We sneak a layer of garlic butter to take your pizza to a whole new delicious level! Skip the delivery and make your own delicious French Bread Pizza in the Air Fryer tonight. Crispy French bread, coated with a perfect layer of garlic butter, topped with ooey-gooey melted cheese and delicious pepperoni slices.
our dear 2-Minute Pizza Sauce is Perfect for this recipe!
Why our recipe?
- Perfectly crusty bread and gooey, melted cheese and any toppings of your choice!
- We sneak in a layer of garlic butter to make your pizza delicious!
What makes this recipe really shine is the homemade garlic-butter base that takes your pizza to the next level. It's a simple little step, but wow, does it take the flavor to a whole new level. Go with classic pepperoni or let everyone load up their slices with their favorite toppings—it's totally up to you. The air fryer guarantees crispy perfection every time, so you can say goodbye to soggy crust and say hello to the easiest pizza night (with almost no cleanup)!
Material notes
- french bread: Choose a bread with a nice crusty exterior and soft interior. Day-old bread also works great because it crisps up perfectly in the air fryer.
- butter: Make sure it is softened at room temperature for easy spreading.
- Garlic powder: We use garlic powder instead of garlic mince so it doesn't burn and still gives you the garlic flavor.
- Dried oregano: Just a little Italian herbal note. You can also use Italian seasoning.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts best. Store-bought bagged cheese contains ingredients that can make it difficult to melt.
- pizza sauce: Homemade pizza sauce is our favorite, but canned or jarred store-bought options work just fine. Use your favorite!
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Fresh-cut mozzarella melts better than pre-cut cheese, which contains additives to prevent clumping, which also makes it harder to melt.
- Pepperoni slices: Use any brand or type of your choice for your toppings.
Top ideas
One of the best things about French bread pizza is how you can top it with whatever you want. Just be careful not to overload your pizza with too many toppings—it can make the crust soggy and affect the cooking time. While classic pepperoni is always a hit, don't be afraid to mix it up. Here are some ideas to inspire your pizza creations:
Veggie Lovers: Load up with sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, olives and red onions.
Hawaiian: Sweet and savory perfection with pineapple chunks and ham. Those who think pineapple doesn't belong on pizza can skip it.
Barbecue Chicken: Swap the pizza sauce for barbecue sauce, then top with shredded chicken, red onion and a sprinkle of cilantro.
Margherita: Slices of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and fresh basil for a simple classic.
Meat Lovers: Combine sausage crumble, pepperoni, bacon and ham for an all-in meat feast.
Kids Like: Let the kids top their own pizzas with fun toppings like mini pepperonis or even sliced hot dogs. Hey, we don't judge!
Browning the bread is important
One of the most important steps when making this Air Fryer French Bread Pizza is browning the bread with garlic butter before adding the toppings. It not only adds flavor but keeps the pizza from getting soggy after adding toppings and cooking.
A quick pre-toast in the air fryer is a game-changer. Pop the buttered bread for just 2 minutes until the tops are lightly golden and crisp. Trust me, this step is worth it! This gives the bread a sturdy, flavorful base that holds up nicely under all the sauces, cheeses, and toppings.
Keep the pepperoni in place
The air fryer's powerful fan can sometimes send light toppings like pepperoni flying like a tornado. To prevent this, you can sprinkle a light sprinkle of cheese on top of the pepperoni to anchor them in place as the cheese melts.
Or, if your air fryer includes a rack or trivet, place it over the pizza to still allow for airflow.
Air fryer option
Not all air fryers are created equal and cooking times may vary depending on the style you are using. The key is to keep an eye on the pizza. When the cheese is golden and bubbly, and the edges are crisp, they're ready to devour!
Basket-Style Air Fryers: We have a strong preference for the air fryer basket style, our current favorite Ninja Air Fryer Pro. Toaster oven styles are not as efficient as basket styles and items often take a little longer.
Toaster Oven-Style Air Fryers: They are great for fitting more pizzas at once but may take a bit longer to cook as they have a larger area to heat up. Start by adding 1-2 extra minutes to the cooking time and keep an eye on the cheese.
Oven with Air Fryer Settings: They work just like a toaster oven-style air fryer but may take a bit longer. Adjust cooking time as needed, checking after 4-5 minutes to make sure the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Storage and reheating instructions
Keep in fridge Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat Air fry until portions are heated through, about 1-2 minutes. This makes awesome leftovers!
