Air Fryer Pizza: Cooking Time And Tips

Cooking pizza in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, crispy crust. The cooking time will depend on the type of pizza you are making and the specifications of your air fryer, but generally, it should take around 10 minutes or less to cook a pizza in an air fryer. This includes the time it takes to pre-cook the pizza dough, which is a recommended step to ensure the base is cooked through.

Cooking Pizza in an Air Fryer

Pre-cooking the pizza dough

First, roll out your pizza dough. You can use store-bought or homemade dough, rolled-out crescent rolls, or a tortilla. A 12-inch piece of dough will make two personal pizzas. Cut the dough into four equal parts and roll into a thin, round shape. You can also shape the dough into four small squares if that fits your air fryer better.

Next, line your air fryer with parchment paper, which will make the pizza easier to serve and keep the pan clean. Place the dough on the parchment paper and, if you like, brush it with olive oil or garlic spread and prick it with a fork.

Cook the dough for three minutes, then flip it and cook for another two to three minutes. You want the crust to be golden brown and crispy.

Recommended toppings

The great thing about making pizza in an air fryer is that you can choose your favourite toppings and customize your pizza to your taste. You can use store-bought or homemade pizza dough, rolled-out crescent rolls, or a tortilla.

Some recommended toppings for your air fryer pizza include:

• Fresh basil, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes for added flavour.
• Mozzarella cheese, which is known for its creamy texture and rich flavour, creating deliciously gooey, stretchy cheese pulls.
• Sirloin steak, onions, and red peppers for a savoury and colourful pizza.
• Pepperoni slices and black olives for a classic flavour combination.
• Extra virgin olive oil to brush the crust, giving it a crispy and golden-brown finish.
• Tomato sauce, either store-bought or homemade marinara sauce, as a base for your toppings.
• Pre-cooked meat such as pepperoni or other cured meats for some added protein.
• Chopped vegetables such as green peppers or onions for extra nutrients and texture.

Remember to add cheese both under and on top of the toppings to help hold them in place and prevent them from flying around in the air fryer. You can also place an air fryer rack on top of the pizza while it cooks to keep the toppings in place.

How to stop toppings from blowing away

Air fryers are a great way to cook a pizza quickly and efficiently, with a perfectly crispy crust. However, one common issue is toppings blowing away due to the hot air circulation in the fryer. Here are some tips to prevent this from happening:

Firstly, it is important to prepare the pizza correctly. Precook the crust in the air fryer for around 3 minutes to achieve a crispy base. Then, flip the crust and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. After this, you can add your desired toppings. It is recommended to add cheese both under and on top of the toppings to act as an adhesive and prevent them from blowing away. For example, when adding black olives, press them into the cheese so they are more likely to stay in place.

Secondly, use the correct equipment to prevent toppings from blowing away. Place an air fryer rack on top of the pizza to hold the toppings down. Some air fryers, such as the Phillips model, come with a metal cover that snaps onto the basket, which can be useful for this purpose. If your air fryer does not have a rack or cover, you can get creative. One suggestion is to use aluminium foil to create a lid for the fryer, which can be removed after the toppings are cooked and melted into place.

Finally, consider the order and timing of adding your toppings. If you are adding pepperoni, try covering it with cheese so that it gets crispy without blowing away. Alternatively, only add the pepperoni after baking the pizza for a couple of minutes, to ensure it has a chance to cook into the cheese.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

First, line your air fryer basket with a reusable perforated silicone mat. These mats have holes that allow hot air to circulate evenly, ensuring your pizza cooks uniformly and gets nice and crispy. If you don't have a silicone mat, you can use parchment paper instead.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

For optimal results, it's recommended to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 350°F (180°C) for a standard reheat. If your pizza slices are on the thinner side, you may want to lower the temperature to 325°F (165°C) to avoid overcooking.

Step 3: Place the Pizza in the Air Fryer

Arrange your leftover pizza slices in a single layer on the silicone mat or parchment paper. If you're reheating multiple slices, make sure they don't overlap to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Reheat the Pizza

Close the air fryer drawer and let the magic happen! The reheating time will depend on the thickness of your pizza and the model of your air fryer. For a standard-sized slice, start with 3-4 minutes at 350°F (180°C). If your slices are thinner, 2-3 minutes may be enough, while thicker slices might need up to 6 minutes. Keep an eye on your pizza to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn.

Step 5: Enjoy Your Pizza!

Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer. Your leftover pizza should now have a crispy crust and melted cheese, just like fresh out of the oven! Enjoy your reheated pizza, and feel free to add any fresh toppings or sides to enhance your meal.

Remember, these instructions are a general guide, and you may need to adjust the temperature and timing slightly based on your air fryer model and the thickness of your pizza slices. Always exercise caution when handling hot food and enjoy your freshly reheated pizza!

Cooking times for frozen pizzas

The cooking time for frozen pizzas in an air fryer varies depending on the type, size, and thickness of the pizza, as well as the specific air fryer model being used. Here are some general guidelines for cooking frozen pizzas in an air fryer:

Thin Crust Pizzas:

For thin crust pizzas, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the frozen pizza in the air fryer and cook for 3 minutes. Flip the pizza and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Add your desired toppings and cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden and crispy.

Frozen French Bread Pizza:

Set your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Place the frozen French bread pizza in the air fryer and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.

Personal Frozen Deep Dish Pizza:

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the frozen deep dish pizza in the air fryer and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.

Ellio's Frozen Pizza:

Cook Ellio's frozen pizza at 350°F (180°C) for about 5 minutes. If you want it extra cheesy, add a little extra cheese during the last minute of cooking.

Full-Size Pizzas:

Most air fryers cannot accommodate a full-size pizza. In this case, it is recommended to cut the pizza into smaller slices or use mini pizzas. Place as many slices as possible in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (180°C) for 5 minutes. Repeat as needed until all the slices are cooked.

It is important to keep an eye on the pizza while it is cooking to ensure it doesn't burn. If the pizza starts to burn before it is fully cooked, cover it with aluminium foil to prevent overcooking.

Frequently asked questions