Totino's Party Pizza is a convenient and tasty snack, perfect for parties, family gatherings, or a quick bite. It's easy to cook in an air fryer, resulting in a crispy crust and melted cheese. The air fryer method is faster than a traditional oven and doesn't require preheating, making it an efficient option for satisfying pizza cravings. With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious pizza ready in less than 15 minutes.
What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an essential step in cooking Totino's Party Pizza. While some recipes don't require preheating, it is recommended for Totino's Party Pizza to ensure a crispy crust and even cooking. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for preheating your air fryer:
First, set your air fryer to the desired temperature. The recommended temperature for cooking Totino's Party Pizza is between 370°F and 400°F (193°C). You can preheat your air fryer for about 3 to 4 minutes at this temperature. Preheating the air fryer tray or basket is also suggested for even heat distribution.
It is important to note that air fryer models vary, so you may need to adjust the preheating time and temperature slightly. Check your specific air fryer instructions for optimal preheating guidelines. Additionally, if your air fryer doesn't reach 400°F, preheat it at the highest setting for a few minutes before cooking.
When preheating, avoid placing the pizza inside the air fryer until the desired temperature is reached. This is because you want the cooking surface to be hot enough to ensure proper crisping of the pizza crust. Once preheated, carefully place the frozen pizza into the air fryer, being cautious not to touch the hot surface with your hands.
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in achieving the desired crispiness and even cooking of Totino's Party Pizza. By following these instructions, you'll be on your way to enjoying a delicious, crispy pizza straight from your air fryer!
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Prepare the pizza
Take the Totino's Party Pizza out of its packaging and remove any plastic wrap. Place the frozen pizza on a plate or a cutting board.
If you prefer to have your pizza sliced before cooking, you can cut it into smaller portions now. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
Optional: If you want to add extra toppings, now is the time! You can add shredded mozzarella cheese or your favourite toppings to enhance the flavour.
Place the pizza directly into the preheated air fryer basket. Ensure it is in a single layer and not overlapping to allow proper air circulation.
You can also line the basket with parchment paper or aluminium foil to prevent sticking, but this is not necessary.
If you are cooking multiple pizzas, it is best to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking and a crispy crust.
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Cook the pizza
Now that you've got your Totino's Party Pizza and your air fryer, it's time to cook!
First, preheat your air fryer. Different models of air fryer may have different preheat settings, but most sources recommend preheating to around 400°F (193°C) for 3-4 minutes. Preheating will ensure that your pizza cooks evenly and achieves a desirable crispy crust.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can take the Totino's Party Pizza out of its packaging. You don't need to thaw the pizza before cooking it, and you can add your desired toppings now, or even add some extra cheese.
Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the pizza. Place the pizza directly into the air fryer basket, ensuring it is in a single layer and not overlapping. If you want to cook more than one pizza, it's best to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking and a crispy crust. You can also cut the pizza into slices before cooking if you prefer.
The cooking time will depend on your air fryer model and the thickness of the crust, but it will typically take around 5-10 minutes. Keep an eye on your pizza after 5 minutes to avoid overcooking.
After the time is up, open the air fryer basket and use tongs or a spatula to lift the pizza and check the crust. It should be golden brown and crispy when done. If it needs a little longer, add a few more minutes to the cooking time.
Once your pizza is cooked to perfection, carefully remove it from the air fryer and allow it to cool for a minute or two before slicing and serving. Enjoy your crispy Totino's Party Pizza!
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Check for doneness
Checking for doneness is an important step in the cooking process to ensure your Totino's Party Pizza is cooked to perfection. Here are some detailed instructions on how to check for doneness when making Totino's Party Pizza in an air fryer:
After the specified cooking time (usually around 8 to 10 minutes), open the air fryer basket and use tongs or a spatula to carefully lift the pizza and inspect the crust. The crust should be golden brown and crispy when it is done. If the crust is still pale or soft, it needs more cooking time.
Another indicator of doneness is the cheese. You want the cheese to be melted and bubbly, but not burnt. Overcooking can cause the cheese to burn, so keep a close eye on it. If the cheese is not yet melted and bubbly, cook the pizza for an additional minute or two.
It is important to note that air fryers can vary in terms of heat levels and cooking times, so it is always a good idea to check on the pizza a few minutes before the recommended cooking time is up. This way, you can avoid overcooking or burning your pizza.
Additionally, if you prefer your pizza to be extra crispy, you can cook it for a slightly longer time in the air fryer. However, be sure to check on it periodically to prevent burning. You can also brush the crust with a small amount of olive oil before cooking to enhance crispiness.
Once your Totino's Party Pizza has reached the desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Allow it to cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious, crispy air-fried pizza!
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Serve and enjoy
Once your Totino's Party Pizza is cooked to perfection, carefully remove it from the air fryer with tongs or a spatula. The pizza will be hot, so let it cool for a minute or two before slicing and serving. You can slice the pizza into squares or traditional slices.
Totino's Party Pizza is best enjoyed hot and fresh, so have any sides or dips ready before you start cooking. It pairs well with a side of skyline chili dip or green onion dipping sauce, or a fresh tomato mozzarella salad. For an extra kick of flavor, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, oregano, or shredded parmesan. If you're serving this pizza as an appetizer, cut it into bite-sized pieces for easy sharing.
If you have any leftovers, allow the pizza to cool completely before storing. Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, you can reheat the pizza straight from frozen in the air fryer! Place the slices in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, or until hot and crispy.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook the pizza for 8-10 minutes at 370-400°F. However, the exact cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer model and your desired level of crispiness, so it is advised to keep an eye on the pizza after 5 minutes to avoid overcooking.
While preheating is not necessary for all air fryers, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3-4 minutes to ensure the pizza cooks evenly and achieves a crispy crust.
It is best to cook one pizza at a time in the air fryer to ensure even cooking and a crispy crust. Cooking multiple pizzas at once may result in uneven cooking.