Air Fryer English Muffin Pizzas: Crispy, Melty 10-Minute Snack

Air Fryer English Muffin Pizzas

What I like about this air fryer method is that the muffins get crisp underneath before the toppings go on. That quick first toast is what keeps these from turning soft once the sauce and cheese hit the bread.

The two-stage cook gives you a better balance of crisp base and melty top than loading everything on at once. These are easy to pull together from pantry and fridge staples, and they work well for lunch, an after-school snack, or a simple dinner.

Ingredients for Air Fryer English Muffin Pizzas

• 4 standard English muffins, split into 8 halves
• 2/3 cup pizza sauce (about 160g)
• 2 cups shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella (about 8 ounces/225g)
• 1 cup mini pepperoni (about 3 ounces/85g)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Olive oil spray, as needed

Low-moisture mozzarella matters here because it melts well without adding extra water. Keep the sauce layer light too. Pizza sauce is ideal, but marinara or pesto can work as long as you use a thin layer.

Any English muffin brand works. Classic supermarket muffins are fine, and whole-wheat or gluten-free muffins also work if that is what you keep on hand.

Spice note: For these mini pizzas, dried herbs and garlic powder work best when they distribute evenly through the sauce. Fine-textured seasonings from Selefina fit that well.

How to Make English Muffin Pizzas in the Air Fryer

1. Preheat the air fryer: Heat to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes if your model does not auto-preheat. A hot basket or tray helps the muffin tops dry and toast faster.
2. Prep the muffins and sauce: Split the English muffins into 8 halves. Lightly mist the cut sides with olive oil spray if you want a little extra browning. Stir the Italian seasoning and garlic powder into the pizza sauce, or sprinkle them over the sauce later.
3. Toast the muffin halves first: Arrange the muffin halves cut-side up in a single layer with a little space between them. Air-fry at 375°F (190°C) for 2 to 4 minutes, until the edges look lightly golden and the cut sides feel drier and a little crisp. Cook in batches if needed.
4. Add the toppings: Spread about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of sauce on each half, leaving a small rim around the edge. Top each with about 1/4 cup mozzarella, then add mini pepperoni. I find this works best when some of the pepperoni is tucked slightly into the cheese so it stays put once the fan kicks on.
5. Air-fry until melted and crisp: Return the pizzas to the air fryer in a single layer and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 3 to 5 minutes. Start checking around 2 to 3 minutes, especially if your air fryer runs hot or has a strong fan. Rotate the basket or tray halfway through if your model browns unevenly.
6. Rest briefly and serve: The pizzas are ready when the cheese is fully melted with a few light golden spots, the pepperoni edges are starting to cup, and the muffins feel firm underneath. Let them sit for 1 to 2 minutes so the cheese can set slightly before serving.

Air Fryer Time and Temperature for English Muffin Pizzas

Use 375°F (190°C) for both stages: first to toast the muffin halves, then to melt the cheese and finish the pizzas. The full cook time is usually 5 to 9 minutes total, split between the two stages.

The part I pay attention to is the surface of the muffin after the first cook. If it still looks pale and soft, it needs a little longer before you add sauce. On the second cook, I rely on the visual cue more than the clock because air fryers vary quite a bit in both heat and fan strength.

How to Keep English Muffin Pizzas from Turning Soggy

This is where the texture can go wrong. The fix is simple: toast the muffin halves first, keep the sauce to a thin layer, and use low-moisture mozzarella.

It also helps to place the muffins directly on the basket or tray instead of on a solid liner. Better airflow keeps the bottoms firmer and helps the cheese brown instead of just melting. If you use perforated parchment for easier cleanup, make sure your air fryer manual allows it and that the food weighs it down securely.

Basket vs. Oven-Style Air Fryers

Both styles work, but a few small adjustments help. In a basket air fryer, do not crowd the pizzas or the tops can melt before the bottoms stay crisp. In an oven-style air fryer, the middle rack usually gives the most even browning.

If your oven-style model has hot spots, rotate the tray during the second cook. If you are making multiple batches, transfer finished pizzas to a cooling rack while the rest cook so the bottoms do not soften from trapped steam.

Easy Variations

Whole-Wheat or Lighter English Muffin Pizzas

Use whole-wheat English muffins and keep the sauce and cheese in slightly thinner layers. Turkey pepperoni also works here. If you want a higher-protein snack for another day, these Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Egg Bites are a good option.

Veggie or Meat Topping Swaps

Cooked sausage or bacon crumbles can replace the pepperoni. Small amounts of diced bell pepper, mushrooms, black olives, or pineapple also work, but pat wetter toppings dry first so they do not soften the muffins.

What to Serve with English Muffin Pizzas

These are easy to pair with fresh fruit, a green salad, or veggie sticks with ranch. A little warm marinara on the side also works well for dipping. They can also make a quick morning meal when you want something savory. For more ideas, browse our air fryer breakfast recipes

How to Store and Reheat English Muffin Pizzas

Let the pizzas cool completely, then refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the cooked pizzas in a single layer until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 1 month.

To reheat from the fridge, air-fry at 320°F to 350°F (160°C to 175°C) for 3 to 5 minutes, until hot and re-crisped. For frozen pizzas, reheat at 330°F (165°C) for 6 to 9 minutes, checking early so the edges do not get too dark.

The lower reheating temperature helps warm the center before the muffin edges over-brown. They will not be quite as crisp as freshly made, but the air fryer does a much better job than the microwave at bringing the texture back.

If you want to get ahead, you can pre-toast the muffin halves, let them cool, then add the toppings and do the second cook just before serving.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition per serving (2 English muffin pizza halves): 435 calories, 24g protein, 21g fat, 37g carbohydrates.

Approximate nutrition per 100g: 255 calories, 14g protein, 12g fat, 22g carbohydrates.

These values are estimates and will vary based on the exact muffins, sauce, cheese, and pepperoni you use.