Homemade pizza, the easy way.
Let's face it: almost everyone loves pizza. It's perfect for a relaxed Friday night, a cosy family dinner, or those days when, after a long and exhausting day, you simply don't have the energy to spend hours in the kitchen.
But making it from scratch? Well, that's where the dilemma begins.
Traditional pizza-making involves kneading, stretching, flour all over the kitchen counter, and sometimes hours of waiting for the dough to rise. And while authentic Italian pizza certainly has its own magic, after a tiring day, most of us have neither the time nor the patience for all that fuss.
And that's exactly why this clever little recipe is such a gem!
Our Lazy Pizza isn't about sacrificing flavour or cutting corners where it matters. We've simply found a much easier way to enjoy something warm, fresh and homemade.
No rolling pin, no complicated dough shaping, and you don't even need to turn on your big oven.
Just mix the ingredients in a bowl, let the yeast work its magic, and leave the rest to your air fryer.
That means more time for what really matters: relaxing, putting your feet up and enjoying a lovely meal together.
So next time you're craving something delicious without all the hassle, give this little recipe a try. You might be surprised just how satisfying homemade pizza can be when you keep things simple! 🍕❤️
🍕Ingredients
For the Pizza Dough
250 g flour
5 g salt
4 g instant yeast
4 g granulated sugar
1 tbsp oil
200 ml lukewarm water
For the Pizza Sauce
100 ml ketchup
1 tsp dried oregano
1 coffee spoon (½ tsp) garlic powder
¼ coffee spoon (⅛ tsp) ground black pepper
¼ coffee spoon (⅛ tsp) salt
1 tsp olive oil
For the Toppings
These are the toppings we used for our Lazy Pizza, but they're entirely up to you! Feel free to swap them for your favourite ingredients or simply use whatever you already have in the fridge.
80 g cooked smoked ham, diced
60 g sweetcorn
50 g mushrooms, sliced
250 g mozzarella, grated
For Preparing the Baking Tray
A little olive oil, for brushing
Baking paper, if suitable for your air fryer
👨🍳 Instructions
Prepare the Pizza Dough
Add the flour and salt to a large mixing bowl and stir well.
Add the instant yeast, granulated sugar and oil, followed by the lukewarm water.
Mix everything together until all the ingredients are well combined and you have a smooth, sticky dough.
Don't worry if the mixture looks much softer than traditional pizza dough. That's exactly how it's supposed to be!
There's no need to knead it or add extra flour to make it firmer.
Let the Dough Rise
Cover the mixing bowl and leave the dough to rise at room temperature for approximately 30–45 minutes.
Keep in mind that this is an 80% hydration dough, meaning it contains 200 ml of water for every 250 g of flour.
Because of its soft, sticky consistency, the rise may not be as dramatic or noticeable as with traditional pizza dough.
However, you should still see some increase in volume, and the dough should become lighter and slightly puffier.
Don't worry if it doesn't double in size. The important thing is to give the yeast enough time to work.
Prepare the Pizza Sauce
While the dough is rising, prepare the pizza sauce.
In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, dried oregano, garlic powder, ground black pepper, salt and olive oil.
Stir everything together until well mixed, then set aside.
It's a quick and simple sauce that works beautifully with our homemade pizza.
Prepare the Pizza Base
Once the dough has risen, it's time to prepare your pizza base.
We used a baking tray designed for our air fryer, lined it with baking paper and lightly brushed the paper with olive oil to help prevent sticking.
However, air fryers come in different shapes and sizes, so use whichever suitable baking tray, pan or dish works with your appliance.
If you have a basket-style air fryer, choose an air fryer-safe baking pan or liner that can properly support the soft dough.
Always follow your appliance manufacturer's instructions when using baking paper. Make sure the paper is held securely beneath the dough and cannot come into contact with the heating element.
Transfer the risen dough into your prepared pan or tray and gently spread it into an even layer.
Spoon a thin layer of the prepared pizza sauce over the surface, leaving the edges uncovered.
Reserve the remaining sauce for later.
First Bake
Place the prepared pizza base into the air fryer and bake at 180°C (356°F) for 10 minutes.
This first baking stage helps the soft dough begin to set before the toppings are added.
Add the Remaining Sauce and Toppings
Carefully remove the hot pizza base from the air fryer.
Spread the remaining pizza sauce evenly over the surface.
Add the grated mozzarella, followed by the diced smoked ham, sliced mushrooms and sweetcorn.
Distribute the toppings evenly so that every slice gets a little bit of everything.
Of course, you don't have to use the same toppings we did. Feel free to create your own favourite combination!
Final Bake
Return the pizza to the air fryer and bake at 180°C (356°F) for another 10 minutes, or until the dough is fully cooked and the mozzarella has melted.
Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model, the baking pan you use and the thickness of your pizza.
If necessary, continue baking for a few more minutes until the centre is cooked through.
Slice and Serve
Carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer and allow it to cool slightly.
Slice into portions and serve while the cheese is still warm and melted.
Enjoy your homemade Lazy Pizza! 🍕❤️
🍽️ What to Serve It With
One of the best things about pizza is that it doesn't really need much company. A warm slice with plenty of melted cheese is already a lovely meal on its own.
But if you're planning a relaxed family dinner or a little pizza night at home, a few simple extras can make it even more enjoyable.
Fresh Green Salad
A light salad with lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes adds a refreshing contrast to the rich, cheesy pizza.
Creamy Garlic Dip
A simple garlic dip made with mayonnaise, yoghurt or sour cream is perfect for dipping those soft pizza edges.
Homemade Coleslaw
Crunchy cabbage and carrots in a creamy dressing bring a little freshness and texture to the table.
Something Spicy
If you enjoy a little heat, try serving your pizza with chilli flakes, sliced jalapeños or your favourite hot sauce.
Or simply grab a slice, settle down on the sofa and enjoy it just as it is. Sometimes that's all you need!
Why You'll Love It ⭐
No Kneading Required
Forget about working dough on a floured countertop. Everything comes together in one mixing bowl.
No Rolling or Stretching
The soft dough can be spread directly into the baking pan, making preparation wonderfully simple.
Air Fryer Friendly
There's no need to heat up a full-sized oven, making this a convenient choice for a relaxed meal.
Easy to Customise
Smoked ham, mushrooms and sweetcorn are our chosen toppings, but you can easily experiment with your own favourites.
Made With Everyday Ingredients
The dough requires just a handful of simple ingredients, many of which you probably already have at home.
Homemade Without the Hassle
You still get the pleasure of making pizza from scratch, just without all the usual fuss.
💡 Pro Tips
Don't Add Extra Flour
This dough has 80% hydration, which makes it much softer and stickier than many traditional pizza doughs.
Resist the temptation to add more flour just because it doesn't look like a typical pizza dough ball. Its soft consistency is exactly what makes this no-knead method possible.
Give the Yeast Time to Work
Because of the dough's high water content, the rise may be less noticeable than with firmer doughs.
Look for a slightly puffier texture and some increase in volume rather than expecting it to double dramatically.
If your kitchen is particularly cool, the dough may need a little longer than 45 minutes.
Use What Works With Your Air Fryer
We used a baking tray lined with baking paper and lightly brushed with olive oil, but your equipment may be different.
Whether you have a basket-style air fryer or an oven-style model, choose a suitable air fryer-safe pan or tray that can hold the soft dough and allows proper airflow.
If using baking paper, follow the manufacturer's instructions and make sure it is securely held down by the food.
Don't Skip the First Bake
Because the dough is soft and contains plenty of moisture, baking the base before adding the toppings helps it set and cook more evenly.
Be Mindful of Moist Toppings
Mushrooms and other vegetables can release moisture during cooking. Avoid piling on too many wet ingredients, as this may affect how well the base cooks.
Check the Centre Before Serving
A golden surface and melted cheese don't always mean the dough underneath is fully cooked.
Check the centre, especially if your pizza is quite thick, and allow a little extra baking time if needed.
Choose Your Favourite Toppings
Our combination of smoked ham, mushrooms, sweetcorn and mozzarella is just one possibility.
Try peppers, red onions, olives, different cheeses or your favourite cooked meats. Just avoid overloading the soft base, and make sure any meat is fully cooked before serving.
✨ Final Thoughts
There's something wonderfully satisfying about finding an easier way to make a meal you already love.
Not every recipe needs complicated techniques, special equipment or hours of preparation. Sometimes, a few simple ingredients and a little creativity are more than enough.
Our Lazy Pizza might not follow all the traditional rules of pizza-making, but that's part of its charm.
It's homemade, comforting, easy to customise and, most importantly, made to be enjoyed.
Whether you're preparing a relaxed weekend dinner or simply treating yourself after a busy day, this is one of those recipes that reminds us cooking doesn't always have to be hard work.
After all, why make things complicated when you can keep them deliciously simple?
Have you tried our Lazy Pizza? Tell us what toppings you chose in the comments. We'd love to hear your ideas! 🍕❤️
