This no-knead pizza dough makes homemade air fryer pizza simple, crisp, and easy to prepare. The dough comes together in one bowl, rises until airy, and cooks into a golden crust with melted mozzarella and fresh basil.
Why You'll Love It
- No kneading or mixer required
- Crispy air fryer pizza crust with a soft, airy center
- Easy homemade pizza dough made with simple pantry ingredients
- Perfect for quick homemade pizza nights
- Beginner-friendly and easy to customize
There was a period when I kept trying different homemade pizza dough recipes, hoping to find one that felt simple enough for regular weeknights. Most required long kneading, special equipment, or extra steps that made the process feel heavier than it needed to be. This version became the one I kept returning to because it feels practical without losing the texture you want from homemade pizza. The crust turns crisp around the edges while staying soft and airy in the center, especially when cooked in the air fryer. If you enjoy recipes like my Chicago-style deep dish pizza or easy pizza toast, this has the same homemade comfort but with a much simpler approach.
Now this is the pizza dough I make when I want something reliable and easy without planning too far ahead. The air fryer cooks the crust surprisingly well, creating crisp edges while keeping the center light instead of dry. I also like that the toppings stay balanced here because the dough itself already has good flavor from the long rise. Sometimes I serve it with a fresh Mediterranean chickpea salad or a simple cherry tomato pasta when I want a full dinner spread that still feels relaxed and uncomplicated.
Key Ingredients in No-Knead Air Fryer Pizza
You'll find the exact measurements in the recipe card, but here's a closer look at a few of the ingredients and why I use them.
- 00 Flour, Yeast & Warm Water: I like using 00 flour because it gives the crust a softer texture with light, airy bubbles while still crisping beautifully in the air fryer. The instant yeast helps the dough rise quickly, and the warm water keeps everything smooth and easy to mix.
- Olive Oil, Salt & Sugar: The extra virgin olive oil adds flavor and helps the crust stay tender inside while turning golden outside. The salt balances the dough, and the small amount of sugar helps the yeast activate properly.
- Passata, Mozzarella & Basil: I keep the topping simple with passata, mozzarella, oregano, and fresh basil because the dough itself already has plenty of flavor. The passata stays light while the mozzarella melts into the crust without making it heavy.
How to Make No-Knead Pizza Dough for Air Fryer Pizza
You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:
1. Mix the Dough: In a big bowl, mix flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and warm water until it becomes dough.
2. Let the Dough Rise: Add olive oil and mix until smooth. Cover with cling film and let it rise in a warm spot for 2 hours or until it doubles.
3. First Air Fry: Once risen, spread the dough evenly on a baking sheet and top with a thin layer of tomato sauce. Bake in the air fryer at 428°F (220°C) for 15 minutes until golden.
4. Add the Cheese & Finish Baking: Sprinkle mozzarella and oregano, bake again for 5 minutes until bubbly and golden, then add fresh basil, slice, and enjoy while hot.
Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Pizza Crust
Spread the Dough Gently: I like gently spreading the dough with my hands instead of pressing too hard because it helps keep more air inside the dough for a lighter crust.
Don't Overload the Cheese: Too much mozzarella can release extra moisture while cooking, which makes the center softer instead of crisp around the edges.
Let the Pizza Cool for 2 Minutes Before Slicing: I usually wait a minute or two before slicing because the crust settles slightly and stays crisp underneath instead of steaming immediately.
Storage & Reheating
I keep leftover pizza in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and reheat slices in the air fryer at 375°F / 190°C for 2-4 minutes to bring back the crispy crust and melted cheese.
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Recipe
No-Knead Pizza Dough for Air Fryer Pizza
Ingredients
No Knead Pizza Dough
- 250 g flour 00
- 8 g instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 250 g warn water
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Pizza Topping
- 100 g passata sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 100 g grated mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 8 basil leaves
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the 2 cups (250 g) 00 flour, 2 teaspoons (8 g) instant yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 cup (250 g) warm water. Mix with a spatula until a dough forms.
- Add 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and stir until smooth and fully combined.
- Cover the bowl with cling film and let the dough rise in a warm place for 2 hours, or until doubled in size and bubbly.
- Transfer the dough onto a parchment-lined tray and spread it out evenly into a pizza shape.
- In a small bowl, mix the ½ cup (100 g) passata sauce, ⅛ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon white pepper, ½ teaspoon oregano, and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.
- Spread a thin layer of the sauce evenly over the dough.
- Air fry at 430°F / 220°C for 15 minutes, or until the crust turns lightly golden.
- Remove from the air fryer and sprinkle the grated mozzarella and extra oregano evenly over the top.Remove the pizza from the air fryer and sprinkle over the 1 cup (100 g) grated mozzarella cheese and 1 tablespoon oregano.
- Return to the air fryer and cook at 430°F / 220°C for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Finish with the fresh basil leaves, slice, and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
his is such a genius recipe! I love how quick and easy it is to make pizza in the air fryer. No kneading the dough saves so much time.