Air Fryer Deep Dish Pizza: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

If you're a fan of deep-dish pizza, you'll be glad to know that you can cook it in an air fryer. The cooking time will depend on the size and type of your air fryer, the size of the pizza, and the desired crispiness. As a general rule, it takes around 6-10 minutes to cook a frozen deep-dish pizza in an air fryer. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your preferences and the specific characteristics of your air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the pizza-making process. It ensures that your pizza cooks evenly and achieves the desired crispiness. Here's a step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for the perfect deep-dish pizza:

Step 1: Understand Your Air Fryer

First, it's important to know your air fryer. Different models and brands may have specific instructions, so refer to your user manual for any unique guidelines. Additionally, some air fryers may heat up faster or slower than others, so it's good to be familiar with your appliance's characteristics.

Step 2: Preheat Temperature

Set your air fryer to the desired preheat temperature. For deep-dish pizzas, a temperature of around 350°F to 400°F is typically recommended. This temperature range will help ensure that your pizza cooks through evenly, achieving a crispy crust without burning the toppings.

Step 3: Preheat Time

Once you've set the temperature, let your air fryer preheat for a few minutes. Most sources recommend preheating for about 2-3 minutes, but again, this may vary depending on your air fryer's unique characteristics. If you're using a larger air fryer, you might consider preheating for a bit longer to ensure even heating.

Step 4: Prepare the Pizza

While your air fryer is preheating, you can use this time to get your pizza ready. Remove the pizza from its box and plastic packaging. If you're adding any extra toppings, this is a good time to do so. Just be mindful of the type and amount of toppings you add, as they can impact cooking time and evenness.

Step 5: Place the Pizza in the Air Fryer

Once your air fryer has preheated sufficiently, it's time to place your pizza inside. Carefully transfer the frozen pizza into the air fryer basket. Ensure that the pizza doesn't overlap with the edges of the basket to promote even cooking.

Step 6: Adjust Temperature and Set Timer

After placing the pizza in the air fryer, adjust the temperature to the recommended cooking temperature, usually around 360°F for deep-dish pizzas. Then, set the timer for the desired cooking time, typically around 10 minutes for a frozen deep-dish pizza.

Step 7: Monitor the Pizza

Keep an eye on your pizza as it cooks. Different air fryers may cook at varying speeds, and you don't want your pizza to burn. Additionally, if you notice that the crust is cooking faster than the toppings, you can try lowering the temperature slightly or covering the top of the pizza with a small piece of aluminium foil to prevent overcooking.

Remember, preheating your air fryer is an essential step in achieving the perfect deep-dish pizza. It ensures even cooking, helps you avoid common pitfalls like soggy crusts or burnt toppings, and sets the foundation for a delicious, crispy pizza experience.

Temperature and time

The temperature and time for cooking deep-dish pizza in an air fryer depend on the size of the pizza and the type of air fryer being used.

For a personal-sized deep-dish pizza, it is recommended to cook it for 6 to 10 minutes at 380°F/195°C. However, if your air fryer cooks very hot, it is advisable to reduce the temperature to 360°F and check on the pizza after the first 4 minutes, adding an additional minute or two as needed.

For a larger deep-dish pizza, such as the Red Baron Deep Dish Pizza, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Then, place the frozen pizza in the air fryer, adjust the temperature to 360°F, and cook for about 10 minutes.

It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the brand of pizza and the model of the air fryer. Therefore, it is recommended to keep an eye on the pizza and adjust the temperature and timing accordingly.

Additionally, when reheating leftover deep-dish pizza in the air fryer, it is suggested to preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook the pizza for 3 to 7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the crust.

Reheating thick crust or deep-dish pizza

Next, place your leftover pizza slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is space between the slices for air to circulate. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy crust. If your pizza is particularly cheesy or greasy, you can place parchment paper under the slices to make cleanup easier.

For thick crust pizza, air fry for 4 minutes. However, if you are reheating deep-dish pizza, lower the temperature to 220°F (104°C) and heat for 5-6 minutes.

Always ensure your air fryer basket is clean before reheating pizza, and avoid using foil as it will prevent air from flowing around the slices and cooking them evenly.

With this method, you can enjoy a perfectly crispy crust and gooey, melty cheese on your leftover pizza.

Don't overcrowd the basket

When air-frying pizza, it's important not to overcrowd the basket. This is because air fryers use rapid hot air technology to crisp up the crust without drying it out and ensure even heating. Packing too many slices into the air fryer basket limits air circulation, which can lead to soggy, unevenly reheated pizza. Make sure each slice has enough space around it for optimal crispiness.

The number of slices you can fit in the basket will depend on the size and type of air fryer you have. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to heat the slices in batches. It's also worth noting that the final cook time will depend on the model of your air fryer, as well as the thickness of the pizza.

If you're cooking a frozen pizza, it's best to cook from frozen. This is because the crust cooks up crispy and the centre is warmed all the way through. However, if you're reheating leftover pizza, it's important to let it come to room temperature before placing it in the air fryer.

So, for the perfect deep-dish pizza, make sure you don't overcrowd the basket and give your pizza the space it needs to cook evenly and get that all-important crispy crust.

Parchment paper, aluminium foil or silicone liners

Parchment paper, aluminium foil, and silicone liners can all be used in an air fryer, but there are some important things to keep in mind for each.

When using parchment paper, it is essential to ensure that you are using food-grade parchment paper and that it is cut to fit the size of your air fryer basket. It should be cut a bit smaller than the basket to allow for proper air circulation, and perforating the paper can further assist with this. If you are preheating your air fryer, it is best to add the parchment paper afterward, once there is food to weigh it down, as it can fly around and burn if left unsecured. Parchment paper is ideal for foods that may stick to the basket, such as chicken wings, and it makes cleanup easier. However, it can result in a softer crust when cooking pizza. If you use parchment paper regularly, consider investing in a silicone liner, which is reusable and dishwasher-safe.

Aluminium foil can be used safely in an air fryer as long as a few key rules are followed. Firstly, ensure that the foil never comes into contact with the heating element. It should be weighted down to prevent it from blowing around the basket. Additionally, avoid using foil with acidic ingredients, as they can cause the foil to leach onto your food. Foil is ideal for saucy foods, as it can help to eliminate the need for scrubbing burnt sauce off your air fryer. It is also useful for securing items that may roll around or drip through the basket, such as eggs, and for cooking foods in batches, as it can save time on cleanup between batches.

Silicone liners, such as silicone mats or silicone baskets, are a great alternative to parchment paper and foil. They allow for proper air circulation and are safe to use with all types of food. They are also reusable and dishwasher-safe, making them a more environmentally-friendly and convenient option.

Frequently asked questions