Air Fryer Pizza: How Long Until It's Ready?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to conventional ovens when it comes to making pizzas. They can cook pizzas in less than 10 minutes, with some recipes suggesting a cooking time of 7 minutes and others suggesting 12 minutes. The cooking time depends on the type of crust and toppings used, as well as the brand and size of the air fryer.

How to make pizza in an air fryer

Ingredients

Pizza is one of the most versatile dishes, and you can put anything on it. However, there are a few basic ingredients you will need:

• Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• Olive oil
• Pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Cheese (mozzarella, Italian blend, cheddar, Parmesan, Monterey Jack, etc.)
• Toppings of your choice (pepperoni, vegetables, meat, etc.)

Steps

• Prepare the dough: If using store-bought dough, divide it into two balls. If you are making your own dough, you can find several recipes online. Work the dough into rounds, slightly smaller than your air fryer basket.
• Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F. You can also grease the basket with olive oil or non-stick spray.
• Par-bake the crust: Place the dough in the air fryer basket and pre-cook for about 3 minutes. Prick the dough with a fork to prevent it from ballooning. This step ensures a crispy crust and prevents overcooking the toppings.
• Assemble the pizza: Take the crust out of the air fryer and add your sauce, cheese, and desired toppings. You can also add a sprinkle of dried herbs and spices, such as garlic salt, Italian herbs, or red pepper flakes, for extra flavor.
• Cook the pizza: Place the assembled pizza back into the air fryer and cook for about 5-9 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese has melted. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
• Serve: Let the pizza cool down for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your freshly made, crispy, and delicious air fryer pizza!

Tips

• Use a rack over the pizza or toothpicks to secure lightweight toppings that may blow around due to the strong fan in the air fryer.
• Reheat any leftovers in the air fryer at 325°F for about 4 minutes.
• You can also make frozen pizza or ready-made pizza in the air fryer by reducing the temperature and time suggested for conventional ovens.
• For an extra crispy crust, brush or spray the dough with olive oil before cooking.
• If using a basket-style air fryer, create a foil sling to help you put the pan in and take it out of the air fryer easily.
• If your dough is too elastic and shrinks back, let it rest and come to room temperature before shaping it.

Enjoy your homemade, crispy, and mouthwatering pizza straight out of your air fryer!

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature for reheating pizza is around 320 to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that your pizza gets heated evenly and efficiently.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza

While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your leftover pizza. If your pizza has been refrigerated, let it come to room temperature for a few minutes before placing it in the air fryer. You can also sprinkle a little water on the crust to help it stay moist and prevent it from drying out.

Step 3: Place the Pizza in the Air Fryer

Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully place the pizza inside. Place it directly on the air fryer rack or basket, ensuring that it is secure and will not slide around during cooking. If you are concerned about toppings falling off, you can use a rack or a piece of aluminium foil to hold them in place.

Step 4: Reheat the Pizza

Now, it's time to reheat your pizza! Cook the pizza for about 4 to 5 minutes or 5 to 6 minutes in the air fryer. Keep an eye on it, as the exact time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your pizza, as well as the specific model of your air fryer. Check on it regularly to ensure that it doesn't overcook or burn.

Step 5: Enjoy Your Pizza!

Once the pizza is heated to your liking, carefully remove it from the air fryer and let it cool down slightly. Enjoy your freshly reheated pizza, which should now have a crispy crust and melted cheese, just like a freshly made pizza!

Preparing pizza dough for an air fryer

Choosing the Dough

You can opt for store-bought pizza dough, or make your own from scratch. If you're short on time, pre-made dough or even rolled-out crescent rolls are great options. For a quick and easy homemade dough, simply follow a basic pizza dough recipe or use a trusted recipe of your own. You can also use a tortilla as a base, which is a great timesaver.

Portioning the Dough

A 12-inch piece of dough is ideal for making two personal-sized pizzas. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to adjust the portion size. Divide your dough ball into two or three smaller balls, and roll them out into round shapes that fit snugly inside your air fryer basket.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Before you start cooking, preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F (190-200°C). This step ensures that your pizza cooks evenly and efficiently. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your dough and gather your toppings.

Preparing the Dough for Cooking

Lightly grease the bottom of the air fryer basket with olive oil or non-stick spray. This step ensures that your dough doesn't stick to the surface. Then, brush the top of the dough with a small amount of olive oil. This step adds flavour and helps achieve a golden, crispy crust. If you want to take it up a notch, sprinkle some garlic salt and Italian herbs over the outer crust for extra flavour.

Pricking the Dough

Use a fork to prick holes in the centre of the dough, avoiding the outer crust. This step helps prevent the middle of the dough from ballooning during cooking. It ensures that you get an even, flat base for your toppings.

Pre-Cooking the Dough

Place the prepared dough into the air fryer basket and pre-cook it for around 3 minutes. This step is crucial as it helps you achieve a crispy, golden base without overcooking your toppings. After 3 minutes, remove the dough from the air fryer and flip it over.

Assembling the Pizza

Now comes the fun part—adding your toppings! Keep the pre-cooked dough in the air fryer basket and start assembling your pizza. Spread a light layer of tomato sauce or pizza sauce over the dough. Then, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese or any other cheese of your choice. Get creative with your favourite toppings, such as pepperoni, onions, vegetables, or even cooked shredded chicken.

Once you've added your desired toppings, it's almost time to enjoy your delicious creation!

Air fryer pizza toppings

The best part about making pizza is choosing your toppings! The options are endless, and you can truly customise your pizza to your liking. Here are some ideas for air fryer pizza toppings:

Classic

Pepperoni, bell peppers, and onions. This combination is a classic for a reason! The pepperoni adds a spicy kick, while the bell peppers and onions provide a crunchy texture and a hint of sweetness.

Seafood

If you're feeling adventurous, try a seafood pizza. This recipe suggests using pre-cooked chicken, red onion, and BBQ sauce for a unique flavour profile. Alternatively, you could use shrimp or tuna as your protein of choice.

Vegetarian

Sliced olives, bell peppers, red onion, and mushrooms. This combination offers a variety of textures and flavours, from the briny olives to the crunchy peppers and onions. It's a great option for those who want a meatless option.

Meat Lovers

For the meat lovers out there, try a combination of seasoned ground beef, pepperoni, and lots of cheese. This protein-packed pizza will surely satisfy your cravings.

Hawaiian

The sweet and savoury combination of ham and pineapple chunks is a classic for a reason. This pizza will transport you to a tropical paradise with its juicy, fruity flavours.

Margarita

Keep it simple and elegant with fresh basil, tomato slices, and a drizzle of olive oil. This pizza showcases the freshness of the ingredients and lets the flavours shine through.

Four Cheese

For the cheese enthusiasts, a four-cheese pizza with mozzarella, parmesan, gouda, and blue cheese is a dream come true. Each bite will be an explosion of creamy, cheesy goodness.

Spicy

Jalapeños, spicy sausage, and red pepper flakes will bring the heat to your pizza night! This combination is not for the faint of heart, but it will surely wake up your taste buds.

No matter which toppings you choose, the key to a great air fryer pizza is a crispy crust and melted, gooey cheese. So, get creative, experiment with different combinations, and most importantly, enjoy your delicious, homemade air fryer pizza!

Air fryer pizza cooking times

The cooking time for pizza in an air fryer varies depending on the type of crust, toppings, and air fryer model. On average, it takes around 7 to 12 minutes to cook an air fryer pizza. Here is a detailed breakdown of the cooking times for different types of air fryer pizzas:

Frozen Pizza:

If you're cooking a frozen pizza in your air fryer, it's recommended to reduce the temperature and cooking time suggested for a conventional oven. For example, if the package instructions for a conventional oven suggest cooking at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, you should cook it at around 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes in the air fryer.

Pre-made Crust Pizza:

When using a pre-made crust, such as store-bought pizza dough, naan bread, or pita bread, the cooking time is generally shorter. Preheat your air fryer to around 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. If your crust requires pre-baking, cook it for 3-4 minutes first, and then add the toppings and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Homemade Dough Pizza:

When making pizza with homemade dough, the cooking time will depend on the thickness of your dough and the size of your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to around 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. It's recommended to pre-cook the dough for 3 minutes before adding the toppings. Then, cook the pizza for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary, so keep an eye on your pizza to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn. Additionally, the fan in the air fryer can blow lightweight toppings around, so consider using a rack or toothpicks to secure your toppings.

Frequently asked questions