If you’re craving something cheesy, savory, and irresistibly quick, Air Fryer Garlic Toast Pizzas are the answer. Whether you’re looking for a fuss-free weeknight dinner, an after-school snack, or something fun for the weekend, this simple recipe comes together in under 20 minutes and delivers restaurant-style flavor with minimal effort. Perfectly crispy garlic toast forms the base, topped with marinara, gooey mozzarella, and your favorite toppings.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Garlic Bread Pizza
Ready in under 20 minutes. Kid-friendly and customizable. Perfectly crispy edges with melty cheese. Great for meal prep or quick lunches. Air fryer means less mess and faster cooking.
🧄 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Base: 4 slices of garlic bread (store-bought or homemade)
Toppings: 1 cup of marinara or pizza sauce, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup pepperoni slices (or any toppings you love), 1/4 cup sliced bell peppers (optional), 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional), Italian seasoning (optional, for extra flavor)
Garnish Options: Fresh basil or chopped parsley, Grated Parmesan cheese
🔥 How to Make Garlic Bread Pizzas in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer Set your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) and preheat it for 5 minutes. Preheating helps your pizzas cook evenly and get crisp edges.
Step 2: Prepare the Toast Base Place garlic bread slices on a flat, clean surface. Make sure they’re not frozen – room temperature or thawed bread works best.
Step 3: Add Sauce and Cheese Spread about 2–3 tablespoons of marinara sauce on each slice. Don’t go too heavy or the toast might get soggy. Follow up with a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella.
Step 4: Top It Your Way Now for the fun part—toppings! Add pepperoni slices, bell peppers, olives, or any favorite pizza toppings. You can also use cooked sausage, bacon bits, or even pineapple for a sweet-savory twist.
Step 5: Air Fry Place the pizzas into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 6–8 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bread edges are golden and crisp.
Step 6: Garnish & Serve Carefully remove your garlic toast pizzas. Top with fresh herbs and a light dusting of Parmesan cheese for a gourmet finish. Slice and serve hot!
📝 Tips & Variations
Change the Base: No garlic bread? Try French baguette slices, sourdough, naan, or even English muffins for fun mini pizzas.
Make It Veggie: Use mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, or red onions for a vegetarian version.
Spice It Up: Add red chili flakes, crushed garlic, or jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Kid-Friendly: Let kids build their own pizzas using favorite toppings like mini pepperoni or even pineapple chunks.
🍽️ Storage & Reheating
Have leftovers? Cool the slices and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes at 350°F (175°C)—they’ll be just as crispy as when freshly made.
🧠 FAQs: Air Fryer Garlic Bread Pizza
Q: Can I use frozen garlic bread?
A: Yes, but let it thaw slightly before adding sauce and toppings to prevent soggy crusts.
Q: Can I make these in a conventional oven?
A: Absolutely! Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes or until the cheese melts and the bread is crispy.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Just use gluten-free garlic bread and double-check that your sauce and toppings are gluten-free too.
Q: What’s the best way to store leftovers?
A: Store cooled slices in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer for best results.
Q: Can I prep these ahead of time?
A: Yes! Assemble the pizzas and keep them covered in the fridge for up to 12 hours. Cook them fresh when ready to eat.
❤️ Final Thoughts
These Air Fryer Garlic Toast Pizzas are a game-changer when you need a snack or quick meal that’s both satisfying and full of flavor. They’re fun to make, highly customizable, and deliver pizzeria-style results with very little effort. Whether you’re feeding kids, hosting guests, or treating yourself, these mini pizzas are guaranteed to be a hit.
Air Fryer Garlic Toast Pizza Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6–8 minutes
Total Time: 16–18 minutes
Air Fryer Temp: 380°F (190°C)
Ingredients
4 garlic bread slices
1 cup marinara or pizza sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup pepperoni (or toppings of choice)
1/4 cup sliced bell peppers (optional)
1/4 cup sliced olives (optional)
Italian seasoning (optional)
Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Grated Parmesan (optional)
Instructions
Preheat air fryer at 380°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
Lay out garlic bread slices. Spread 2–3 tablespoons of sauce on each.
Sprinkle with mozzarella, then add toppings like pepperoni, peppers, and olives.
Place in air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook 6–8 minutes or until cheese melts and edges turn golden.
Garnish with fresh herbs and Parmesan if desired. Serve warm.
Tips
Swap garlic bread for French bread or English muffins.
Use veggies for a vegetarian version.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in air fryer for best texture.
Course: Snack, Lunch, Appetizer
Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Servings: 4
Calories (per serving): Approx. 280–320 kcal depending on toppings
