Air Fryer Mini Pizzas
These Air Fryer Mini Pizzas are the ultimate quick-fix meal that comes together in under 20 minutes using English muffins or small naan breads as the base. Each little pizza gets loaded with rich pizza sauce, gooey melted mozzarella, and your favorite toppings, then air fried until the crust is perfectly crispy on the bottom and the cheese is bubbly and golden on top. They are endlessly customizable, beginner-friendly, and require almost zero cleanup — making them ideal for weeknight dinners, after-school snacks, or easy party appetizers.
Equipment
- Air fryer Basket or oven-style; large basket recommended to fit 4 mini pizzas per batch
- Cutting board For slicing toppings
- Sharp knife For slicing mushrooms, bell peppers, and other toppings
- Small silicone spatula For spreading pizza sauce evenly onto the muffin halves
- Measuring cups For measuring sauce and shredded cheese
- Silicone tipped tongs For safely removing hot mini pizzas from the air fryer basket
- Air fryer parchment paper rounds (Optional) Pre-cut rounds with holes help prevent sticking and stop cheese from dripping through the basket
Ingredients
For the Base
- 4 English muffins or small naan breads Halved (8 pieces total); fork-split English muffins for a better textured surface
For the Toppings
- ½ cup pizza sauce About 120ml; use approximately 1 tablespoon per muffin half
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese About 170g; use low-moisture mozzarella for best melting results
- pepperoni slices As many as desired; lay flat and press gently into cheese
- sliced mushrooms Slice thin for even cooking; optional topping
- sliced bell peppers Any color; sliced thin or small dice; optional topping
For Garnish
- dried oregano A pinch per pizza; sprinkle after cooking
- red pepper flakes A light shake per pizza; add after cooking to taste
Instructions
- Slice mushrooms thinly and cut bell peppers into thin strips or small dice. Set all prepared toppings aside in small bowls, ready to assemble.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 2–3 minutes. If using a basket-style air fryer with large holes, place a parchment paper round in the basket to prevent cheese from dripping through.
- Fork-split each English muffin in half by prying apart at the natural seam to create a rough, textured surface that grips the sauce better. If using naan, leave whole or halve depending on size.
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce onto the cut side of each muffin half and spread evenly to the edges, leaving a thin border. Avoid over-saucing to prevent a soggy crust.
- Sprinkle 2–3 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over each sauced muffin half. Spread in a thin, even layer for the best melt and golden spots.
- Place pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, or any desired toppings directly on top of the cheese. Press pepperoni slices gently into the cheese so the air fryer fan doesn't move them.
- Place 3–4 mini pizzas in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 6–8 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly with light golden spots and the muffin edges are toasted. Cook in batches as needed.
- Use tongs to remove the mini pizzas and place on a serving plate. Sprinkle with dried oregano and red pepper flakes, then let cool for 1–2 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Always preheat the air fryer before adding the pizzas. This starts crisping the crust immediately and gives you a much better base texture.
- Use low-moisture mozzarella rather than fresh mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella releases too much water during the short cook time and can make the crust soggy.
- Fork-split English muffins instead of cutting with a knife. The rough, uneven surface grips the sauce better and gives you more crust texture.
- Use no more than 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce per muffin half. Too much sauce is the most common cause of a soggy crust.
- Keep toppings sliced thin and in a single layer. Thick or piled toppings won't cook through in the short air fryer window.
- Cook in a single layer and never stack or overlap the pizzas. Airflow needs to circulate around each piece for even cooking.
- To freeze unbaked assembled pizzas, lay them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They keep for up to 2 months.
- To reheat leftovers, air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes. Avoid the microwave as it makes the crust chewy instead of crispy.
- For a white pizza variation, skip the red sauce and drizzle with olive oil and minced garlic instead, then top with mozzarella and ricotta.
- For extra gooey cheese, try layering cheese both under and over the toppings before air frying.
Nutrition
Serving: 1Mini PizzaCalories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 9gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.8gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 420mgPotassium: 130mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2.5gVitamin A: 6IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 8mg
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