Air Fryer Pizza Toast
Air fryer pizza toast gives you the crisp base, bubbling cheese and tomato of a pizza in 15 minutes, with no dough to make. Thick white bread is toasted for 2 minutes first, so it stays crunchy under the sauce, then topped and cooked for another 4 minutes at 180°C. It makes an easy snack or lunch for two, and children can help build their own.
- Total
- 15 min
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 9 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 255kcal
Choosing the ingredients for air fryer pizza toast
Thick bread is the foundation. A toastie loaf or thick-cut white holds the sauce without going limp, and a day-old slice is even better because it is drier. Pizza sauce from a jar is the easiest, but passata with a pinch of oregano and a little salt works just as well.
Grated mozzarella from a block melts and browns better than fresh mozzarella balls, which release water. A mature Cheddar mixed in gives a stronger flavour.
How to make air fryer pizza toast
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 180°C for .
- Toast the bread Put the slices in the basket and toast them for . Lift them out with tongs and turn them over so that the toasted side faces up.
- Add the toppings Spread 1 tbsp of the pizza sauce over each slice, right to the edges. Sprinkle over half the mozzarella, add 4 slices of pepperoni to each, then cover with the remaining cheese and the oregano.
- Cook Return the slices to the basket in a single layer, without touching. Cook at 180°C for , until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the edges are golden.
- Rest and serve Lift the toasts out carefully and leave them for , because the cheese will be very hot. Cut into fingers or triangles and serve warm.
Variations and serving
Serve the toasts with a green salad or a bowl of tomato soup for a more filling lunch. Add a few torn basil leaves after cooking, or a pinch of chilli flakes before cooking if you like some heat.
For a bigger batch for a party, try air fryer pizza buns. If you would rather have a flatter base, air fryer pitta pizza is just as quick.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Pizza Toast
- The bread goes soggy under the sauce.
- Use thick-cut bread, toast it first for 2 minutes and spread the sauce thinly. Thin slices and a generous amount of sauce soak through.
- The pepperoni or cheese blows around in the basket.
- The fan is lifting loose toppings. Put the pepperoni under a layer of cheese, as in the recipe, and press the toppings down lightly.
- The edges burn before the cheese melts.
- Air fryers vary. Lower the temperature to 170°C and check at 3 minutes, or grate the cheese more finely so it melts faster.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Pizza Toast
How long do you cook pizza toast in an air fryer?
Toast the bread for 2 minutes at 180°C, then cook the topped slices for another 4 minutes at the same temperature. Add 3 minutes for preheating.
What bread can I use instead of thick white?
Bagel halves, English muffins, ciabatta slices and thick sourdough all work. Thinner slices need about 1 minute less in each stage.
How many slices can I cook at once?
A 4–5 litre basket holds 4 standard slices if they do not touch. For a smaller basket, cook 2 at a time and keep the first batch warm on a plate.
What can I put on instead of pepperoni?
Ham, sweetcorn, thinly sliced peppers or cooked mushrooms. Pat any wet toppings dry, and keep them in a thin layer so the bread stays crisp.
How did you like the recipe?
4.7 / 5 · 63 ratings
