Craving crispy pizza tonight and need it in less than 20 minutes? Crunchy French bread, melty mozzarella cheese and savory sauce combine in this Air Fryer French Bread Pizza recipe to make a comforting meal for busy weeknights.
Do you ever have those days when you walk in the door and you're starving? You need something fast, but you're craving something warm and delicious. This air fryer French bread pizza recipe has all the flavors you love, but it is much easier to make than most homemade pizza recipes. Add pepperoni and your favorite toppings for a satisfying and flavorful dinner.
Recipe Ingredients
- French bread: Any store-bought French bread can be used for this pizza.
- Pizza sauce: From a jar or use your favorite homemade pizza sauce recipe.
- Oregano: This earthy herb is commonly used to flavor many Italian recipes.
- Garlic powder: An easier alternative to garlic cloves, its flavor is also slightly less sharp. I always have it in my pantry.
- Mozzarella cheese: Mild with a milky, tangy taste, it pairs perfectly with the savory flavors in the sauce and pepperoni.
- Pepperoni: Spicy, savory and bold, it adds a punch of flavor to your air fryer pizzas.
How to Make French Bread Pizza in the Air Fryer
Be sure to see the recipe card for full ingredients and instructions.
- Prep. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Cut. Slice the French bread in half to fit into the air fryer. Then, slice each piece in half through the length. If you want to make this in the oven, you can just cut the bread in half horizontally.
- Blend & spread. In a small bowl, mix together pizza sauce, dried oregano, and garlic powder. Spread each piece evenly with the pizza sauce.
- Add toppings. Cover the top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Add the pepperoni slices or any other desired toppings evenly on the pizza.
- Cook. Place the prepared French bread pizzas in the preheated air fryer basket. Air fry for 5-8 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking. You may need to work in batches to ensure even cooking.
- Enjoy. Carefully remove the French bread pizzas from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Let the pizzas cool for a minute before slicing and serving.
Recipe FAQ's
Cooking times can vary depending on how thick the French bread is sliced and the model of your air fryer, so it's best to stay close while you're cooking your pizzas. I recommend checking them at about 5 minutes, watching for the cheese to melt and the edges to get slightly crispy.
Pre-baked french bread from the bakery of a supermarket works great for this recipe, but you could swap other types if you don't have French bread. Italian bread is similar in texture and size and is a great substitute if French bread isn't available. Other breads you could try are a sourdough loaf, French baguette, bagels, or ciabatta bread. These are a little denser than French bread so the texture will be a little different, but they will still taste delicious.
There are lots of great ways to customize your French bread pizza. Add your favorite veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, olives and sliced onions. Consider more proteins, like sausage. Top with slices of jalapeño or pineapple, and experiment with your favorite cheese. To maintain even cooking, be careful not to overload the pizza.
Top Tips
- Monitor Cooking Time: Keep a close eye on the French bread pizzas while they're in the air fryer, as cooking times can vary. Check them periodically starting around the 5-minute mark to ensure the cheese is melted to your liking without becoming overly crispy.
- Prevent Sogginess: To avoid a soggy crust, consider toasting the sliced French bread in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes before adding the sauce and toppings. This extra step helps to create a barrier that prevents the bread from becoming too soft due to the moisture from the sauce.
Recipe Variations
- Get Creative with Toppings! Experiment with different toppings to customize your French bread pizza. Whether it's veggies, different types of cheese, or alternative protein options, the air fryer allows for quick and easy personalization. Just ensure not to overload the pizza to maintain even cooking.
- Involve the family! Kids really enjoy making French bread pizzas since everyone can create their own pizza with their favorite toppings. Offer a combination of veggies, cheeses and meats and let everyone make their own masterpiece.
Storage & Reheating
- To store: Air fryer pizzas are best enjoyed after cooking, as their crust will be crispiest. Should you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container after they cool down. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: Place pizza in a pre-heated 350° Fahrenheit air fryer for 2-3 minutes, or until heated throughout.
What to serve with Air Fryer French Bread Pizzas
If you want to keep things simple, pair your air fryer pizzas with a green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing. If you're up for putting in a little more effort, here are some easy side dishes that will make this a full meal.
More Recipes
- Pizza Pasta Casserole
- Creamy Tomato and Spinach Tortellini
- Penne all'Arrabbiata
- Crock Pot Baked Ziti
- Spaghetti Pie
Did you make this recipe? Leave a star rating and I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.
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Air Fryer French Bread Pizza
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 12 slices pepperoni (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Slice the French bread in half to fit into the air fryer. Then, slice each piece in half through the length.
- In a small bowl, mix together pizza sauce, dried oregano, and garlic powder. Spread each piece evenly with the pizza sauce.
- Cover the top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Add the pepperoni slices or any other desired toppings evenly on the pizza.
- Place the prepared French bread pizzas in the preheated air fryer basket. Air fry for 5-8 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking. You may need to work in batches to ensure even cooking.
- Carefully remove the French bread pizzas from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Let the pizzas cool for a minute before slicing and serving.
Notes
- To store: Air fryer pizzas are best enjoyed after cooking, as their crust will be crispiest. Should you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container after they cool down. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: Place pizza in a pre-heated 350°F air fryer for 2-3 minutes, or until heated throughout.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Keep a close eye on the French bread pizzas while they're in the air fryer, as cooking times can vary. Check them periodically starting around the 5-minute mark to ensure the cheese is melted to your liking without becoming overly crispy.
- Prevent Sogginess: To avoid a soggy crust, consider toasting the sliced French bread in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes before adding the sauce and toppings. This extra step helps to create a barrier that prevents the bread from becoming too soft due to the moisture from the sauce.
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