These incredible Texas toast pizzas transform ordinary garlic bread into crispy, cheesy mini pizzas that deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort using your air fryer. The thick, buttery garlic toast provides the perfect sturdy base that crisps beautifully while supporting generous amounts of melted mozzarella cheese, tangy pizza sauce, and savory mini pepperoni. In just ten minutes, you can create a satisfying snack or quick meal that combines the beloved flavors of pizza with the convenience of handheld portions, making it ideal for busy weeknights, after-school snacks, or casual entertaining when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ready in just ten minutes using simple ingredients you likely already have on hand
Creates perfectly crispy texture that’s impossible to achieve in a regular oven this quickly
Uses convenient Texas toast as the base, eliminating the need to make or buy pizza dough
Completely customizable with any pizza toppings your family loves most
Perfect portion control with individual servings that satisfy without being overwhelming
I discovered this brilliant combination during a hectic afternoon when my kids came home from school absolutely starving and I needed something more substantial than regular snacks but faster than a full meal. After experimenting with different air fryer settings and topping combinations, I found that the two-temperature method creates the perfect balance of crispy bread and perfectly melted cheese that makes these mini pizzas irresistible to both kids and adults.
Essential Ingredient Selection
Frozen garlic Texas toast: Choose thick-cut varieties with generous garlic butter coating for the most flavor and structural integrity during cooking
Quality pizza sauce: Select chunky marinara or pizza sauce with herbs for authentic flavor, avoiding overly thin varieties that could make the bread soggy
Fresh mozzarella cheese: Shred your own cheese from a block for superior melting properties and better coverage than pre-shredded options
Mini pepperoni slices: Use high-quality mini pepperoni for even distribution and proper proportion to the small pizza size
Optional seasonings: Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, or garlic powder can enhance the overall flavor profile
Step-by-Step Air Fryer Method
Initial Toast Preparation
Arrange four slices of frozen Texas toast in your air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring adequate space between pieces for proper air circulation that creates even browning. Set the temperature to 360°F and cook for three minutes to lightly toast the bread and activate the garlic butter coating, creating the perfect foundation for your toppings.
Sauce Application
Remove the lightly toasted bread and carefully spread one to two spoonfuls of pizza sauce evenly across each slice, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent overflow during final cooking. The sauce should be applied while the bread is still warm, which helps it adhere better and prevents sliding during the cooking process.
Cheese and Topping Distribution
Generously cover each sauced slice with shredded mozzarella cheese, ensuring complete coverage for optimal melting and visual appeal. Distribute approximately ten mini pepperoni slices evenly across each piece, pressing them gently into the cheese to ensure they stay in place during the final cooking stages.
Temperature-Controlled Cooking
Reduce the air fryer temperature to 300°F and cook for three minutes to allow the cheese to melt thoroughly without browning the bread too quickly. This lower temperature ensures the cheese becomes perfectly gooey while the toppings heat through completely.
Final Crisping Stage
Increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional two minutes until the cheese becomes bubbly and develops attractive golden-brown spots while the edges of the toast achieve perfect crispiness. Monitor closely during this final stage to prevent over-browning while ensuring optimal texture.
Batch Cooking Process
Remove the finished mini pizzas and repeat the entire process with the remaining four slices and toppings, maintaining consistent timing and temperatures for uniform results across all pieces.
Two slices of pepperoni pizza on a grill.
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