Air Fryer Crispy Pizza: Secrets To Perfection

Air fryers are a great way to make pizza, whether you're reheating leftover slices or cooking from scratch. The air fryer's superpowers include a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese, all in a matter of minutes. You can use store-bought or homemade dough, and the personal-sized pizzas are perfect for customisation.

Pre-cook the base for 3 minutes

Pre-cooking the pizza base in the air fryer for three minutes is a crucial step in achieving the perfect crispy texture. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 350°F or 380°F before placing the pizza base inside. This initial cooking period helps to ensure that the base becomes crispy without overcooking the toppings that will be added later.

During this pre-cooking phase, it is important to remember to flip the base over after the first three minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent a white, undercooked bottom. This step also helps to create a golden-brown crust, a signature of perfectly cooked pizza.

After pre-cooking the base, you can proceed to add your desired toppings. It is best to assemble the pizza directly in the air fryer basket, as transferring a fully assembled pizza into the basket can be challenging.

Once the base is pre-cooked and flipped, you can add your chosen sauce, cheese, and any other toppings. Just remember to keep an eye on the pizza while it's cooking to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn.

Use olive oil for a crispier crust

Olive oil is a key ingredient in achieving a crispier crust for your air fryer pizza. Here's how you can use it to get that perfect, golden brown base:

Choose the Right Type of Olive Oil

Use extra-virgin olive oil for brushing the crust. Extra-virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point than other types, so it's ideal for the air fryer's high temperatures. Its distinct flavour will also enhance your pizza.

Prepare Your Dough

Before you add any toppings, prepare your dough by brushing it lightly with olive oil. This step is crucial, as it will help you achieve that coveted crispy texture. Use a pastry brush to ensure an even coating, or simply drizzle the oil and spread it evenly with a spoon.

Prick the Dough

Once you've oiled your dough, use a fork to prick it in several places. This technique will prevent the dough from puffing up too much and ensure a flatter, crispier base. It also helps the heat penetrate the dough more evenly, cooking it more efficiently.

Precook the Crust

Place your oiled and pricked dough into the air fryer and precook it for a few minutes. This step is essential to getting a crispy crust because it helps set the structure of the dough before you add any toppings. Most recipes recommend cooking the crust for around 3 minutes, but this may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on it.

Flip the Crust

After the initial cooking, flip the crust over. This step ensures even cooking and browning on both sides of the crust. It also prevents the bottom from remaining white or undercooked, a common issue with air fryer pizzas.

Add Toppings and Cook

After flipping the crust, it's time to add your desired toppings. You can stick to a classic combination of tomato sauce and cheese, or get creative with various meats, vegetables, and herbs. Just remember to add lighter toppings sparingly, as they may blow off during cooking. Once your pizza is assembled, return it to the air fryer and cook until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.

Cook at 350-400°F for 7-12 minutes

Now that you've prepared your pizza, it's time to cook it! Place the basket into the air fryer and set the temperature to somewhere between 350°F and 400°F. The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer and personal preference, but this range should give you a crispy crust and melted cheese.

Cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your pizza, but it should take somewhere between 7 and 12 minutes. For a thin crust, check on your pizza after 7 minutes. If you prefer a thicker crust, you may need to cook it for up to 12 minutes.

Keep an eye on your pizza while it's cooking, especially if this is your first time making pizza in an air fryer. You may need to adjust the temperature or cooking time to get it just right. If your pizza is browning too quickly, try lowering the temperature by 25°F.

Once the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, your pizza is ready to enjoy! Carefully remove it from the air fryer basket and place it on a cutting board. Let it cool down a bit before slicing and serving. Bon appétit!

Use pre-cooked dough to save time

If you're short on time, using pre-cooked dough is a great option for making pizza in your air fryer. This means you can skip the step of pre-baking the crust and go straight to adding your toppings. Not only does this save time, but it also ensures that your crust is nice and crispy.

To use pre-cooked dough, simply place the base into your air fryer basket. You can use flatbread, tortillas, or pita bread as your base. Then, add your desired toppings. This might include pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, vegetables, or any other ingredients you like.

Once you've added your toppings, place the basket back into the air fryer and cook for 4-5 minutes at 375°F. This will melt the cheese and heat up your other toppings, while also crisping up the pre-cooked crust.

Using pre-cooked dough is a convenient option if you're short on time or don't want to go through the hassle of making your own dough. It's also a good choice if you want to make pizza in your air fryer but don't want to worry about undercooking or overcooking the crust. With pre-cooked dough, you can focus on assembling your favourite toppings and enjoying a delicious, crispy pizza in no time!

Add toppings after placing the dough in the air fryer

Once you've pre-cooked your pizza base, it's time to add your toppings. This is a fun part of the process, as you can get creative and choose your favourite ingredients.

Firstly, add your tomato sauce or pizza sauce. Spread this evenly across the base, leaving a gap of around 1/2 inch from the edge, so you have a clear crust.

Next, add your cheese. A good melting cheese like mozzarella is a great option, and you can add other cheeses like parmesan or cheddar for extra flavour.

Now, add your chosen toppings. Meats like pepperoni, chicken or sausage are popular, as are vegetables such as onions, peppers, olives, basil and spinach. You can also add extra herbs and spices, like basil, red pepper flakes or oregano.

Finally, add a drizzle of olive oil over your toppings. This will help them cook and add some extra flavour.

Once you've added your toppings, it's time to put your pizza back in the air fryer. Cook for around 7-12 minutes, checking regularly to ensure it doesn't burn. Your pizza is ready when the cheese has melted and the crust is golden brown.

And that's it! You now have a delicious, crispy pizza straight from your air fryer.

Frequently asked questions