Air Fryer English Muffin Pizza – Crispy Mini Pizzas in 8 Minutes
Air fryer English muffin pizza is ready in about 8 minutes. Toast the split muffins at 190°C / 375°F for 2 minutes, add sauce, cheese and toppings, then cook for 4–5 more minutes until the cheese bubbles. It is about the quickest homemade pizza there is, and children usually enjoy building their own.
English muffins make a good mini pizza base because they are already the right size and have a slightly crisp, craggy surface once toasted. You do not need dough, a rolling pin or a hot oven, just a pack of muffins and whatever is in the fridge.
Quick Guide
| Stage | Temperature | Time |
| Pre-toast the muffin halves | 190°C / 375°F | 2 minutes |
| Cook with toppings | 190°C / 375°F | 4–5 minutes |
| From frozen (assembled ahead) | 180°C / 355°F | 7–9 minutes |
Why Pre-Toast the Muffins?
English muffins are soft and full of little holes, so sauce soaks in quickly and the base turns soggy. Two minutes of toasting firms up the surface and gives you a crunchy base, closer to a thin pizza crust. It is the single step that makes air fryer English muffin pizza taste like pizza rather than warm bread with sauce on it.
Ingredients
- 4 English muffins, split into 8 halves
- 120 ml (½ cup) pizza sauce
- 120 g (1 cup) shredded low-moisture mozzarella
- 24 slices mini pepperoni, or toppings of your choice
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
- Pinch of garlic powder
How to Make English Muffin Pizzas
1. Toast the Base
Brush the cut side of each half with a little oil and a pinch of garlic powder. Air fry cut-side up at 190°C / 375°F for 2 minutes.
2. Add Sauce
Spread about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce on each half, leaving a thin edge. More than that and the middle goes soft.
3. Add Cheese and Toppings
Sprinkle mozzarella over the sauce, then add pepperoni or your favorite toppings and a pinch of oregano.
4. Air Fry
Cook at 190°C / 375°F for 4–5 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbling and lightly golden in places.
5. Cool Slightly
Let them rest for 1–2 minutes before eating, as the sauce and cheese are very hot.
- Light toppings can blow around in the fan, so press them gently into the cheese.
- Melted cheese stays very hot; let children wait a minute or two before eating.
- Raw meat toppings will not cook through in 5 minutes, so use pre-cooked sausage or chicken.
- Leave space between muffins so the hot air reaches every one.
Topping Ideas
- Margherita: tomato sauce and mozzarella, with fresh basil added after cooking.
- Veggie: thinly sliced peppers, onions, mushrooms and olives.
- BBQ chicken: BBQ sauce, cooked chicken, red onion and cheddar.
- Breakfast: cheese, cooked bacon and a little scrambled egg.
Slice vegetables thinly. Thick chunks of pepper or onion will still be raw when the cheese is ready.
Good for Kids and Parties
Set out small bowls of sauce, cheese and toppings and let everyone make their own air fryer English muffin pizza. It works well for after-school snacks, sleepovers and game nights, and picky eaters tend to be less picky about food they put together themselves. For another mini pizza, see our Air Fryer Pizza Bagels.
Tips
Air Fryer English Muffin Pizza FAQ
Leftovers
Cooked English muffin pizzas keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat at 180°C / 355°F for 2–3 minutes to crisp the base again.
Fast, Cheap and Flexible
Pre-toast the base, go light on the sauce and cook until the cheese bubbles. That is all air fryer English muffin pizza needs. When you want a bigger slice, try our Air Fryer French Bread Pizza.
