Name: Air Fryer Texas Toast Pizza
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 slices Texas Toast garlic bread; ½ cup pizza sauce; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 80 mini pepperoni slices

This quick and delicious Air Fryer Texas Toast Pizza transforms frozen garlic bread into crispy, cheesy personal pizzas in just minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, after-school snacks, or game day gatherings!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Texas Toast Pizza recipe is a game-changer for busy households. It requires minimal prep work and cooks in just minutes. The air fryer perfectly crisps the Texas toast while melting the cheese to bubbly perfection. Kids love to help make these mini pizzas, and everyone can customize their own toppings. Plus, it’s more affordable than delivery but still delivers that satisfying pizza experience you crave.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Texas Toast garlic bread serves as the perfect base for these mini pizzas, providing a buttery, garlicky foundation that’s already seasoned and ready to crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
Pizza sauce adds that classic tomato flavor we all associate with pizza. You can use store-bought or homemade sauce depending on your preference or time constraints.
Mozzarella cheese is the star that creates that irresistible stretchy, melty layer that makes pizza so satisfying. Freshly shredded cheese melts more evenly than pre-packaged shredded varieties if you have the extra minute to grate it yourself.
Mini pepperoni slices offer a perfect bite-sized burst of savory flavor in every bite. Their smaller size distributes the pepperoni flavor more evenly across your mini pizzas and they crisp up wonderfully in the air fryer.

Directions

Arrange half of the Texas toast slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 360°F (182°C) for 3 minutes to lightly toast the bread. Use parchment or foil for easy cleanup if desired.
Spread 1-2 spoonfuls of pizza sauce on each toasted slice.
Top each slice with a generous amount of mozzarella cheese and 10 mini pepperoni slices.
Lower air fryer temperature to 300°F (149°C) and cook for 3 minutes to melt the cheese.
Increase temperature to 400°F (204°C) and air fry for 2 more minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Remove pizzas and repeat with remaining slices and toppings. Serve immediately.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 8 individual Texas Toast Pizzas, serving 4-8 people depending on appetite and whether you’re serving it as a main dish or appetizer. Each serving contains approximately 320 calories. The entire process takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, with 5 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cooking time. It’s perfect for those nights when you need dinner on the table quickly!

Variations

Vegetarian Version: Skip the pepperoni and load up with bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives.
BBQ Chicken: Replace pizza sauce with BBQ sauce and top with cooked shredded chicken, red onions, and a mix of mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
Buffalo Style: Use buffalo sauce instead of pizza sauce, top with diced cooked chicken, blue cheese crumbles, and a drizzle of ranch after cooking.
Breakfast Pizza: Add scrambled eggs, crumbled sausage, and cheddar cheese for a morning twist.
Margherita: Keep it simple with pizza sauce, fresh mozzarella slices, and fresh basil added after cooking.
Hawaiian: Add pineapple chunks for a sweet and savory combination.
Taco Pizza: Use refried beans instead of sauce, then top with seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, and fresh lettuce, tomato, and sour cream after cooking.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigeration: These Texas Toast Pizzas are best enjoyed immediately after cooking, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Freezing: You can freeze the assembled but uncooked pizzas for a quick meal later. Place them on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
Reheating: For the best texture when reheating refrigerated leftovers, place them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until heated through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving as this will make the bread soggy. If reheating from frozen, add an additional 3-4 minutes to the cooking time.

FAQs

Can I use regular garlic bread instead of Texas Toast?

Yes, you can use any type of garlic bread, but Texas Toast is ideal because of its thickness which provides a sturdy base. If using thinner garlic bread, reduce the initial toasting time to prevent burning.

My air fryer is small. Can I still make this recipe?

Absolutely! Simply work in smaller batches. The recipe is designed to be cooked in batches anyway, so just adjust according to how many slices fit comfortably in your air fryer basket without overlapping.

Can I make these in a conventional oven?

Yes, preheat your oven to 425°F and place the Texas toast on a baking sheet. Toast for about 5 minutes, add toppings, then bake for another 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

What if I don’t have mini pepperoni?

Regular-sized pepperoni works fine! You can either use them whole or cut them into smaller pieces to distribute more evenly across your mini pizzas.

Can I prep these ahead of time?

You can assemble these pizzas a few hours ahead and refrigerate them, but for best results, don’t pre-toast the bread. When ready to cook, follow the directions starting with the initial toasting step.

Why does the recipe call for changing temperatures during cooking?

The temperature changes help achieve the perfect texture: initial toasting of the bread, gentle melting of the cheese, and final crisping and browning. However, if your air fryer doesn’t adjust temperatures quickly, you can cook everything at 350°F, just monitor closely.

Is there a way to make these healthier?

Try using whole grain Texas toast, low-fat cheese, and loading up on vegetable toppings. You can also use less cheese and more sauce to reduce calories.

My cheese is burning before it’s fully melted. What should I do?

Lower your air fryer temperature by 25 degrees and consider placing the cheese under the toppings rather than on top to protect it from direct heat.

Can I use these as a base for dipping sauces?

Absolutely! These make great dippers for ranch dressing, additional pizza sauce, garlic aioli, or even honey for a sweet-savory combination.

The bottoms of my pizzas are getting too crispy. What’s wrong?

Air fryers can vary in temperature. Try reducing the initial toasting time by a minute, or place a thin layer of foil at the bottom of your air fryer basket to deflect some of the direct heat.

Conclusion

This Air Fryer Texas Toast Pizza recipe is the ultimate solution for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without the fuss. In just 15 minutes, you’ll have crispy, cheesy personal pizzas that the whole family will love. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility – feel free to experiment with different toppings to suit everyone’s tastes. Whether you’re feeding hungry kids after school or looking for a quick dinner solution, these mini pizzas deliver big flavor with minimal effort. Give them a try, and they might just become your new go-to for those “no time to cook” evenings!