How to Make Perfect Pizza: Air Fryer, Instant Pot, and Induction Cooker Methods for Crispy Crust and Flavorful Sauce

Name: Pizza Margherita
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Italian Cuisine

Achieve Golden, Crispy Pizza in Just 10 Minutes with Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook the pizza for 8-10 minutes. The air fryer will give your crust a golden, crispy texture while keeping the toppings perfectly melted.

Quickly Rise Pizza Dough with the Instant Pot's Yogurt Function for a Soft, Airy Crust

Use the yogurt setting on your Instant Pot to create the perfect warm environment for dough to rise quickly. This method reduces the waiting time and helps achieve a soft, airy crust.

Simmer Fresh, Flavorful Pizza Sauce in Minutes with Your Induction Cooker

Use your induction cooker's precise heat control to simmer fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil into a rich, flavorful sauce in just minutes. The even heat ensures the sauce won’t burn or overcook.

Tips and Suggestions on Pizza Margherita

Use the right flour

For pizza Margherita, use “00” flour, a finely ground flour milled in Italy. This results in a softer, more pliable dough for proper stretching and shaping.

Mix the dough properly

Mix the dough by hand or with a stand mixer until the dough is smooth and elastic. Don’t overwork or underwork the dough.

Allow the dough to rise

Pizza Margherita requires a long fermentation time, allowing the dough to develop flavor and texture. Allow the dough at least 6-8 hours to rise in the fridge.

Use a hot oven

Pizza Margherita is traditionally baked in a wood-fired oven at high temperatures around 800°F (430°C). If baking in a home oven, preheat the oven to its highest temperature with a pizza stone or steel inside.

Stretch and shape with care

Pizza Margherita requires stretching and shaping the dough without using a rolling pin. Use your hands or a dough scraper while being gentle to prevent tearing or thinning of the dough.

Use the right toppings

The classic toppings for pizza Margherita are tomato sauce, mozzarella di bufala, olive oil, and basil. Use fresh, high-quality ingredients to achieve the desired flavor and texture.

Don't overload with toppings

Pizza Margherita is traditionally simple with minimal toppings to allow the crust to shine. Too many toppings can weigh down the pizza and interfere with proper cooking.

Watch the baking time

The baking time for pizza Margherita is quick, usually only a few minutes. Keep an eye on the pizza and rotate it halfway through baking to ensure even cooking.

Classic Pizza Margherita Recipe

                        Ingredients
                        For the pizza dough:3 cups all-purpose flour
 1 teaspoon salt
 1 tablespoon sugar
 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
 1 cup warm water
 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the pizza topping:1 cup pizza sauce
 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
 1 tomato, sliced
 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
 2 tablespoons olive oil
 Salt and pepper to taste

                    

                        Instructions
                        In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and active dry yeast. Mix well.
                            
Slowly add in the warm water and olive oil, mixing until a dough forms.
On a floured surface, knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and
                                elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel. Let it rest
                                for 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
On a greased pizza pan, stretch the dough out to form a circle.
Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
Top with the sliced tomato and chopped basil leaves.
Drizzle the olive oil over the top and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

                    

Cooking Time

Preparation Time 25 min

Cook Time 15 min

Total time 40 min

                        Nutrition Facts
                        Calories: 300 per slice
Fat: 11 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 2 g
Protein: 14 g

                    

Traditional Pizza Margherita