Cooking pizza in an air fryer oven is a quick and easy way to get a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Ingredients:
- Pizza dough or pre-made pizza crust
- Pizza sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (or your favorite pizza toppings)
- Olive oil (optional, for brushing the crust)
Instructions:
Preheat the air fryer oven: Turn on your air fryer oven and preheat it to around 375-400°F (190-200°C). The exact temperature may vary depending on your air fryer model, so check the manufacturer's instructions.
Prepare the pizza crust: If you are using store-bought pizza dough, follow the package instructions for any necessary preparation. If you have a homemade dough, roll it out to your desired thickness. Make sure the dough fits within the dimensions of your air fryer basket or tray.
Assemble the pizza: Place the pizza crust on a clean, flat surface. Spread a layer of pizza sauce evenly over the crust, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, and add your favorite pizza toppings (e.g., pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, etc.).
Optional: Brush the crust with olive oil: For a golden and crispy crust, you can lightly brush the outer edges of the pizza with olive oil. This step is optional but can enhance the overall taste and texture.
Transfer the pizza to the air fryer: Carefully lift the assembled pizza and place it in the air fryer basket or on the air fryer tray. Make sure it's centered and not touching the heating elements.
Cook the pizza: Slide the air fryer basket or tray back into the air fryer oven and set the cooking time. The cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the crust and the toppings used. Start with around 8-12 minutes, but keep an eye on it to prevent burning. You may need to adjust the cooking time as per your preferences and the performance of your air fryer.
Check for doneness: After the initial cooking time, open the air fryer and check the pizza's doneness. The cheese should be melted, and the crust should be crispy and lightly browned. If it needs more time, you can continue cooking in 1-2 minute increments until it reaches your desired level of crispiness.
Serve and enjoy: Once the pizza is cooked to perfection, carefully remove it from the air fryer oven using oven mitts or tongs. Let it cool for a moment, then slice it up and enjoy your homemade air-fried pizza!
Remember that air fryers can vary in performance, so it might take a little experimentation to find the ideal cooking time and temperature for your specific model and preferences.