Air-Fryer English Muffin Pizzas: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

English muffin pizzas are a fun, easy, and quick meal to make in an air fryer. They are perfect for a busy weeknight, a simple snack, or even a quick lunch. The best part is that you can get creative with the toppings and make it your own!

Choosing your English muffins

English muffins are the base of your pizza, so it's important to choose the right ones. You can use any brand of English muffins for this recipe, such as Thomas' English Muffins, or even go for a whole wheat or whole grain option. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also experiment with other types of bread like pita or bagels, but English muffins are the classic choice for a reason—their round, flat shape and nooks and crannies make them perfect for holding all your favourite toppings.

When preparing your English muffins, be sure to split them in half. You can do this easily by inserting a fork into the side where the perforation marks are and moving it in and out all the way around. This will give you two halves to work with and will also help you achieve the perfect crispy texture.

If you want an extra crispy crust, you can even toast the English muffins for a couple of minutes before adding your sauce and toppings. This is a great option if you're concerned about your pizzas turning out soggy, especially if you plan on adding a lot of sauce.

Now that you've chosen and prepared your English muffins, it's time to move on to the fun part—adding your sauce, cheese, and toppings!

Sauce options

English muffin pizzas are a great way to curb your pizza cravings and can be made with a variety of sauces, toppings, and cheeses.

The most common sauce used for English muffin pizzas is pizza sauce, but you can also get creative and use alternatives such as marinara sauce, olive oil, Alfredo sauce, barbecue sauce, or pesto sauce. If you're making a breakfast pizza, you could even use hot honey as a sauce, drizzling it over the pizza after cooking.

When using pizza or marinara sauce, it's important not to add too much, as this can make the muffin soggy. You can also toast the muffin for a couple of minutes before adding the sauce and toppings to ensure a crispier crust.

For a more luxurious pizza, you could try using fresh mozzarella, or a blend of three cheeses: Monterey Jack, Provolone, and Mozzarella.

Cheese choices

Mozzarella is the classic choice for English muffin pizzas, but you can get creative and use other types of cheese. Here are some ideas:

• Cheddar cheese: A sharp cheddar will add a nice tanginess to your pizza.
• Mexican blend: A blend of cheeses such as Monterey Jack, cheddar, and queso blanco can give your pizza a spicy kick.
• Romano: This hard Italian cheese has a strong, salty flavour that can add depth to your pizza.
• Monterey Jack: A mild, creamy cheese that melts well and is a good choice for those who want a less intense cheese flavour.

When choosing a cheese, consider the other toppings you plan to use and select a cheese that will complement those flavours. For example, if you're making a Hawaiian-style pizza with ham and pineapple, a mild cheese like Monterey Jack or mozzarella might be a better choice than a stronger cheese like Romano.

You can also mix and match different cheeses to create your own unique blend. Just be mindful of the melting points of the different cheeses and how they might affect the cooking time.

Finally, don't be afraid to experiment and try out new cheeses. English muffin pizzas are a fun, easy dish to make, so have some fun with your cheese choices!

Meat toppings

English muffin pizzas are a fun and easy meal to make, and you can get creative with the toppings. Here are some ideas for meat toppings to add to your English muffin pizzas cooked in an air fryer:

Pepperoni

A classic pizza topping, pepperoni is a popular choice for English muffin pizzas. You can use regular-sized pepperoni slices, or mini pepperoni slices, which are perfect for fitting on the smaller English muffin base.

Sausage

Sausage is another great option for meat lovers. You can use sliced sausage, or cook and crumble the sausage before adding it to your pizza. This adds a savoury, spicy kick to your English muffin pizza.

Ham

For a classic combination, try adding some ham to your pizza. You could go for a Hawaiian-style pizza by adding pineapple and ham to your English muffin base. Or, add some diced ham with your favourite cheese.

Bacon

Bacon is another tasty meat topping option. You could use crispy bacon bits, or larger pieces of bacon, depending on your preference.

Salami

Salami is a great option for those who like their pizzas with a kick. Try using a mild or spicy salami, or a combination of both, for a tasty meat topping.

Anchovies

For those who are feeling adventurous, anchovies are a fun and unique meat topping. They add a salty, savoury element to your English muffin pizza.

Remember to cook any meats before adding them to your English muffin pizzas in the air fryer, and feel free to get creative with your combinations!

Veggie toppings

There are many different veggie toppings you can use to make English muffin pizzas in an air fryer. Here are some ideas:

• Mushrooms
• Olives
• Onions
• Pineapple
• Green peppers
• Fresh tomatoes
• Roasted red peppers
• Basil
• Spinach
• Bell peppers
• Banana peppers
• Sliced red onions
• Roasted vegetables

You can also add vegetarian sausage links or patties, or try frying some homemade gluten steaks, coating them in barbecue sauce, and adding them to your pizza.

When choosing your veggies, try to avoid overloading your English muffins with too many toppings. Stick to 1-2 toppings (in addition to cheese and sauce) so that the cheese can melt properly.

Frequently asked questions