Kid-Requested Crispy Pita Pizza (oven or air-fryer)

A hand holding a piece of pita pizza over a kids teal plate.

Get the recipe: Kid-Requested Crispy Pita Pizza (oven or air-fryer)

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I can't even count how many times I've made these for my kids! It's probably in the hundreds at this point. And every.single.time, they are a smashing success! My kids love them! I love them! A crispy pita crust with pull-worthy melted cheese, it's like heaven on a plate! Plus, they take only 10 minutes to make in your oven or air-fryer, which is everything on those busy nights.

Yield: 2 pita pizzas

Cook: 10

Total: 10

Author: Michele Olivier

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Ingredients

2 pitas
1/2 cup pizza sauce, pasta sauce or pesto
1 cup shredded cheese,
1/2 cup toppings of choice (optional)
2 tbsp parmesan

Instructions

Prep: preheat oven to 450° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
Toast Pita: add the pitas to the baking sheet. For a crispier crust, place the English muffins in the oven for 3 minutes.
Spread Sauce: spread the toasted pita with the sauce of your choice.
Add the Cheese: Next, sprinkle on your cheese, avoiding clumps.
Toppings: Scatter the toppings evenly on top of the cheese. Sprinkle with a pinch of parmesan.
Bake: Place the pita pizzas into the oven and bake for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
Done: Serve warm or set aside to come down to room temp for freezing.

Notes

Age: 1 year and up

Note on Pita: you can use any pita you prefer - whole wheat, white, or gluten free. Mini pitas are also fun to use for lunches.

Air-Fryer: you will follow the directions but instead of using the oven, you will pre-cook the crust in your air-fryer at 350° F for 3-5 minutes, add the toppings and then cook again in the air-fryer for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Toppings:

Veggies: bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach
Cheese: mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, cheddar, “jack” cheeses, feta
Meats: pepperoni, ground sausage, chicken, bacon crumbles

Cooking with Kids

Both toddlers and kids will have a blast making these mini pizzas!

Toddlers

Can help spoon and spread on the sauce.
Toddlers love to sprinkle on the cheese and to add their toppings.

Kids

Kids can preheat the oven.
They can spoon and spread the sauce.
Kids love to sprinkle on the cheese and add their own toppings.
With an adult's help, kids can place the baking sheet into the hot oven and set the timer.

How to Store and Freeze

You can store cooked pita pizzas in the fridge for up to 4 days or freezer for 2 months. Make sure to let them come down to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container or freezer bag.

To reheat, simply pop them into the microwave for 30-second intervals until warm (my microwave takes 90 seconds). Or place them on a baking sheet and warm them in a preheated 350-degree F oven for 8-10 minutes.

Allergy Substitutions

Gluten-Free: use a trusted brand of gluten-free pitas and gluten-free toppings.
Dairy-Free: vegan cheeses have come a long way in their replication of taste, texture, and behavior (Melty! Bubbly! Stretchy!) so try plant-based mozzarella or parmesan-style shreds. If that doesn’t appeal, you can absolutely still have delicious pizzas sans cheese!