Emilie Meyer
Naan bread pizzas are a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be made in an air fryer in under 20 minutes. They are a great option for busy weeknights as they are cheap, filling, and customisable to each family member's preferences. The best part is that you can use store-bought naan bread and your favourite ingredients to create a unique and tasty pizza without having to heat up your entire oven.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 360°F/180°C or 375°F/190°C |
| Timing | 3-7 minutes |
| Toppings | Classic pizza toppings, or create a fusion pizza with peshwari naan and tikka masala sauce |
| Naan type | Plain, garlic, gluten-free, whole wheat, or peshwari naan |
| Cheese | Mozzarella, Italian blend, fresh mozzarella, or thick-cut cheese |
| Sauce | Pizza sauce, pesto, olive oil, BBQ sauce, roasted garlic olive oil, or bechamel |
| Other ingredients | Basil, mushrooms, tomatoes, pepperoni, sausage, peppers, chicken, or vegetables |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your naan bread
When it comes to choosing your naan bread, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide if you want to make your own naan bread from scratch or use store-bought. While making your own will give you more control over the ingredients and flavour, it will also add to the overall preparation and cooking time. On the other hand, store-bought naan bread, either fresh or frozen, offers convenience and can be found in the bakery section or bread aisle of most supermarkets.
If you opt for store-bought, you'll then need to decide between regular, garlic, whole wheat, or gluten-free naan bread. Garlic naan bread, in particular, can add a unique flavour to your pizza. Additionally, consider the size of the naan bread. Mini naan breads are great for personal-sized pizzas, allowing each family member to customise their own. However, if your air fryer has sufficient space, regular-sized naan bread can be used to make a more substantial pizza.
Lastly, think about the texture and thickness of the naan bread. For a crispier pizza base, choose a thinner naan bread, and consider pre-heating the air fryer with the naan inside to toast the bread before adding toppings. If you prefer a softer, fluffier base, go for a thicker naan bread and adjust your cooking time accordingly.
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Sauce options
When it comes to sauce options for your naan bread pizza, you have a wide range of choices to suit your taste and preferences. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Tomato-Based Sauces:
- Classic tomato pizza sauce is a popular choice and can be found readily at most stores.
- For a simple, light sauce, swirl some passata with dried herbs on your naan before adding other toppings.
- Marinara sauce is another option, giving your pizza a traditional Italian flavor.
- If you're feeling adventurous, try a Tikka Masala sauce for an Indian fusion-style pizza.
Creamy Sauces:
- For a decadent option, try a Béchamel or Alfredo sauce as your base. These white sauces pair well with a variety of toppings and can be enhanced with herbs and spices.
- Pesto is a great choice for those who want a strong basil flavor. It pairs well with fresh mozzarella and other Italian toppings.
- Mascarpone cheese can also be used as a base sauce, offering a rich and creamy texture to your pizza.
Oil-Based Sauces:
- Roasted garlic olive oil can be brushed onto the naan bread to add a subtle garlic flavor to your pizza.
- Regular olive oil is also an option, especially if you want to keep things simple and let your toppings shine.
- BBQ sauce is a great choice for those who want a smoky, tangy flavor. It pairs well with meats like chicken or sausage.
Remember, the beauty of making naan bread pizza is the ability to customize it to your liking. You can also mix and match different sauces, creating unique combinations that suit your taste buds. Get creative and don't be afraid to experiment with different sauce options!
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Cheese choices
When it comes to cheese choices for your naan bread pizza, there are several options to consider. Firstly, mozzarella is a popular choice, as it pairs well with a variety of toppings and sauces. You can use fresh mozzarella, which gives a more authentic Italian flavour, or go for shredded or thick-cut mozzarella, which is less likely to fly around in the air fryer. You can also use a mixture of shredded mozzarella and provolone for a unique blend.
Another option is to use an Italian cheese blend, which can include a variety of cheeses such as mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan. This blend adds a depth of flavour to your pizza and is a great way to enhance the overall taste.
If you're looking for a more indulgent option, consider using a thick layer of mascarpone to create a white pizza base. You can also add other cheeses, such as parmesan, on top of the mascarpone for an extra cheesy kick.
For those who want a more classic pizza experience, a standard combination of pizza sauce and grated cheese works well. You can also add a little shredded cheese on top of your other toppings to help keep them in place and prevent them from flying around during cooking.
Lastly, feta cheese is a great choice for a Greek-style pizza, paired with toppings like olives, thinly sliced red onions, dried oregano, and sliced fresh tomatoes.
No matter which cheese you choose, the cooking time will generally be between 3 and 7 minutes at around 360°F to 375°F, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and starting to brown.
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Toppings
The beauty of making a naan bread pizza in an air fryer is that you can use any toppings you like. You can use classic pizza toppings or get creative with fusion pizzas.
If you want to make an Indian fusion pizza, you could use peshwari naan with tikka masala sauce. You could also try pesto, bechamel, mascarpone, or a simple swirl of passata with dried herbs. For a Greek-style pizza, try olives, feta cheese, thinly sliced red onions, dried oregano, and sliced fresh tomatoes.
You can add raw veggies like sliced onions, peppers, and mushrooms, but they won't cook much during the short cooking time. If you want your veggies to be more well-done, you can pre-cook them in the air fryer before adding them to your pizza.
For meat toppings, you could try cooked ham, bacon, pepperoni, rotisserie chicken, or sausage. If you're using pepperoni, it's a good idea to place an air fryer rack on top of your pizza as it cooks, as lightweight toppings may blow around in the air fryer.
For cheese, you can use fresh mozzarella, Italian blend, or shredded cheese. If you're using shredded cheese, add it on top of your other toppings to prevent them from blowing around.
Other toppings to try include fresh basil, parmesan, black pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes.
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Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time and temperature for naan bread pizza in an air fryer can vary depending on the type of naan bread and toppings used, as well as the desired level of crispness. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you:
First, preheat your air fryer. If you are using refrigerated naan bread, preheat to 360°F (180°C) for about 1 minute. For frozen naan bread, preheat the air fryer without setting a timer. For a crispier crust, you can place the naan bread in the air fryer while preheating.
Once preheated, place the naan bread in the air fryer and cook for 3-5 minutes at 360°F (180°C) to 375°F (190°C) until lightly golden. If you are using refrigerated naan bread, this step may only take 3 minutes.
After the first round of cooking, remove the naan bread from the air fryer and add your desired toppings. Start with the sauce, spreading it evenly over the naan bread. Then, add cheese and any other toppings of your choice.
Return the naan bread pizza to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-7 minutes at 375°F (190°C). The total cooking time for this step will depend on the type of cheese and toppings used, as well as your desired level of crispness. For melted cheese and bubbly edges, cook for about 5-7 minutes. If you are using fresh, soft mozzarella, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Finally, remove the naan bread pizza from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model and the type of toppings used. Be sure to keep an eye on your pizza to ensure it doesn't burn, especially if you are using lighter toppings that may blow around in the air fryer, such as pepperoni.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes approximately 5 to 7 minutes at 375°F. Keep an eye on it to make sure the cheese is bubbling and the edges are golden brown.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F to 375°F. The higher the temperature, the crispier the crust will be.
You can use a variety of toppings, such as meat, vegetables, and cheese. Popular meat toppings include pepperoni, cooked sausage, and ham. For vegetables, consider mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and olives. Finish your pizza with toppings like fresh basil, dry oregano, and parmesan cheese.
You can use store-bought naan bread, either plain or flavored with garlic or whole wheat. Using premade naan bread will make the recipe quicker and easier. However, you can also make your own naan bread from scratch if you have the time.
