Air-Fryer French Bread Pizza: The Perfect Timing

French bread pizza is a quick and easy meal to make in the air fryer, and it's even faster than cooking it in the oven. The air fryer crisps up the crust while melting the cheese to a heavenly consistency. It's also a great way to use up leftover bread. You can make French bread pizza in the air fryer in under 15 minutes from scratch, and in just 5 minutes from frozen.

How to make French bread pizza in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• French bread
• Pizza sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Olive oil
• Italian seasoning
• Your choice of toppings (pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, ham, onions, sausage, etc.)

Optional Ingredients:

• Garlic powder
• Oregano
• Provolone cheese
• Pesto sauce
• Tomatoes
• Fresh mozzarella cheese
• Barbecue sauce
• Rotisserie chicken
• Monterey jack cheese
• Eggs
• Breakfast sausage
• Cheddar cheese
• Alfredo sauce
• Spinach
• Balsamic glaze
• Italian sausage
• Sherry vinegar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Red chilli flakes
• Pesto
• Mayo
• Baguette

Steps:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F.
• Slice the loaf of French bread in half lengthwise, then slice each half into two pieces to make a total of four pieces.
• Combine olive oil with Italian seasoning (and garlic powder and oregano if you're using them). Brush this mixture over the cut sides of the bread.
• Place the seasoned French bread into the air fryer and cook for 3 minutes to toast the bread.
• Once the bread is toasted, remove it from the air fryer. Spread each piece with a thin layer of pizza sauce, then add cheese and your desired toppings.
• Return the pizzas to the air fryer and cook for 5-7 minutes at 350-400°F, or until the cheese is melted.
• Allow the pizzas to cool for a couple of minutes before serving.

Tips:

• If you're using frozen French bread pizza, there's no need to defrost it first. Simply preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook the pizza for 8 minutes at 370°F.
• If you're using a baguette instead of French bread, you may need to trim the bread slices to fit your air fryer.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can use the broiler setting on your oven. Broil the bread on high for 1-2 minutes, then broil the pizzas for 3-5 minutes after adding the toppings.

French bread pizza cooking time and temperature

French bread pizzas are a quick and easy meal to make in an air fryer, and only take around 15 minutes to cook. The cooking time and temperature can vary slightly depending on the type of air fryer you have, and whether you are cooking from frozen.

Cooking Time and Temperature

If you are cooking from fresh, you should preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F. Place your French bread in the air fryer basket, cut side up, and cook for 3 minutes. Remove the basket from the air fryer, and add your toppings. Place the basket back into the air fryer and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

If you are cooking from frozen, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 4 minutes. Place your frozen French bread pizza in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and cook at 370°F for 8 minutes.

Tips

• You can use any toppings you like, but it is recommended to toast the bread first before adding your sauce and toppings, to prevent the pizza from becoming soggy.
• If you are cooking more than one pizza, work in batches.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook French bread pizza under the grill/broiler in your oven.

French bread pizza toppings

French bread pizzas are a great way to enjoy a quick, easy, and delicious meal or snack. The best part about making homemade pizza is that you can customise it with your favourite toppings. Here are some ideas for French bread pizza toppings to get you started:

Meat Toppings

• Pepperoni
• Italian Sausage
• Shredded Chicken
• Ham
• Bacon
• Canadian Bacon
• Prosciutto
• Chorizo
• Roast Beef
• Steak

Vegetable Toppings

• Onions
• Olives
• Red Peppers
• Artichokes
• Spinach
• Mushrooms
• Jalapenos
• Zucchini
• Sun-dried Tomatoes
• Pineapple
• Tomatoes
• Bell Peppers
• Banana Peppers
• Peaches
• Herbs

Cheese Toppings

• Mozzarella
• Parmesan
• Provolone
• Asiago
• Cheddar
• Romano
• Havarti
• Goat Cheese
• Feta

Feel free to mix and match different toppings to create your own unique French bread pizza combinations. You can also experiment with different types of sauces, such as pesto sauce, alfredo sauce, or even a garlic-infused olive oil base. Get creative and enjoy your homemade French bread pizzas!

French bread pizza alternatives

French bread pizza is a quick and easy meal to make, and you can use an air fryer to speed up the process even more. But what if you don't have French bread, or want to try something different? Here are some alternatives to French bread pizza that you can try:

Using Different Breads

French bread pizza can be made with Italian bread or a small baguette instead of French bread. These breads are similar to French bread and work well as a base for the pizza. You can also try using frozen garlic bread, a crusty white bread loaf, or even a roll or hoagie roll. If you're feeling creative, you can experiment with other types of bread like bagels, sourdough, or even a French baguette, though the crust may be too hard to bite through.

Pizza Alternatives

If you're looking for something a little different, you can try making pizza bagels, English muffin pizzas, or pizza grilled cheese. These are all quick and easy alternatives to traditional pizza that use different types of bread as the base.

Different Toppings

The beauty of homemade pizza is that you can get creative with your toppings. While French bread pizza is typically made with pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, you can mix it up by adding vegetables like onions, olives, peppers, or mushrooms, or different types of meat like sausage, ham, or chicken. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, sauces, and seasonings to create your own unique flavour combinations.

Breakfast Pizza

For a breakfast twist on French bread pizza, try using softened butter instead of seasoned olive oil. Air fry the bread to toast it, then top with scrambled eggs, cooked breakfast sausage, and sliced cheddar cheese. Return the pizza to the air fryer and cook until the cheese is melted.

Pesto & Tomato Pizza

For a fresh and flavourful alternative, replace the pizza sauce with pesto sauce and top with sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese. This combination is sure to be a hit with those who love the taste of summer.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

This variation is perfect for those who love a little sweetness to their pizza. Spread a layer of barbecue sauce on the bread, followed by leftover rotisserie chicken, and Monterey jack cheese. Air fry as directed, and enjoy the perfect blend of sweet and savoury flavours.

Whether you're looking for a different type of bread, some creative toppings, or a completely new twist on the traditional French bread pizza, these alternatives are sure to satisfy your cravings and keep mealtime interesting!

French bread pizza storage

If you're lucky enough to have any French bread pizza left over, it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, simply pop it back in the air fryer for a few minutes to maintain that crispy crust. You can also reheat it in a warm oven or microwave.

If you want to freeze your French bread pizza, first let it cool completely, then wrap it in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy it again, bake it in the oven straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Frequently asked questions