If you love the convenience of frozen pizza but crave a crispier, tastier crust, cooking it in an air fryer is a game changer. Air fryers cook frozen pizza faster than a conventional oven and give you that golden, crunchy crust with perfectly melted cheese every time. Wondering how to cook frozen pizza in an air fryer? Let’s dive into the simple steps, tips, and tricks to make your next pizza night a breeze.
Why Use an Air Fryer for Frozen Pizza?
Air fryers circulate hot air rapidly around the food, mimicking the effect of a pizza stone or professional pizza oven. This means moisture is wicked away, resulting in a crisp crust without drying out the toppings. Plus, it’s faster and more energy-efficient than heating a big oven.
What You Need
– Your favorite frozen pizza (any brand or crust style works-thin crust, deep dish, gluten-free, vegan, you name it)
– An air fryer
– Optional: cooking spray (to prevent sticking) and extra toppings if you want to customize your pizza
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Cook Frozen Pizza in an Air Fryer
1. Preheat Your Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to around 350°F to 400°F. Most recipes recommend 380°F to 400°F for the best balance of crispy crust and melted cheese. Preheating usually takes a couple of minutes.
2. Prepare the Pizza
Remove the frozen pizza from its packaging. If your pizza is too large for the air fryer basket, cut it into quarters or slices to fit comfortably. You can also add extra toppings or cheese now if you want to boost the flavor.
3. Place the Pizza in the Air Fryer
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking if desired. Place the pizza directly in the basket. For pizzas with toppings like pepperoni, check halfway through cooking and reposition toppings if they shift due to air circulation.
4. Cook the Pizza
Cook for 6 to 10 minutes depending on the thickness of the crust and size of the pizza. Thin crust pizzas usually take about 6 minutes, while thicker crusts might need up to 10 minutes. Check the pizza at the halfway mark and rotate it for even cooking. If you want extra crispiness, add a minute or two at the end.
5. Check for Doneness
The pizza is ready when the crust is golden and crispy, and the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. If it needs more time, continue cooking in short increments.
6. Serve and Enjoy!
Remove the pizza carefully, slice it up (scissors are a surprisingly easy tool for this), and enjoy your perfectly cooked air fryer pizza.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Frozen Pizza
– Don’t overcrowd the basket: Cook in batches if your pizza is too big for the air fryer basket.
– Watch toppings: Some toppings can fly off during cooking; reposition them halfway through if needed.
– Add extra toppings carefully: Add vegetables at the start, but add pre-cooked meats halfway through to avoid overcooking.
– Customize your pizza: Sprinkle on extra cheese or spices before cooking to enhance flavor.
– Use cooking spray: To keep the pizza from sticking and to help crisp the crust, lightly spray the basket and pizza surface.
– Adjust time and temperature based on your air fryer model: Air fryers vary, so keep an eye on your pizza the first time you try this method.
Common Questions About Air Fryer Frozen Pizza
Can I cook any frozen pizza in an air fryer?
Yes! From thin crust to deep dish, gluten-free to vegan, almost any frozen pizza can be cooked in an air fryer with great results.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
Preheating for 1-2 minutes at 380°F to 400°F is recommended for even cooking and a crispy crust.
How do I prevent toppings from flying off?
Check the pizza halfway through cooking and press toppings back down if they’ve shifted due to air circulation.
What if my pizza is too big for the air fryer basket?
Cut it into quarters or slices and cook in batches.
Cooking frozen pizza in an air fryer is quick, easy, and delivers a crispy, delicious pizza that rivals your favorite delivery. Give it a try and enjoy a perfect pizza night anytime!