Stouffer's French Bread Pizza: Air Fryer Style

Stouffer's French Bread Pizza is a convenient and tasty meal that can be prepared in an air fryer in less than 10 minutes. This guide will teach you how to make this delicious treat with a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your Stouffer's French bread pizza cooks evenly and achieves the desired level of crispiness. By setting your air fryer to 400°F, you create the optimal environment for the pizza to cook through thoroughly, with a golden crust and melted cheese.

The preheating process should take around 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your air fryer's model and settings. During this time, the air fryer's heating element works to bring the cooking chamber to the desired temperature. This step is crucial, especially when cooking frozen foods like French bread pizza, as it helps ensure consistent and even cooking.

When preheating, it is important to ensure that your air fryer is set up correctly. Place the air fryer in a well-ventilated area, away from any flammable materials. Make sure the basket or rack is securely in place, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific air fryer model.

Once the preheating is complete, you can proceed to the next step of placing the pizza in the air fryer. Remember to follow the instructions for spacing and layering to ensure even cooking. The preheating step sets the foundation for a successful cooking experience, ensuring that your Stouffer's French bread pizza turns out perfectly cooked and delicious.

Place the pizza in the air fryer basket

When placing the pizza in the air fryer basket, it is important to ensure that the air fryer has been preheated to the right temperature. Different air fryers may require slightly different settings, but generally, you should preheat your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C) for 3 to 5 minutes. This step is crucial as it ensures that the crust cooks evenly and becomes crispy and golden.

Once your air fryer is preheated, carefully place the frozen pizza into the air fryer basket. Make sure to keep the pizzas spaced apart and in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking and prevent the crust from reaching the desired crispness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the pizzas in batches.

When placing the pizza in the basket, be gentle to avoid disturbing the toppings. You can also cut the pizza into pieces before placing it in the air fryer if that makes it easier to fit or if you prefer to serve it that way.

After placing the pizza in the air fryer basket, you can set the timer and let it cook. Depending on your air fryer and the desired level of crispness, the cooking time may vary from 5 to 8 minutes. Keep an eye on the pizza to ensure it doesn't burn, as cooking times can vary.

Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer using a spatula or tongs. Be cautious, as the air fryer and the pizza will be hot. Let the pizza cool down for a couple of minutes before serving. This will allow the cheese to settle and make it easier to handle.

Air fry at 400°F for 5-8 minutes

Air frying Stouffer's French Bread Pizza is a quick and easy way to make a delicious snack or meal. It is important to preheat your air fryer to ensure the pizza cooks evenly. The ideal temperature for cooking this pizza is 400°F for 5-8 minutes.

Different air fryers may require slight adjustments to the cooking time and temperature, so it is always good to keep an eye on your pizza while it cooks. Some recipes suggest cooking the pizza for 5 minutes at 400°F, while others recommend 7 minutes at the same temperature. One recipe suggests cooking the pizza at 370°F for 8 minutes, which is a slightly lower temperature but a longer cooking time.

You can also try cooking the pizza at 385°F for 3-4 minutes, or even as low as 320°F for 10 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness.

Once the pizza is done, let it cool for a minute or two before serving. This will ensure the cheese is not too hot and allow the crust to crisp up perfectly.

Let the pizza cool before serving

It is important to let your pizza cool down before serving it. By letting the pizza cool for a few minutes, the flavors will become more blended, and the cheese will not stick to the knife or pizza cutter. If you cut into the pizza too early, the cheese and toppings may slide around. To avoid this, let the pizza sit for about two minutes before slicing and serving. If you are cooking Stouffer's French Bread Pizza in an air fryer, you should cook it for about 7 minutes, then let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Serve with a dipping sauce

Now that you've cooked your Stouffer's French Bread Pizza in the air fryer, it's time to think about what to serve it with. Here are some dipping sauce ideas to take your pizza to the next level:

Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce

A classic flavour combination that will add a tangy twist to your pizza. The sweetness of the sauce will also help to balance out the heat if you like your pizza spicy.

Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce

For a more exotic option, try a Thai-inspired peanut sauce. The creamy texture and nutty flavour will add an extra layer of taste to your pizza, and the slight spice will keep things interesting.

Soy Ginger Dipping Sauce

This Asian-inspired sauce is a great way to add some zing to your pizza. The salty, savoury flavour of soy sauce combined with the freshness of ginger will enhance the taste of your pizza without overwhelming it.

Apricot Dijon Dipping Sauce

This sauce is perfect if you're looking for something sweet and tangy. The apricot adds a unique flavour, while the Dijon mustard provides a sharp kick. The combination is sure to surprise and delight your taste buds.

Creamy Pineapple-lime Dipping Sauce

Transport yourself to a tropical paradise with this creamy and fruity sauce. The pineapple and lime create a refreshing contrast to the savoury pizza, making each bite a delightful blend of sweet and savoury.

Buffalo Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce

For a creamy and spicy option, try this buffalo blue cheese sauce. The tanginess of the blue cheese combined with the heat of the buffalo sauce will add a bold kick to your pizza. It's the perfect choice if you like your food with a bit of a bite.

Chinese Mustard Dipping Sauce

If you're a fan of bold flavours, this Chinese mustard sauce will not disappoint. It packs a punch with its sharp and pungent taste, cutting through the richness of the pizza. It's an unexpected pairing that is sure to impress.

Bread Dipping Oil

For something a little different, try dipping your pizza in a flavourful oil. This option is especially good if you want to enhance the taste of your crust. A good bread dipping oil will have a blend of herbs, spices, and cheese, creating an aromatic and mouthwatering experience.

Marinara Dipping Sauce

A classic choice for a reason, marinara sauce is the perfect complement to pizza. Its robust tomato flavour and subtle blend of herbs and spices will enhance the taste of your pizza without overwhelming it. It's a simple yet effective choice.

Ranch

Another classic for a reason, ranch dressing is a tangy and creamy option that will refresh your palate between bites of savoury pizza. It's the perfect cool contrast to the warm, cheesy goodness of your air-fried Stouffer's French Bread Pizza.

So, there you have it! Plenty of dipping sauce options to choose from to elevate your air-fried pizza experience. Get creative, experiment, and most importantly, enjoy!

Frequently asked questions