Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Bambino Pizzas – Perfect Crispy Crust In 8 Minutes!
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Craving an easy and delicious meal? These air fryer Trader Joe’s Bambino Pizzas are the perfect solution! You can cook these mini frozen pizzas straight from the freezer—no defrosting needed. The air fryer makes the crust crispy, the cheese perfectly melted, and the toppings hot and bubbly. Whether you need a quick snack, an easy lunch, or a kid-friendly dinner, this air fryer frozen pizza recipe will become your new favorite go-to!
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Bambino Pizza
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Super quick and easy to make! You don’t need to defrost the pizzas—just pop them straight from the freezer into the air fryer. In only 8 minutes, you’ll have hot, crispy, and delicious mini pizzas ready to enjoy. Perfect for busy days when you need something fast and satisfying.
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Perfectly crispy crust every time. The air fryer makes the crust nice and golden without being too hard or too soft. You get that amazing crunch in every bite, while the inside stays tender. No more soggy microwave pizza!
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Cheese melts perfectly without burning. One of the biggest struggles with frozen pizza is getting the cheese to melt just right. This method keeps the cheese gooey and slightly golden without overcooking. You’ll love how it stretches and melts with every bite!
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Great for snacks, lunch, or dinner. These mini pizzas are super versatile! Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, a quick lunch, or an easy dinner, they’re always a hit. Plus, kids and adults both love them, so it’s perfect for family meals.
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Minimal cleanup and effort. Since you cook them right in the air fryer basket, there’s almost no mess to clean up. No baking sheets, no turning on the oven—just quick cooking and easy eating. Perfect for when you want something delicious without all the hassle.
Ingredients For Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Bambino Pizza
- Trader Joe’s Bambino Pizzas (frozen) – These mini pizzas are packed with cheese, sauce, and delicious toppings. You can cook as many as will fit in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
For the exact measurements of the ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article.
Kitchen Tools You Need To Make Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Bambino Pizza
- Air fryer – This is the key tool for cooking the Bambino Pizzas to crispy, cheesy perfection without heating up your oven.
- Spatula – Helps easily remove the hot pizzas from the air fryer basket without burning your fingers.
How To Make Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Bambino Pizza
- Take the frozen Bambino Pizzas out of the box and remove any packaging.
- Place the pizzas in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap.
- Slide the basket into the air fryer.
- Set the air fryer to 340°F and cook for 8 minutes.
- Once they are done, carefully lift them out of the basket using a spatula.
- Let them cool for a minute or two before cutting or serving.
- Enjoy your crispy, melty, and delicious mini pizzas!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these mini pizzas on a platter with a crisp broccoli apple salad for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.
- Pair them with a bowl of chicken corn tomato soup for a comforting meal.
- Add some fresh fruit on the side for a balanced plate—grapes, apple slices, or blueberries work great.
- Make it a party appetizer by cutting each pizza into smaller slices and serving with toothpicks.
- Enjoy them on their own as a satisfying snack—perfect for game nights or movie marathons!
Tips For Success
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Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Place the pizzas in a single layer with space between them so they cook evenly. If you stack them or overlap, the crust may stay soggy, and the cheese won’t melt properly. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
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Stick to 340°F for 8 minutes for best results. This temperature and time combo gives you a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese. If you go higher, the cheese can burn before the crust finishes cooking. Check on the pizzas at 7 minutes if your air fryer cooks faster than average.
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No need to preheat the air fryer. You can cook these pizzas from frozen without preheating, making the process faster and easier. Just set the temperature and time and let the air fryer work its magic!
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Use a spatula to remove the pizzas carefully. The pizzas will be very hot, with melted cheese and crispy crust. A spatula helps lift them out without tearing the crust or losing any cheesy goodness.
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Let the pizzas cool for a minute before serving. Giving them a short rest lets the cheese set a little so it’s easier to slice and eat. Plus, you won’t burn your mouth on molten cheese!
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Check how your air fryer cooks on the first try. Every air fryer is a little different—some cook faster than others. Watch them closely the first time, and once you know what works for your machine, you’ll have perfect results every time.
Variations And Substitutions
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Try different varieties of Trader Joe’s Bambino Pizzas. They usually offer different toppings like cheese, pepperoni, or sausage. You can pick your favorite or mix and match for variety. The air fryer cooking method works great for all of them!
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Add extra toppings before air frying. Want to customize your pizzas? Add sliced olives, mushrooms, or extra shredded cheese right before cooking. Just be careful not to overload them, so they still cook evenly.
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Make them gluten-free. If you’re avoiding gluten, check if Trader Joe’s has a gluten-free version of their mini pizzas, or substitute with a different brand of gluten-free frozen mini pizzas. The cooking method will be the same—just watch them closely the first time to adjust time if needed.
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Dairy-free or vegan options. Look for dairy-free or vegan frozen mini pizzas if you have dietary restrictions. You can also top plain cheese Bambino Pizzas with dairy-free cheese before cooking to make them suit your needs.
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Add a side salad or veggies for a complete meal. To make this a full meal, pair the pizzas with a simple side salad, steamed veggies, or even a bowl of soup. It balances out the meal and makes it more filling.
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Use different dipping sauces for serving. Even though we didn’t list this in the main recipe, you can always serve your mini pizzas with marinara, ranch, or garlic butter for extra flavor. This is a fun way to make them feel more like a restaurant appetizer!
Storage and Reheating
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Store leftovers in the refrigerator. If you have leftover Bambino Pizzas, let them cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil. They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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Reheat in the air fryer for best results. To bring back that crispy crust, reheat the pizzas in the air fryer at 340°F for about 3-4 minutes. This keeps them from getting soggy like they would in the microwave.
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Microwave if you’re in a hurry. If you want to reheat them super fast, you can use the microwave. Heat for about 30-60 seconds, but keep in mind the crust won’t be as crispy.
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Avoid reheating more than once. It’s best to only reheat what you plan to eat. Reheating multiple times can dry out the pizza and make the crust tough.
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Freezing leftovers is not recommended. Since the pizzas were already frozen once before cooking, freezing them again after cooking may affect the texture and taste. It’s best to enjoy them within a few days of making.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook Trader Joe’s Bambino Pizza in the air fryer without thawing it first?
Yes! You can cook these mini pizzas straight from frozen—no need to defrost. That’s what makes this recipe so quick and convenient. The air fryer does a great job cooking them perfectly from frozen, giving you a crispy crust and melty cheese in just 8 minutes.
What temperature and time should I use to cook Trader Joe’s Bambino Pizza in the air fryer?
The best temperature to cook these pizzas in the air fryer is 340°F for 8 minutes. This time and temperature combination allows the crust to get crispy without overcooking the cheese. If your air fryer runs hot or cold, you may need to adjust by a minute or two, but 340°F for 8 minutes is a great place to start.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer before cooking the pizzas?
No, you don’t need to preheat the air fryer for this recipe. Just place the pizzas in the air fryer basket, set the temperature and time, and start cooking. Skipping preheating makes this method even faster and easier, with no extra steps needed.
How do I keep the cheese from burning in the air fryer?
The key to keeping the cheese from burning is using the right temperature—340°F is low enough to prevent burning but high enough to get everything hot and crispy. Also, make sure you don’t overcook the pizzas. Sticking to the recommended time helps keep the cheese perfectly melted and slightly golden without getting too brown.
Can I add extra toppings to the Bambino Pizzas before air frying?
Absolutely! You can add toppings like sliced olives, mushrooms, extra cheese, or pepperoni to customize your pizzas. Just be careful not to add too much, or it may weigh down the crust and make it harder to cook evenly. Keep toppings light so the pizzas stay crispy.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover Bambino Pizzas?
The best way to reheat them is to pop them back in the air fryer at 340°F for about 3-4 minutes. This keeps the crust crispy and the cheese melty, just like when they were first cooked. You can also microwave them for about 30-60 seconds if you’re in a rush, but the crust will be softer.
Can I freeze leftover cooked Bambino Pizzas?
It’s not recommended to freeze them after cooking. Since they were already frozen before you cooked them, freezing them again may affect the texture and flavor. It’s better to store leftovers in the fridge and eat them within 3 days.
How many pizzas can I cook at one time in the air fryer?
It depends on the size of your air fryer basket. You should cook the pizzas in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap. Most air fryers can fit about 2-3 Bambino Pizzas at once. If you need to cook more, you can easily do them in batches.
Other Easy Trader Joe’s Recipes
Trader Joe’s Frozen Kimbap Sushi Rolls – These Trader Joe’s frozen kimbap rolls give you a crispy, warm sushi roll on demand!
Crispy Trader Joe’s Gyoza Dumplings – Make Trader Joe’s gyoza dumplings hot, crispy, and golden brown in minutes using the air fryer—no oil needed!
Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Bulgogi – This easy air fryer Trader Joe’s bulgogi (Bool Kogi) recipe makes tender, flavorful Korean BBQ beef ready to serve in just minutes.
Crispy Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi – Cook Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi in the air fryer for a crispy outside and soft inside—perfectly golden without sticking!
Other Easy Pizza Recipes
15-Minute Cheesy Garlic Pizza – This cheesy garlic pizza is a quick and easy 15-minute recipe with a crispy crust and gooey melted cheese—perfect for busy weeknights!
Low-Carb Eggplant Pizza – These low-carb eggplant pizzas are a healthy, gluten-free alternative with all the cheesy, saucy goodness of regular pizza!
Square and Rectangle Pizza – Make fun square and rectangle-shaped pizzas with perfectly crispy edges and endless topping possibilities—great for easy homemade pizza nights!
Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Bambino Pizza
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- Trader Joe’s Bambino Pizzas frozen, as many as you like that fit in a single layer in your air fryer basket
Recommended Kitchen Tools (click the links below to see the items used to make this recipe)
Instructions
- Take the frozen Bambino Pizzas out of the package.
- Place pizzas in a single layer inside the air fryer basket.
- Insert the basket into the air fryer.
- Set temperature to 340°F.
- Set cooking time to 8 minutes.
- Once cooking is done, carefully remove the pizzas from the air fryer using a spatula.
- Let cool slightly, then cut into pieces if desired.
- Serve and enjoy hot, crispy, and melty!
Notes
- No need to preheat the air fryer.
- Be careful when removing pizzas as they will be very hot.
- This method prevents burning the cheese while making sure the crust is crispy and the filling is fully heated.
More Air Fryer Recipes
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