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

English muffin pizzas are a quick, easy, and budget-friendly meal that can be made in an air fryer in less than 10 minutes. They are a great option for picky eaters and can be customised with your favourite toppings. The pizzas are made by splitting English muffins in half, spreading pizza or marinara sauce on top, and then adding cheese and other toppings. The pizzas are then cooked in the air fryer for around 3-6 minutes at 350-400°F (176-204°C) until the cheese is melted.

Choosing your ingredients

The beauty of English muffin pizzas is that you can get creative with your ingredients and toppings. Here are some ideas and tips for choosing your ingredients:

English Muffins

The English muffin forms the base of your pizza. Look for a round, flat English muffin with plenty of nooks and crannies—this will give you a crispy texture once toasted in the air fryer. You will need to split the English muffin in half to create two mini pizza bases. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the pizzas in batches.

Pizza Sauce

A good pizza sauce is key. You can use a store-bought jar of your favourite pizza or marinara sauce. Alternatively, if you're feeding a crowd or want to make your own, you can whip up a quick batch of marinara sauce. Just remember, less is more when it comes to sauce—you don't want to overwhelm the English muffin and make it soggy.

Cheese

Mozzarella is the classic choice for pizza, and it works perfectly for these mini pizzas. You can use shredded or fresh mozzarella, or get creative with a mix of cheeses like parmesan, asiago, or an Italian blend. Just remember that the cheese needs room to melt, so don't overload your pizzas with too many toppings.

Toppings

The sky's the limit when it comes to toppings. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Meats: Pepperoni, sausage, bacon, ham, ground beef, or shredded chicken.
• Vegetables: Olives, bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms, halved cherry tomatoes, or artichoke hearts.
• Extra cheeses: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Romano, or Mexican blend.
• Sauces: Pesto, barbecue sauce, or alfredo sauce.
• Extras: Basil, hot sauce, grated parmesan, pineapple, or anchovies.

Remember to pre-cook any meat toppings before adding them to your pizzas. You can also get creative and experiment with different combinations of toppings to find your favourite.

Preparing the muffins

Ingredients

• 4-6 English muffins
• Olive oil or butter spread
• Granulated garlic and Italian seasoning
• 1/2-3/4 cup pizza or marinara sauce
• 2-3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 20-20 pepperonis

Method

First, split the English muffins in half and place about four halves in your air fryer basket (this will depend on the size of your basket). Drizzle olive oil or spread butter on each muffin half, and season with Italian seasoning and garlic.

Next, spread a layer of tomato sauce on two of the muffin halves, and ricotta on the remaining two. Then, add the mozzarella on top. Finish the tomato sauce pizzas with pepperoni, pressing it down so it doesn't fly around in the air fryer.

Cooking

Air fry the muffins for 5 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit or until the cheese is melted. Repeat with the remaining English muffins.

Tips

• To prevent sogginess, toast the English muffins first before adding the toppings and cooking again.
• Don't add too much sauce, as it will soak into the muffin and make it soggy.
• If you are concerned about toppings flying off, you can use toothpicks to secure them, or place a wire rack directly over the pizzas.

Adding toppings

Once you have your English muffins, sauce, and cheese ready, it's time to get creative with your toppings. You can add your favourite pizza toppings, such as pepperoni, sausage, bacon, vegetables, or even pineapple. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for adding toppings to your English muffin pizzas in the air fryer:

• Split the English muffins in half. You can use a fork to separate them easily.
• Drizzle olive oil or spread butter on each half. This step is optional but can add a nice flavour to your pizzas.
• Add a layer of sauce: spread pizza sauce, marinara sauce, or even ricotta cheese on the muffins.
• Get creative with your toppings: add cooked meat such as pepperoni, sausage, bacon, or shredded chicken. You can also use vegetables like sliced peppers, onions, mushrooms, or halved cherry tomatoes.
• Be mindful of the amount of sauce and toppings you add. Too much sauce can make your muffins soggy, and overloading the muffins with toppings can prevent the cheese from melting properly. Stick to 1-2 toppings per muffin for the best results.
• If using meat toppings, make sure they are pre-cooked before placing them in the air fryer.
• Use toothpicks to secure toppings like pepperoni to prevent them from flying off in the air fryer.
• Finish with cheese: sprinkle shredded mozzarella or a cheese blend of your choice on top.
• Add some extra flavour with seasonings: Italian seasoning, dried parsley, oregano, garlic powder, or granulated garlic can enhance the taste of your pizzas.
• If desired, you can also add a sprinkle of dried basil or red pepper flakes on top of the cheese for an extra kick.
• Press down on the toppings: gently press down on the toppings, especially the pepperoni, to ensure they stay in place during cooking.

Now that your English muffin pizzas are assembled with delicious toppings, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. Remember to cook them in batches to avoid overstuffing the air fryer, and adjust the cooking time as needed, as air fryer models may vary. Enjoy your freshly made, crispy, and cheesy pizzas!

Cooking the pizzas

Now for the fun part: cooking! First, you'll want to split your English muffins in half and place them in the air fryer. You can add a drizzle of olive oil or a spread of butter on each half, and season with Italian seasoning and garlic. Then, it's time to get saucy! Spread a layer of tomato sauce (or ricotta, if you're feeling fancy) on each muffin.

Don't be shy with the cheese! Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella on top of the sauce. If you're a fan of pepperoni, add a few slices to each pizza now, pressing them down so they don't fly off in the air fryer. Feel free to get creative with other toppings like mushrooms, peppers, or onions.

Pop those pizzas into the air fryer and cook at 380-400°F for 3-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. If you're cooking in batches, the subsequent batches may take less time since the air fryer is already preheated. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Once the cheese is perfectly melted, remove the pizzas from the air fryer and serve them up! These mini pizzas are great as a snack or a quick meal, and they're sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.

Serving suggestions

These English muffin pizzas are a great snack or meal for kids and adults alike. They can be served as a standalone dish, but if you want to bulk out the meal, a simple green salad or some warm veggies are good options. Here are some more specific ideas for sides and toppings:

• Fresh fruit
• A salad (green or goat cheese with arugula)
• Breadsticks
• Garlic bread or garlic knots
• Roasted potatoes and asparagus with parmesan
• Green beans and potatoes
• Dipping sauces

For toppings, you can add any of your favourite pizza toppings, such as:

• Sausage
• Bacon
• Vegetables (sliced peppers, onion, mushrooms, halved cherry tomatoes, olives, basil)
• Different types of cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, Romano, Monterey Jack, parmesan)
• Sauces (pesto, BBQ, alfredo)
• Pineapple
• Anchovies
• Ham
• Chicken
• Ground beef
• Hot honey

Frequently asked questions