Air-Fried Naan Bread Pizza: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Air fryer naan bread pizza is a quick and easy meal that can be prepared in less than 10 minutes. It is a convenient alternative to traditional pizza dough, and you can top it with your favourite pizza toppings. The air fryer ensures that the naan bread becomes crispy and the cheese melts, resulting in a delicious pizza that is ready in no time.

Choosing the right naan bread

Type of Naan Bread:

• Plain Naan: If you want your pizza to taste like a classic Italian-style pizza, choose a plain naan bread. It will have a soft and fluffy texture with a slightly charred and smoky flavour, making it perfect for pizzas.
• Garlic Naan: Using garlic naan will add a subtle garlic flavour to your pizza. It can enhance the taste of your other toppings and create a unique flavour profile.
• Peshwari Naan: If you want to create an Indian fusion-style pizza, Peshwari naan is an excellent choice. Pair it with tikka masala sauce for a delicious combination.
• Other Varieties: You can also experiment with other types of naan, such as tandoori, cheese, whole wheat, or mini naan. They can add different flavours and textures to your pizza.

Source of Naan Bread:

• Pre-made Naan: Most recipes use pre-made naan bread that is sold as a pantry or cupboard item. It is partially baked and readily available in supermarkets, usually in the bakery or fresh food section.
• Fresh Naan: You can also use fresh naan bread from the refrigerated section. However, these naans tend to have a lower cook time, so adjust your preheating time accordingly.
• Homemade Naan: If you have the time, you can make your own naan bread from scratch. It will add a unique touch to your pizza, but it will increase the overall preparation time.

Size of Naan Bread:

• Regular Naan: Regular-sized naan bread is suitable if your air fryer is large enough to accommodate it. It is perfect for making individual pizzas for the family.
• Mini Naan: If you have a smaller air fryer, opt for mini naan bread. It is perfect for smaller air fryers and can also be used for lunch boxes or after-school snacks. You can also cut regular naan into smaller pieces to fit your air fryer.

When choosing naan bread for your air fryer pizza, consider the flavour, texture, and size that best suit your preferences and the toppings you plan to use. Remember to check the cooking instructions and adjust the preheating and cooking times accordingly.

Sauce options

Naan bread pizzas are highly customisable, so you can use whichever sauce you prefer or have available. Here are some sauce options for your naan bread pizza:

Tomato-Based Sauces

You can use either tomato sauce, pasta sauce, marinara sauce, or passata as a base for your pizza. If you want to add a little extra flavour, opt for a garlic-based tomato sauce. You can also add dried herbs to a swirl of passata for a simple, yet tasty sauce.

Non-Tomato Options

If you're looking for a non-tomato option, pesto is a great alternative. You could also make a white pizza using bechamel or mascarpone. For a spicy kick, top your naan with a swirl of BBQ sauce.

Tikka Masala Sauce

For an Indian-fusion pizza, pair a peshwari naan with a tikka masala sauce.

No Sauce

If you prefer a drier pizza, you can skip the sauce altogether and simply top your naan with cheese and your chosen toppings.

Other Sauce Ideas

• Alfredo sauce
• Hummus
• Ranch dressing

Cheese options

Naan bread pizzas are highly customisable, so you can use whichever cheese you like best. Mozzarella is the most popular option, but you can also use cheddar, feta, Monterey jack, or Parmesan. If you're making a Greek-style pizza, you might want to try sprinkling feta cheese on top. For a simple Margherita pizza, fresh mozzarella and Parmesan are a good combination. If you're short on time, you can use pre-shredded mozzarella, which cooks faster than fresh.

Topping ideas

Naan bread pizzas are a great way to make personal pizzas and experiment with different toppings. Here are some topping ideas for your naan bread pizza:

Margherita Pizza:

Top your naan with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves for a classic Margherita pizza. This combination is simple yet delicious and allows the flavours of the naan and toppings to shine through.

BBQ Chicken Pizza:

For a tangy twist, spread BBQ sauce on your naan and top it with shredded chicken, red onions, red peppers, and vegan mozzarella cheese. This combination offers a nice balance of sweet and savoury flavours.

Veggie Pizza:

Load your naan with sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, Italian seasoning, olive oil, and cherry tomatoes for a healthy and flavourful veggie pizza. The vegetables provide a range of textures and colours, making this pizza not only tasty but also visually appealing.

Meat Lover's Pizza:

For a hearty and meaty option, top your naan with pepperoni, cooked sausage, and bacon bits. This pizza is perfect for those who want a more indulgent and protein-packed option.

Hawaiian Pizza:

Spread tomato sauce on your naan and add sliced ham, pineapple, and mozzarella cheese for a sweet and savoury combination. Hawaiian pizza is a classic for those who enjoy the interplay of sweet and savoury flavours.

Greek Pizza:

Spread hummus on your naan and top it with sliced tomatoes, red onions, kalamata olives, and feta cheese for a Mediterranean twist. The hummus provides a creamy base, while the toppings add a nice salty and tangy flavour.

Breakfast Pizza:

For a breakfast-inspired option, top your naan with scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheddar cheese. This pizza is perfect for a brunch or breakfast-for-dinner option and offers a nice balance of protein and vegetables.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations of toppings to create your own custom naan pizza recipe.

Cooking tips

• Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F (about 190°C). You can add the naan bread to the air fryer before it reaches temperature for an extra-crispy base.
• Use high-quality, pre-made naan bread as your pizza base. Regular, whole wheat, garlic, mini, gluten-free, keto-friendly, and low-carb naan all work well.
• If you're making more than one pizza, cook the naan bread for a few minutes before adding the toppings to ensure it doesn't get soggy.
• For a classic Italian-style pizza, use plain naan bread and your favourite pizza sauce. If you want to experiment, try using pesto, BBQ sauce, bechamel, mascarpone, or passata with dried herbs.
• If you like a crispy crust, sprinkle a little water on the naan before cooking.
• Use shredded mozzarella cheese, or another cheese of your choice, such as Parmesan, cheddar, or feta. Fresh mozzarella takes longer to melt, so bear this in mind when cooking.
• If you're using meat or vegetable toppings, pre-cook them before adding to your pizza to prevent the naan from getting soggy.
• If you're using lightweight toppings such as pepperoni, you might want to place an air fryer rack on top of your pizza while it cooks, to stop them from blowing around.
• Cook your pizza for 5-7 minutes, keeping an eye on it to make sure the cheese doesn't burn.
• Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before serving, and top with fresh herbs or red pepper flakes.
• Use a spatula to carefully lift the pizza out of the air fryer basket.
• If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions