Air-Fryer French Bread Pizza: A Quick, Crispy Treat

French bread pizza is a quick and easy meal that can be made in an air fryer in under 15 minutes. It's a great way to use up leftover bread and can be customised with your favourite toppings. The air fryer crisps up the crust to perfection while melting the cheese, and the whole family can get involved in making their own personal pizzas.

Choosing the right bread

First, look for a loaf of French bread or a baguette that is slightly crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. This combination will provide the ideal base for your pizza, giving it a crispy texture while still being easy to bite into.

If you're using a thin baguette, slice it lengthwise. This will give you a longer, narrower base for your pizza. However, if you prefer a wider pizza, opt for the wider, softer loaves of French bread and cut those into thick slices. Just ensure that you have enough surface area to spread the sauce and add your desired toppings.

While French bread is the classic choice for this dish, you can also use Italian bread or a small baguette. These alternatives will give your pizza a slightly different flavour and texture, but they will still work well in the air fryer.

When preparing the bread, slice the loaf in half lengthwise, and then cut each piece into the desired size. This will create the perfect base for your toppings. If needed, trim the bread slices to fit your specific air fryer model.

Before adding the toppings, it's a good idea to toast the bread in the air fryer for a few minutes. This step helps to create a super crispy crust and prevents the pizza from becoming soggy. Brush the bread with a mixture of olive oil and Italian seasoning, or garlic powder and oregano, before toasting for added flavour.

Remember, the key to choosing the right bread for French bread pizza in the air fryer is to select an option that will provide a crispy crust and a soft interior, allowing for a delicious combination of textures.

Preparing the toppings

Choosing the Toppings:

First, decide on the type of toppings you want to use. The beauty of making a homemade pizza is that you can customise it according to your taste preferences. You can go for classic options like pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, onions, or sausage. Or, you can get creative and experiment with different combinations. For a vegetarian option, you might choose to include options like sliced tomatoes, spinach, or even pineapple. If you're feeling adventurous, you could also try unique toppings like sliced jalapenos, artichoke hearts, or sundried tomatoes.

Preparing Meat Toppings:

If you opt for meat toppings, it's essential to ensure they are pre-cooked. You can use cooked sausage, bacon pieces, diced ham, or even leftover rotisserie chicken. Cooking the meat beforehand ensures that it's safe to consume and reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses. This step is especially important when using an air fryer, as the cooking time may not be sufficient to cook raw meat thoroughly.

Preparing Fresh Produce:

When using fresh produce as toppings, such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or tomatoes, it's a good idea to slice or chop them into thin pieces. This ensures that they cook evenly and become tender during the air-frying process. Thicker pieces of produce may remain undercooked or crunchy, so aim for a uniform size to ensure everything cooks at the same rate.

Cheese Selection:

Cheese is a crucial component of any pizza, and you can choose from a variety of options. Shredded mozzarella cheese is a popular choice for French bread pizza, but you can also use sliced mozzarella or provolone cheese, which tends to stay put on the bread during air frying. Other options include parmesan cheese, Monterey jack cheese, or a mix of different cheeses to create a blend of flavours.

Topping Placement:

When placing the toppings on your French bread, start with a thin layer of sauce, such as pizza sauce, marinara sauce, or even pesto sauce. Then, add your desired toppings, ensuring they are evenly distributed across the bread. If you're using cheese, place it on top of the other toppings to help hold everything together. You can also sprinkle some Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes on top for an extra flavour boost.

Avoiding Topping Overflow:

It's important to be mindful of the amount of toppings you use. Overloading your French bread pizza with too many toppings may cause them to slide off or create a mess during air frying. Aim for a balanced distribution of toppings, and if necessary, use an air fryer rack to keep the toppings in place. This accessory can be placed over the toppings to prevent them from flying around due to the strong circulating air in the air fryer.

Toasting the bread

To toast the bread, you will need to combine olive oil with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and oregano. Brush this mixture onto the cut sides of the French bread. Place the bread, cut side up, in the air fryer basket and toast for 3 minutes. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

If you want an extra crispy crust, you can spray the bread with a light coat of oil before air frying. Alternatively, you can brush the bread with leftover bread dipping oil, if you have any.

Adding toppings

First, if you want to add meat to your pizza, you can choose from a variety of options, including pepperoni, ham, sausage, or bacon pieces. If you're a vegetarian, you can skip this step.

Next, it's time to add some veggies! You can go with the classic options like bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms, or get creative with olives, spinach, or sliced tomatoes. If you want to spice things up, you can also add some diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes.

Now it's time for the cheese! You can use shredded mozzarella, provolone, or a mix of both. If you want to add some extra flavour, you can also sprinkle on some parmesan cheese.

Finally, if you want to add some extra sauce or seasoning, you have a few options. You can stick with the traditional pizza sauce, or you can try something different like pesto, barbecue sauce, or even a garlic-infused olive oil. If you want to add some extra spice, you can sprinkle on some red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning.

Once you've added all your desired toppings, it's time to put your French bread pizza back into the air fryer and cook it until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Cooking the pizza

Now that you've prepared your French bread, it's time to cook your pizza! If you're using frozen French bread pizzas, you can skip the first toasting step and go straight to adding your toppings.

First, preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (180°C). Place the bread in the air fryer, cut-side up, and toast for around 3 minutes. This step is crucial as it ensures your pizza has a super crispy crust and prevents it from becoming soggy. You might need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Next, take the bread out of the air fryer and add your toppings. Start with a layer of pizza sauce, then add your cheese and any other toppings of your choice. Be careful not to overload your pizza, as this can affect how well it cooks.

Once your toppings are on, it's time for the final cook. Place the loaded French bread back into the air fryer and cook at 350-400°F (180-200°C) for around 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't cook too quickly or burn.

Finally, remove the pizza from the air fryer and let it cool for a couple of minutes. This will allow the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to slice and serve.

And that's it! Your French bread pizza is now ready to be devoured. Enjoy the fruits of your labour and feel free to experiment with different toppings and sauces to find your perfect combination.

Frequently asked questions