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

French bread pizza is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be made in an air fryer in under 15 minutes. It's a great way to use up leftover French bread and can be customized with your favorite toppings. The key to success is choosing a high-quality French bread or baguette that is slightly crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, providing the perfect base for your pizza. The air fryer crisps up the crust to perfection while melting the cheese into a heavenly consistency.

Choosing the right French bread

Type of Bread

While traditional French bread is the obvious choice, you can also use Italian bread or a small baguette. Look for a loaf that is slightly crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, providing a perfect base for your pizza toppings.

Freshness

For the best results, start with fresh French bread. If you're using a thin baguette, slice it lengthwise. If you prefer a wider and softer loaf, cut thick slices, ensuring you have enough surface area to spread the sauce and add toppings.

Size and Shape

Consider the size and shape of the loaf in relation to your air fryer. You may need to slice the bread into smaller pieces to fit your air fryer basket. The goal is to have enough surface area for your desired amount of sauce and toppings.

Texture

The ideal French bread for pizza should have a slightly crispy crust and a soft, pillowy interior. This texture combination will ensure your pizza has a sturdy base that is also tender and delicious.

Quality

Opt for a high-quality French bread from a reputable bakery or grocery store. The better the quality of the bread, the better the foundation for your pizza. Look for loaves with simple, natural ingredients and a fresh, fluffy texture.

Storage

If you're not using the entire loaf of French bread at once, consider how you'll store it. French bread is best consumed fresh, but you can extend its shelf life by storing it properly. Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two, or freeze it for longer-term storage.

Remember, the key to choosing the right French bread for your air fryer pizza is to select a fresh, high-quality loaf with a crusty exterior and soft interior. This will ensure your pizza has the perfect texture and flavour.

Preparing the toppings

Choosing Your Toppings:

First, decide on the type of toppings you want to use. The beauty of making pizza at home is that you can customise it to your liking. You can go with classic options like pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, onions, or ham. Or, get creative and experiment with different combinations. Some unique topping ideas include:

• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Spinach
• Sausage
• Bacon
• Pineapple
• Diced onions
• Sliced mushrooms
• Diced tomatoes
• Cooked chicken

Preparing Fresh Toppings:

If you're using fresh toppings, it's a good idea to prep them before you start assembling your pizza. Chop, slice, or dice your chosen toppings so they're ready to go when it's time to build your pizza. This will make the assembly process quicker and smoother.

Combining Toppings with Cheese:

Cheese is a crucial component of any pizza, and French bread pizza is no exception. The most popular choice is shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese, but you can also use provolone, parmesan, or a mix of different cheeses. Combine your chosen cheese with your desired toppings to create a delicious blend of flavours and textures.

Using a Rack for Toppings:

One challenge with air frying pizza is that the strong circulating air can sometimes blow your toppings around. To prevent this, it's recommended to use an air fryer rack that fits inside your air fryer. This will help keep your toppings in place while they cook, ensuring an even distribution of flavours and a neat presentation.

Customising Your Pizza:

Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different combinations of sauces and toppings. You can try using different types of sauces, such as pesto, barbecue sauce, or even a garlic-infused olive oil base. Additionally, you can make breakfast-inspired French bread pizzas by using scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, and sliced cheddar cheese as toppings. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to personalise your pizza to your taste preferences.

Toasting the bread

First, slice the French bread in half lengthwise, and then slice each half into two or four pieces, depending on the size of your air fryer. You want the bread to fit comfortably in the air fryer basket, so it may be necessary to cut it into smaller pieces.

Next, combine olive oil with Italian seasoning, garlic powder and oregano. Brush this mixture over the cut sides of the bread. Place the bread, cut side up, into the air fryer basket and toast for around 3 minutes. You will likely need to toast the bread in batches, as most air fryers will not be able to fit all the slices at once.

Once the bread is toasted, you can add your toppings. However, if you are making multiple pizzas, it may be a good idea to toast all the bread first and then add the toppings, so that the first batch doesn't get cold while you are preparing the others.

Adding the toppings

Now for the fun part: adding the toppings! For a classic French bread pizza, you can't go wrong with a layer of pizza sauce, followed by a generous amount of mozzarella cheese. But don't hold back on the creativity—feel free to mix in other cheeses like parmesan for added depth of flavour.

Once you've laid down the foundation, it's time to get creative. The beauty of homemade pizza is the freedom to choose your favourite toppings. Go crazy with colourful bell peppers, red onions, mushrooms, olives, ham, sausage, pepperoni, or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an extra kick. If you're feeling adventurous, try something different like a white pizza with Alfredo sauce and spinach, or a pesto and tomato combo.

Remember, the key to a great French bread pizza is balance. You don't want to overload your pizza with too many toppings, but at the same time, make sure you don't skimp on the good stuff.

And if you're making these pizzas with family or friends, encourage everyone to get involved and personalise their pizzas. It's a fun way to spend time together and ensures everyone gets a pizza tailored to their tastes.

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, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. If you're making your pizza from scratch, you can skip this step as the air fryer doesn't need to be preheated.

Place your French bread in the air fryer, cut-side up, and toast for 3 minutes. This step is crucial as it ensures a super crispy crust and prevents the pizza from becoming soggy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to do this in batches.

Once the bread is toasted, it's time to add your toppings! Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the bread, followed by a generous layer of mozzarella cheese. Get creative and add your favourite toppings—pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, sausage, the possibilities are endless! You can even make a white pizza with Alfredo sauce and spinach.

Place the loaded French bread back into the air fryer and cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it halfway through to prevent overcooking.

Finally, let the pizza cool for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to cut and enjoy perfect, gooey slices of pizza.

Tips and Tricks:

• If you're cooking frozen pizzas, make sure to keep them spaced apart in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Avoid overcrowding—cook no more than two pizzas at a time to ensure even cooking.
• For an extra crispy crust, spray the bread with a light coat of oil before air frying.
• If your toppings are flying off due to the strong air circulation, use an air fryer rack to keep them in place.

Frequently asked questions