Air-Fried Tortilla Pizzas: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making pizza in an air fryer with a tortilla as the base is a quick, easy, and budget-friendly way to make a delicious pizza. It is also a great way to make a thin-crust pizza without having to make homemade pizza dough. This recipe is highly customizable, allowing you to choose your favourite toppings and sauces. The best types of tortillas to use are flour tortillas, but corn tortillas can also be used if lightly coated in oil. The key to a crispy tortilla pizza is to not overload it with toppings and to preheat the air fryer.

Choosing the right tortilla

Type of Tortilla

The type of tortilla you choose will impact the taste, texture, and overall experience of your pizza. Here are some common options:

• Flour Tortilla: Flour tortillas are the most commonly used for air fryer pizzas due to their versatility and crispiness. They come in various sizes, so choose one that fits your air fryer basket.
• Corn Tortilla: Corn tortillas are smaller and thinner than flour tortillas. If you use corn tortillas, lightly spray or brush both sides with oil to help them crisp up.
• Low-Carb, Spinach, and Whole Wheat Tortillas: These options offer a healthier twist to your pizza without compromising taste.
• Gluten-Free Tortillas: Gluten-free tortillas, such as almond flour, chickpea flour, or cassava flour, are excellent alternatives for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

Size and Thickness

The size and thickness of the tortilla will affect the cooking time and the overall texture of your pizza.

• Size: Choose a tortilla that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket. If needed, you can cut a larger tortilla down to size.
• Thickness: Thinner tortillas will crisp up more easily and create a crunchier crust. Thicker tortillas may require a longer cooking time and might result in a softer crust.

Freshness and Quality

Always opt for high-quality tortillas that are fresh and have a good shelf life. Check the expiration date and inspect the packaging for any tears or damage. Fresh tortillas will yield better results and ensure your pizza tastes delicious.

Customization and Personal Preference

The beauty of making air fryer pizza is the ability to customize it to your taste. Experiment with different types of tortillas and explore various flavours and ingredients. Try adding spices, herbs, or a blend of cheeses to elevate your pizza. You can even make it a fun activity by creating a pizza bar and letting everyone assemble their pizzas with their desired toppings.

Preparing the sauce

Ingredients:

• One 28oz can of crushed tomatoes
• One small onion, finely chopped
• Two cloves of garlic, minced
• Two tablespoons of olive oil
• One teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for about one minute, stirring frequently.
• Pour in the crushed tomatoes and their juices.
• Stir in the oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
• Simmer the sauce over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.
• Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed.
• Let the sauce cool before using it on your pizza.

Remember, when making your pizza, don't overload it with sauce to avoid making the tortilla soggy. Just a light coating of sauce will work fine!

Adding cheese

Cheese is a key ingredient in any pizza, and when making an air fryer tortilla pizza, it's no different. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for adding cheese to your pizza:

Types of Cheese

The most popular choice for pizza is shredded mozzarella cheese. However, you can also use other types of cheese, such as provolone, cheddar, Swiss, Mexican blend, Italian four-cheese blend, or even vegan cheese alternatives if you follow a plant-based diet. Feel free to mix and match different types of cheese to find your perfect combination.

Amount of Cheese

The amount of cheese you use will depend on your personal preference and the size of your pizza. A good starting point is 1/2 cup of shredded cheese for an 8-inch pizza. You can adjust this amount based on how cheesy you like your pizza. Just remember not to overload your pizza with too many toppings, as this can make the tortilla soggy.

Placing the Cheese

It's important to place the cheese on top of the other toppings, especially if you're using ingredients like pepperoni that might fly off due to the air circulation in the air fryer. Start by spreading your sauce evenly over the tortilla, leaving a small border for the crust. Then, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the sauce, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Finally, add your choice of toppings, arranging them evenly on top of the cheese.

Melting the Cheese

To achieve that gooey, melted cheese texture, you'll need to cook your pizza in the air fryer at a temperature between 360-400°F for 3-7 minutes. Keep a close eye on your pizza to prevent burning, and remove it from the air fryer when the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the tortilla edges are crispy and golden brown.

Customization

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different types of cheese and toppings. You can add extra cheese on top of your other toppings or try a combination of different cheeses for a unique flavor profile. Just remember to follow the basic guidelines for placing and melting the cheese to ensure your pizza turns out perfectly.

Selecting toppings

The best part about making pizza in an air fryer is that you can get creative with the toppings. You can add your favourite vegetables, herbs, or protein options to personalise your tortilla pizza. Here are some ideas for toppings:

Meat toppings

• Pepperoni
• Cooked sausage
• Bacon pieces
• Ham
• Chicken
• Sausage
• Salami
• Cooked chicken
• Cooked diced ham
• Cooked leftover or roast chicken
• Ground beef
• Shredded chicken
• Chicken sausage
• Sausage
• Bacon
• Deli meat
• Cooked sausage
• Chicken sausage
• Ground beef

Vegetable toppings

• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Bell peppers
• Jalapenos
• Pineapple
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Fresh basil
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Green bell peppers
• Black olives
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Banana peppers
• Pineapple
• Cherry tomatoes
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Basil
• Chicken sausage
• Peppers
• Ham
• Pineapple
• Chicken
• Sausage
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Spinach
• Arugula
• Kalamata olives
• Tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Olives
• Zucchini
• Cherry tomatoes

Other toppings

• BBQ sauce
• Pesto
• White (Alfredo) sauce
• Hot honey
• Salsa
• Black beans
• Green chillies
• Mozzarella cheese
• Cheddar cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Mexican blend cheese
• Pepper jack cheese
• Feta cheese
• Provolone cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Oregano
• Red pepper flakes
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Onion powder
• Fresh basil leaves
• Olive oil spray
• Avocado oil
• Any cooking oil
• Spicy pizza sauce
• Hot sauce
• BBQ sauce
• Pesto sauce
• White pizza with alfredo sauce
• Tzatziki sauce
• Hummus

Cooking and serving

The cooking process for air fryer tortilla pizzas is straightforward and quick. The first step is to preheat your air fryer to around 375–400°F (182–204°C). While it's heating up, you can prepare your pizza toppings and sauce.

Once preheated, place a tortilla in the air fryer basket. It's recommended to use a flour tortilla, but corn tortillas can also be used with a light layer of oil on each side. For a crispier crust, brush the edges of the tortilla with olive oil or spray with olive oil spray.

Spread your sauce of choice over the tortilla, leaving a small gap around the edges. You don't want to overload the tortilla with sauce, as this can make it soggy. A light coating is best.

Now, it's time to add your toppings. Start with shredded cheese, ensuring it covers the sauce. You can use mozzarella, cheddar, or a blend. Then, add your favourite toppings, such as pepperoni, vegetables, or cooked meats. Just remember not to overload the tortilla, as this can make it difficult to pick up the pizza and may cause toppings to fall off.

Place the assembled pizza back into the air fryer and cook for around 3–7 minutes. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning, and cook until the cheese is melted and the edges are crispy and golden.

Once cooked, remove the pizza from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula and add any extra seasonings, such as dried oregano or red pepper flakes. Allow the pizza to cool for a minute or two before slicing and serving.

These pizzas are best served fresh, straight out of the air fryer. However, if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a minute or two until the cheese is melted again.

Feel free to get creative with your toppings and sauces. You can make a BBQ chicken pizza, a Mediterranean pizza, or a spicy pepperoni pizza. You can also serve these pizzas with sides like salad, garlic bread, or a light dip like marinara sauce or ranch dressing.

Frequently asked questions