The French bread pizzas from Stouffer’s are one of the finest examples of comfort food around. If you’ve ever tried them in the past, then you already know how good they are. But unless you’re new to frozen pizza, there’s no doubt that getting them crispy and cooked to perfection can be a challenge.
But don’t worry I’ve done all the testing for you. The secrets to making the best Stouffer’s Frozen French Bread Pizza in an Air Fryer are finally here. After years of going through trial and error, I now have a foolproof method of transforming my frozen pizza into a gourmet meal right at home. So buckle in, because we’re about to crack open the vault and expose all its secrets.
Learning How To Cook Stouffer's Pizza In An Air Fryer
For most people, Stouffer’s Frozen French Bread Pizzas require no introduction. There’s rarely a freezer out there without at least one box inside waiting for a quick and satisfying meal. However, even with just two simple steps on its package, finding success is much more complicated than it may seem.
By simply cooking it in an air fryer instead of other methods like an oven or microwave, you’ll see amazing results on your very first try — if you follow this guide closely.
Before We Start Cooking Pizza In An Air Fryer
But wait! Before we jump into making our perfect Stouffer’s personal pie, let me give you some insight into why cooking it in an air fryer does wonders compared to other appliances.
To put it simply, air fryers cook food by rapidly circulating hot air around it. This creates that golden brown exterior we all love while keeping the inside tender and moist (depending on what type of food you’re cooking). It was made to be used with pizza!
Unlike conventional ovens that heat up slowly from their heating elements at the bottom and top only (or fan-forced in some models), an air fryer’s heating element is located on top of a fan. The combination of these two elements speeds up the heat transfer process, significantly reducing cooking time.
The chart above outlines the recommended cooking times for various types of Stouffer’s French Bread Pizzas when using an air fryer. It considers variables like topping load and pizza thickness, showing that cheese pizza requires the least amount of time at 15 minutes, pepperoni at 18 minutes, and supreme, with the heaviest topping load, at 20 minutes.
Knowing how long to cook each variety will also save you from the potential disasters other people have gone through. For example, cooking a pepperoni supreme for as long as you would the cheese or vice versa could either end up with an undercooked one or a burnt pie.
Lastly, make sure your air fryer is clean before starting. No one wants any flavors transferring between dishes, so give it a quick wash down before throwing your pizza in there. And if your particular appliance requires the preheating step, don’t forget that either — it could mess up timings later down the road.
This table outlines key aspects such as cooking time, temperature settings, texture outcomes, energy efficiency, and ease of use.
Feature | Air Fryer | Oven |
|---|---|---|
Cooking Time | 15-20 minutes | 25-30 minutes |
This table highlights the differences in cooking methods, showing how an air fryer can offer a quicker, more energy-efficient option with a crispy texture throughout, while an oven may provide a traditional cooking experience with slightly different texture outcomes.
What You’ll Need To Make Your Frozen French Bread Pizza
Aside from having all the necessary tools and ingredients listed below, there’s not much else to worry about:
Getting the setup of your air fryer right is crucial for pizza perfection. While preheating may not be necessary for all models, I’ve found it beneficial for Stouffer’s Frozen French Bread Pizza. So why should you bother? It helps to start crisping the crust the second the pizza touches the basket, leading to a satisfying crunch when we bite into it.
Set your air fryer to about 375°F (190°C). This temperature will ensure that toppings are cooked through and cheese is melted without scorching or burning bread. If your model has rack positions to choose from, cook on the “middle” or “center” for even cooking.
The line graph above illustrates the relationship between cooking temperature and the crispiness of pizza crust over time. It shows how crust crispiness scores increase with both higher temperatures and longer cooking times. By experimenting with various temperatures (350°F, 375°F, 400°F, and 425°F), the graph clearly demonstrates that higher temperatures tend to achieve greater crispiness more quickly, with the scores peaking sooner and reaching higher levels of crispiness at shorter time intervals compared to lower temperatures.
How To Position Your Pizza in the Air Fryer
Here’s one thing you’ll want to make sure you do: Don’t stack or overlap pieces if you can help it doing so could result in some spots getting cooked more than others. If your air fryer is round, cut the pizza into halves or quarters so they fit.
Mastering the Cooking Process
- Step-By-Step Guide To Cooking Your Frozen French Bread Pizza
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) if required by your model (this usually takes about 3-5 minutes).
- Place frozen pizza in the basket if necessary, and cut the pizza in half or into quarters so it fits and cooks evenly.
Cook for about 5-7 minutes; different air fryers and how thick pizzas vary might cause this time range to increase or decrease slightly. Start checking at around the 5-minute mark and gauge progress from there.
- Check doneness by looking for slight browning on cheese and feeling the crispness of crust with a finger.
- Remove safely with tongs or spatula basket may still be hot!
The pie chart above displays the most common issues people encounter when cooking frozen pizza in an air fryer. It highlights the frequency of each issue, with soggy bottoms being the most common problem, followed by uneven cooking, cheese burning, overcooking, and undercooking.
So, Adjust Cook Times For Different Varieties of Stouffer's Pizza
Cheese: Might cook a bit quicker due to less topping weight.
Pepperoni or Supreme: Heavier toppings may require an extra minute or two to ensure everything is heated through and cheese is melty.
Customization and Serving Suggestions
What’s great about the brand’s pizzas is that they can be customized depending on your preference. And once you master cooking them in your air fryer, there are a few tweaks you can make:
Add fresh toppings post-air-frying for a burst of flavor. Fresh basil, arugula or extra cheese added after cooking can elevate the pizza.
Experiment with dips. Marinara sauce makes for a classic choice, but if you’re feeling adventurous, try ranch or even spicy aioli!
Serving Sizes and How to Cut Your Pizza
Since Stouffer’s French Bread Pizzas are generously sized, they’ll be big enough to feed hungry crowds at parties but can also easily be cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces once cooked perfect for finger food during gatherings.
Troubleshooting Common Air Fryer Pizza Cooking Issues
Sometimes things just don’t go as planned and that’s OK! Here are some issues you might encounter along the way:
Soggy Bottoms: Ensure air fryer is preheated and resist the urge to overload basket.
Uneven Cooking: Rotate or flip pizza midway through cooking if your model tends to cook unevenly.
Cheese Burning: If cheese burns before crust becomes crispy, place a piece of foil lightly over top.
FAQs About Frozen French Bread Pizza In Air Fryer
Q1. Can more than one pizza be cooked at once?
While it’s best to cook one at a time for even cooking, if you have a larger air fryer, just ensure pizzas don’t overlap.
Q2. Leftover storage and reheating for best results?
Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking. Reheating them is simple; just pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes to get that crispy crust.
Q3. What are the differences in cook times and results between an oven and an air fryer?
The air fryer typically cooks much faster than an oven and delivers a crispier crust, making it the superior choice for those after texture and time efficiency.
Wrapping Up!
Your New Favorite Way to Enjoy Stouffer’s French Bread Pizza
Congratulations! You’re now well-equipped to take a simple Stouffer’s Frozen French Bread Pizza and turn it into an air-fried masterpiece. With your air fryer, a bit of preparation, and a willingness to experiment, you’ll be enjoying restaurant-quality crispy pizzas right at home. Taste buds, prepare for liftoff.
