Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Bread (with Oven Directions)

This homemade Air Fryer Pizza Bread recipe is made with French bread, your favorite pizza toppings and lots of gooey cheese. And the best part is it’s ready in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.

Perfect for a main course meal or a kid-approved after school snack. I’ve included oven directions if you need to make a larger batch.

And don’t forget tailgating and game day snacks. Our homemade puff pastry pizza pockets and soft pretzels in the air fryer are two more easy snack recipes.

In high school I worked at Avanti’s Italian restaurant and pizzeria. That was my first introduction to pizza bread and boy was I hooked. It was my go-to shift meal and I never got tired of it because the topping variations were unlimited.

Since I’ve started making this recipe at home, it’s like my children are 10 years old again. They are hooked on this easy meal and I love that everyone can have pizza “their way”. Moms, you know what I am talking about when you have hungry teenagers in the house! 

I am also really excited to share my pizza bar idea with you. Keep reading to find out how to put a new spin on family pizza night.

Earlier I mentioned how easy this recipe is, but I didn’t tell you it’s budget-friendly too. Oftentimes French bread is relatively cheap compared to similar prepackaged products. So ditch the Stouffer’s frozen pizza bread and try your hand at making homemade air fryer pizza bread. 

Ingredients for Air Fryer Pizza Bread

• French bread – first we are going to be slicing the loaf lengthwise, then cut it into smaller pieces.
• Pizza sauce – feel free to make your own or keep it simple and use store-bought. 
• Cheese – our go-to for pizzas is a blend of mozzarella and provolone. You can grab the pre-shredded kind in your local dairy section or shop the deli for the mozzarella log and shred it yourself. The deli kind offers a fresher flavor and melts better than pre-shredded cheese. 
• Olive oil – this helps the crust crisp up 
• Toppings – the options here are endless, but we always have some variation sliced mushrooms, mini pepperonis, and Italian sausage.

How To Make Pizza Bread in the Air Fryer 

Go ahead and slice your bread lengthwise and then cut in smaller pieces. You should end up with 6 pieces but you may need to adjust based on the size of your air fryer basket. 

Preheat your air fryer, then brush your French bread with a little oil and sprinkle a little garlic salt on. Cook long enough to lightly toast the bread. 

Layer your pizza bread ingredients in this order: sauce, toppings, cheese. 

Cook a little longer until the cheese is slightly browned and melted. 

I recommend lining your basket with parchment paper liners or brushing lightly with oil to keep the breads from sticking. 

Hosting a Pizza Bar with French Bread Pizza

I am all about make-your-own meals around my household, but having a pizza bar is also fun for small parties or gatherings.

I recommend pre-cooking the Italian sausage, hamburger or other meats. You can also pre-toast the breads to speed things up.

Simply place all of the toppings in separate containers, along with bowls of pizza sauce and shredded cheese. Pile the pre-sliced (and toasted) French loaves on a cutting board or platter. 

Throw in some themed serving ware and a few cute decorations and you have a cheap, easy, and fun party theme. This is a great birthday party idea for all ages, team or club dinners or any time you need to feed a hungry crowd.

You can also see how I host a taco bar party if tacos are your jam.

Tips for Making French Bread Pizza in the Air Fryer

• I put the toppings under the cheese to keep them from “flying around” the air fryer while cooking.
• Parchment paper liners work well to catch any gooey cheese drips.
• If making multiple batches, subsequent batches may cook faster. Check at the 2-3 minute mark to make sure they don’t burn.

Need more air fryer help? Check out our favorite air fryer accessories, best oils to use and tips for choosing the right air fryer. This is the air fryer model I’m currently using.

How To Make Homemade Pizza Bread in the Oven

This is a great option if you need to make a big batch. Or if you don’t have an air fryer (gasp!).

You can bake or broil. If you choose to broil just watch closely – you know how easily that can get out of hand! 

For the oven, simply construct your pizza bread, place on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. 

With just a few simple ingredients and your trusty air fryer, you can whip up a delicious batch of Air Fryer Pizza Bread, turning a regular evening into a mini pizza party. It’s not just a quick fix for your pizza cravings, but also a fun way to experiment with flavors and toppings, right in your own kitchen.

How to Store Leftover French Bread Pizza

Place leftover pizza bread in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven at 350 degrees until heated through.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes to Try:

• Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies 
• Air Fryer Chex Mix 
• Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders 
• Air Fryer Cauliflower 
• Twisted Bacon (Air Fryer & Oven Directions)