Air Fryer Pizza Toast (Printable)

Quickly prepare golden toast layered with garlic butter, marinara, cheese, and savory toppings.

# 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

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (190°C) and allow it to run for 2 minutes.
02 - Combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt in a small bowl, mixing thoroughly.
03 - Evenly spread the prepared garlic butter over one side of each bread slice.
04 - Place the bread slices, buttered side up, in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Work in batches if necessary.
05 - Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce onto each bread slice.
06 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the sauce on each slice.
07 - Top with chosen toppings, then sprinkle with dried oregano or Italian seasoning as preferred.
08 - Air fry at 370°F (190°C) for 6 to 8 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden and the bread is crisp.
09 - Carefully remove the toast from the air fryer, let cool slightly, then serve hot. Garnish with fresh parsley or red pepper flakes if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's ready in 13 minutes flat, making weeknight dinners feel less like a chore and more like a happy accident.
  • The bread gets impossibly crispy on the outside while staying just tender enough inside, and the cheese bubbles into golden pockets of flavor.
  • You can customize it endlessly—vegetarian, meaty, loaded with veggies—and it never disappoints.
02 -
  • Underbaking is safer than overbaking—you can always cook it longer, but burnt cheese is a sad ending. Aim for bubbly and golden, not dark brown.
  • Pat down your toppings lightly after adding them so they cook evenly and don't fly around during air frying.
  • Fresh bread crumbs will scatter, so day-old bread is actually your friend here, creating a sturdier base that holds everything together.
03 -
  • Use bread that's slightly firm or day-old—it holds toppings better and crisps more dramatically than soft, fresh bread.
  • Don't skimp on the garlic butter; it's what transforms ordinary toast into something that tastes intentionally made.
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