Craving a quick, delicious, and satisfying meal that the whole family will love? Look no further than these incredible Air Fryer English Muffin Pizzas! In just under 15 minutes, you can transform a few simple pantry staples into perfectly crispy, cheesy mini pizzas. This recipe is an absolute lifesaver for busy weeknights, last-minute lunches, or whenever hunger strikes and time is short. Say goodbye to soggy bases and hello to golden-brown perfection, all made effortlessly in your air fryer. Get ready to impress even the pickiest eaters with this fast and flavorful creation!
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The Ultimate Solution for Busy Weeknights: Air Fryer English Muffin Pizzas
It’s 5 o’clock, the kids are home, and your energy levels are low after a demanding day. Suddenly, the realization hits: you forgot to plan dinner! The thought of ordering takeout for the third time this week looms large, but there’s a better, faster, and healthier way. With these easy Air Fryer English Muffin Pizzas, you can whip up a satisfying meal in minutes, avoiding the expense and extra calories of restaurant food.
This recipe is designed for maximum convenience without compromising on taste. All you need are a few common ingredients you likely already have on hand: English muffins, your favorite pizza sauce, shredded cheese, and any toppings you desire. Within moments, you’ll have warm, bubbly, and delicious mini pizzas that are far superior to frozen alternatives. Serve them with a crisp garden salad for a balanced dinner, or enjoy them as a hearty, customizable lunch.
Unlock the Power of Pantry Staples for Quick Meals
One of the secrets to stress-free weeknight cooking is having a well-stocked pantry and freezer. English muffins are a prime example of a versatile staple that saves the day. They freeze beautifully and thaw quickly, meaning you can always have them on hand for impromptu meals. Even if they’re frozen, a quick toast in the air fryer or toaster oven can bring them back to life, ready to become your pizza base.
Beyond English muffins, consider other quick-fix ingredients. For instance, canned salmon is another excellent choice for fast and healthy meals. It’s packed with protein and omega-3s, and you never have to worry about thawing it. For another air fryer wonder, try these amazing Air Fryer Salmon Patties, which come together in a flash using canned salmon. Keeping these kinds of ingredients on hand empowers you to create delicious, homemade meals even when time is your biggest challenge.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect English Muffin Pizzas
Crafting these delectable air fryer English muffin pizzas requires only a handful of ingredients, making it an incredibly budget-friendly and accessible recipe. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect balance of crispy crust, tangy sauce, and gooey cheese.
- English Muffins: The foundation of our mini pizzas! Use your favorite brand, whether it’s classic plain, whole wheat, or even sourdough. Day-old English muffins work perfectly, and as mentioned, frozen ones can be quickly thawed or lightly toasted before assembly. Their nooks and crannies are ideal for holding sauce and cheese, and they crisp up beautifully in the air fryer, offering a delightful contrast to traditional pizza crusts.
- Pizza Sauce: Approximately 6 ounces (¾ cup) of pizza sauce will be sufficient for a batch of pizzas. While a good quality canned pizza sauce is a fantastic shortcut for this quick recipe, don’t hesitate to use your favorite homemade pizza sauce if you have some on hand or prefer to make it from scratch. The key is to use a sauce with a good flavor profile that complements your chosen toppings.
- Shredded Cheese: You’ll need about 3 cups of shredded cheese for generous toppings. A classic mozzarella is always a winner for its meltability and mild flavor, but a blend of mozzarella and cheddar, or even an Italian blend, can add extra depth. While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, freshly grated cheese often melts more smoothly and achieves a silkier texture. For this recipe, however, the difference is negligible, so use what you have.
- Sliced Pepperoni (Optional, but highly recommended): For a classic mini pepperoni pizza, a few slices of pepperoni are a must! Regular-sized pepperoni slices work well, but mini pepperoni would be absolutely adorable and might even stay in place better in the air fryer’s circulating air. The pepperoni adds a salty, savory kick that elevates the pizza experience.
- Favorite Toppings (Optional): This is where you can truly customize your English muffin pizzas! Feel free to load them up with your preferred toppings. However, remember that the air fryer’s fan can be quite powerful, potentially scattering lighter toppings. To prevent this, be prudent with the quantity of extra toppings and press them firmly into the melted cheese during the final minute or two of cooking. Consider finely diced vegetables or pre-cooked crumbled meats for best results.
Simple Steps for Air Fryer English Muffin Pizzas
Creating these delightful pizzas is incredibly straightforward, even for novice cooks. Follow these simple instructions to achieve perfectly cooked, crispy, and cheesy English muffin pizzas every time.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Begin by preheating your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for at least 3 minutes, or according to your specific manufacturer’s instructions. Proper preheating ensures even cooking and helps achieve that desirable crispy crust.
- Prepare English Muffin Halves: Carefully split your English muffins in half using a fork or a butter knife. Place the halves, cut-side up, on a baking sheet or plate. Only prepare as many English muffin pizzas as you can comfortably fit in your air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding. This prevents them from becoming soggy and ensures optimal crispness.
- Apply Pizza Sauce: Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of your chosen pizza sauce onto each English muffin half. Use the back of the spoon to spread the sauce evenly from edge to edge, creating a delicious base for your toppings.
- Add Shredded Cheese: Generously top each sauced English muffin half with a small portion of shredded cheese, approximately ¼ cup. Ensure the cheese is distributed evenly for a consistent melt.
- First Air Fryer Cook: Carefully place the prepared English muffin pizzas into the preheated air fryer basket. Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 4-6 minutes. Keep an eye on them; the cheese should be beautifully melted and bubbly, and the English muffin edges should be toasted to a golden crisp.
- Add Pepperoni & Final Cook (Optional): If adding pepperoni, top each pizza with 2-3 slices. Return them to the air fryer for an additional 1-2 minutes. This brief final cook crisps the pepperoni perfectly without burning the cheese. If any pepperoni slices fly off due to the air circulation, quickly adjust them once you remove the basket. If adding other delicate or pre-cooked toppings, this is the ideal time to do so.
- Cool Before Serving: Once cooked, carefully remove the pizzas from the air fryer and transfer them to a wire rack or plate. Allow them to cool for 5 minutes before serving. This cooling period is crucial; it prevents burnt mouths and allows the cheese to set slightly, making the pizzas easier to handle.
- Repeat in Batches: Continue the process with the remaining English muffins, working in batches until all of your delicious mini pizzas are cooked and ready to enjoy!
Get Creative with Topping Suggestions
One of the best things about English muffin pizzas is their versatility. They’re a blank canvas for your culinary imagination! While classic pepperoni is always a hit, don’t shy away from experimenting with various toppings to create unique flavor combinations. Remember to keep toppings finely diced or pre-cooked to ensure even cooking and prevent them from flying around in the air fryer.
Meat Toppings
- Pepperoni: The quintessential pizza topping. Consider both regular and mini slices.
- Salami: Adds a different cured meat flavor, often a bit spicier than pepperoni.
- Bacon Bits: Crispy, salty, and incredibly flavorful. Use pre-cooked bacon bits for convenience.
- Crumbled Cooked Sausage: Italian sausage or breakfast sausage crumbles add a hearty, savory depth.
- Crumbled Cooked Beef: Seasoned ground beef, like taco meat, can turn these into a fun “taco pizza.”
- Cooked and Shredded Chicken: Perfect for a BBQ chicken pizza or a buffalo chicken variation.
- Prosciutto: Thin slices can be added after cooking for a gourmet touch.
Vegetable Toppings
- Diced Bell Peppers: Red, green, or yellow bell peppers add color, crunch, and a subtle sweetness.
- Sliced Jalapeño Peppers: For those who love a bit of heat!
- Black Olives: A classic pizza topping, offering a briny flavor.
- Green Olives: A tangier option than black olives.
- Sun-dried Tomatoes: Intensify the tomato flavor profile. Chop them finely.
- Minced Garlic: Freshly minced garlic can be pressed into the sauce before adding cheese for an aromatic boost.
- Roasted Garlic: For a milder, sweeter garlic flavor, try this easy Air Fryer roasted garlic method!
- Mushrooms: Sautéed and finely sliced mushrooms work best to avoid excess moisture.
- Onions: Finely diced red or white onions for a pungent kick.
- Spinach: Wilted and chopped spinach can be added under the cheese.
Expert Tips for Air Fryer English Muffin Pizza Success
Achieving the best possible English muffin pizzas in your air fryer is easy with a few insider tips. These insights will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure every bite is perfectly crispy and flavorful.
- Managing Pepperoni:
- The “Flying Pepperoni” Dilemma: It’s true, the air fryer’s powerful fan can cause lighter toppings like pepperoni to fly around. Through extensive testing, we’ve found that adding pepperoni during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking yields the best results. This allows the cheese to melt and create a sticky surface for the pepperoni to adhere to, plus it ensures the pepperoni gets perfectly crispy without overcooking.
- Under the Cheese: If you’re particularly worried about pepperoni displacement, you can place the slices directly on the pizza sauce before adding the cheese. While this method keeps them securely in place, it does result in less crispy pepperoni and a slightly different texture, which some might find less appealing.
- Cold Topping Option: For an ultra-quick fix, you can simply add cold pepperoni slices after the pizzas have cooked. This is an option if you prefer a softer pepperoni texture.
- General Topping Guidelines:
- Timing is Key: Just like pepperoni, most other toppings should be added during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. This prevents them from drying out or burning.
- Size Matters: Chop all your toppings into small, manageable pieces. Large chunks can make the pizzas unstable and prevent even cooking.
- Pre-cooked Meats Only: If you’re using meat toppings like sausage crumbles or ground beef, ensure they are fully cooked before adding them. The short air fryer cook time is not sufficient for cooking raw meats safely. Cured meats (like salami or pre-cooked bacon bits) are excellent choices.
- Press Them In: Gently press any added toppings into the melting cheese to help them stay put.
- Addressing Excess Grease:
- Some toppings, particularly pepperoni and certain cheeses, can release a bit of grease as they cook. If you find your English muffin pizzas have a significant amount of grease pooled on top, simply dab them gently with a paper towel after cooking to absorb the excess. This helps maintain a crisp texture and improves the eating experience.
- Choosing the Right Cheese:
- Versatile Options: You can use almost any type of shredded cheese you have available. However, mozzarella and cheddar are highly recommended as they melt beautifully and provide classic pizza flavor.
- Fresh vs. Pre-shredded: While freshly shredded cheese is often lauded for its superior melting qualities, pre-shredded cheese works perfectly well for this quick recipe. For best results with pre-shredded varieties, opt for “pizza style” or “Italian style” blends which are designed for optimal melt.
- Don’t Overload: While tempting, too much cheese can make the pizza heavy and potentially slide off. A ¼ cup per half is usually ideal for a balanced ratio.
- Achieving Ultimate Crispy Crust:
- Toast First: For an extra sturdy and crispy base, lightly toast the English muffin halves in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes before adding sauce and cheese. This creates a barrier against moisture and enhances the overall texture.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Always cook pizzas in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding inhibits air circulation, leading to uneven cooking and a less crispy result. Cook in batches if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer English Muffin Pizzas
The key to preventing soggy English muffin pizzas is a multi-pronged approach. Firstly, ensure your air fryer (or oven) is fully preheated before placing the pizzas inside. Secondly, prepare your pizzas just before they are ready to cook; don’t let them sit too long with the sauce and cheese, as this can lead to moisture absorption. For an extra sturdy and crispy base, lightly toast the English muffin halves for 1-2 minutes in the air fryer (or toaster) before adding any toppings. This creates a barrier that helps maintain their crispness throughout the cooking process. Finally, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, as proper air circulation is vital for achieving a crisp texture.
Given the smaller size of English muffin pizzas, it’s best to use toppings that are either finely diced or pre-cooked to ensure even heating and prevent them from overwhelming the base. Excellent choices include finely diced bell peppers, thinly sliced jalapeños, black or green olives, small pieces of sun-dried tomatoes, and pre-cooked crumbled meats like sausage, ground beef, or bacon bits. Remember to press toppings gently into the cheese during the final minutes of cooking to help them stay in place, especially with the air fryer’s fan.
Absolutely! English muffin pizzas can be deliciously made in a conventional oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Place your prepared English muffin pizzas on the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, and the muffins are toasted. For an extra crispy crust, you can toast the English muffin halves for 2-3 minutes before adding the sauce and cheese, then return them to the oven to bake for the remaining 8-10 minutes.
While these pizzas are best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer for maximum crispness, you can certainly do some prep work in advance. You can split the English muffins and have your sauce and cheese ready. Assembled pizzas can be stored in the refrigerator for a very short period (up to an hour) before cooking, but longer storage can lead to soggy muffins. It’s truly a recipe that benefits from being assembled and cooked just before serving.
Leftover English muffin pizzas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, the air fryer is your best friend! Place them back in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and re-crisped. The microwave is not recommended, as it will make them soggy. A toaster oven can also work well, heating them at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes.
What to Serve With English Muffin Pizzas
These mini pizzas are fantastic on their own, but pairing them with a simple side dish can transform them into a more complete and satisfying meal. Here are some complementary ideas:
- Fresh Garden Salad: A light, crisp salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the rich pizza.
- Steamed Vegetables: Broccoli, green beans, or asparagus offer a healthy and quick side.
- Raw Vegetables and Dip: Carrots, celery sticks, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips with hummus or ranch dip.
- Sweet Potato Fries: A slightly healthier and flavorful alternative to traditional fries.
- French Fries: For a classic combo, crispy French fries are always a hit.
- Caesar Salad: A more robust salad option that pairs well with Italian-inspired flavors.
- Fruit Salad: A simple bowl of fresh fruit adds a sweet and light element to the meal.
- Soup: A light tomato soup or minestrone can make for a comforting meal.
Air Fryer English Muffin Pizzas
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Air Fryer Recipes
American
5 minutes
8 minutes
13 minutes
12 pizza rounds
214kcal
Dorothy Bigelow
Ingredients
- 6 english muffins split in half
- 1 6oz can pizza sauce (¾ cup)
- 3 cups shredded cheese
- 36 slices pepperoni optional
- Optional toppings: chopped peppers, mushrooms, sausage crumbles, bacon bits, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for at least 3 minutes, or according to your manufacturer’s instructions.
- Split the English muffins using a fork or a butter knife, and place them, cut sides up, on a baking sheet or plate. Only prepare as many English muffin pizzas as you can fit in the air fryer at once. This will help the pizza stay crispy, preventing them from sitting too long with the moist ingredients.
- Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of pizza sauce onto each English muffin half. Use the back of the spoon to spread it evenly over the bread.
- Top each half with a small portion of shredded cheese, about ¼ cup.
- Place the prepared English muffin pizzas into the air fryer and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 4-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bread is toasted.
- Top with 2-3 slices of pepperoni (if using) and return to the air fryer for 1-2 minutes. Remove the air fryer basket and quickly adjust any pepperoni slices that have flown off of the pizzas. If you would like to add any other delicate or pre-cooked toppings, do so at the same time you add the pepperoni.
- Remove the pizzas from the air fryer and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
- Repeat the process with the remaining English muffins, working in batches until all of the muffins have been used up.
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Notes
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the prepared English muffin pizzas on the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. If you want your pizzas to be crispy, toast the English muffins for 1-2 minutes before topping with sauce and cheese. Then, return to the oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes.
Pepperoni:
The pepperoni will fly around quite a bit in the air fryer due to the fan. For the best taste and crispness, add them during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. If you want to keep your pepperoni slices firmly in place, you can add them between the pizza sauce and the cheese, though this results in less crunch. Alternatively, omit pepperoni or top with cold slices after cooking.
Toppings:
If you’re adding other favorite toppings, do so during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking (at the same time you would add pepperoni). Be mindful that the air fryer’s fan can cause toppings to move around; finely chopped or heavier toppings work best. Ensure all meat toppings are fully cooked, as 1-2 minutes is not enough to cook raw ingredients. Crumbled cooked beef or sausage, bacon bits, and cured meats are excellent choices.
Excess Grease:
Should your English muffin pizzas have noticeable grease on top, simply dab them with a paper towel immediately after cooking to absorb the excess and maintain their crispness.
Nutrition
Serving:
1Pizza
|
Calories:
214kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
15g
|
Protein:
10g
|
Fat:
13g
|
Saturated Fat:
6g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
5g
|
Cholesterol:
34mg
|
Sodium:
430mg
|
Fiber:
1g
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Final Thoughts: Your New Go-To Quick Meal!
These Air Fryer English Muffin Pizzas are more than just a recipe; they’re a culinary hack that brings joy and ease back to your kitchen. Quick to prepare, endlessly customizable, and universally loved, they solve the age-old dilemma of “what’s for dinner?” on the busiest of days. Embrace the simplicity and efficiency of your air fryer to create a meal that’s both comforting and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re feeding a family or looking for a solo treat, these mini pizzas are guaranteed to become a cherished addition to your recipe repertoire. Give them a try tonight and taste the difference that minimal effort and maximum flavor can make!
Resources
- Homemade English Muffins – Bigger Bolder Baking
- Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce – Joy Food Sunshine