Texas Toast Pizza Air Fryer

If you need a quick weeknight win or a fun snack for hungry kids, these Texas Toast Pizza Air Fryer slices are always the answer. Thick garlic toast makes the ultimate pizza crust that crisps up beautifully in the air fryer, and the whole recipe comes together in less than twenty minutes. It is pizza night level fun made totally simple.

My family started making these when we wanted pizza but not the wait for delivery. The kids get creative with toppings and I have not had leftovers last more than an hour.

Ingredients

• Texas toast garlic bread: This is your foolproof crust with a built in buttery garlic flavor. Look for thick cut slices in the freezer aisle for best results.
• Pizza sauce: Classic or flavored both work. Look for thick sauce to keep the toast from getting soggy. Jarred sauces save a lot of time.
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: Choose a whole milk mozzarella for the stretchiest melt and creaminess. Freshly shredded melts better than prebagged.
• Mini pepperoni slices: Classic pizza topping in bite size form, they crisp up quickly. You can also chop up regular pepperoni if minis are not available.

Instructions

Arrange the Toast:

Lay out half the Texas toast slices in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Avoid crowding to help air circulate. Adding parchment under slices can make cleanup a breeze.

Initial Toasting:

Air fry at three hundred sixty degrees Fahrenheit for three minutes. The goal is a golden surface but not fully crisped yet. This supports the toppings later.

Sauce It Up:

Remove the partially toasted bread and spread one to two spoonfuls of pizza sauce on each slice. Cover evenly to the edges but use a gentle hand or it might get soggy.

Add Cheese and Pepperoni:

Top each sauced slice with a heaping handful of mozzarella. Sprinkle about ten mini pepperoni slices over the cheese to ensure even coverage and flavor.

Melt the Cheese:

Lower the air fryer temperature to three hundred Fahrenheit. Place the topped slices back inside and cook for three minutes. This gently melts the cheese without overbrowning.

Finish Crisping:

Increase the temperature to four hundred Fahrenheit. Cook for two minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown in spots. Watch close for the last thirty seconds since they can brown quickly.

Repeat and Serve:

Take out the finished slices and repeat all steps with the remaining bread. Enjoy them hot when that cheese is at its stretchiest and the crust is crackly.

Pin it

These cheesy pizzas are where the simple magic of good bread meets the nostalgia of pizza. My favorite part is letting everyone pick a unique combo and seeing the cheese stretch when you pull apart that first slice. It reminds me of late night snacks after family game night.

Storage Tips

Store any leftover Texas Toast Pizza in an airtight container in the fridge. They reheat surprisingly well in the air fryer at three hundred fifty degrees for two to three minutes. The base stays crispier than microwaving and the cheese melts up again. Individual slices can be wrapped and reheated straight from cold or frozen but keep a close eye to prevent overbaking.

Ingredient Substitutions

Feel free to swap out mozzarella for any easy melting cheese like provolone or Colby Jack. Turkey pepperoni works if you are looking for a lighter meat. Roasted veggies make for a fun twist if you want to go meatless. For the base you can use any garlic toast or even thick sourdough slices for a different flavor spin.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cut in halves or quarters as finger food for parties. Pair with a fresh salad for a quick dinner. These also work great as the anchor to a snack board or pizza bar where everyone builds their own. My family sometimes serves them with a cup of marinara or ranch for dipping which always disappears fast.

Cultural Context

Texas toast is one of those Southern inventions that takes classic garlic bread and doubles down on comfort. Using it as a shortcut pizza crust brings together pizza night and garlic bread into one fast bite. It is a fun mix of American comfort classics that feels both retro and modern.

Pin it

Texas Toast Pizza in the air fryer is a quick and delicious family fix. Keep extras on hand because everyone wants seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use regular bread instead of Texas toast?

Thick Texas toast works best for a sturdy, crispy base but you can use regular bread—just adjust air fryer time to avoid burning since it's thinner and may crisp up faster.

→ How do I keep the bread from getting soggy?

Toast the bread first in the air fryer before adding sauce and toppings. Be light with the sauce so the base stays crisp during air frying.

→ What other toppings can I add?

Try adding sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, or olives. Customize each slice with your favorite pizza ingredients for variety.

→ How do I prevent cheese from burning?

Lower the air fryer temperature for the melting step, then briefly finish at a higher temperature for browning. Keep an eye to avoid overcooking.

→ Do leftovers reheat well?

They reheat best in the air fryer for a few minutes so the bread stays crisp and the cheese gets melty again. Avoid microwaving if possible.