Looking for a dinner hack that feels like cheating (but isn't)? My Air Fryer French Bread Pizza gives you that crispy crust and melty cheese magic without dragging out dough, rising times, or turning on the full oven. You can throw this together in about 15 minutes.
You know me, I'm always gunning for recipes that save energy, clean-up, and sanity. Pair this with a crisp green salad, some roasted veggies, or my favorite garlic knot recipe, and dinner's done. Want more quick Air Fryer recipes? Try my Air Fryer Chicken Tortilla Pizza and Air Fryer Portobello.
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The ingredients
French bread - A sturdy loaf works best so it doesn't collapse under toppings. Skip the super soft sandwich-style ones.
Olive oil - Brushed on the cut side, it helps crisp the bread and keeps sauce from soaking in.
Pizza sauce - Go classic, or swap in marinara, pesto, or even BBQ sauce if you're feeling adventurous.
Pepperoni slices - The go-to topping, but cooked sausage, shredded chicken, or even vegetarian pepperoni are all fair game.
Shredded mozzarella - The classic melty cheese. You can mix with provolone, cheddar, or a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra flavor.
For quantities see recipe card below
How to make the Air fryer French Bread Pizza
Slice your bread
Cut the French loaf in half lengthwise, then into smaller portions that fit your air fryer basket. (If your loaf is huge, quarter it again.)
Brush with oil
Use a pastry brush to coat the cut side of each piece with olive oil. This helps crisp that side.
Spread sauce & layer toppings
Spread pizza sauce lightly (don't overload). Add pepperoni and any extras.
Sprinkle cheese
Top with a generous amount of shredded mozzarella (you want that ooey, gooey pull).
Air fry
Place pieces in the air fryer (don't overcrowd). Cook at 370°F (about 188°C) for 5-7 minutes (in batches if needed). The goal: cheese melted, edges crisp, bread not too browned.
Cool & serve
Let it rest 1-2 minutes to let cheese set a bit, then slice (again) if needed and serve hot.
Tips for Success
- Don't overload with sauce, too wet, and your bread won't crisp.
- Pre-check your bread thickness. If slices are too thick, press them lightly (or reduce topping) so heat can reach the middle.
- One layer of toppings. Stacking too high can delay melting or result in uneven cooking.
- Rotate or flip mid-cook (if needed). Every air fryer is different. If you see uneven browning, shift pieces.
- Keep an eye at minute 4. It can go from perfect to overdone quickly.
- If your air fryer footprint is small, cook in batches rather than overstuff.
Variations
- White sauce version: Swap pizza sauce for garlic-oil + ricotta or alfredo + spinach + chicken.
- BBQ twist: Use BBQ sauce, shredded chicken, red onion, cilantro, smoked gouda + mozzarella.
- Vegetarian loaded: Mushrooms, artichoke hearts, olives, bell pepper, spinach.
- Spicy kick: Add jalapeños, pepper flakes, or spicy sausage.
- Mini personal pizzas: Use smaller bread (French rolls) so each person can pick their own toppings.
Serving Ideas
- Serve with a simple crisp salad (arugula + lemon vinaigrette) to cut the richness.
- Garlic knots or breadsticks make it extra carb-forward (hello, indulgence).
- Roasted veggies or air fryer potato wedges round it out.
- My go-to: a bowl of soup (tomato basil works especially well) and one or two slices for dipping.
Storage Tips
- Let leftovers cool fully, then wrap in foil or store in airtight containers in fridge (up to 3 days).
- To reheat: pop them back in the air fryer at ~320°F for 3-4 minutes until cheese remelts and crust is crisp.
- You can also wrap individual slices and freeze. Reheat in air fryer (or even a toaster oven) from frozen at ~350°F, about 5-7 minutes.
FAQs
It's better to cook in batches than crowd and get soggy or undercooked slices.
You can, but the texture won't be quite as crisp. If you're doing make-ahead, assemble just before reheating so the cheese stays fresher and the crust doesn't get soggy.
Air Fryer French Bread Pizza
Equipment
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your air fryer to ~370°F (if your model needs preheating).
- Slice the loaf lengthwise, then cut into pieces to fit your basket.
- Brush the cut surfaces with olive oil.
- Spread pizza sauce on each piece.
- Layer pepperoni, bell pepper, onion, tomato (and olives if using).
- Generously sprinkle cheese over toppings.
- Arrange in air fryer basket (avoid overlapping).
- Cook 5-7 minutes, checking at minute 5 for doneness (cheese melted, edges crisp).
- Carefully remove (with tongs) and let sit 1-2 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use sturdy bread, too soft a loaf may collapse under toppings.
- Light sauce layering helps crispness.
- If your toppings are heavy (e.g. cooked sausage), warm them slightly before adding so they don't cool the pizza.
- Watch carefully in the last minute, cheese can brown fast.
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