Ingredients
- Naan Bread: The star of the show! Use store-bought naan bread for convenience. Look for plain naan or garlic naan for an extra flavor boost. You’ll need one naan per pizza.
- Ricotta Cheese: Provides the creamy base for our white pizza. Full-fat ricotta offers the richest flavor, but part-skim works well too.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese is essential for that classic pizza stretch and melty goodness. Part-skim or whole milk both work.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty depth of flavor. Freshly grated is always best but pre-grated is perfectly acceptable for a quick meal.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves, minced, are crucial for the aromatic and savory white pizza flavor.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is used for brushing the naan and adding richness.
- Dried Oregano: Adds a classic Italian herb flavor.
- Dried Basil: Complements the oregano and enhances the overall herb profile.
- Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): For a touch of heat, red pepper flakes are a fantastic addition.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and enhance all the flavors.
- Optional Toppings: Consider adding sautéed spinach, mushrooms, caramelized onions, artichoke hearts, grilled chicken, or prosciutto for extra flavor and customization.
Instructions
- Prepare Your Workspace and Ingredients: Begin by clearing your countertop and gathering all the necessary ingredients and equipment. This includes your naan bread, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Having everything prepped and within reach will streamline the pizza-making process and make it even faster. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the air fryer is at the optimal temperature when you place the pizzas inside, promoting even cooking and crispy crusts.
- Mince the Garlic: Peel and mince the garlic cloves very finely. Mincing the garlic ensures it distributes evenly across the pizza and its flavor infuses into the ricotta mixture beautifully. You can use a garlic press if you prefer, but finely minced garlic provides the best texture and flavor. Set the minced garlic aside.
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, a pinch of red pepper flakes (if desired), salt, and black pepper. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and the spices are evenly distributed throughout the ricotta. This ricotta mixture is the flavorful base of your white pizza, so ensure it’s well seasoned to your liking. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Assemble the Pizzas: Place the naan bread on a clean work surface. Lightly brush the top side of each naan with olive oil. This helps to crisp up the naan and prevent it from becoming soggy. Spread an even layer of the prepared ricotta mixture over the olive oil-brushed side of each naan, leaving a small border for the crust. Don’t overload the naan with ricotta; a thin, even layer is sufficient.
- Add Cheese Toppings: Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the ricotta mixture on each naan. Follow this with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. The mozzarella will melt beautifully and create that classic pizza cheese pull, while the Parmesan will add a salty, savory note and golden-brown crust. Feel free to adjust the amount of cheese to your preference.
- Add Optional Toppings (If Using): If you’re using any additional toppings like sautéed spinach, mushrooms, caramelized onions, artichoke hearts, grilled chicken, or prosciutto, now is the time to add them. Distribute your chosen toppings evenly over the cheese. Pre-cooking any vegetables or meats is recommended to ensure they are cooked through and don’t release excess moisture into the pizza in the air fryer.
- Air Fry the Pizzas: Carefully place the assembled naan pizzas into the preheated air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Overcrowding can prevent proper air circulation and result in unevenly cooked pizzas. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until the naan is golden brown and crispy on the edges and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown in spots. Keep a close eye on the pizzas as air fryers can vary in cooking times.
- Check for Doneness and Adjust Time: After 5 minutes, check the pizzas for doneness. The naan should be nicely browned and crispy, and the cheese should be melted and bubbly. If the naan is not crispy enough or the cheese isn’t fully melted, continue air frying for another 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to prevent burning. Remember that cooking times can vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your toppings.
- Serve Immediately: Once the pizzas are cooked to perfection, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket using tongs or a spatula. Be cautious as they will be hot. Transfer the naan white pizzas to plates or a cutting board and serve immediately. The pizzas are best enjoyed hot when the naan is crispy and the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Optionally, garnish the finished naan white pizzas with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of fresh basil leaves (if available), or a pinch more red pepper flakes for extra flavor and visual appeal. Slice each naan pizza into wedges or leave them whole, and enjoy your quick, easy, and incredibly delicious air fryer naan white pizzas! These are perfect for a weeknight dinner, a quick lunch, or even as appetizers for a gathering.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 25g