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 in under 10 minutes. It's a great way to use up leftover bread and get dinner on the table in a hurry. You can cook French bread pizza from frozen or make it fresh with your favourite toppings. The key to success is a good-quality loaf of French bread or baguette, which provides the perfect base for your pizza.

Pre-cooking the bread

The first step to making French bread pizza in an air fryer is to prepare the French bread. Start by slicing the French bread in half down the middle, then slice each half lengthwise and split it open. This creates the perfect base for your toppings.

Next, you'll want to toast the bread. This step helps to ensure a super crispy crust and prevents the pizza from becoming soggy. Combine olive oil with Italian seasoning or dried oregano and brush the mixture onto the cut sides of the French bread. You can also add minced garlic to the olive oil for extra flavour.

Place the bread, cut side up, in the air fryer basket and cook for about 3 minutes at 200°C / 400°F. The bread should be crispy and lightly toasted. Remove it from the air fryer and set it aside while you prepare the toppings.

If you're using frozen French bread, you can place it directly in the air fryer without defrosting. Simply air fry the frozen bread for 3-5 minutes at 400°F to crisp it up before adding your toppings.

Now that the bread is toasted, it's time to add the toppings! Spread pizza sauce over the toasted French bread, being sure to cover the entire surface. You can use store-bought pizza sauce, or make your own by combining pesto and mayonnaise. Get creative and experiment with different sauces like Alfredo sauce or a homemade garlic-infused olive oil base.

Once you have your sauce layer, it's time to add the cheese. Mozzarella cheese is a popular choice for French bread pizza as it melts into a gooey, bubbly consistency. You can use shredded or grated mozzarella, or thin slices of fresh mozzarella. Parmesan cheese can also be added for extra depth of flavour.

At this point, you can also add any other toppings of your choice. Popular options include pepperoni, Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and spinach. Get creative and add your favourite ingredients!

After adding your toppings, it's almost time to enjoy your delicious French bread pizza! Place the loaded French bread back into the air fryer and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes at 190°C / 375°F. Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking, and remove it from the air fryer when the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Let the pizza cool for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to cut and ensuring that perfect, gooey cheese pull.

And that's it! You now have a delicious, crispy French bread pizza cooked to perfection in your air fryer. Enjoy!

Choosing toppings

The fun part about making French bread pizza is that you can choose your own toppings. Whether you like to keep it simple with just cheese and pepperoni, or go all out with a variety of meats and veggies, the choice is yours! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Classic toppings

If you're a fan of the classics, you can't go wrong with pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, ham, onions, or sausage. These toppings are easily recognisable and widely enjoyed, so they're a safe bet if you're feeding a crowd.

Meat lovers

For those who like their pizza with a bit of a meatier kick, why not try Italian sausage, salami, or pepperoni? You could even add some cooked ground beef or bacon bits for an extra indulgent treat. Just remember to cook the meat beforehand and drain off any excess grease before adding it to your pizza.

Veggie delight

If you're looking to pack in your five a day, there are plenty of veggie toppings to choose from. Sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), onions, mushrooms, spinach, and cherry tomatoes all work well. You could even add some sliced black or kalamata olives for a briny kick.

Cheesy goodness

While mozzarella is the classic pizza cheese, there's no reason to stop there. Try mixing in some parmesan, cheddar, or fresh mozzarella pearls for an extra cheesy treat. Just remember that different cheeses have different melting points, so you may need to adjust your cooking time slightly to ensure everything is melted to perfection.

Something different

Feeling adventurous? Why not step outside the pizza box and try something a little different? Pesto and mayo make a great sauce combination, or you could try an Alfredo sauce base with spinach and chicken for a take on a white pizza. You could even add some sliced chillies or red pepper flakes to your pizza for an extra spicy kick.

Remember, the beauty of making French bread pizza is that you can customise it to your own tastes. So get creative, experiment with different combinations, and most importantly, have fun!

Assembling the pizza

Ingredients

First, gather your ingredients. For the base, you'll need a French baguette or loaf. For the toppings, you'll want pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade), mozzarella cheese, and your choice of additional toppings such as pepperoni, Italian seasoning, bell peppers, or mushrooms. You can also add some olive oil and minced garlic to brush onto the bread for extra flavour.

Preparing the Bread

Start by slicing the French bread in half lengthwise, then slice each half into two or four pieces, depending on the size of your air fryer. This creates the perfect base for your toppings. If you're feeling fancy, you can also remove some of the insides of the bread to make room for more fillings.

Toasting the Bread

Before adding your toppings, it's a good idea to toast the bread slightly. This step helps create a super crispy crust and prevents the pizza from becoming soggy. Brush the cut sides of the bread with olive oil and Italian seasoning (or garlic olive oil), then place the bread cut-side up in the air fryer basket. Toast for about 3 minutes at 200°C/400°F.

Adding Toppings

Now for the fun part—adding your toppings! Spread a layer of pizza sauce over the toasted bread, then sprinkle on the mozzarella cheese and your desired toppings. Don't hold back—get creative and pile on those toppings! You can also add some extra Italian seasoning or dried oregano for an extra flavour boost.

Air Frying the Pizza

Once your pizzas are loaded with toppings, it's time to pop them back into the air fryer. Cook at 190°C/375°F for about 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on your pizzas and check them halfway through to prevent overcooking.

Cooling and Serving

Finally, let your French bread pizzas cool for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving. This step is important, as it allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to cut and ensuring that you don't burn your mouth!

Air-frying the pizza

Now that you have assembled your French bread pizza, it's time to cook it in the air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (177-204°C). This step is crucial as it ensures the pizza cooks evenly and achieves the desired crispy crust. Most recipes recommend preheating, but some sources suggest that it is not necessary.

Step 2: Place the Pizza in the Air Fryer

Open your air fryer and place the French bread pizza inside. It is important to keep the pizzas spaced apart and in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the pizzas in batches.

Step 3: Air Fry the Pizza

Close the air fryer and set the timer. For fresh pizzas, cook the pizza for about 4-5 minutes at 350-400°F (177-204°C). For frozen pizzas, increase the cooking time to 5-7 minutes at 400°F (204°C). Keep an eye on the pizza to ensure it doesn't burn, and check it halfway through the cooking process.

Step 4: Let it Cool

Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer. It will be extremely hot, so use tongs or oven mitts to handle it safely. Allow the pizza to cool for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving. This step helps the cheese set slightly, making it easier to cut and preventing it from burning your mouth.

Tips for Success:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook the pizzas in batches if needed to ensure even cooking.
• Keep an eye on the pizza while it's cooking to prevent burning. Every air fryer is different, so adjust the cooking time as needed.
• For an extra crispy crust, brush the bread with olive oil or spray it with a light coat of oil before air frying.
• Get creative with your toppings! French bread pizzas are highly customizable, so experiment with different sauces, cheeses, and toppings to find your favorite combinations.

Reheating and storing

Now that you've cooked your French bread pizza in the air fryer, you may be wondering what to do with leftovers. Here are some tips for reheating and storing your delicious creation:

Reheating:

• Reheating in the air fryer: The best way to reheat your French bread pizza is in the air fryer itself. Simply place the leftover pizza in the air fryer basket and heat it at 350°F (160°C) for 2-5 minutes, or until it's heated through. This will help maintain the crispy crust.
• Reheating in the oven: If you don't have an air fryer, you can also reheat your pizza in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and place the pizza on a baking sheet. Heat it for about 5-10 minutes, or until it's warmed to your liking.
• Checking for doneness: Keep a close eye on your pizza while reheating, as it can go from perfectly warmed to burnt in a matter of seconds. Check on it frequently to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Storing:

• Storing leftovers: If you have any leftover French bread pizza, it's best to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: If you want to freeze your French bread pizzas, it's best to do so after they have been fully cooked and cooled. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to protect them from freezer burn. They can be stored in the freezer for about 2 months.
• Defrosting: When you're ready to enjoy your frozen French bread pizzas, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before reheating. This will ensure they heat through evenly.

By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your French bread pizza multiple times and minimize food waste. Remember, the key to successful reheating is paying close attention to your pizza to avoid overcooking. Now, go ahead and indulge in that delicious, crispy treat!

Frequently asked questions