Air Fryer Garlic Toast Pizza: The Lazy Shortcut Recipe You’ll Make Again and Again
I’ll be honest with you—I didn’t plan this recipe. It just kind of happened one night when I was too tired to cook but still wanted something warm, cheesy, and satisfying.
I saw a box of frozen garlic toast in the freezer, had some shredded cheese and pepperoni in the fridge, and my air fryer was already sitting on the counter. That’s when it clicked—why not make pizza on garlic toast in the air fryer?
And let me tell you, this recipe has been on repeat ever since.
It’s ridiculously easy, comes together in minutes, and tastes like a mix between pizza night and garlic bread heaven. If you love quick meals, this one’s about to become your favorite.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know to make air fryer garlic toast pizza at home.
Why Air Fryer Garlic Toast Pizza Is Pure Genius
Here’s the deal: making pizza dough from scratch takes time, effort, and patience. Ordering delivery costs more than it should and often leaves you waiting forever. Garlic toast pizza fixes both of those problems.
- The crust? You don’t need to roll out dough—the garlic toast already has that crispy, buttery base.
- The flavor? Garlic bread plus pizza toppings is a match made in food heaven.
- The speed? It cooks in less than 10 minutes in the air fryer.
It’s one of those meals that feels fun, tastes amazing, and saves you from kitchen stress.
What You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is that it doesn’t require a long shopping list. Most of the ingredients are things you probably already have.
- Frozen garlic toast (Texas Toast style works best)
- Pizza sauce (or marinara, whatever you like)
- Shredded cheese (mozzarella is classic, but mix in cheddar if you want extra flavor)
- Toppings of your choice (pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, peppers, or anything you love)
That’s it. Just four things, and you’re set for an easy pizza night.
How to Make Air Fryer Garlic Toast Pizza
This is the fun part because it’s so simple that even kids can help. Here’s exactly how I do it step by step:
- Preheat the air fryer. Set it to 370°F (190°C). Letting it heat up first makes the toast crispier.
- Arrange the garlic toast. Place the frozen slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t stack them.
- Cook the toast halfway. Air fry for 3–4 minutes until it starts to crisp up but isn’t fully cooked.
- Add sauce. Spread about 1–2 tablespoons of pizza sauce on each slice.
- Top with cheese. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the sauce.
- Add toppings. Go crazy here—pepperoni, veggies, sausage, or just extra cheese.
- Cook until golden. Air fry again for 5–6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot. Careful, the cheese will be super melty right out of the basket.
In less than 10 minutes, you’ve got hot, crispy, cheesy pizzas ready to eat.
Tips for the Best Garlic Toast Pizza
Even though this recipe is easy, a few little tricks will make it even better.
- Don’t overload toppings. Too many toppings can make the toast soggy. Keep it balanced.
- Use parchment paper liners. This helps with cleanup and prevents cheese from sticking.
- Experiment with cheese. Try mixing mozzarella with provolone, cheddar, or even parmesan.
- Add fresh herbs. A sprinkle of basil, parsley, or oregano at the end makes it taste fresh.
- Crispier crust hack. Cook the garlic toast for a few minutes before adding sauce and cheese. This makes the base crunchier.
Topping Ideas to Try
Here’s where you can get creative. Think of it like building mini pizzas—each slice can have a different topping.
- Classic Pepperoni – The all-time favorite.
- Veggie Lovers – Mushrooms, peppers, onions, and olives.
- Meat Feast – Sausage, bacon, and pepperoni.
- Hawaiian Twist – Ham and pineapple.
- Margherita Style – Just cheese, tomato, and fresh basil.
- BBQ Chicken – Swap pizza sauce for BBQ sauce, then add chicken and red onion.
- Buffalo Ranch – Drizzle ranch and buffalo sauce on top of chicken.
Trust me, you’ll never get bored with these combos.
Why the Air Fryer Beats the Oven
Sure, you can make this in the oven, but the air fryer does a better job. Here’s why:
- Faster cooking – No waiting for the oven to heat up.
- Crispier texture – The air fryer cooks the toast evenly and keeps it crunchy.
- Less mess – You don’t need a baking sheet, just the air fryer basket.
It’s quicker, easier, and just works better for small batches.
When to Serve Garlic Toast Pizza
This little recipe isn’t just for lazy weeknights. It works in so many situations:
- Quick lunch – Perfect when you want something hot in under 15 minutes.
- After-school snack – Kids love making their own toppings.
- Game day food – Serve a big batch for friends.
- Movie night – Way better than ordering delivery.
- Party appetizer – Cut them into smaller pieces for bite-sized pizzas.
Basically, any time you crave pizza but don’t want the hassle.
Storing and Reheating
If you make extra (which I highly recommend), here’s how to store and reheat them:
- Fridge: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: You can freeze the cooked pizzas for up to a month. Wrap them individually for best results.
- Reheat: Just pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes. They’ll taste fresh again.
Healthier Swaps
Okay, let’s be real—this is comfort food. But you can make it a little lighter if you want:
- Use whole wheat garlic toast if you can find it.
- Go lighter on the cheese or use part-skim mozzarella.
- Load up on veggies instead of heavy meats.
- Use turkey pepperoni instead of regular.
It won’t feel like diet food, but it’s a nice balance if you want a slightly healthier twist.
Why You’ll Love Making This
The best part about garlic toast pizza isn’t just how quick it is—it’s how much fun it is. You can make it exactly how you like, no waiting for delivery, no dough rising, no stress. Every bite is garlicky, crispy, cheesy, and comforting.
It’s the kind of recipe that saves the day when you don’t know what to cook.
FAQs About Air Fryer Garlic Toast Pizza
Q: Can I use regular bread instead of garlic toast?
Yes, but it won’t be as flavorful or crispy. Garlic toast makes the perfect crust.
Q: Do I need to thaw the garlic toast first?
Nope—use it straight from the freezer. The air fryer handles it perfectly.
Q: Can I make these in the oven?
Yes, bake at 425°F for 10–12 minutes, but the air fryer is faster and crispier.
Q: How do I keep the toast from getting soggy?
Cook the garlic toast for a few minutes before adding sauce and cheese. That extra step makes the base crunchy.
Q: What’s the best cheese for this recipe?
Mozzarella is classic, but a mix of mozzarella and cheddar is my favorite.
Q: Can kids help make this?
Absolutely. It’s a perfect kid-friendly recipe since they can add their own toppings.
Q: Can I meal prep these ahead of time?
Yes, assemble them and freeze. When ready, cook them straight from frozen in the air fryer.
Q: What size air fryer works best?
Any size works, but larger baskets fit more slices at once.
So, next time you’re staring at the freezer wondering what to eat, grab that box of garlic toast and make yourself some air fryer garlic toast pizzas. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll never look at garlic bread the same way again.
