also provide a pizza cutter so that everyone can cut their slices to their preferred size.

If you're cooking multiple pizzas, remember that the cooking time will be slightly shorter for the subsequent pizzas as the air fryer is already preheated. So, keep an eye on your pizzas to ensure they don't burn.

And that's it! You now have a delicious, crispy, and golden-brown pizza cooked in your air fryer, ready to be enjoyed.

Reheat any leftovers in the air fryer

If you have any leftover pizza, reheating it in the air fryer is a great way to get a crispy crust and gooey, melted cheese. It's quick, easy, and gives a perfectly crispy texture.

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. If your pizza is on the thinner side, you can increase the temperature to 400°F.

Place the leftover pizza slices in the air fryer basket or on an oven-style air fryer tray, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Using a single layer allows for even cooking. You can place the pizza directly into the basket or line it with a disposable parchment paper liner or a reusable silicone liner for easy cleanup.

Cook the pizza for 3 to 4 minutes. For thinner crusts, 3 to 4 minutes should be enough, while thicker crusts may need an extra minute or two. For deep-dish pizzas, cook at 330°F for about 6 minutes to ensure the cheese doesn't burn. Check on the pizza occasionally to ensure it's warming up to your liking. If it's browning too quickly, lower the temperature by 25°F.

Once the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy, carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer, and enjoy!

Some additional tips for reheating pizza in the air fryer:

• If you notice the pizza starting to brown, especially near the crust, reduce the heat by 25 to 30°F.
• If your toppings may burn during reheating, consider removing them before reheating the pizza and adding them back in during the last 1 to 2 minutes.
• For easy cleanup, use parchment paper or a silicone liner.
• Use tongs to remove the pizza slices from the air fryer to avoid burning your fingers.

Frequently asked questions