Air Fryer Pizza: How Long Should You Cook It?

Air fryers are a great way to cook pizza, whether you're making it from scratch or reheating a leftover slice. They give you a crispy crust and melted cheese in a matter of minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the model of your air fryer and the thickness of your pizza, but generally, it should take around 3-9 minutes to cook a pizza in an air fryer.

Pre-cooking the crust

Firstly, prepare your pizza dough by dividing it into balls and working it into rounds. The size should be slightly smaller than your air fryer basket. This step ensures that your pizza will fit snugly inside the air fryer, allowing for even cooking.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F. The temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and personal preference for crust doneness. It is important to ensure your air fryer is preheated to ensure consistent cooking.

Now, it's time to add some flavour to your crust. Brush the top of the crust lightly with olive oil. This will give it a golden, crispy texture. You can also add seasonings like garlic salt and Italian herbs for an extra kick of flavour. This step is optional but highly recommended!

After that, carefully transfer the dough to the air fryer basket. To prevent the dough from sticking, spray the basket with olive oil or use a non-stick spray. Then, use a fork to prick holes in the centre of the dough, avoiding the outer crust. This technique will prevent the dough from ballooning up during cooking, ensuring a flat and even base.

Finally, it's time to pre-cook the crust. Place the air fryer basket into the preheated air fryer and cook the crust for approximately 3 minutes. This step is crucial as it ensures that your crust will be cooked through without overcooking the toppings. Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the basket and flip the crust over.

By following these steps, you'll be on your way to achieving a perfectly pre-cooked pizza crust in your air fryer. Remember, the key to success is ensuring your air fryer is preheated, and your crust is properly prepared and seasoned before cooking. Now, you're ready to move on to the next step of assembling and cooking your pizza!

Adding toppings

Cheese

Shredded Italian blend, mozzarella, cheddar, or little mozzarella balls (Bocconcini). A sprinkle of Parmesan is also a great finishing touch.

Meat

Cup & Char pepperoni, crumbled sausage, or sirloin steak. If you're a fan of pepperoni, be aware that the fan in an air fryer can be strong enough to blow it off your pizza, so consider using toothpicks to secure the pepperoni or cover the pizza with a dehydrating rack.

Vegetables

Mushrooms, chopped tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, onion slices, or olives.

Herbs and Spices

Garlic salt, dried Italian herbs, dried basil, and red pepper flakes.

Extras

A drizzle of hot honey.

When adding your toppings, it's best to add the cheese last, as lighter toppings may blow off while cooking.

Cooking the pizza

Now that you've assembled your pizza, it's time to cook it! Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure your pizza comes out perfectly:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature range for cooking pizza is between 350°F and 400°F. Preheating ensures that your pizza cooks evenly and helps to create a crispy crust.

Step 2: Place the Pizza in the Air Fryer

Open the air fryer basket and place your assembled pizza inside. If you're cooking a frozen pizza, be sure to remove any packaging first. Place the pizza directly onto the air fryer rack or basket. If you're concerned about sticking, you can spray the basket with a bit of cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.

Step 3: Cook the Pizza

Close the air fryer basket and set the timer. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, as well as the thickness of your pizza crust. As a general guideline, cook your pizza for 5 to 9 minutes. Keep an eye on it, as you don't want it to burn. The pizza is done when the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

After the timer goes off, open the air fryer and check your pizza. The crust should be crispy, and the cheese should be melted. If it needs more time, close the air fryer and cook for an additional minute or two.

Step 5: Remove the Pizza

Once your pizza is cooked to your liking, carefully remove it from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Be cautious, as the air fryer basket and pizza will be very hot.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Let the pizza cool down slightly before serving. The air fryer creates a super-hot cooking environment, so it's important to give it a few minutes to cool. Cut the pizza into slices and serve it while it's still nice and warm. Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Reheating pizza

Air fryers are a great alternative to the microwave or oven for reheating leftover pizza. They're quick, easy to use, and deliver a crispy crust and melted cheese every time. Plus, they retain the original flavour and texture of your pizza.

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

• Preheat your air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (176°C) for a few minutes. If you're using an oven-style air fryer, you don't need to preheat.
• Prepare your pizza slices: Place your leftover pizza slices in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. For easy cleanup, you can place a piece of parchment paper or a disposable/reusable liner underneath.
• Air fry: Set the timer for 3-5 minutes. Thin-crust pizzas will take around 3 minutes, while thick-crust or deep-dish pizzas may need up to 5 minutes or slightly longer. Check on your pizza occasionally to ensure it's not burning.
• Remove and serve: Once the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy, carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Let it cool for a minute before serving.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket or tray. Allow enough space around each slice for optimal crispiness.
• Preheating is essential for even and quick heating. Don't skip this step!
• Keep an eye on your pizza while it's cooking, especially if your air fryer model heats up quickly. Lower the temperature by 25°F if it's browning too fast.
• For super-thin crust pizzas, be cautious as they can go from crisp to burnt very quickly.
• If you're reheating thick-crust or deep-dish pizzas, preheat your air fryer to a lower temperature (around 300°F or 150°C) to ensure the middle heats up without drying out the crust.
• If your toppings are at risk of burning, you can lightly spray the top of the pizza with oil or cover them with a small piece of aluminium foil.

Choosing a pizza base

When it comes to choosing a pizza base for your air fryer, you have several options to consider. Here are some factors to keep in mind when making your decision:

Type of Dough

You can opt for store-bought pizza dough, which is convenient and readily available. Alternatively, you can make your own homemade pizza dough if you prefer a more customised or personalised flavour.

Thickness

The thickness of your pizza base will impact the cooking time and the overall texture of your pizza. A thin crust will cook faster and result in a crispier base, while a thicker crust will require a longer cooking time and produce a softer, chewier base.

Size

Before deciding on the size of your pizza base, it's important to consider the dimensions of your air fryer. Check the size of the bake space in your air fryer to ensure that your pizza will fit comfortably. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to adjust the amount of dough used or consider making multiple smaller pizzas.

Toppings

The type and amount of toppings you plan to use can also influence your choice of pizza base. If you prefer a more loaded pizza with lots of toppings, a thicker crust might be a better option to handle the weight and ensure even cooking. On the other hand, if you like to keep it simple with just a few toppings, a thin crust can provide a nice balance.

Pre-made Bases

If you're short on time or don't want to bother with making your own dough, you can opt for pre-made pizza bases such as flatbreads or boboli. These are convenient and can be topped and cooked directly in the air fryer without the need for pre-baking the crust.

Freezing and Storage

If you plan to make multiple pizzas or want to prepare some in advance, consider the freezing and storage options for your pizza bases. You can pre-bake the crusts, add toppings, and then freeze them for later consumption. This way, you can have a handy stash of pizzas ready to be air-fried whenever cravings strike!

Frequently asked questions