Ask any parent what their kids want for dinner and pizza will be in the top three. This air fryer roti pizza has been my shortcut to making this on busy weeknights using leftover rotis.
This Air Fry Roti Pizza is one of the easiest things I make for my kids and they love it every time. The roti gets super crispy first in the air fryer, then you load it with pizza sauce, cheese and veggies and put it back in for a few minutes. It takes about 20 minutes and you probably already have all the roti pizza ingredients you need in the fridge.
If leftover rotis usually ends up in your fridge untouched, this recipe and ours chopped tacos are two really good reasons to start saving them. You can also try our mini pizza with vegetables if you want to make pizza from scratch, but for those evenings when you need something quick and the kids are already hungry, this roti pizza is hard to beat.
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Roti Pizza Ingredients
Leftover Rotis: Day-old rotis work better than fresh ones because they hold their shape and crisp up well in the air fryer.
Pizza sauce: Store bought or homemade, either works.
Mozzarella cheese: Shredded. Be generous, it’s pizza after all.
Vegetable filling: Corn, red and green bell peppers and onions. But you can use whatever your family likes.
Italian seasoning: It’s sprinkled on top before being air-fried for that classic pizza flavor.
Frequently asked questions
Regular pizza uses a dry dough that is proofed, shaped and baked. The Roti Pizza skips all that and uses a leftover roti or chapati as a base. The result is thinner, fresher and much quicker to make. It won’t taste exactly like a traditional pizza, but it’s delicious in its own way and takes a fraction of the time.
Day-old leftover rotis work best because they have lost some moisture and do very well in the air fryer. Fresh roti is very soft and tends to stick to the disk even after air frying. Whole wheat, multigrain or regular maida rotis work well.
It is very likely that the roti was not simply air fried before adding the toppings. The first 3 minutes of frying the airless roti is what makes the base. Also check if you’ve added too much sauce or piled on too much filling, both release moisture and make the base soggy.
You can, but the naan is thicker and softer, so the texture will be quite different. It will feel more like a flatbread pizza than a thin crust. If using naan, simply air fry for an extra minute or two to get a crispier base before adding toppings.
yes. Heat a tawa to medium, place the yeast roti, cover with a lid and cook for 4-5 minutes until the cheese melts and the base is browned. The air fryer gives a more even crunch, but the tawa method also works well.
Richa’s top tips
- Air fry the roti first before adding stuffing. Three minutes at 180°C sears the base and prevents the pizza from becoming soggy.
- Place a bowl or plate on top of the roti while air frying it. Hot air can cause the roti to fly in the basket. A small bowl or plate on top keeps it flat and ensures it browns evenly.
- Leave a small gap around the edges when spreading the sauce. About a quarter inch around is enough. If the sauce reaches the edges, it spills into the air during frying and makes the base soggy.
- Do not overfill. It’s tempting, but too many vegetables and cheese weigh down the roti and prevent the base from staying crispy. A thin layer of each is all you need.
- Serve immediately. Pizza Roti is at its best straight out of the fryer when the cheese is still melted and the base is still crispy. Softens quickly as it cools.
Storage tips
- Better to eat fresh. This is one of those recipes that is meant to be made and eaten right away. The roti loses its crunchiness quickly after cooling, and the fillings make it soggy if it sits too long.
- Freezing: Not recommended. The roti base becomes chewy and the vegetables release water as they melt.
- Prep tip ahead: If you’re making these for a party or a larger group, you can make the toppings and sauce ahead of time. Then simply assemble and fry each fresh roti pizza as people are ready to eat. It only takes about 7 minutes per pizza, so they come out quickly.
Ideas for service
Pizza Roti is a snack that works best fresh out of the air fryer. Here are some ways to make it more of a moment:
- with Roasted tomato pesto soup: Pizza and tomato soup is a classic combination, and this roti pizza version is no different.
- with Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries: Pizza and fries on the same plate. The children will not believe their luck.
- with Lychee soda: A cold and fizzy glass of lychee soda along with hot roti pizza makes the most fun snack spread.
- As a movie night snack: Make several chapati pizzas with different toppings, cut into pieces and serve on a large board. Easy, fun and everyone can pick their favorite.
Personalization ideas
- Go to: Drizzle over the pizza sauce and spread green coriander chutney as a basis instead. Top with paneer cubes, onions and green chillies for a fully Indian version.
- Make it non-veg: Minced chicken, leftover keema or chicken tikka pieces work great as a filling. Add on top of the cheese to heat until the pizza is browned.
- Try a white pizza: Thoroughly pass the pizza sauce and use vegetable mayonnaise. or garlic butter as a base. Top with mushrooms, corn and extra cheese for a creamy and delicious version.
If this air fryer pizza roti recipe saves you from a pizza delivery order, I’m done here. But honestly, it will probably save you from a lot more than one. When you make it, share your photos with me on Instagram @my_foodstoryI would love to see what outfits your family goes with.
Watch Roti Pizza Recipe Video
Prevent your screen from going dark
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Preheat the air fryer to 180 C.
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Place a roti in the air fryer basket, place a bowl or plate large enough to cover the roti. This is to ensure that the roti does not fly around during air frying and that it is evenly fried. Fry at 180 C for 3-4 minutes (depending on your fryer) until crisp on the edges. This step ensures that the pizza does not become soggy.
2 remaining rotis
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Remove the air fried roti and place on a plate or cutting board. Spread 1 ½ tablespoons of pizza sauce over the roti leaving ¼ inch from the edges around the roti so that the sauce does not spill over the edges during air frying.
3 tablespoons of pizza sauce
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Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of mozzarella cheese over the pizza sauce.
¼ cup + 2 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese
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Place 2 tablespoons each of the vegetable patties – corn, red and green bell peppers on top and sprinkle with some Italian seasoning.
¼ cup cooked or frozen corn, ¼ cup red bell peppers, ¼ cup green bell peppers, 2 tablespoons of onion, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
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Place the roti in the air fryer and fry at 180C for 4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the vegetables are well cooked.
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Transfer to a plate, repeat the same process for the second roti and serve.
- The corn can be replaced with any vegetable of your choice, such as
Calories: 173kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 6g, Saturated fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated fat: 1g, Monounsaturated fats: 2g, Cholesterol: 11mg, Sodium: 418mg, Potassium: 268mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 854was, Vitamin C: 43mg, Calcium: 132mg, Iron: 2mg
This article was researched and written by Harita Odedra.