Air Fryer Pizza: The Ultimate Easy Recipe
Oct 18, 2023, Updated Jan 16, 2024
Get restaurant-quality pizza with in half the time with this foolproof air fryer method. Air Fryer Pizza delivers perfect crispy crust and gooey cheese in every bite.
Table of Contents
- Why Is Air Fryer Pizza So Good?
- My Favourite Ninja Air Fryer
- Gather Your Ingredients
- How to Make Air Fryer Pizza: Easy Step-by-Step Directions
- Pro Tips and Science-Based Secrets
- How to Serve This Easy Air Fryer Pizza Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
- How to Reheat Leftover Pizza in the Air Fryer
- How to Make Frozen Pizza in an Air Fryer
- FAQs
- Delicious Air Fryer Recipes to Try Next:
- Air Fryer Pizza: The Ultimate Easy Recipe Recipe
Why Is Air Fryer Pizza So Good?
The convenience and crisp-making appeal of air fryers have made them super popular (I love mine! Here’s my guide to buying and using air fryers if you don’t have one yet or are just getting started).
But beyond “frying” with minimal oil, these devices have a variety of uses, including baking pizza. Yes, you can make a pizza in an air fryer—and not just any pizza, but one with a crispy crust, gooey cheese, and concentrated flavors. Here’s why you’re going to love air frying pizza:
- Crispy Crust & Chewy Inside: The super-hot circulating air of the air fryer ensures that the pizza crust gets crispy while keeping the inside chewy. The intensity of the heat can get pretty close to mimicking a wood oven.
- Cheese Perfection: The rapid heating allows the cheese to melt perfectly while gaining a slightly golden hue so that it turns out gooey, melted, and a tad crispy at the edges.
- Flavor Concentration: The air fryer’s cooking method tends to concentrate flavors. As moisture is quickly evaporated, what you’re left with is the crisp, caramelized version of all the toppings, cheese, and sauce, making each bite super full of flavor.
It’s super fun to make little pizzas with your friends and family. Kids love to sprinkle on their own toppings.
Just so you know, I made these air fryer pizzas in a Ninja Air Fryer (affiliate link) and it worked like a charm! But don’t worry, any air fryer should work just fine.
My Favourite Ninja Air Fryer
Gather Your Ingredients
First things first: let’s talk about the main components that go into crafting the perfect air fryer pizza.
Air Fryer Pizza Dough
You can make easy homemade air fryer pizza dough using my easy pizza dough recipe, if you like.
Or sometimes I use the dough for my viral naan bread, which makes a super-chewy yet soft crust that I love.
You can alternatively use store-bought refrigerated or frozen pizza dough.
For an even quicker pizza, use packaged pita bread or naan (and skip the step for pre-cooking the dough in the recipe below).
Pizza Sauce
Choose your favorite brand of commercial pizza sauce or make it yourself!
Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe
This authentic homemade tomato sauce is brimming with rich tomato flavor, olive oil, oregano and basil. View the red sauce for pizza recipe here.
Air Fryer Pizza Toppings
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: The cheese that makes pizza what it is—gooey and delicious.
Use anything from pepperoni to bell peppers or mushrooms. I love adding cooked ground beef (like I did in my shortcut pizza with biscuit dough recipe). Here are some ideas for topping combinations:
- Classic: Pepperoni, bell peppers, and onions
- Seafood: I love this seafood pizza recipe.
- Vegetarian: Sliced olives, bell peppers, red onion, and sliced mushrooms
- Meat Lovers: Try the toppings from this biscuit-crust pizza – they include seasoned ground beef, pepperoni and lots of cheese.
- Hawaiian: Ham and pineapple chunks
- BBQ Chicken: Pre-cooked chicken, red onion, and BBQ sauce
- Margarita: Fresh basil, tomato slices, and a drizzle of olive oil
- Four Cheese: Mozzarella, parmesan, gouda, and blue cheese
- Spicy: Jalapeños, spicy sausage, and red pepper flakes
Finishing Touches
Olive or Avocado Oil Spray: To give your pizza that golden finish.
Fresh Basil: Optional, but adds a really nice herby freshness.
How to Make Air Fryer Pizza: Easy Step-by-Step Directions
Achieving a perfectly cooked, restaurant-style pizza at home is easier than you think when using an air fryer. Note that you’ll have to bake one pizza at a time. Let’s get started:
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Ensures optimal cooking by getting the air fryer up to the desired temperature.
- Prepare the Dough: Lightly flour a work surface and roll out your pizza dough to a size that will fit in your air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you’ll probably be making personal pan pizzas.
- Parchment Paper: Cut parchment paper to match the size of your dough and place the rolled-out dough on it. This helps to transfer it easily into and out of the air fryer.
- First Cooking Phase: Place the dough in the air fryer to partially cook it. This helps to achieve a crispy crust.
- Flip the Dough: Safely flip the partially cooked dough in preparation for toppings.
- Sauce Application: Spread your choice of pizza sauce evenly on the dough. This acts as a glue for the other toppings and provides the main flavor base.
- Add Cheese: Distribute shredded mozzarella evenly across the sauced surface. This provides the gooey, melty component everyone loves in a pizza.
- Top it Off: Place your selected toppings on the cheese layer. Be creative here, as this will define the character of your pizza.
- Second Cooking Phase: Cook the pizza again to melt the cheese and crisp up the toppings. This is when your pizza truly comes together.
- Finishing Touches: After cooking, optional garnishes like fresh basil can be added for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Pro Tips and Science-Based Secrets
- Even Cooking: Preheating the air fryer ensures an even cook on your pizza dough.
- Parchment Paper Trick: Using parchment paper not only prevents sticking but also aids in the easy transfer of the pizza.
- Quick Cooking: The air fryer’s fast cooking time means your toppings should be thinly sliced so they cook evenly and quickly.
- Cheese Melt: Shredded cheese melts more evenly and quickly but I like to add a few cubes of mozzarella, too, to give those irresistible puddles and luscious cheese pulls when when you grab a slice.
How to Serve This Easy Air Fryer Pizza Recipe
This air fryer pizza is a hit on its own but pairing it with a side salad or some garlic bread makes it a complete meal. Consider serving it with a chilled glass of your favorite beer or wine.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
If you’re looking to prepare ahead, you can pre-roll the pizza dough and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Alternatively, wrap it with plastic wrap and store it in the freezer. The toppings can also be pre-chopped and stored separately.
How to Reheat Leftover Pizza in the Air Fryer
Say goodbye to soggy microwave-reheated pizza! Here’s the secret to reviving leftover Pizza Hut slices to perfection in the air fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Place the leftover pizza slice(s) in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for 3-4 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure the cheese is melting and the crust is crispy to your liking.
This method should be fine-tuned for thick vs. thin crust pizza. To make sure you reheat your leftovers properly, read How to Reheat Pizza in the Air Fryer (Perfectly!) for pro tips and the common mistakes to avoid.
How to Make Frozen Pizza in an Air Fryer
Maximize flavor, minimize cooking time! This air fryer method is how to get the most out of every cheesy, saucy bite.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This step is crucial for achieving a crispy crust.
- Preparation: Remove all the packaging from the frozen pizza. If your pizza is too large to fit in your air fryer, you may need to cut it in half or into quarters to make it fit.
- Place in Air Fryer: Carefully place the frozen pizza into the air fryer basket or on the air fryer tray. Make sure there is some space around the edges for air to circulate.
- Cook: Close the air fryer and cook for about 7-10 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size and thickness of the pizza. Check on it halfway through to see how it’s doing.
- Check for Doneness: The pizza is ready when the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Remove and Serve: Carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer using a spatula or tongs. Place it on a cutting board, slice, and enjoy!
Note: Cooking times can vary depending on the specific brand and model of your air fryer, so you may need to adjust the time or temperature accordingly.
FAQs
Too long, didn’t read? Here are a few common questions about making pizza in the air fryer:
Absolutely! Air fryer pizza is a great way to enjoy a delicious and crispy pizza. The air fryer’s efficient circulation creates a perfectly crispy crust while keeping the toppings moist and flavorful. The result is a convenient, quick, and tasty pizza that you will love.
Yes, pizza can get quite crispy in the air fryer. The hot air circulating in the air fryer helps create a crispy crust while maintaining a tender and gooey interior. Cooking times may vary based on the pizza’s size and thickness, so keep an eye on it as it cooks to achieve your desired level of crispiness.
Depending on the size of your air fryer, it’s usually best to cook one pizza at a time to allow for even cooking.
For perfect air fryer pizza, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Cook the dough for about 3 minutes until it puffs up and turns golden. After flipping, add sauce, cheese, and toppings, then cook for an additional 3 minutes until the cheese melts and slightly browns. Adjust times for your pizza’s size and thickness.
To prevent your pizza from burning in an air fryer, you can use a parchment paper or a non-stick cooking spray, avoid using too much cheese or toppings that can drip and cause burning, and keep an eye on your pizza while it’s cooking to adjust the cooking time or temperature as needed.
You can lightly oil the basket and only add the toppings once you’ve partially baked and flipped the dough. It’ll be too hard to transfer from the counter without the parchment to help you.
Soggy pizza crust in the air fryer is often due to insufficient preheating and air circulation. To enjoy a crispy crust, make sure to preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) before cooking. Here’s a tip: First, cook the dough until it’s golden. Then, flip and add sauce and toppings. Cook for another 3 minutes. This process gives a crispy crust, and the toppings won’t make the crust soggy. However, always go easy on the toppings and sauce. Overloading them can result in a soggy crust.
Pre-cooking the dough for just 3 minutes ensures it’s cooked but not too hard. It’s also essential to start with a good dough recipe (I love my naan dough for this), use a fresh jar of yeast, and give your dough time to rise properly.
Yes, it’s absolutely okay to air fry frozen pizza, which makes it a convenient and delicious option.
Frozen pizza can actually be prepared in both an air fryer and an oven, and the choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences. An air fryer is usually the better option if you’re looking for a quicker cooking time and a crisper crust. On the other hand, if you prefer a softer, more traditional pizza texture, the oven might be the way to go. Either way, it’s just a matter of personal taste and what you’re in the mood for.
Delicious Air Fryer Recipes to Try Next:
Air Fryer Frozen Salmon: Moist and flaky every time. No need to thaw first!
Air Fryer Turkey Burgers: Taste the juiciest turkey burger in under 10 mins. Made with ground turkey, breadcrumbs, onion, these are healthier twist on a classic fave. Perfect for a quick meal or served with game day nachos.
Air Fryer Eggplant: Crispy and flavorful eggplant bites, seasoned to perfection and can be served as a delicious side dish or appetizer.
Air Fryer Tuna Steak: Delicious and succulent tuna steak, seasoned with herbs and spices and perfect to serve in a tuna poke bowl or sushi bowl.
The complete guide to Reheating Pizza in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer Pizza: The Ultimate Easy Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Your favorite pizza toppings like pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, onions, etc.
- Olive oil or avocado oil spray
- Fresh basil optional
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer at 390°F for about 5 minutes.
- Divide dough into 4 equal pieces and roll it out on a floured piece of parchment paper. Aim for about 6″ diameter pizza crusts, or a size that fits in the basket of your air fryer. Trim away excess parchment paper, leaving a 1″ border for lifting it. Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough and the parchment paper into your air fryer basket.
- Cook the dough for about 3 minutes, until it starts to puff up and get a bit golden. Carefully flip the pizza dough using a pair of tongs or a spatula. The golden side is now the bottom of the crust.
- Keeping the crust in the air fryer basket, spread on a layer of pizza sauce, leaving a small border for the crust. Add the shredded mozzarella cheese, and then your choice of pizza toppings.
- Close the air fryer and cook for another 3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer. Top with fresh basil if desired.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this with your naan bread recipe like you suggested and it was SO GOOD. I’m obsessed.