Air Fryer Pizza
A full-size oven takes 15 minutes to heat for one pizza, while air fryer pizza is ready in about 7 minutes. The crust turns crisp underneath and bubbly on the edges, and a frozen pizza needs no thawing. This page covers homemade pizza from fresh dough and frozen pizza in the air fryer.
- Temperature
- 375°F190 °C
- Total time
- 59min
- Prep time
- 15min
- Servings
- 2
- Per serving
- 770kcal
Why the air fryer works for pizza
Good pizza needs a hot, dry surface under the crust and strong heat on top. The air fryer delivers both in a very small space. The basket is close to the heating element, so the cheese melts and browns fast, and the moving air dries the bottom of the dough, which makes it crisp instead of soft.
The limits are size and weight. A basket holds a pizza of about 7 to 8 inches, so large pizzas do not fit, and light toppings can blow around. Keep the sauce thin, put the cheese down first and pre-bake the crust, and you get a result similar to a thin-crust pizza from a hot oven.
How to make pizza in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Warm the dough Take the dough out of the refrigerator and let it sit, covered, for . Cold dough springs back and will not stretch.
- Shape Divide the dough in two. On a floured surface, roll or stretch each piece into a 7-inch round, no larger than your basket. Prick it all over with a fork and brush the top with the oil. Cut a round of parchment about 1 inch smaller than the pizza and set the crust on it.
- Pre-bake the crust Preheat the air fryer to 375 °F for . Place the crust with its parchment in the basket, so the weight of the dough holds the paper down. Cook for .
- Top and finish Spread ¼ cup of sauce on the crust, leaving a ½-inch border. Add half of the cheese, pepperoni and oregano. Cook at 375 °F for , until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden. Repeat with the second pizza.
- Rest and serve Lift the pizza out with a spatula and let it sit for so the cheese sets. Cut with a pizza cutter or a sharp knife.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Pizza | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade, 7-inch fresh dough3 min crust, 4 min topped | 375 °F (190 °C) | 7 min |
| Premade crust | 375 °F (190 °C) | 5–7 min |
| Frozen personal pizzaNo thawing | 350 °F (180 °C) | 9–12 min |
| Tortilla pizza | 375 °F (190 °C) | 4–5 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Read also: Frozen foods in the air fryer – times from frozen · Parchment paper and foil in the air fryer
Tips
- Measure your basket. The pizza should sit flat and have about ½ inch of space around the edge so the air can flow.
- Do not overload it. Two or three toppings are enough. Pre-cook raw sausage or mushrooms, because they will not cook through in 4 minutes.
- Let the dough rest. Dough that has warmed up for 30 minutes stretches thinner and cooks more evenly.
What to serve with pizza
A simple green salad cuts through the cheese, and garlic bread or mushrooms make it a bigger dinner. For a game day spread, serve it next to chicken wings with ranch and a bowl of onion rings.
Storing and reheating
Cooled pizza keeps for 3 to 4 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator, with parchment between the slices. For the best way to warm up leftover slices, see how to reheat pizza in the air fryer. Unbaked dough rounds freeze well, wrapped, for 2 months.
Variations
- Tortilla pizza: Use a flour tortilla as the crust, add sauce, cheese and toppings, and cook at 375 °F for 4–5 minutes.
- Margherita: Skip the pepperoni, use fresh mozzarella slices and add torn basil after cooking.
- Pizza bagels: Halve a bagel, top with sauce and cheese and cook at 350 °F for 4–5 minutes.
- Calzone-style: Fold a rolled-out circle over cheese and sauce, seal the edges and cook at 350 °F for 10–12 minutes.
- Pizza Rolls: For a dedicated recipe, see air fryer pizza rolls.
- Calzone: For a dedicated recipe, see air fryer calzone.
If it does not turn out right
- The crust is raw in the middle
- The toppings were too heavy or went on too early. Pre-bake the plain crust for 3 minutes, then add sauce and cheese, and keep the sauce layer thin.
- The toppings blow off or the cheese burns
- The fan is moving light toppings. Put the cheese on first, then press the pepperoni or vegetables into it, and use a lower temperature of 350 °F if the cheese browns too fast.
- The crust sticks to the basket
- Brush the basket with oil, or use a round of parchment cut smaller than the pizza. Never place parchment in the basket without food on it during preheating.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook pizza in the air fryer?
A 7-inch homemade pizza takes about 7 minutes at 375 °F in total, 3 minutes for the crust and 4 minutes with toppings. A premade crust needs 5–7 minutes and a tortilla pizza 4–5 minutes.
How do you cook frozen pizza in the air fryer?
Use a personal-size frozen pizza that fits the basket, at 350 °F for 9–12 minutes without thawing. A frozen pizza must be cooked until the crust is golden and the cheese bubbles; those with meat should be hot through (165 °F).
Is pizza better in the air fryer or the oven?
For one or two small pizzas, the air fryer is faster and makes a crisper bottom. For a large pizza or a crowd, the oven holds more.
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