You know that moment when pizza cravings hit, but you don’t want to deal with a messy oven or wait for delivery? That’s where my air fryer nonstick pizza comes in—it’s become my go-to solution for crispy, cheesy goodness in under 15 minutes. I’ll never forget the first time I tried making pizza in my air fryer—no stuck-on cheese disasters, no soggy crust, just perfect slices every time. The magic happens at 375°F, where the air fryer gives you that golden-brown crust while keeping toppings melty and delicious. Trust me, once you try this method, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with takeout.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Nonstick Pizza
This pizza is a total game-changer—here’s why:
- Fast & easy: From fridge to plate in 15 minutes—no waiting for delivery or oven preheating.
- Perfect crispiness: The air fryer gives you that golden, crackly crust without flipping or rotating.
- Zero sticking drama: Unlike oven trays, the air fryer basket + quick preheat means no cheese glued to the pan (hallelujah!).
- Minimal cleanup: Just the basket to wipe—no greasy pans or melted cheese disasters.
It’s my secret for when pizza cravings strike right now—and trust me, you’ll feel the same way.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Nonstick Pizza
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this beauty—all simple, no fuss ingredients:
- 1 pre-made pizza crust (6-8 inch size fits most air fryer baskets)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (my go-to is Rao’s, but any brand works)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (the pre-shredded kind actually works great here)
- 1/4 cup sliced pepperoni (or tear them into little “cups” for extra crispiness)
- 1/4 cup sliced bell peppers (I like the colorful mini ones)
- 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms (baby bellas add great flavor)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (shake it like you mean it!)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Here’s where you can make it your own:
- Crust: Gluten-free? Use a cauliflower crust (just reduce cooking time by 2 mins). Pita bread or naan work in a pinch!
- Cheese: Dairy-free? Violife mozzarella shreds melt surprisingly well. For extra richness, mix in a handful of parmesan.
- Sauce: Swap for pesto or BBQ sauce if you’re feeling adventurous—just use a thin layer.
- Measurements: Cheese is measured loosely (not packed), but honestly? I eyeball it—more cheese is never wrong.
Equipment You’ll Need
Here’s the short-and-sweet list to get started:
- Air fryer (I use a 5-quart model—perfect for a 6-8 inch pizza)
- Nonstick spray (a quick spritz prevents any crust stickiness)
- Kitchen tongs (for safely lifting that golden pizza out)
That’s it! No fancy tools—just the basics for crispy, nonstick success.
How to Make Air Fryer Nonstick Pizza
This is where the magic happens—follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a crispy, melty pizza that beats delivery every time. I’ve made this dozens of times, and these little tricks make all the difference!
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Don’t skip this! I set mine to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes—just enough to get that basket nice and hot. A warm start means your crust gets that perfect crisp bottom right away (no sad, soggy pizza here).
Step 2: Assemble the Pizza
While the air fryer heats, I build my masterpiece: sauce first (leave a tiny border for crunch), then cheese (pile it on, but not too thick—we want melt, not slide). Toppings go on next—I scatter pepperoni first so it crisps up, then veggies (press them lightly into the cheese so they don’t fly around). A final sprinkle of Italian seasoning makes it smell like a pizzeria!
Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection
Slide that beauty into the air fryer and set it for 8-10 minutes. At the 5-minute mark, I peek—look for bubbling cheese and golden edges. If your pepperoni’s not crispy enough, give it another minute or two. When it’s done, the crust will sound hollow when tapped—music to my ears!
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Nonstick Pizza
After countless test runs (and yes, a few pizza casualties), here are my foolproof tricks:
- Less is more: Overloaded toppings = soggy pizza. Stick to 1 cup total toppings max—they’ll crisp better.
- Perforated parchment: Cut a round with small holes to prevent sticking while letting air circulate (no flipping needed!).
- Peek wisely: Check at 5 minutes, but don’t open too often—you’ll lose that precious heat.
- Cool before slicing: Those 2 minutes of patience prevent cheese avalanches!
Bonus tip: For extra crispness, spritz the crust edges with olive oil before air frying. Game changer!
Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basics, get creative! Here are my favorite twists:
- Mediterranean: Swap sauce for pesto, then add feta, kalamata olives, and sun-dried tomatoes
- BBQ Chicken: Use BBQ sauce with shredded chicken, red onions, and cilantro
- Veggie Lover’s: Load up with spinach, artichokes, and roasted garlic (so good!)
- Breakfast Pizza: Top with scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheddar—perfect for lazy weekends
The beauty? Anything goes—just keep toppings thin and cheese melty!
Serving & Storage
That first slice is tempting, but trust me—let your pizza rest for 2 minutes after air frying. This gives the cheese time to set so it doesn’t slide right off when you cut it (we’ve all been there!). For leftovers (if you have any!), store them in the fridge for up to 3 days—just pop slices back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked crispness. Honestly, it tastes just as good as when it first came out!
Air Fryer Nonstick Pizza FAQs
Can I use a frozen pizza crust?
Absolutely! Just thaw it first—frozen dough won’t crisp evenly. I pop mine in the fridge for an hour or let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes. No need to par-bake—the air fryer handles it beautifully. If you are looking for other great air fryer recipes, check out these air fryer cinnamon rolls.
How do I keep my pizza from getting soggy?
Two secrets: don’t overload toppings (they steam instead of crisp) and preheat well. That initial blast of hot air is what gives you that perfect crunch. If using watery veggies (like fresh tomatoes), pat them dry first! For more tips on achieving crispness, you can read about the science of air frying techniques.
Will parchment paper work instead of nonstick spray?
Yes! Perforated parchment is my go-to—it lets air circulate while preventing sticking. Just trim it to fit your basket (no overhang) and poke a few extra holes with a fork. For other great appetizer ideas, try these air fryer mozzarella sticks.
Can I make two pizzas at once?
Depends on your air fryer size—you need space between them for airflow. I stack with a trivet between layers in my 5-qt model, but single-layer batches are more reliable.
Nutritional Information
Just a heads up—these numbers are rough estimates since toppings and brands vary. Your pizza might be slightly higher or lower depending on crust thickness, cheese type, or how generous you are with those pepperoni slices!
Rate This Recipe
Made this pizza? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Drop a quick rating or comment below—your feedback makes my day.
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Perfect Air Fryer Nonstick Pizza in 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 pizza (4 slices)
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A quick and easy nonstick pizza made in an air fryer with minimal effort and delicious results.
Ingredients
- 1 pre-made pizza crust
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/4 cup sliced bell peppers
- 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
- Place the pizza crust in the air fryer basket.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the crust.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Add the pepperoni, bell peppers, and mushrooms.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning over the toppings.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
- Let it cool for 2 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use a nonstick cooking spray if your crust sticks.
- Adjust toppings based on your preference.
- Check the pizza halfway through to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Italian