How to Make Totino’s Party Pizza in the Air Fryer

Totino’s Party Pizza has long been a favorite for a quick and easy party snack, family lunch, or  kid’s favorite with little clean up needed. The Totinos mini pizzas are simply loved for their convenience and taste. Did you know they also cook up quite well in the air fryer? It is on of my favorite convenient air fryer recipes. 

 

About Totino’s Party Pizza

Totino’s Party Pizza is a product of the Totino’s brand, which was founded by Rose and Jim Totino in 1951. The couple started by opening a pizzeria in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they served up their signature pizza creations. As their popularity grew, they eventually expanded their offerings to include frozen pizza products.

In 1975, Totino’s introduced the iconic “Party Pizza” line, which consisted of mini personal pizzas perfect for sharing at gatherings, parties, or as a solo snack. The Party Pizza quickly became a hit due to its affordability, convenience, and delicious pizza taste. I grew up loving them and often would beg my mother to buy the little pizzas for snacks or lunch. At that time, the pizzas qwere little round bite-size snacks.

Now Totino’s pizzas are more like single serve size.  Theya re particularly popular with students as a dorm room item. Totino’s party pizzas remain a popular item to this day.

The Appeal of Totino’s Party Pizza

1. Convenience: Totino’s Party Pizza is the epitome of convenience. With a cooking time of just a few minutes in the oven or air fryer, it’s an instant solution for satisfying pizza cravings.
2. Affordable Snack: These mini pizzas are budget-friendly, making them accessible to a wide range of consumers.
3. Perfect for Sharing: As the name suggests, Totino’s Party Pizza is ideal for sharing with friends and family during parties, game nights, or any social gathering.
4. Nostalgia: Many individuals have fond childhood memories of enjoying Totino’s Party Pizza after school or during sleepovers, creating a sense of nostalgia that continues to draw them back as adults.
5. Customizable: While the classic flavors are delicious on their own, Totino’s Party Pizza serves as a blank canvas for those who like to add their favorite toppings or extra cheese to personalize the experience.

Varieties of Totino’s Party Pizza

One of the reasons behind the enduring popularity of Totino’s Party Pizza is the range of flavors it offers. Over the years, Totino’s has introduced various varieties to cater to diverse taste preferences. Some of the classic flavors include:

1. Cheese: The classic combination of melted mozzarella cheese and tangy tomato sauce, providing the perfect base for those who enjoy simplicity.
2. Pepperoni: A timeless favorite, featuring zesty pepperoni slices on top of a generous layer of cheese and sauce.
3. Combination: A medley of flavors, combining savory sausage, pepperoni, and green peppers with cheese and tomato sauce.
4. Supreme: A pizza packed with flavors, boasting a combination of sausage, pepperoni, onions, and green peppers.
5. Triple Cheese: For the cheese aficionados, this variation offers a delightful blend of mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses.
6. Totino’s Pizza Rolls: While not the same as the party pizzas Totino’s Pizza Rolls are also a great snack item that cooks well in the air fyer.

 Cooking Totino’s Party Pizza in the Air Fryer

While it certainly is easy to pop Totinos party pizzas in the oven,. There are multiple benefits to making them in the air fryer such as in the Instant Pot Vortex or Omni or a Ninja Foodi air fryer. Here are a few: 

Crispier Crust, Perfectly Cooked

One of the standout benefits of using an air fryer for Totino’s Party Pizza is the crust can get a bit crispier. The hot, circulating air within the air fryer ensures an even and rapid cooking process, resulting in a crust that is perfectly golden-brown and crispy without any sogginess. Say goodbye to the days of waiting for your oven to preheat – the air fryer offers quick and efficient cooking, delivering a satisfying crunch in a matter of minutes.

Reduced Cook Time

Traditional oven cooking often requires preheating, which can be time-consuming when you’re craving a quick snack. Air fryers, on the other hand, cut down the cooking time significantly. Preheating is not necessary for most air fryers, and the rapid circulation of hot air reduces the cooking time by almost half compared to a conventional oven. So, you can have your pizza in less time.

Healthier Pizza Alternative

Air fryers are celebrated for their ability to create crispy and delicious dishes with little to no oil. You can also control the oil used, so you can use healthier Olive oil or Avocado oil. Vegetable oil will also suffice though.  When cooking Totino’s Party Pizza in an air fryer, you can achieve that delightful crispiness without the added calories and unhealthy fats that come with deep-frying. By using only a minimal amount of oil or even opting for an oil spray, you can enjoy guilt-free indulgence while still satisfying your pizza cravings.

Customization and Versatility

Cooking Totino’s Party Pizzas in an air fryer opens up a world of culinary experimentation. While the classic flavors are undeniably delicious on their own, the air fryer allows you to get creative and customize your pizza. Add your favorite toppings, sprinkle some extra cheese, or even try seasoning the crust for an exciting twist on the classic snack. The air fryer’s versatility ensures that each pizza can be tailored to your unique taste preferences.

Easy Cleanup

Little cleanup is needed after cooking! Air fryers are easy to clean and cooking on parchment paper or foil makes cleanup even easier.  

The Best Way to Make Tofino’s Pizza in the Air Fryer

Here is the easy way to make party pizzas in the air fryer, whether you are using a Vortex, Omni, Corsair, or any other brand.

1. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (193°C). Preheating the air fryer ensures that your pizza cooks evenly and gets that desirable crispy crust. Preheat the tray too!
2. Get Your Ingredients Ready: While the air fryer is preheating, take the Totino’s Party Pizza out of its packaging. No thawing is required; you can cook frozen party pizzas or pizza rolls directly from the freezer. Optionally, you can add some shredded mozzarella cheese or your favorite toppings to enhance the flavor.
3. Arrange the Pizza: Place the frozen Totino’s Party Pizza or the one with added toppings in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket to allow proper air circulation. Adding parchment paper or aluminum foil os fine to prevent sticking if you desire to do so. In the Instant Pot Vortex, the pizza fits perfectly on the tray.
4. Cook Time: Cook the pizza for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. The exact time for cooking may vary depending on the air fryer model, so keep an eye on it after 5 minutes to avoid overcooking.
5. Check for Doneness: Open the air fryer basket and use tongs to lift the pizza slightly to check the crust’s color. The crust should be golden brown and crispy when done..
6. Serve and Enjoy: Once the Totino’s Party Pizza is cooked to perfection, remove it from the air fryer with caution as it will be hot. Allow it to cool slightly before slicing it into portions. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, such a s a nice marinara sauce, and enjoy the crispy goodness.

Tips for the Best Results

• Avoid using too much oil, as Totino’s Party Pizza already has a thin layer of oil on its crust. A light spritz of cooking spray or brushing with a small amount of oil should be sufficient.
• If cooking multiple pizzas, cook them in batches to maintain proper air circulation, ensuring even cooking. In the Vortex, you can do two at once and switch the tray positions part way through.
• Experiment with cooking times to find the perfect balance between crispiness and avoiding burning the crust.
• Feel free to get creative with toppings and add your favorite ingredients to customize the pizza to your liking.
• It you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in your refrigerator.

Serving The Pizza

Try serving your party pizza with other party snacks such as  with these Duo Crisp Chicken Wings or Instant Pot Candied Pecans.

Recipe Card

Below is a recipe card with instructions.