Air Fryer Deep Dish Pepperoni Meat Pizza Pie

A Thick, Cheesy, Meat-Lover’s Pizza with a Buttery Crust

If you’re a fan of hearty, cheesy pizza loaded with savory meats, this Air Fryer Deep Dish Pepperoni Meat Pizza Pie is the ultimate comfort food. Featuring a thick, buttery crust, rich pizza sauce, layers of gooey mozzarella, crispy pepperoni, seasoned ground beef, and Italian sausage, this deep dish pizza is packed with bold flavor in every bite.Cooking it in the air fryer creates a perfectly crisp crust with a soft, fluffy interior while melting the cheese into a golden, bubbly topping. It’s quicker than using a conventional oven and delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.Perfect for pizza nights, family dinners, game-day gatherings, or weekend treats, this deep dish pizza pie is fully customizable with your favorite meats, vegetables, and cheeses. Serve it with a fresh salad or garlic bread for a complete meal everyone will love.

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 22–25 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 6

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the Pizza Dough

2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour

2¼ teaspoons instant yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

¾ cup warm water

2 tablespoons olive oil

Shortcut: You can also use 1 pound (450 g) of store-bought pizza dough.

For the Meat Filling

½ pound (225 g) lean ground beef

½ pound (225 g) Italian sausage, casing removed

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Pizza Layers

1 cup pizza sauce

2½ cups shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

20–24 pepperoni slices

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or parsley

Optional Toppings

Sliced mushrooms

Black olives

Bell peppers

Red onions

Jalapeños

Equipment

Air fryer

7-inch air fryer-safe cake pan or deep baking pan

Large skillet

Mixing bowls

Rolling pin

Instructions

Prepare the Dough

If making homemade dough, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.

Add the warm water and olive oil.

Mix until a soft dough forms.

Knead for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Cover and let the dough rise for 45–60 minutes, or until doubled in size.

If using store-bought dough, allow it to come to room temperature before shaping.

Cook the Meat

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage.

Cook for 7–8 minutes, breaking the meat into crumbles.

Drain any excess grease.

Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Cook for another 1–2 minutes.

Remove from the heat.

Prepare the Pan

Preheat the air fryer to 325°F (163°C) for 3 minutes.

Lightly grease a 7-inch air fryer-safe cake pan.

Roll the dough into a circle large enough to cover the bottom and sides of the pan.

Press the dough firmly into the pan, allowing it to extend slightly up the sides.

Use a fork to prick the base several times.

Assemble the Pizza Pie

Spread half of the mozzarella cheese over the dough.

Add the cooked beef and sausage mixture.

Arrange half of the pepperoni slices over the meat.

Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the filling.

Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Finish with the remaining pepperoni slices and Italian seasoning.

Add crushed red pepper flakes if desired.

Air Fry

Place the pan into the preheated air fryer.

Cook at 325°F (163°C) for 22–25 minutes, or until:

The crust is golden brown.

The cheese is melted and bubbling.

The pepperoni is slightly crispy.

The internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C).

If the cheese begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover the top with aluminum foil during the final 5–7 minutes.

Rest and Serve

Carefully remove the pizza pie from the air fryer.

Allow it to rest for 8–10 minutes before slicing.

Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.

Slice into wedges and serve warm.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your pizza pie with:

Caesar salad

Garlic bread

Air fryer mozzarella sticks

Buffalo wings

Coleslaw

Roasted vegetables

Marinara dipping sauce

Tips for Perfect Deep Dish Pizza

Whole milk mozzarella melts beautifully and creates the best cheese pull.

Pre-cooking the meat prevents excess moisture from making the crust soggy.

Don’t overload the pizza with sauce.

Let the pizza rest before slicing to help the cheese set.

Use an air fryer-safe cake pan with tall sides for a true deep-dish style.

Check the crust near the end of cooking to avoid over-browning.

Variations

Meat Lover’s Deluxe

Add cooked bacon, ham, and crumbled sausage along with the ground beef.

Supreme Pizza Pie

Include mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, black olives, and pepperoni.

Spicy Pizza Pie

Add sliced jalapeños, hot Italian sausage, and extra crushed red pepper.

BBQ Pizza Pie

Replace the pizza sauce with barbecue sauce and use smoked cheddar cheese.

Four Cheese Pizza Pie

Use mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, and fontina cheese for an extra cheesy version.

Storage

Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing

Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag.

Freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat slices in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Calories: 610

Protein: 33g

Carbohydrates: 34g

Fat: 38g

Saturated Fat: 16g

Fiber: 2g

Sugar: 4g

Sodium: 1,120mg

Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on the ingredients used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use refrigerated pizza dough?

Yes. Store-bought refrigerated pizza dough works perfectly and saves preparation time.

What size pan should I use?

A 7-inch round air fryer-safe cake pan or deep baking pan fits most standard basket-style air fryers.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the pizza up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate until ready to cook.

How do I keep the crust from getting soggy?

Pre-cook the meat, avoid using too much sauce, and place the cheese directly on the dough before adding the sauce to create a moisture barrier.

Final Thoughts

This Air Fryer Deep Dish Pepperoni Meat Pizza Pie is the perfect recipe for pizza lovers who enjoy thick, buttery crusts and generous layers of meat and cheese. With its crispy edges, rich tomato sauce, and hearty filling, it delivers classic deep-dish flavor in a fraction of the time. Whether it’s pizza night, game day, or a special family dinner, this satisfying air fryer recipe is sure to become a favorite.