Why Air Fryer Pizza Beats Delivery
Delivery pizza costs $15 minimum in Fargo before tip. Making air fryer pizza at home runs about $4 per pizza with better control over toppings.
The basket air fryer gets the crust crispier than my oven ever did, similar to air fryer frozen french fries. Took three attempts to figure out the right thickness for the dough.
✅ Ready in 10 minutes flat
✅ Crispy bottom crust every time
✅ Preheating takes just 3 minutes
✅ No soggy middle sections
✅ Costs $4 vs $15 delivery
Let me show you what makes this work.
What You Need for Perfect Pizza
Air fryer pizza needs fresh mozzarella cheese for the best melt. Pizza dough from Hornbacher’s bakery section works better than the canned stuff.
✔ Pizza dough : one ball makes two personal pizzas in most basket air fryers
✔ Mozzarella cheese : freshly grated melts more evenly than pre-shredded
✔ Pizza sauce : any brand works, but I prefer Rao’s for less sugar
✔ Your choice of toppings : pepperoni, sausage, vegetables, whatever you like
Now here’s the process I use every Sunday for meal prep.
How to Make Air Fryer Pizza
Roll the dough thin on parchment paper first. Preheating makes a huge difference in bottom crust texture.
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F for 3 minute
- Roll pizza dough to 1/4-inch thickness on parchment pape
- Cut parchment to fit your air fryer baske
- Spread pizza sauce leaving 1/2-inch borde
- Add mozzarella cheese evenly across surfac
- Place your preferred toppings on to
- Cook 8-10 minutes until cheese bubbles and crust browns
Want to adjust toppings or try different styles? Keep going.
Getting That Crispy Crust Right
Air fryer pizza needs 380°F to crisp the bottom without burning the cheese. Tested at 350°F first and the crust stayed pale and soft.
Watch for golden brown edges at the 8-minute mark. If the cheese isn’t bubbling yet, add 2 more minutes.
The parchment paper trick prevents sticking without affecting crispiness. Cut it smaller than your basket for proper air circulation.
My air fryer runs slightly hot, so I check at 7 minutes now. Jessica’s air fryer takes the full 10 minutes at the same temperature.
Don’t skip the preheating step. Cold basket equals soggy crust every single time.
Three Ways to Change Up Your Pizza
- First version I tested used thick crust. Took 14 minutes and the middle stayed doughy. Switched to thin crust and cut the time by 4 minutes.
- White pizza skips the red sauce completely. Use olive oil as base, add garlic, mozzarella, and ricotta. Comes out restaurant-quality for about $3.50.
- BBQ chicken pizza needs pre-cooked chicken. I use rotisserie chicken from Hornbacher’s, add BBQ sauce instead of pizza sauce, top with red onion and cilantro after cooking.
Now let me show you what goes well on the side.
What I Serve with Pizza
At home, we keep pizza night simple with just a couple sides. Lily requests the same things every time, which makes meal prep predictable.
Caesar salad balances the richness. I make a quick version with romaine, store-bought dressing, and croutons. Takes 5 minutes while the pizza cooks.
Garlic knots use the leftover dough. Roll small pieces, brush with garlic butter, air fry at 350°F for 6 minutes. Lily helps shape these and calls them “pizza babies.”
Buffalo wings work as a protein boost when pizza is the main meal, or go big with an air fryer buffalo chicken sandwich. I air fry frozen wings at 400°F for 15 minutes, toss in sauce while the pizza cools. Everyone gets their own dipping cups.
Roasted vegetables add something green to the plate. Jessica insists on this. I toss broccoli or bell peppers with olive oil, cook at 375°F for 10 minutes alongside the pizza prep.
Here’s how to save leftovers properly.
Storing Air Fryer Pizza
Air fryer pizza reheats better than oven-baked because the crust crisps back up in minutes. I make extra on Sundays for quick weekday lunches.
Storage
- At room temperature: 2 hours maximum on a covered plate
- In the fridge: 3 days in an airtight container or wrapped in foil
- In the freezer: 2 months wrapped tightly, then sealed in a freezer bag
Reheating
Air fryer at 350°F for 4 minutes brings it back crispy. Don’t microwave unless you want rubber crust.
Single layer works best. Stack them and the cheese glues everything together.
Let refrigerated pizza sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before reheating. Cold pizza straight from the fridge takes longer and cooks unevenly.
Anti-waste tip
Leftover pizza chops into small pieces for pizza croutons. Cube the slices, air fry at 375°F for 3 minutes until extra crispy, toss on salads.
Questions about technique? These come up constantly.
Common Air Fryer Pizza Questions
When I tested my first air fryer pizza, the dough puffed up like a balloon halfway through cooking.
Can you make sweet air fryer pizza with sugar cookie crust?
Yes, roll sugar cookie dough thin, bake at 320°F for 6 minutes, cool completely, then top with cream cheese frosting and fruit.
What is the best temperature for dessert pizza in air fryer?
320°F works best for cookie crust bases. Higher temps burn the sugar before the center cooks through.
How long to cook air fryer fruit pizza base?
Cookie dough base needs 6-7 minutes at 320°F. Test with a toothpick for doneness before adding sweet toppings.
Why is my air fryer dessert pizza soggy?
Too much fruit moisture or frosting added while base is still warm. Cool the crust completely first, pat fruit dry.
Complete Air Fryer Pizza Recipe
This air fryer pizza has a crispy crust that beats delivery every time. The mozzarella cheese melts perfectly, and the whole thing costs about $4 versus $15 for takeout.
Air Fryer Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella
Equipment
- Basket-style air fryer
- Rolling Pin
- parchment paper
- Pizza Cutter
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 1 ball pizza dough about 1 pound; makes two personal pizzas
- 15 ounces pizza sauce
- 4.5 cups mozzarella cheese freshly grated
- to taste toppings pepperoni, sausage, vegetables, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat your basket air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes.
- Divide the pizza dough into two equal portions.
- Roll each portion to 1/4-inch thickness on parchment paper.
- Trim the parchment to fit inside your air fryer basket.
- Spread pizza sauce on the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
- Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
- Add your preferred toppings over the cheese.
- Transfer the pizza on the parchment into the preheated air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes, until the cheese bubbles and the crust edges are golden brown.
- Remove carefully with tongs, rest 2 minutes, then slice and serve.
Notes
- Preheat to 380°F to avoid a soggy bottom crust and ensure even browning.
- Roll dough to 1/4-inch for best texture; thicker crusts need more time and can stay doughy.
- Cut parchment slightly smaller than the basket to maintain airflow and crispness.
- Check at 7 minutes if your air fryer runs hot; otherwise plan for 8–10 minutes total.
- If cheese isn’t bubbling at 8 minutes, add 1–2 minutes more.
- Reheat leftovers at 350°F in the air fryer for about 4 minutes to re-crisp the crust.
Try This Recipe Tonight
Air fryer pizza saves money and tastes better than delivery. Serving kids? Add air fryer tater tots. Rate this if the temperature and timing worked for your model.
Comment below with your favorite topping combinations. I’m always testing new versions and respond to questions within a day.
Post a photo and tag #AirFryerPlates if you make this. Curious to see how different air fryer models handle the crust.
