How Long to Air Fryer Pizza

How Long to Cook Pizza in an Air Fryer: A Complete Guide

Making pizza in an air fryer has become a game-changer for quick, delicious meals with a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese. Whether you’re craving a homemade personal pizza, reheating leftovers, or cooking a frozen pie, the air fryer delivers in a fraction of the time it takes to heat up a traditional oven. But the burning question is: how long does it take to cook pizza in an air fryer? The answer depends on the type of pizza, the crust, and your air fryer model. Let’s dive into the details to ensure you get that restaurant-quality pizza every time.

Factors That Affect Cooking Time

Before we get into specific cooking times, it’s important to understand what influences how long your pizza will take to cook in an air fryer. Here are the key factors:

• Type of Crust: Homemade dough, store-bought dough, pre-baked crusts (like naan or pita), or frozen pizzas all require different cooking times. Thicker crusts, like deep-dish, take longer than thin or tortilla-based crusts.
• Air Fryer Model: Air fryers vary in wattage, size, and basket design. A basket-style air fryer may cook slightly differently than an oven-style model, like the Cuisinart Convection Air Fryer Toaster Oven.
• Toppings: Heavy toppings like sausage or extra cheese can slow down cooking, while lighter toppings like fresh basil or thin pepperoni slices cook faster.
• Preheating: Preheating your air fryer ensures even cooking and can reduce overall cooking time. Most recipes recommend preheating for 1-5 minutes.

Cooking Times for Different Types of Pizza

Here’s a breakdown of how long to cook various types of pizza in an air fryer, along with tips to get that perfect crispy crust and melty cheese.

Homemade Pizza with Fresh Dough

Homemade pizza dough gives you full control over thickness and flavor, but it requires a two-step cooking process to ensure the crust cooks through without burning the toppings.

Steps and Timing:

• Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 1-3 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• Pre-Bake the Dough: Roll out your dough to fit the air fryer basket (typically 7-9 inches in diameter). Lightly brush with olive oil and prick with a fork to prevent air bubbles. Pre-bake at 375°F for 3 minutes, flip the dough, and cook for another 2-3 minutes. This step ensures a crispy base, as the dough needs more time to cook than the toppings.
• Add Toppings and Finish Cooking: Spread pizza sauce, add cheese, and layer your favorite toppings. Cook at 375°F for 4-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown. Check at the 4-minute mark to avoid overcooking.
• Total Time: Approximately 9-12 minutes, including pre-baking.

Pro Tip: To prevent lightweight toppings like fresh basil or thin pepperoni slices from blowing around, layer cheese on top to anchor them. Alternatively, use an air fryer rack or toothpicks to secure toppings, as suggested by Killing Thyme.

Pre-Baked Crusts (Naan, Pita, or Flatbread)

Using pre-baked crusts like naan, pita, or flatbread is a fantastic shortcut for quick pizza nights. These crusts are already cooked, so they require less time in the air fryer.

Steps and Timing:

• Preheat the Air Fryer: Set to 370°F (188°C) for 1-2 minutes.
• Assemble the Pizza: Place the crust in the air fryer basket (no pre-baking needed). Spread sauce, add cheese, and top as desired.
• Cook: Air fry at 370°F for 4-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly browned. Check at 4 minutes, as thinner crusts like tortillas can burn quickly.
• Total Time: About 5-8 minutes.

Pro Tip: Low-carb options like tortillas or flatbreads work great for a quick, crispy pizza. For a low-carb recipe, check out Kalyn’s Kitchen, which uses low-carb tortillas for a keto-friendly version.

Frozen Pizza

Frozen personal-sized pizzas or slices are perfect for the air fryer, delivering a crispy crust without heating up your entire kitchen.

Steps and Timing:

• Preheat the Air Fryer: Set to 380°F (193°C) for 3-4 minutes.
• Cook the Pizza: Place the frozen pizza in the air fryer basket, ideally on perforated parchment paper to catch drippings. Cook for 6-10 minutes, depending on crust thickness. Thin-crust pizzas may be done in 6-8 minutes, while thicker crusts like deep-dish may take 8-10 minutes.
• Total Time: 6-10 minutes.

Pro Tip: Always check the pizza at the lower end of the time range to avoid burning. If you’re adding extra toppings, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Reheating Leftover Pizza

Reheating pizza in an air fryer is a revelation—no more soggy microwave slices! The air fryer restores the crispy crust and gooey cheese in just a few minutes.

Steps and Timing:

• Preheat the Air Fryer: Set to 320-350°F (160-177°C) for 1-2 minutes.
• Reheat: Place pizza slices in a single layer in the basket. Cook for 3-4 minutes for thin crusts or 4-5 minutes for thicker crusts. Check to ensure the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
• Total Time: 3-5 minutes.

Pro Tip: Use perforated parchment paper to catch any melting cheese, especially for heavily topped pizzas. Avoid stacking slices to ensure even heating.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Pizza

To elevate your air fryer pizza game, keep these tips in mind:

• Use Parchment Paper: Line the basket with air fryer-specific perforated parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. Regular parchment works too, but poke a few holes to allow air circulation.
• Check Your Air Fryer Size: Most air fryer baskets accommodate 7-9-inch pizzas. If you’re using a larger air fryer oven, you might fit a 12-inch pizza, but always measure your basket first.
• Don’t Overload Toppings: Too many toppings can lead to uneven cooking. Stick to a thin layer of sauce, a moderate amount of cheese, and 2-3 toppings for best results.
• Adjust for Your Air Fryer: Cooking times vary by model. Start with the lower end of the suggested time and check frequently. If your pizza is undercooked, add 1-2 minutes as needed.
• Let It Rest: After cooking, let the pizza sit for 2-3 minutes to cool slightly. This makes it easier to slice and prevents burning your mouth.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with a straightforward appliance like an air fryer, a few missteps can lead to less-than-perfect pizza. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Skipping the Pre-Bake for Fresh Dough: Without pre-baking, the dough may remain raw while the toppings overcook. Always pre-bake fresh dough for 3-5 minutes.
• Overcrowding the Basket: Cooking multiple pizzas or stacking slices can block airflow, leading to uneven cooking. Work in batches if needed.
• Using Too Much Sauce: Excess sauce can make the crust soggy. Use a light hand, spreading just enough to cover the dough.
• Ignoring Topping Weight: Lightweight toppings like fresh herbs can blow around in the air fryer. Secure them with cheese or a rack to keep them in place.

Why Use an Air Fryer for Pizza?

Air fryers are ideal for pizza because they mimic the high-heat environment of a pizza oven, delivering a crispy crust and concentrated flavors in less time. Unlike a traditional oven, there’s no long preheating, and the compact size means you’re not heating up your entire kitchen—perfect for summer nights or quick meals. Plus, the circulating hot air ensures even cooking, so you get that perfect balance of crispy edges and a chewy interior.

Conclusion

Cooking pizza in an air fryer is a quick, versatile way to satisfy your pizza cravings, whether you’re starting from scratch, using a pre-baked crust, or reheating leftovers. For homemade pizza with fresh dough, expect 9-12 minutes, including a 3-5 minute pre-bake. Pre-baked crusts take about 5-8 minutes, frozen pizzas need 6-10 minutes, and reheating leftovers is done in 3-5 minutes. By understanding your air fryer’s quirks and following these tips, you’ll be slicing into a crispy, cheesy masterpiece in no time. So, grab your ingredients, fire up that air fryer, and make pizza night the best night of the week!