Air-Fryer Pizza: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Making pizza in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a crispy, golden crust and melted cheese in under 10 minutes. The air fryer is a great alternative to a traditional oven as it keeps your kitchen cool and uses less energy. You can use store-bought or homemade pizza dough, and the air fryer is suitable for thin or thick crusts. To make pizza in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to between 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, place the pizza dough in the air fryer basket and pre-cook for around 3 minutes. After this, add your sauce, cheese, and desired toppings, and cook for a further 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.

Choosing your pizza base

The base of your pizza is arguably the most important part. It's the foundation that holds all your toppings, and it can make or break your pizza experience. So, how do you choose the right pizza base for your air fryer pizza?

First, let's talk about the type of dough. You can go with a store-bought pizza dough, which is a convenient option, or you can make your own dough from scratch. If you're feeling adventurous and have the time, making your own dough allows you to customize the flavour and texture to your liking.

When preparing the dough, it's essential to roll it out evenly to a thickness of less than 1/4 inch. This ensures that your pizza cooks evenly in the air fryer. Prick the dough all over with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during cooking.

Another option for your pizza base is to use a tortilla, a flatbread, or even naan bread. These pre-made options are great if you're short on time or don't feel like making your own dough. They can give your pizza a unique flavour and texture, and they often come in different varieties, such as whole wheat or gluten-free.

If you want a thicker, Sicilian-style pizza, you'll need to use a pan to support the weight of the thicker crust. A cake pan or a small pizza stone that fits in your air fryer can work well. For thinner crusts, you can bake the pizza directly on parchment paper, which makes it easier to transfer in and out of the air fryer.

Finally, consider the size of your pizza base. Check the dimensions of your air fryer's basket or tray to ensure that your pizza base will fit comfortably. You might need to adjust the amount of dough or roll it out to a smaller size if your air fryer is on the smaller side.

Remember, the key to a great pizza base is getting the thickness and size right for your air fryer, and choosing a dough or pre-made base that suits your taste and time constraints. With the right base, you'll be well on your way to enjoying a delicious, crispy air-fried pizza.

Preparing the dough

Firstly, decide if you want to make your own dough or use a store-bought option. If you are making your own, prepare the dough according to your chosen recipe. A good tip is to make the dough the night before and let it rise in a covered bowl in the fridge. This will save you time when it comes to assembling and cooking your pizza.

Once your dough is ready, it's time to preheat your air fryer. Most recipes recommend a temperature between 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is heating up, you can start shaping your dough. Sprinkle a clean surface with a bit of flour and divide your dough ball into portions. The number of portions will depend on how many pizzas you want to make and the size of your air fryer. A 12-inch dough ball, for instance, will make two personal-sized pizzas.

Now, roll out your dough portions into thin, round shapes, slightly smaller than your air fryer basket. Aim for a thickness of less than 1/4 inch. This will ensure your crust is nice and crispy. Prick the dough all over with a fork to prevent it from baking into an uneven shape.

Next, lightly grease the bottom of your air fryer basket with oil or non-stick spray. Carefully place your dough into the basket, and brush the top with a small amount of olive oil. You can also sprinkle the outer crust with garlic salt and Italian herbs if you want extra flavour.

The final step in preparing your dough is to pre-cook it. This is an important step as it ensures the dough is cooked through without overcooking your toppings. Place the dough in the air fryer and cook for around 3 minutes. After this, your dough is ready for toppings, and you can begin assembling your pizza!

Pre-baking the crust

• Prepare your pizza dough: You can use store-bought pizza dough, or make your own. Divide the dough into balls, and roll them out into thin crusts, less than 1/4 inch thick. You can make two personal-sized pizzas from a 12-inch dough.
• Preheat the air fryer: Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to around 400°F. However, some recipes suggest lower temperatures, such as 375°F or 380°F. Check your specific air fryer model's instructions.
• Prepare the air fryer basket: Lightly spray or brush the bottom of the air fryer basket with olive oil or another cooking oil. This will help to ensure your pizza crust doesn't stick.
• Poke holes in the dough: Use a fork to prick holes all over the surface of the dough. This will prevent the dough from rising or ballooning during cooking and will help it to bake evenly.
• Place the dough in the air fryer: Carefully lift the rolled-out dough and place it into the prepared air fryer basket.
• Pre-bake the crust: Cook the crust in the air fryer for about 1-3 minutes on one side, then flip it over and cook for an additional 1-3 minutes on the other side. Keep an eye on the crust to ensure it doesn't fold or flip. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer model and the thickness of your crust.
• Check the crust: After pre-baking, your crust should be a light golden brown. If it's not quite there yet, you can cook it for a little longer, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.

Once you've completed these steps, you'll be ready to add your desired toppings and finish cooking your pizza!

Adding toppings

Firstly, it is recommended that you add the cheese last, as toppings like pepperoni and vegetables may blow off during cooking. A light sprinkling of cheese can also help to anchor the toppings and keep them in place. You can also use a rack over the pizza to prevent the toppings from flying around. If you don't have a rack, you can check halfway through the cooking process and place any displaced toppings back on the pizza.

If you are using pepperoni, you can secure the slices with toothpicks to prevent them from blowing around. Alternatively, you can cover the pizza with a dehydrating rack if your air fryer model includes one.

Now, let's talk about some specific toppings you can use. The options are endless, but here are some popular choices:

• Shredded Italian blend, mozzarella, cheddar, or little mozzarella balls (Bocconcini)
• Parmesan
• Garlic salt and dried Italian herbs
• Cup and Char pepperoni or crumbled sausage
• Vegetables like mushrooms, chopped tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, black olives, or onions
• Meat such as cooked shredded chicken or sirloin steak
• A drizzle of hot honey
• Fresh basil, red pepper flakes, or other herbs

You can also set up a pizza bar with various toppings and let everyone make their own mini pizzas, which is perfect for a fun family dinner or a gathering with friends.

Cooking the pizza

Now that you've prepared your pizza base and added your desired toppings, it's time to cook your pizza in the air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer: Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to a temperature between 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. This step ensures that your pizza cooks evenly and efficiently.
• Prepare your pizza for cooking: Place your pizza base on a piece of parchment paper or directly into the air fryer basket, if using a store-bought or pre-cooked base. If you're using a fresh dough base, you may need to pre-cook it for a few minutes first (see step 3).
• Precook your fresh dough base (if necessary): Some recipes suggest precooking your fresh dough base for about 1-3 minutes before adding toppings. This helps ensure that your crust is crispy and fully cooked. Flip the dough over halfway through this step to ensure even cooking.
• Add your toppings: Once your base is ready, it's time to add your sauce, cheese, and desired toppings. Be careful not to overload your pizza with heavy toppings, as this can affect cooking times and the overall crispiness of your crust.
• Cook your pizza: Close the air fryer basket and set the timer. Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model, but on average, pizzas cook for about 5-9 minutes in an air fryer. Keep an eye on your pizza to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn.
• Check for doneness: Your pizza is likely done when the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Some recipes suggest looking for a "leopard spot" char on the crust, but this may require a higher temperature or a different cooking method.
• Remove and serve: Carefully remove your pizza from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Allow it to cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy your freshly made, crispy air fryer pizza!

Frequently asked questions