Air-Fryer French Bread Pizza: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

French bread pizza is a quick and easy meal that can be made in an air fryer. It is a fun and flexible dish that can be adapted to suit different tastes and dietary requirements. The air fryer's ability to crisp up the crust while melting the cheese makes it ideal for this type of pizza. The cooking time is also significantly reduced compared to a conventional oven, with most recipes taking under 15 minutes to cook from scratch and just 5 minutes for a frozen pizza.

How to make French bread pizza in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• French bread
• Pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
• Mozzarella cheese
• Olive oil
• Italian seasoning
• Your choice of toppings (e.g. pepperoni, bell peppers, red onions)

Optional Ingredients:

• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Oregano
• Basil
• Red pepper flakes

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Slice the French bread in half lengthwise, then slice each half into two pieces.
• Combine olive oil with Italian seasoning and brush the mixture onto the cut sides of the bread.
• Place the bread, cut side up, in the air fryer and toast for 3 minutes.
• Remove the bread from the air fryer and spread pizza sauce over the toasted sides.
• Layer on the mozzarella cheese and your desired toppings.
• Place the loaded French bread back into the air fryer and cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Check halfway through to prevent overcooking.
• Allow the French bread pizza to cool for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips:

• You can experiment with different types of bread such as Italian bread or a French baguette.
• Try different sauces like Alfredo sauce or make your own garlic-infused olive oil base.
• For a crispier crust, spray the bread with a light coat of oil before air frying.
• If using pepperoni, lay sliced cheese over it to prevent it from flying around in the air fryer.

French bread pizza cooking times and temperatures

French bread pizzas are a quick and easy meal that can be made in an air fryer in under 15 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on whether you are cooking your French bread pizza from scratch or from frozen, with the frozen option taking less time.

Cooking from Scratch

If you are making your French bread pizza from scratch, you will first need to toast your bread. Set your air fryer to 350-400°F and place your bread slices in the air fryer basket, cut-side up. Cook for 3 minutes, then remove the basket from the air fryer.

Next, add your toppings. You can use pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and any other toppings of your choice. Once you have added your toppings, place the air fryer basket back into the air fryer and cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Cooking from Frozen

If you are cooking your French bread pizza from frozen, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Then, add your frozen pizzas to the air fryer basket, making sure they are spaced apart and in a single layer. Air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes.

Allow your pizzas to cool for a minute before serving.

Tips

• You don't need to preheat your air fryer when cooking from scratch, but it is recommended when cooking from frozen.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Don't add more than two pizzas at once to ensure they cook fully and evenly.
• Let your pizzas cool for a minute or two before serving to avoid burning your mouth.
• If you want to make the crust extra crispy, spray it with a light coat of oil before air frying.
• If you are using fresh ingredients, it is recommended to cook your pizza within 2 hours of preparation.

French bread pizza toppings

French bread pizza is a fun and easy dish to make, and the best part is choosing your toppings. You can go classic with pepperoni, or get creative with a variety of meats, veggies, herbs, and cheeses. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Meats

• Pepperoni
• Italian Sausage
• Bacon
• Ham
• Chicken
• Prosciutto
• Chorizo
• Steak
• Salami

Veggies

• Onions
• Olives
• Red Peppers
• Artichokes
• Spinach
• Mushrooms
• Jalapenos
• Zucchini
• Sun-dried Tomatoes
• Pineapple

Cheeses

• Mozzarella
• Provolone
• Parmesan
• Cheddar
• Goat Cheese
• Feta
• Havarti
• Romano

Herbs and Spices

• Oregano
• Parsley
• Basil
• Red Pepper Flakes
• Italian Seasoning

The beauty of French bread pizza is that you can mix and match these toppings to create your own unique combination. So get creative, experiment, and most importantly, have fun!

French bread pizza alternatives

French bread pizza is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be made in an air fryer or an oven. It's a great option when you're short on time but don't want to compromise on taste. But what if you're craving something different or want to switch up your regular French bread pizza routine? Here are some mouth-watering alternatives to French bread pizza that you can easily make at home:

Bagel Pizzas:

Bagels provide a perfect base for mini pizzas. You can use plain, garlic, or everything bagels and top them with your favorite pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and desired toppings. Bake them in the oven or air fryer until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Italian Bread Pizza:

Italian bread, with its soft interior and slightly crusty exterior, makes an excellent alternative to French bread for pizza. Simply slice the loaf in half horizontally, top with sauce, cheese, and toppings, and bake until cheesy and golden.

Flatbread Pizza:

Flatbreads offer a thin and crispy base for your pizza creations. You can use store-bought flatbreads or make your own from scratch. They cook quickly and are perfect for individual-sized pizzas. Top them with your favorite ingredients and bake until crispy and melted.

English Muffin Pizzas:

For a fun and nostalgic twist, try using English muffins as your pizza base. Split the muffins in half, top with sauce, cheese, and desired toppings, and bake until toasted and melted. These mini pizzas are perfect as a snack or a quick lunch.

Pita Bread Pizzas:

Pita bread provides a soft and slightly chewy base for your pizza creations. Cut the pita bread in half to create two thin bases, and top with your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings. Bake until the cheese is melted, and enjoy!

Naan Bread Pizza:

Naan bread, with its soft and airy texture, makes a delicious alternative base for pizza. You can find naan bread in various flavors like plain, garlic, or even cheese-stuffed. Top it with your desired sauce, cheese, and toppings, and bake until hot and bubbly.

So, the next time you're craving something different or want to mix up your French bread pizza routine, give one of these alternatives a try! They're all easy to make, endlessly customizable, and sure to satisfy your pizza cravings.

French bread pizza reheating and storage

French bread pizza can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes to maintain its crispy crust.

Leftover French bread pizza can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the pizza back in the air fryer at 370°F for 3-4 minutes, or until warmed through.

You can also freeze French bread pizza for longer storage. After assembling the pizzas, wrap them tightly and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 1-2 months. When ready to eat, place them directly in the air fryer from frozen and cook until heated through. Check the pizza after 5 minutes and add a few extra minutes if needed.

Frequently asked questions