Oh my gosh, Christmas cooking should be festive, fun, and definitely not stressful—that’s why I’m obsessed with my air fryer pepperoni pizza pie during the holidays! Imagine this: golden, crispy crust, melty cheese, and that perfect peppery kick, all ready in about 15 minutes while you’re juggling presents and family chaos. I swear by my air fryer for quick holiday meals—no oven juggling, minimal cleanup, and that irresistible smell of pizza filling the house. This pepperoni pie has become our Christmas Eve tradition—the kids go wild for it, and honestly? I love sneaking a slice while wrapping last-minute gifts. Trust me, once you try air fryer pizza, you’ll never go back to delivery!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza Pie
Let me tell you why this pizza pie is about to become your new holiday hero:
- Speed demon: Ready in 15 minutes flat—perfect for when hunger strikes mid-gift-wrapping chaos
- No-fuss festive: That gorgeous golden crust and bubbly cheese just looks like Christmas cheer
- Cleanup magic: One little air fryer basket to wash instead of a mountain of pans (Santa approves!)
- Crowd-pleaser: Kids go nuts for the pepperoni, adults love how it pairs with holiday cocktails
- Emergency meal saver: When unexpected guests arrive, you’re 10 minutes away from pizza perfection
Seriously—it’s like having a pizza delivery elf living in your air fryer!
Ingredients for Christmas Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza Pie
Grab these simple ingredients for your festive pizza masterpiece:
- 1 pre-made pizza dough (thawed if frozen – trust me, cold dough won’t cooperate!)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (your favorite jarred kind or homemade if you’re feeling fancy)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (packed – we’re not shy with cheese here)
- 20 slices pepperoni (standard 2-inch size – the perfect little flavor circles)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for that golden crunch)
- 1 tsp dried oregano (the secret flavor booster)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (because everything’s better with garlic)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Want to mix it up? Here’s how:
- Dough: Gluten-free works great – just handle it gently. Fresh dough from the deli section? Yes please! (Add 1-2 extra minutes cooking)
- Cheese: Vegan mozzarella melts surprisingly well. For extra festivity, try a mozzarella-provolone blend.
- Pepperoni: Turkey pepperoni is lighter but still tasty. For heat lovers, spicy ‘roni is a game-changer.
- Herbs: Fresh basil or oregano instead of dried? Absolutely! Triple the amount since fresh is milder.
Watch out for super wet toppings – they’ll make your crust soggy. Pat mushrooms or veggies dry before adding!
How to Make Christmas Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza Pie
Let’s make some holiday magic happen! Here’s my foolproof method for pizza perfection (I’ve burned enough test batches to know these steps by heart):
- Preheat like you mean it: Crank that air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes while you prep – a hot start is crucial for that crispy crust!
- Shape with love: Roll your dough to fit your basket (mine’s round, but rectangles work too). Don’t stress about perfection – rustic is charming!
- Flavor foundation: Brush that dough with olive oil like you’re painting a masterpiece, then sprinkle oregano and garlic powder like edible glitter.
- Sauce it up: Spread your sauce in swoopy circles, leaving a 1/2-inch border for that perfect crust ledge.
- Cheese blanket: Pile on mozzarella (no skimping!), then artfully arrange pepperoni – I overlap mine like little edible Christmas ornaments.
- Air fry to glory: Cook 8-10 minutes, but peek at 8! Look for golden edges and bubbling cheese – that’s your golden ticket.
- Patience pays: Let it rest 2 minutes (I know, torture!) so the cheese sets perfectly for slicing.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Air Fryer Pizza
My hard-earned pizza wisdom for you:
- Parchment is your pal: Cut a round to fit your basket – no sticking, no scrubbing!
- Less is more: Overload toppings and you’ll get a soggy mess. Stick to 1-2 extras beyond pepperoni.
- Crisp control: Like it extra crunchy? Add 1 minute. Softer? Pull at 8.
- Rotation revelation: For even cooking, give the basket a gentle shake halfway (use tongs – it’s hot!)
- Holiday hack: Make mini pizzas by cutting dough into quarters – perfect for kids’ Christmas lunchboxes!
Remember: Every air fryer runs a little different. Your first pizza is a test run (a delicious one!), so adjust times for your model.
Serving Suggestions for Christmas Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza Pie
This pizza pie deserves a festive spread! I love pairing it with:
- A simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette (the peppery greens cut through the richness)
- Garlic knots dusted with parmesan (because carbs on carbs is totally a holiday mood)
- Sparkling cranberry mocktails or mulled wine for the adults
For that final holiday touch, scatter fresh basil leaves over the pizza – the red and green looks so Christmasy! Bonus: the aroma will make your kitchen smell like an Italian Christmas market.
Storage & Reheating
Got leftovers? (Unlikely, but just in case!) Store slices in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When that pizza craving hits again, pop them in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes—they’ll come out almost as crispy and delicious as fresh! No sad, soggy microwave pizza here.
Christmas Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza Pie Nutrition
Okay, let’s talk numbers – but remember, these are estimates (your exact counts might vary based on brands and how generous you are with cheese!). Here’s the nutritional scoop per slice:
- Calories: 280 (totally worth it!)
- Carbs: 30g (that’s the dough doing its thing)
- Protein: 12g (thank you, pepperoni and cheese!)
- Fat: 12g (5g saturated – it’s holiday pizza, live a little!)
- Sodium: 580mg (hey, pepperoni’s salty by nature)
- Sugar: 2g (just from the sauce – not bad!)
Not too shabby for something that tastes this indulgent, right? Balance it with some veggies and you’re golden!
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s tackle those burning pizza questions (because I’ve had them all at some point too!):
- Can I double the recipe? Nope – air fryers hate overcrowding! Make two separate pizzas (bonus: you can try different toppings). Just keep the second dough chilled while the first cooks.
- Fresh dough vs pre-made? Absolutely use fresh! It’ll need 1-2 extra minutes since it’s usually thicker. Watch for that golden crust doneness signal.
- Soggy crust woes? Three words: pat. toppings. dry. Mushrooms and veggies are sneaky moisture bombs – give them a quick towel press first.
- Can kids help? Oh heck yes! Mine love “decorating” with pepperoni shapes (stars for Christmas are adorable). Just mind the hot basket!
Still puzzled? Slide into my DMs – I’ve got your back on all things air fryer pizza!
Print
15-Minute Christmas Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza Pie Perfection
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 pizza (4 servings)
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A quick and easy air fryer pizza pie loaded with pepperoni for a festive Christmas meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pre-made pizza dough
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 20 slices pepperoni
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes.
- Roll out pizza dough into a round shape to fit your air fryer basket.
- Brush dough with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano and garlic powder.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough.
- Top with shredded mozzarella and pepperoni slices.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is melted.
- Let cool for 2 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easy removal.
- Add extra toppings if preferred.
- Check at 8 minutes to avoid burning.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Italian-American