Air-Fryer Tortilla Pizzas: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer tortilla pizzas are a quick, easy, and convenient meal option that can be made in under 15 minutes. They are also a fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen. The best part? You can get creative and experiment with different toppings and sauces to make your very own pizza masterpiece.

Choosing the right tortilla

Type of Tortilla

You can use various types of tortillas for your pizza, including flour, corn, almond flour, gluten-free, or chickpea flour tortillas. Flour tortillas are the most commonly used and recommended option, as they provide a crispy and sturdy base for your pizza. Corn tortillas can also be used, but they may require a light layer of oil on each side to ensure crispiness. If you prefer gluten-free or alternative flour options, almond flour, chickpea flour, or gluten-free tortillas are available. Just remember that alternative flour tortillas may have a shorter cooking time, so keep an eye on them to prevent burning.

Size of Tortilla

It is essential to select a tortilla that fits your air fryer basket or tray. The standard size recommended is a 6-inch or 8-inch tortilla, which creates a personal-sized pizza. If needed, you can cut down a larger tortilla to fit your air fryer. Using a tortilla that is too big for your air fryer may result in uneven cooking or difficulty removing the pizza once it's done.

Quality of Tortilla

When choosing a tortilla, opt for high-quality options that are not too thin. Thicker tortillas tend to hold up better under the weight of toppings and sauce, reducing the chances of a soggy pizza. Look for tortillas that are fresh and have a good texture, as this will impact the overall taste and crispiness of your pizza.

Customization Options

The beauty of tortilla pizzas is their customizability. You can choose whole wheat tortillas for added fibre, or go for a higher protein or low-carb option if that aligns with your dietary preferences or goals. Some people even experiment with pita bread, naan, or cauliflower crusts as alternative bases. Remember, the tortilla is the foundation of your pizza, so choose one that aligns with your taste preferences and nutritional needs.

Storage and Freshness

While tortilla pizzas are best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer, you can make them ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer or use a toaster oven to regain that crispy texture.

Using oil for crispiness

To get a crispy tortilla pizza base, it is important to use oil. Flour tortillas crisp easily in the air fryer without oil, but if you are using corn tortillas, it is best to add a light layer of oil to each side of the tortilla. This will help make the tortilla crispier.

When using oil, it is best to brush the outer edges of the tortilla with oil before adding the sauce and toppings. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any cooking oil you have. This will make the edges of the tortilla crispy and yummy.

If you want to add a little extra oil, you can also spray or drizzle the assembled pizza with olive oil and add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning before placing it in the air fryer. This will help the seasoning adhere and give the pizza a nice golden colour.

It is also important to note that the type of tortilla you use can affect crispiness. Flour tortillas work well, but you can also try whole wheat, almond flour, or corn tortillas. Just be sure to check the pizza while it is cooking, as thinner tortillas may cook faster.

Additionally, preheating your air fryer and greasing the air fryer basket can help ensure a super crispy crust.

Sauce and topping quantities

The quantity of sauce and toppings you use for your tortilla pizza will depend on the size of your tortilla and your air fryer basket. It's important not to overload your pizza with toppings to avoid making the tortilla soggy. As a general rule, leave a thin crust around the edges of your tortilla and don't use more than 1 tablespoon of sauce.

For an 8-inch tortilla, use 3-4 tablespoons of sauce and 1/4 cup of cheese. If you're using an 8-10 inch tortilla, you'll need 3 tablespoons of sauce and 2 tablespoons of cheese. You can also add your desired toppings, such as pepperoni, sausage, chicken, peppers, mushrooms, pineapple, and so on. Just remember not to overload your pizza.

If you're using an air fryer rack, you can be a bit more generous with your toppings as the rack will help to hold them in place and prevent them from flying off.

Customising your pizza

Sauce

You can use any pizza or marinara sauce, or even get creative with alternatives like pesto, alfredo sauce, barbecue sauce, tzatziki, or garlicky cilantro lime sauce. For a white pizza, simply swap out the red sauce for a white sauce like alfredo.

Cheese

While mozzarella is a popular choice, you are not limited to it. You can use cheddar, Swiss, Mexican blend, Italian four-cheese blend, provolone, or even a dairy-free cheese alternative.

Meat Toppings

The options are endless, including pepperoni, cooked sausage, bacon, ham, chicken, ground beef, chicken sausage, salami, and bacon bits. If you're feeling adventurous, try something unique like lamb meatballs or falafel.

Vegetable Toppings

Load up on veggies like sliced mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, jalapeños, pineapple, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, spinach, cherry tomatoes, banana peppers, broccoli, olives, roasted garlic, caramelised onions, or broccoli.

Speciality Pizzas

Try a taco tortilla pizza with salsa as the base, topped with black beans and diced green chillies. Or, for a breakfast pizza, try using breakfast meats and eggs as toppings. For a sweet treat, make a dessert pizza with Nutella, marshmallow fluff, and sliced bananas.

Remember, the key to a successful tortilla pizza is not to overload it with too many toppings, as this can make the tortilla soggy. Stick to a moderate amount of sauce, cheese, and toppings, and feel free to get creative with your combinations!

Reheating and storing

If you have any leftovers, tortilla pizzas can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three or four days.

To reheat, place the pizza back in the air fryer or toaster oven for one minute at 400°F or until the cheese has melted. You can also reheat it in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or until the pizza is crispy and the cheese has melted.

Frequently asked questions