Air-Fryer Pizza: A Quick, Crispy Fresh Bite

how to cook fresh pizza in air fryer

Pizza cooked in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make delicious, fresh pizza. Air fryers are great for making personal pizzas, and they can be easily customised to everyone's liking. You can use store-bought or homemade pizza dough, and the air fryer's fast cooking time means your toppings should be thinly sliced so they cook evenly. The key to a crispy crust is to pre-cook the dough, and then add the sauce and toppings. The pizza is cooked when the crust is golden brown and the cheese has melted.

Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Fresh Pizza in an Air Fryer

Characteristics Values
Preheat Air Fryer 375°F (190°C) or 400°F
Oil Spray air fryer basket with oil or brush dough with olive oil
Dough Store-bought or homemade pizza dough, rolled-out crescent rolls, or a tortilla
Dough Size 12-inch piece of dough for 2 personal pizzas
Dough Thickness Less than 1/4 inch
Dough Preparation Prick dough with a fork, season with garlic salt and Italian herbs (optional)
Parchment Paper Cut to match the size of the dough, helps transfer pizza in and out of the fryer
First Cooking Phase Cook dough for 1-3 minutes, then flip
Toppings Pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, onion, basil, red pepper flakes, cheddar cheese, garlic infused olive oil, pecorino cheese, hot honey drizzle, etc.
Second Cooking Phase Cook pizza for another 3-9 minutes or until crust is golden brown and crispy and cheese has melted
Reheating Preheat air fryer to 320°F, cook for 4-5 minutes
Storage Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days

cycookery

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C)

Preheating your air fryer is an essential step in the pizza-making process. By preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C), you ensure that your pizza cooks evenly and achieves the desired level of crispiness. This step also helps to prevent a common issue with air fryers: a soggy pizza crust. Insufficient preheating can lead to a less-than-ideal pizza base, so it is important to allow your air fryer to reach the desired temperature before proceeding.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your pizza toppings and sauce. Chop any vegetables or meats you plan to use, and have your sauce ready by the time the air fryer reaches 375°F (190°C). This way, you can assemble your pizza efficiently once the air fryer is preheated.

Additionally, preheating helps to create the optimal environment for cooking your pizza dough. The hot air circulating inside the air fryer will ensure that your pizza cooks evenly on all sides. This is especially important if you want a crispy crust, as it allows the dough to cook thoroughly without becoming too hard.

Preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) is a crucial step that sets the foundation for a well-cooked pizza. It ensures even cooking, prevents sogginess, and creates the perfect environment for your pizza dough to transform into a delicious, crispy base for your toppings.

cycookery

Prepare the dough

To prepare the dough for an air fryer pizza, you can use store-bought or homemade pizza dough, rolled-out crescent rolls, or a tortilla. A 12-inch piece of dough will make 2 personal pizzas.

If you're making your own dough, prepare it the night before and stick it in a bowl, covered, in the fridge to rise. You can also make the dough in advance and freeze it for up to 4 months. When you're ready to use it, let it thaw overnight.

Before rolling out the dough, preheat your air fryer to 375°F–400°F (190°C). Then, lightly flour a work surface and roll out your pizza dough to a size that will fit in your air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you’ll probably be making personal pan pizzas. Roll the crust out really thin (less than ¼ inch).

Next, cut some parchment paper to match the size of your dough and place the rolled-out dough on it. This will help you transfer the dough into and out of the air fryer. Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil or non-stick spray, and brush the top of the crust lightly with olive oil. If you want a flavored crust, sprinkle some garlic salt and Italian herbs over the outer crust. Prick the dough all over with a fork (this will help it bake flat).

cycookery

Use parchment paper

Using parchment paper is a great way to ensure your pizza cooks evenly and achieves a crispy crust. It also makes it easier to transfer the pizza in and out of the air fryer without it falling apart.

First, cut a piece of parchment paper to match the size of your pizza dough. You can place the dough directly on the parchment paper, which will make it easier to transfer into the air fryer basket without it breaking or losing any toppings. You can also use the parchment paper to help you flip the pizza halfway through cooking.

Parchment paper is a good option if you want to avoid spraying oil into the air fryer basket. It helps to prevent the pizza from sticking to the basket and makes cleaning up easier. It also means you can avoid adding extra oil to your pizza, making it a healthier option.

If you don't have parchment paper, you can use a small amount of olive oil or non-stick spray to grease the air fryer basket. However, using parchment paper is a more convenient option, especially when it comes to cleaning up. It's also a good way to ensure your pizza doesn't stick, which can be a common issue when cooking pizza in an air fryer.

cycookery

Cook the crust

To cook fresh pizza in an air fryer, you'll first need to preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place your pizza dough on a piece of parchment paper, which will make it easier to transfer in and out of the air fryer. Roll out the dough to fit the size of your air fryer basket, and poke holes in it with a fork to help it bake evenly.

Next, brush the dough with olive oil and place it in the air fryer for 3 minutes. Then, flip the dough and cook for another 1-3 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy. You can then add your sauce, cheese, and toppings. Finally, cook the pizza for another 5-9 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the crust is crispy.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the brand and size of your air fryer, so be sure to keep an eye on your pizza to prevent overcooking or burning.

Additionally, if you're using store-bought pizza dough, follow the package instructions for pre-baking the crust, as some doughs may require it.

cycookery

Assemble the pizza

To assemble your pizza, start by placing your pizza crust on a sheet of parchment paper. This will make it easier to transfer the pizza into and out of the air fryer. If you're using store-bought pizza dough, you can skip the step of pre-baking the crust.

Next, spread a light layer of tomato sauce or your preferred pizza sauce over the crust. You can make your own sauce or use a store-bought option. If making your own, prepare it in advance and store it in the fridge until needed.

After the sauce, it's time to add the cheese. Sprinkle shredded cheese such as mozzarella or any other cheese of your choice over the sauced crust. You can also add chunks of cheese for those irresistible cheese pulls. If you're using pepperoni or other light toppings, consider adding them after the cheese to prevent them from blowing off during cooking.

Finally, add your desired toppings. Be creative and generous, but remember that too many toppings can result in a soggy crust. If you're using fresh basil, grated Parmesan, or red pepper flakes, sprinkle them on just before serving for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Once your pizza is assembled, it's ready to be placed in the air fryer for cooking.

Frequently asked questions

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

Cooking times may vary depending on the brand and size of your air fryer. It can take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes to cook a fresh pizza in an air fryer.

Use a rack or a dehydrating rack to prevent toppings from flying around. You can also add cheese on top of your toppings to keep them in place.

You can use store-bought or homemade pizza dough, rolled-out crescent rolls, or a tortilla.

Preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and air circulation. Also, avoid overloading your pizza with too many toppings and sauce, as this can result in a soggy crust.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment