Air Fryer Pizza Toast (Printable)

Crispy air fried pizza toast topped with marinara, mozzarella, and fresh garlic butter in minutes.

# What you'll need:

→ 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 - 120 milliliters marinara sauce
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Toppings (optional)

09 - 12-16 slices pepperoni or vegetarian alternative
10 - 1/4 cup sliced black olives
11 - 1/4 cup diced bell pepper
12 - 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
14 - Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste

# Preparation steps:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 370°F for 2 minutes.
02 - In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt.
03 - Spread the garlic butter evenly on one side of each bread slice.
04 - Place the bread slices buttered-side up in a single layer in the air fryer basket; work in batches if necessary.
05 - Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce onto each bread slice, then evenly sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
06 - Top with selected toppings and sprinkle with dried oregano or Italian seasoning.
07 - Cook at 370°F for 6 to 8 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden, and the bread is crisp.
08 - Carefully remove the toast, let cool slightly, then serve hot. Optionally garnish with fresh parsley or red pepper flakes.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • It's legitimately faster than ordering delivery and tastes a thousand times better.
  • Your kitchen smells like a pizzeria without the commitment of making actual pizza dough.
  • Even picky eaters find something to love in the toppings you choose.
02 -
  • Don't skip preheating the air fryer—those 2 minutes matter more than you'd think, and they prevent the bread from turning chewy instead of crispy.
  • Thick bread is non-negotiable; thin slices will char before the cheese finishes melting, and you'll end up with disappointment instead of dinner.
03 -
  • Don't use cold butter straight from the fridge; let it soften at room temperature for 10 minutes so it spreads evenly without tearing the bread.
  • If you're cooking for more than four people, prep multiple batches and time them so they all finish within a few minutes of each other, that way everyone eats while everything is at peak crispiness.
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