Oct 18, 2023, Updated Aug 14, 2024
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.
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), or try Naan Pizza with leftover homemade naan.
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: 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. 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. Too long, didn’t read? Here are a few common questions about making pizza in the air fryer:
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
