Air Fryer Pizza: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer pizza is a quick and easy way to make a pizza with a crispy, golden crust and melted cheese. The intense heat of an air fryer helps the dough rise quickly, creating a light and airy inside with a crunchy outer layer. The cooking time depends on the type of crust used, but on average, it takes around 10 minutes to cook an air fryer pizza.

Pre-cooking the pizza dough

Firstly, prepare your dough by dividing it into balls if you are making personal pizzas. Then, work the dough into rounds that are slightly smaller than your air fryer basket. This step ensures that your pizza will fit comfortably in the basket and cook evenly.

Next, lightly grease the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil or non-stick spray. This will prevent the dough from sticking and make it easier to remove once cooked. Brush the top of the crust with a small amount of olive oil to create a golden, crispy crust. If you want to add extra flavour, you can sprinkle garlic salt and Italian herbs over the outer crust.

Before placing the dough in the air fryer, use a fork to poke holes in the centre of the dough, avoiding the outer crust area. This step will prevent the dough from ballooning up as it cooks.

Now, you are ready to pre-cook the pizza dough. Place the dough in the air fryer basket and cook for around 3 minutes. This step will give the dough a head start so that it is cooked through by the time your toppings are melted and bubbly.

Once the dough is pre-cooked, you can remove it from the air fryer and assemble your pizza. Add your sauce, cheese, and any other desired toppings. If you are using lightweight toppings, such as fresh basil, it is recommended to add the cheese first and then push the other toppings into the softened cheese to prevent them from blowing around in the air fryer.

Finally, place the assembled pizza back into the air fryer and cook until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted. This usually takes around 4-5 minutes for pre-cooked crusts, such as Boboli or pita, and 7-9 minutes for raw dough.

Adding toppings

Meats

• Pepperoni
• Sausage
• Salami
• Ham
• Shredded chicken
• Ground beef

Vegetables

• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Chopped tomatoes
• Black olives
• Green olives
• Red peppers
• Basil

Cheeses

• Mozzarella
• Parmesan
• Cheddar
• Italian blend
• Bocconcini

When adding toppings to your pizza, it's important to consider the weight of the toppings. The fan in an air fryer is strong and can blow lightweight toppings around. To prevent this from happening, you can place a rack over the pizza or secure lightweight toppings, like pepperoni, with toothpicks.

Additionally, if you're using fresh herbs like basil, it's best to add them after cooking to avoid burning.

For the best results, assemble your pizza in the air fryer basket. Start by spreading your sauce over the pre-cooked crust, then add your cheese and other desired toppings. This ensures that your toppings will stay in place and cook evenly.

Cooking the pizza

Now that you've gathered your ingredients and prepared your pizza base, it's time to cook your pizza in the air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer: Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to ensure even cooking. The ideal temperature seems to be around 350-380°F (190°C). You can also spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Prepare the pizza crust: If you're using a ball of dough, roll or stretch it into a thin disk, aiming for about 1/4-inch thickness. You may need to let the dough rest for a bit if it's difficult to work with.
• Precook the crust: Place the crust in the air fryer and cook for 3 minutes. This step helps achieve a crispy base. You can brush the crust with olive oil before cooking for extra crispness and flavour.
• Flip the crust: After the initial 3 minutes, flip the crust over to prevent the bottom from remaining white.
• Add sauce and cheese: Take the pre-cooked crust out of the air fryer and spread a layer of tomato sauce over it, leaving a small border around the edge. Sprinkle Italian seasoning or dried oregano over the sauce, then add shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Add toppings: At this point, you can add your desired toppings. Meats like pepperoni, sausage, and ground beef should be pre-cooked. Other options include mushrooms, olives, onions, basil, and bell peppers.
• Final cook: Place the assembled pizza back into the air fryer and cook for an additional 4-7 minutes. The pizza is done when the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
• Cooling and serving: Remember that the pizza will be very hot when it comes out of the air fryer. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips and Tricks

• To prevent lightweight toppings from blowing around or falling off, add the sauce and cheese first, cook for 1 minute to soften the cheese, and then add the rest of the toppings.
• If using pepperoni, secure the slices with toothpicks or cover the pizza with a rack to prevent them from flying around.
• If making multiple pizzas, keep the first pizza warm in the oven at a low temperature while cooking the others.
• To reheat leftover pizza, place it in the air fryer at 320-325°F (165°C) for about 4-5 minutes.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

Leftover pizza is a delicious treat, but no one likes soggy, unevenly heated slices. Reheating pizza in an air fryer is a quick and effective way to achieve that "just made" taste and texture.

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer. Most sources recommend a temperature of around 350°F, but this can vary between 320°F and 375°F.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza

Place your pizza slices in the air fryer basket or oven-style air fryer. Ensure they are in a single layer and do not overlap, as this will affect even cooking. You can use foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup, but this is not necessary.

Step 3: Reheat the Pizza

Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your pizza slices and the wattage of your air fryer. As a guide, thinner pizzas will take around 3-4 minutes, while thicker slices may need up to 6 minutes. Check your pizza regularly to ensure it is not burning, and adjust the temperature if necessary.

Step 4: Enjoy!

Once your pizza is warmed to your liking, carefully remove it from the air fryer and enjoy your perfectly reheated slice!

Tips:

• Preheating the air fryer is an important step to ensure a crispy crust.
• The amount of time needed will depend on the thickness of your pizza and the wattage of your air fryer, so keep a close eye on your pizza to ensure it doesn't burn.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket or tray.
• You can reheat multiple slices at once, but ensure they are a similar thickness and size so they cook evenly.
• If your toppings are burning before the crust is crispy, consider removing them before reheating and adding them back in for the last minute or two.
• For extra crispy slices, spray them with a little olive oil before cooking.

Using frozen pizza in an air fryer

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

It is recommended to preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and a crispy crust. Set the temperature to between 380°F and 400°F (around 200°C). This will create the ideal environment for your frozen pizza to cook through and achieve that desired golden crust.

Step 2: Prepare Your Frozen Pizza

Take your frozen pizza out of its packaging. You can use any variety of frozen pizza, from deep-dish to French bread pizza. If your pizza is larger than the air fryer basket, consider cutting it into sections that will fit comfortably. You can also add extra toppings at this stage if desired.

Step 3: Place the Pizza in the Air Fryer

Carefully place the frozen pizza into the preheated air fryer basket. If you are concerned about toppings falling off, you can use toothpicks to secure them or place a wire rack over the pizza.

Step 4: Cook the Pizza

Cooking time will vary depending on the type and thickness of your frozen pizza. As a general guideline, cook the pizza for 6 to 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on it, especially towards the end of the cooking time, to ensure it doesn't burn. The pizza is ready when the crust is golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted.

Step 5: Enjoy Your Pizza

Once your pizza is cooked to perfection, carefully remove it from the air fryer and serve it hot. You can also add some extra toppings or seasonings, such as Parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes, to enhance the flavour.

Tips for Success:

• Always preheat your air fryer for the best results.
• Experiment with different types of frozen pizzas to find your favourite.
• If your pizza is too large for the air fryer, consider cutting it into smaller sections.
• Be mindful of cooking time to avoid burning your pizza.
• Get creative with toppings to customise your pizza to your taste.

Frequently asked questions