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When I’m short on time and need tasty comfort food quick, Air Fryer Texas Toast Pizzas save the day. Whether the kids just got home or I’m up late with cravings, these deliver hot cheesy bites with crispy bread in just a few minutes.
We first made these late on a Friday when no one wanted to cook anything big. The kids finished them off before I blinked, and now they ask me to make them all the time.
Tasty Ingredients
- Mini pepperoni: Pick these for lots of crispy, smoky flavor. They curl on the edges like at your favorite pizza spot.
- Shredded mozzarella: You want a cheese that melts nicely. You can buy a bag or shred some fresh for extra goodness.
- Pizza sauce: Use one that’s thick and packed with flavor—runny sauce might make your bread mushy.
- Texas toast garlic bread: Thick slices with a solid garlic hit work best. Air frying gives them great crunch.
Simple How-To Steps
- Time to Eat:
- Once the pizzas are done, carefully lift them from the basket, make your next round, and enjoy while they’re piping hot and crispy.
- Turn Up for Crispy Cheese:
- Crank your air fryer to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit for the last two minutes so the cheese bubbles and those edges get golden and crunchy.
- Melt Everything:
- Switch to three hundred degrees and let the pizzas cook for about three more minutes. The cheese will get all gooey and melty.
- Cheese and Pepperoni Time:
- Sprinkle on lots of mozzarella and dot with pepperoni—don’t hold back, the cheesier the better!
- Add the Sauce:
- Grab your toasted bread, spoon sauce on each slice, and spread it nearly to the crust for max flavor.
- Toast First:
- Air fry your bread at three hundred sixty degrees for three minutes. This preps the surface to hold everything without getting soggy.
- Get Bread Ready:
- Put some slices flat in the basket—single layer works best for good airflow. Foil or parchment can help keep cleanup easy, but it’s optional.
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The pepperoni getting crisp around the edges is my favorite part. It reminds me of when my sister and I would race for the cheesiest slice—now my own kids do it too!
Keep ‘Em Fresh
You can store leftovers in a container in the fridge for up to forty-eight hours. Let them cool down first. To bring back the crunch, blast them in the air fryer at three fifty for a few minutes. Skip the microwave unless you like chewy bread.
Ingredient Swaps
No Texas toast? Thick bread or bagels work great too. Out of pizza sauce? Try marinara or even pesto. For the protein, slice regular pepperoni or grab whatever’s left in your fridge—sausage, olives, or veggies all taste awesome.
Ways to Serve
Pair these little pizzas with a handful of salad for a quick dinner. They’re also awesome on a veggie platter with carrots or celery. If you like to dip, ranch or some spicy honey go perfectly on the side.
Texas Toast Pizza Memories
Garlic bread and pizza together is nothing new, but air frying takes it up a notch—like restaurant flatbread at home. Folks in Texas know their way around thick garlic toast, and this spin takes me back to easy dinners and pizza nights—without having to wait on delivery.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Can I use other toppings instead of pepperoni?
Go for it! Add anything you like—maybe green peppers, mushrooms, sausage, or whatever you have in the fridge.
- → How do I prevent soggy toast?
Toast the bread for a few minutes before piling on your sauce and cheese. That way, it stays crisp and tasty.
- → Do I need to thaw frozen garlic bread first?
Nope! You can cook the frozen slices right away. Just toss them straight into the air fryer.
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
These are best soon after making, but you can toast the Texas toast early and finish with toppings when you’re ready to air fry.
- → Is parchment paper required for the air fryer?
If you want less mess, try foil or parchment under the toast. Totally optional though—you can skip it if you want.
- → Which cheese melts best for this dish?
Melty mozzarella is the way to go, but you could shake things up with a bit of cheddar or provolone mixed in.