Air Fryer Pizza Toast (Print View)

Crispy garlic butter bread topped with marinara, cheese, and savory herbs ready in minutes.

# Components:

→ Bread & Garlic Butter

01 - 4 slices thick-cut bread (sourdough, Italian, or sandwich bread)
02 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
05 - Pinch of salt

→ Sauce & Cheese

06 - ½ cup marinara sauce
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Toppings (optional)

09 - 12 to 16 slices pepperoni or vegetarian alternative
10 - ¼ cup sliced black olives
11 - ¼ cup diced bell pepper
12 - ¼ cup sliced mushrooms
13 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
14 - Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Set the air fryer to 370°F and allow it to preheat for 2 minutes.
02 - Combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt in a small mixing bowl.
03 - Evenly coat one side of each bread slice with the prepared garlic butter mixture.
04 - Place the buttered bread slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, buttered side up. Cook in batches if necessary.
05 - Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce onto each bread slice, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
06 - Top with chosen toppings, then lightly sprinkle dried oregano or Italian seasoning over each slice.
07 - Air fry at 370°F for 6 to 8 minutes or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden, and the bread is crisp.
08 - Carefully remove the toasts, allow to cool slightly, garnish as desired, and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Restaurant-quality crispy-cheesy goodness arrives in under 10 minutes, no fussing required.
  • It's forgiving enough for a weeknight snack but fancy enough to serve when people drop by unexpectedly.
  • You control every topping, so it works whether you're vegetarian, a pepperoni purist, or somewhere in between.
02 -
  • Don't skip the preheat—two minutes in an air fryer matters because the basket and heating element need to reach full temperature to crisp that bread properly.
  • The difference between perfectly golden cheese and overcooked burnt edges is literally one minute, so set a timer and check at six minutes rather than waiting for the full eight.
  • If your air fryer basket is small, cook in two batches instead of overcrowding, because heat circulation is what creates that crispy texture you're after.
03 -
  • Toast your bread lightly before adding toppings if it's soft or fresh, which prevents a soggy middle even though the air fryer will crisp the bottom.
  • Experiment with different bread types—sourdough adds tang, Italian bread gives you chew, and even focaccia or ciabatta create textures that change the whole experience.
  • Keep your toppings thin and relatively dry; wet toppings like fresh tomatoes release moisture that makes things steamy instead of crispy, so save fresh garnishes for after cooking.
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