Pizza in the Air Fryer
Cold pizza from the fridge is one of the best things the air fryer does, because the base crisps up again instead of going rubbery as it does in a microwave. The same hot, moving air also bakes a small fresh or frozen pizza in under 10 minutes. This page gives the temperatures and timings for a fresh pizza, a frozen one and leftover slices.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 19min
- Prep
- 10min
- Servings
- 2
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 430kcal
Why the air fryer works for pizza
Cooking pizza in air fryer baskets works because the base sits in fast-moving hot air from below and above. The crust crisps without needing a heavy pizza stone, and the cheese melts and browns at the same time. A small pizza is done in 6–8 minutes, and a frozen pizza goes straight from the freezer into the basket for 8–10 minutes at 180 °C, and the air fryer needs only a few minutes to preheat, which beats an oven.
The same effect makes the air fryer the best way of reheating pizza. A microwave steams the base, while the air fryer dries and re-crisps it. Reheating pizza in air fryer baskets at 160 °C for a few minutes gives you a crisp base and melted cheese again.
How to make pizza in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Choose the size Your pizza must be a little smaller than the basket, about 20 cm for most machines, so the air can flow round the edge. Cut a circle of baking paper slightly smaller than the pizza and make a few holes in it, or lightly oil the basket.
- Add the sauce Mix the passata with the oregano, oil, salt and pepper. Spread a thin layer over the base, leaving a 1 cm border. A thick layer makes the middle soggy.
- Top the pizza Scatter the torn mozzarella, mushrooms and olives over the sauce. Keep the toppings light and flat, because anything loose will blow around in the fan.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 200 °C for , then lower the pizza in on the baking paper. Bake one pizza at a time.
- Bake Cook for , until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and starting to brown. A thin base needs , a thicker one 8. Add the basil when it comes out.
- Rest and cut Leave the pizza for so the cheese sets, then slide it on to a board and cut it. Repeat with the second base.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Pizza | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh 20 cm pizzaOne at a time | 200 °C | 6–8 min |
| Frozen 20 cm pizzaRemove all packaging | 180 °C | 8–10 min |
| Reheat leftover slicesSingle layer, until 75 °C | 160 °C | 3–4 min |
| Tortilla wrap pizzaCrisp, thin base | 190 °C | 3–4 min |
| Pizza bagelsHalve, top and bake | 190 °C | 4–5 min |
| Thick-crust pizzaLower heat for the dough | 180 °C | 10–12 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. Cooked when the centre reaches 75 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
You may also like: Frozen food in an air fryer · Baking paper and foil in an air fryer
Tips
- Stay a little under the basket size. A pizza that touches the walls blocks the airflow and cooks unevenly, so trim the baking paper to fit.
- Do not overload. Three toppings are plenty. Thick piles of wet vegetables release steam and soften the middle.
- Weigh the paper down. Baking paper can lift in the fan before the pizza is on top of it, so always put the pizza on the paper before lowering it in.
Serving
Serve the pizza with a rocket salad dressed with lemon and olive oil, or cut it into slices for a lunch the whole family can share. For a bigger meal add potato wedges cooked in the same machine. Pizza in air fryer baskets is quick enough that you can bake two in succession while the first is cooling.
Storing and reheating
Keep leftover slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days and do not leave pizza at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Reheat at 160 °C for 3–4 minutes in a single layer, and check that the centre is steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). Frozen leftover slices need 5–6 minutes. Reheat once only.
Variations
- Tortilla wrap pizza: Use a wrap instead of a base, add sauce, cheese and toppings and cook at 190 °C for 3–4 minutes. It turns very crisp and thin.
- Pizza bagels: Halve a bagel, spread with passata, top with cheese and cook at 190 °C for 4–5 minutes.
- Calzone: Fold the base over a filling of cheese and tomato, seal the edge with a fork and cook at 180 °C for 10–12 minutes, turning once.
Troubleshooting
- The base is soggy
- There was too much sauce or too many wet toppings. Use a thin layer of sauce, pat mushrooms dry and cook on a perforated sheet of baking paper so the air reaches the underside.
- The cheese blows off or burns
- Light toppings can lift in the fan. Put the cheese on in a single layer, tuck it in under the toppings, and cover any thin pieces with a little extra cheese.
- The edge is dark but the middle is pale
- The heat is too high for a thick base. Lower to 180 °C and cook for 9–10 minutes instead.
Frequently asked questions
How do you reheat pizza in an air fryer?
Heat the air fryer to 160 °C, lay the slices in a single layer and cook for 3–4 minutes. The base should be crisp and the cheese bubbling, with the middle steaming hot at 75 °C.
How long does a frozen pizza take in the air fryer?
A 20 cm frozen pizza takes 8–10 minutes at 180 °C. Remove the packaging and the cardboard, and turn the pizza round halfway if the edge browns faster.
What temperature should pizza be in an air fryer?
Use 200 °C for fresh pizza, 180 °C for frozen and 160 °C for reheating slices. Higher heat browns the cheese before a thick base is cooked.
Can you cook a big pizza in an air fryer?
Only if it fits the basket with a gap round the edge, usually up to about 20 cm. For bigger pizzas, cut a 30 cm one into halves and cook them in turn.
How do you stop pizza being soggy in an air fryer?
Preheat the machine, use a thin layer of sauce and leave a gap under the pizza for air. Do not cover it with foil, because that traps steam.
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