Air Fryer French Bread Pizza is the ultimate quick comfort food. It combines a crispy loaf of French bread with gooey cheese, rich tomato sauce, and your favourite toppings—all cooked to perfection in the air fryer. It’s faster than traditional oven baking, perfect for a family dinner, after-school snack, or even a party appetiser. Best of all, it’s highly customisable, so everyone can make their own personalised pizza.
Ingredients
- 1 large French bread loaf (or 2 smaller ones)
- 1 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
- Toppings of choice (pepperoni, cooked chicken, mushrooms, onions, peppers, olives, etc.)
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
How to Make Air Fryer French Bread Pizza
- Prepare the bread
Slice the French bread in half lengthwise, then cut into manageable sections that fit in your air fryer basket. - Pre-toast the bread
Lightly brush the cut sides with olive oil. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes to give the bread a crisp base that won’t get soggy under the sauce. - Assemble the pizzas
Spread a generous layer of pizza sauce over each piece. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Top with shredded mozzarella and parmesan, then layer on your chosen toppings. - Cook in the air fryer
Place the bread pizzas in a single layer in the basket. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. - Serve hot
Remove carefully, garnish with fresh herbs, and enjoy immediately.
What You Must Know
- Don’t overload toppings: Too many toppings can weigh down the bread and prevent even cooking.
- Pre-toasting is key: This extra step keeps the bread crispy.
- Cook in batches: Depending on your air fryer size, you might need to cook in two or more rounds.
Topping Variations
- Classic Pepperoni – Pizza sauce, mozzarella, and plenty of pepperoni slices.
- BBQ Chicken – Swap the pizza sauce for BBQ sauce, add cooked chicken, red onions, and cheddar.
- Veggie Lovers – Use mushrooms, peppers, onions, spinach, and olives.
- Margherita Style – Tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and basil leaves.
Make It a Meal
Pair your Air Fryer French Bread Pizza with:
- A crisp green salad with balsamic dressing.
- Air fryer garlic bread bites.
- Mozzarella sticks or a simple soup like tomato basil.
Pro Tips
- Use day-old bread for best texture—it holds toppings better.
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
- For extra cheesy goodness, mix mozzarella with provolone or cheddar.
- Add a drizzle of olive oil or chilli flakes before serving for restaurant-style flavour.
Recipe FAQs
Q: Can I freeze French bread pizza?
Yes! Assemble the pizzas, wrap tightly in foil, and freeze. When ready, air fry directly from frozen at 375°F for 8–10 minutes.
Q: What kind of bread works best?
French bread or baguette works best, but ciabatta or Italian bread are great alternatives.
Q: Can I use fresh mozzarella?
Absolutely, but pat it dry first to prevent excess moisture.
Q: How do I reheat leftovers?
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes until warm and crispy
Air Fryer French Bread Pizza
This Air Fryer French Bread Pizza is a great way to make classic french bread pizzas. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, effortless to make and so tasty!
- Prep Time: 19 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Pizza
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 large french baguette cut into even quarters
- 350 g 1 ½ cups of pizza sauce
- 2 cloves of garlic minced or put through a garlic press
- 150 g ¾ of a cup of olive oil I use a light olive oil
- ½ tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 balls of fresh mozzarella cut into thin slices
- salt and freshly ground black pepper for seasoning
- cherry tomatoes and fresh basil optional
Instructions
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Pour the olive oil into a small bowl, add the minced garlic, stir well and set aside.
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Cut the baguette into even quarters. Cut each quarter lengthways, making sure you cut them evenly down the middle.
Brush each piece of bread on the cut side with the garlic olive oil.
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Place two or three pieces (depending on the size of your air fryer) of the bread in the air fryer, and cook at 200°C/400F for 3 minutes.
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Use metal kitchen tongs to remove the bread from the air fryer, it should be lightly toasted.
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Place the bread on a board then spread about 3 tablespoons of pizza sauce on the cut side of each piece of bread.
Place 2 or 3 slices of mozzarella on the sauce then add the cherry tomatoes if using. Sprinkle a pinch of dried oregano over the cheese then carefully place the french bread on the rack at the bottom of the air fryer basket.
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Cook at 190°C/ 375°F for 4 minutes, until the cheese has melted and is bubbling. You may need to cook them for longer depending on your air fryer, if so I would check them after a minute.
Repeat with the remaining bread.
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Season with salt and black pepper, then add basil if using. Leave to cool slightly before eating as they will be piping hot.
