Air-Fryer Mexican Pizza: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Mexican pizza is a fusion dish that combines the crispy texture of a traditional pizza with bold Mexican flavours. It's a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit any taste preference or dietary requirement. This paragraph will introduce the topic of how to make Mexican pizza in an air fryer, a quick and easy way to satisfy your cravings.

Choosing the right tortillas

Type of Tortilla

You can choose between flour tortillas and corn tortillas. Flour tortillas are more commonly used for Mexican pizza and will give you a crispier base. Corn tortillas are a gluten-free option and will provide an authentic Mexican flavour, but they may crisp up faster, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.

Size of Tortilla

For the best layering effect, opt for medium-sized tortillas. Smaller tortillas can also be used, especially if you have a basket air fryer. Avoid using larger tortillas, as they may not fit properly in your air fryer.

Thickness of Tortilla

Choose tortillas that are thin enough to crisp up nicely but not too thin that they burn or tear under the weight of your toppings. Thicker tortillas may be more durable but may also take longer to crisp up.

Quality of Tortilla

Look for tortillas made with quality ingredients and free from preservatives or other unwanted additives. Fresh, high-quality tortillas will taste better and likely hold up better during the cooking process.

Sturdiness of Tortilla

To prevent your tortillas from tearing or falling apart, select sturdy, durable options that can withstand the weight of your toppings. This is especially important if you plan to load up your pizza with lots of ingredients.

Cooking Instructions

Finally, consider the cooking instructions on the tortilla packaging. Some tortillas may be better suited for the air fryer than others. Look for those that specify suitability for frying or baking, as these will likely hold up better during the cooking process.

Preparing the base

To prepare the base, start by placing a tortilla in the basket of your air fryer. If you want to crisp up the tortilla first, you can heat it in a skillet for about 1 minute on each side or use the air fryer itself. Lightly brown the tortilla until it is slightly crispy.

Once your tortilla is ready, it's time to spread the refried beans. You can use canned or homemade beans, whichever you prefer. Spread an even layer of beans on the tortilla, acting as a glue for your toppings and preventing them from sliding off.

After the beans, it's time to add the seasoned taco meat. You can use ground beef, chicken, or any other type of meat you like. Make sure the meat is cooked and seasoned with taco seasoning before adding it to the pizza. If you have leftover taco meat, this is a great way to use it up!

At this point, you can also add some salsa or enchilada sauce to the meat layer for added moisture and flavour. Spread the sauce evenly over the meat, ensuring it doesn't overflow and make the base soggy.

Finally, add another tortilla on top of the meat layer. This will create a sandwich effect, with the fillings inside. You can now move on to adding the toppings and sauce to your Mexican pizza before placing it in the air fryer.

Layering the toppings

Start by spreading an even layer of refried beans on the tortilla. This acts as a "glue" for your toppings and helps keep everything in place. If you're using canned beans, spread them generously, but not too thick, as you don't want to overload the tortilla. You can also mix the beans with some taco sauce and a little salt to enhance the flavour.

Next, add your choice of protein. Seasoned ground beef is the traditional choice, but you can also use shredded chicken, Mexican-style chicken, or go for a vegetarian option with cooked fajita veggies or warm corn salad. Make sure the meat is well-drained to prevent the tortillas from becoming soggy.

Now, it's time to add some more flavour and moisture. Spread taco sauce, enchilada sauce, or salsa over the protein layer. This will add a tangy kick to your pizza and tie all the flavours together.

After that, it's cheese time! Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese on top. A blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese works well and melts beautifully, creating a gooey and stretchy layer. You can also use a Mexican blend or experiment with other types like mozzarella or pepper jack.

If you want to add some fresh toppings like diced tomatoes, sliced olives, green onions, or jalapeños, now is the time. These toppings will provide a crunchy bite and a pop of colour to your pizza.

Finally, if you're feeling extra indulgent, add a dollop of sour cream on top or serve it on the side for a cool, creamy finish. You can also add some sliced avocado, a squeeze of lime juice, or fresh cilantro after air frying to enhance the flavour and add a refreshing contrast.

Remember to balance your toppings and distribute them evenly to ensure consistent cooking. And don't overload the tortilla, or it may become soggy and difficult to handle.

Air-frying the pizza

Air-fry the pizza for around 5 minutes at 360-400°F (180-200°C). The pizza is done when the cheese is melted and starting to brown. If you want a crispier pizza, air-fry for an additional 3-4 minutes before adding the taco sauce and cheese.

After air-frying, carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer with a large spatula. Top with your favorite garnishes, such as diced tomatoes, green onions, black olives, sour cream, guacamole, or salsa, and enjoy!

Customising the toppings

Cheese

For the cheese, you can use a Mexican blend, cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or pepper jack. Get creative and combine different types of cheese for an extra cheesy treat.

Vegetables

Load up on veggies like diced tomatoes, sliced olives, green onions, lettuce, cilantro, avocado, or jalapeños. You can also add some heat with chilli powder or hot sauce.

Beans

While refried beans are a classic choice, feel free to mix it up with black beans or pinto beans. If you're feeling adventurous, try mashing up some avocado to spread on your tortilla.

Meat

The traditional choice is seasoned ground beef, but you can also use ground chicken, shredded chicken, or chorizo. For a vegetarian option, swap out the meat for cooked lentils, black beans, or a commercial meat substitute.

Sauce

Taco Bell's mild sauce will give your pizza an authentic flavour, but you can also experiment with enchilada sauce, salsa, or guacamole. Don't be afraid to get saucy!

Extras

Sour cream, guacamole, and green onion tops make great finishing touches. For an extra crispy bite, try browning your tortillas in a skillet before assembling your pizza.

Frequently asked questions