Air Fryer Pizza: How Long To Heat It?

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance for reheating leftover pizza. They can quickly revive soggy, day-old pizza and restore it to its former glory with a crispy crust and gooey cheese. The air fryer's rapid hot air technology crisps up the crust without drying it out, and its even heating prevents the pizza from becoming soggy or chewy in the middle.

How to reheat frozen pizza in an air fryer

What You'll Need:

• Frozen pizza
• Air fryer
• Parchment paper (optional)
• Tongs

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Turn on your air fryer and let it preheat for 2-3 minutes. Set the temperature to 350°F (176°C).

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza

Place your frozen pizza slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with no overlap. This will allow for even heating and prevent soggy spots. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to heat the slices in batches.

Optionally, you can place a piece of parchment paper under the slices to catch any cheese or oil that melts off and to make cleanup easier.

Step 3: Air Fry

Close the air fryer basket and set the timer for 8-12 minutes. Check on your pizza after 8 minutes, and continue cooking as needed. The pizza is ready when the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.

Step 4: Serve

Using tongs, carefully remove your hot, crispy pizza from the air fryer and enjoy!

Tips:

• If your toppings start to burn, you can lightly spray the top of the pizza with oil before air frying.
• For thin-crust pizza, keep a close eye on it as it can go from crisp to burnt quickly.
• For thick-crust pizza, set the temperature to 300°F (150°C) and preheat for 2-3 minutes. This will ensure the middle is heated through without drying out the crust.

Troubleshooting:

• If your pizza is browning too quickly, lower the temperature by 25 degrees.
• If it's not heated through after the recommended time, add more time as needed.
• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure even and quick heating.
• Don't overcrowd the basket, as this will lead to soggy, unevenly reheated pizza.

Enjoy your perfectly reheated frozen pizza!

How to reheat thick crust pizza in an air fryer

Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to a lower temperature of 300°F (about 150°C) and preheat for 2-3 minutes. The lower temperature ensures that the cold pizza slices heat all the way through without drying out.

Place the Pizza

Arrange your thick-crust slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Overlapping slices will result in uneven heating and limit air circulation, leading to soggy pizza.

Timing

Thick-crust pizzas will likely need more time to heat thoroughly. Start with 4-5 minutes, then check if the cheese has melted and the middle is hot to the touch. If not, give it another minute or two.

Check and Serve

If the cheese has melted and the middle is hot, your pizza is ready to eat! If the crust is heating too quickly compared to the middle, you can use a small piece of aluminium foil to lightly cover the top of the pizza for the remaining cooking time.

Tips

• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure even and quick heating.
• Use parchment paper or a silicone liner for easy cleanup.
• If the air fryer pizza is starting to brown, especially near the crust, turn the heat down by 25 to 30 degrees.
• Each piece of pizza may reheat differently depending on its size and thickness.
• If you're reheating frozen pizza, double the cooking time and check on it halfway through.

How to reheat thin crust pizza in an air fryer

The air fryer is the best way to reheat thin crust pizza. It's quick, easy, and retains the original flavour and texture of your pizza. The air fryer's rapid hot air technology crisps up the crust without drying it out, and heats your pizza evenly, preventing a soggy or chewy middle.

Step-by-Step Guide

Preheat the Air Fryer

Turn your air fryer on and let it preheat for about 2-3 minutes. The ideal temperature for thin crust pizza is 325°F (160°C).

Arrange the Slices

Place the pizza slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to heat the slices in batches. You can optionally place a piece of parchment paper under the slices to prevent any cheese from sticking to the basket and to make cleanup easier.

Air Fry

Close the basket and set the timer for 2-3 minutes. Check on your pizza after 2 minutes. If it's to your liking, remove the pizza slices and enjoy! If it needs more time, you can add an extra minute.

Remove and Serve

Using a pair of tongs, carefully take out your newly crisped-up pizza and enjoy!

Troubleshooting Tips

• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure even and quick heating.
• Don't overcrowd the basket. Make sure each slice has enough space around it for optimal crispiness.
• Don't set the temperature too high, as this can dry out the crust and make the cheese too runny.
• Don't ignore pizza thickness. Thin crust pizza will cook faster than thick crust or deep-dish pizza. Adjust the temperature and timing accordingly.
• Don't assume the pizza is ready when the timer goes off. Check frequently to avoid overcooking.

How to reheat leftover pizza in an air fryer

The air fryer is the ideal choice for reheating leftover pizza. It's quick, easy, and retains the original flavour and texture of your pizza. The air fryer's rapid hot air technology crisps up the crust without drying it out, and heats your pizza evenly, preventing a soggy or chewy middle.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reheating Leftover Pizza in an Air Fryer:

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (176°C) for a few minutes. Place your leftover pizza slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. You can place the pizza directly into the basket or line the basket with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Air fry for 3-4 minutes, depending on the crust thickness. Thin crusts will take around 3 minutes, while thicker crusts may need up to 4 minutes. Open the basket occasionally to check if your pizza is heated to your liking.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure even and quick heating.
• Don't overcrowd the basket. Allow each slice enough space to ensure optimal crispiness and airflow.
• Adjust timing according to the type of pizza. Deep dish or thick-crust pizzas may need an extra minute or two, while thin crusts will require less time.
• For super-thin crusts, keep a close eye to prevent burning.
• If your crust is heating too quickly compared to the middle of your pizza, use foil to cover the top for the remaining cooking time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Skipping the preheat step, which can result in uneven heating.
• Overcrowding the basket, leading to soggy and unevenly reheated pizza.
• Using the wrong temperature – reheating at too high a temperature can scorch your pizza, while a lower temperature may leave it soggy. 350°F is a good starting point, but adjust according to the thickness of your crust.
• Ignoring pizza thickness and reheating time – thin crusts will require less time, while deep-dish slices may need up to 7 minutes.
• Not checking for doneness – don't rely solely on the timer. Check frequently to avoid overcooking.

Storing Leftover Pizza:

When storing leftover pizza, wrap it or cover it with aluminium foil or place it in an airtight container. It can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. It is not recommended to reheat pizza slices more than once.

How to make pizza in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• Olive oil
• Pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. fresh basil, Parmesan, red pepper flakes)
• Cheese (e.g. buffalo mozzarella or regular mozzarella)

Utensils:

• Air fryer
• Tongs
• Parchment paper (optional)

Step 1: Cook the Crust

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Pat your cheese dry with paper towels to prevent a soggy pizza. Roll out your pizza dough to the size of your air fryer basket. Carefully transfer the dough to the basket, brush it lightly with olive oil, and prick it in a few places with a fork. Cook for 3 minutes, then flip the dough over.

Step 2: Assemble the Pizza

Add your desired toppings to the pre-cooked crust in the air fryer. Spoon on a light layer of tomato sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Given the structure of most air fryers, it's best to assemble the pizza inside the basket.

Step 3: Cook the Pizza

Air-fry your pizza at 375°F for about 7 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese has melted. Let the pizza cool before serving, as it will be very hot.

Tips:

• To save time, you can use naan or a tortilla as your dough.
• To prevent a soggy bottom crust, remember to flip the dough over after the initial 3-minute cook.
• Keep an eye on your pizza while it's cooking, as air fryers can vary and you don't want your pizza to burn.

Enjoy your freshly made, crispy air-fryer pizza!

Frequently asked questions