21/05/2026
Air Fryer Deep Dish Hamburger, Beef Sausage & Pepperoni Pie
A crispy, golden deep-dish "pie" loaded with three kinds of savory meat, melty cheese, and rich tomato sauce — all made in your air fryer with less oil and faster cook time than a traditional oven.
Ingredients:
For the Crust
- 1 lb (450g) refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp cornmeal or semolina (for dusting)
For the Meat Layer
- 8 oz (225g) ground beef (80/20)
- 8 oz (225g) beef sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Sauce & Cheese
- 1½ cups marinara or pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prep the Meat:
In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and beef sausage together, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until no pink remains, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir in the pepperoni slices and set aside to cool slightly.
Pre-cooking the meat is essential because the air fryer will not fully cook raw ground meat through a thick deep-dish layer.
2. Form the Deep-Dish Crust:
Lightly oil your 7-inch round pan and dust the bottom with cornmeal. Press the pizza dough up the sides of the pan to create a 1-inch tall wall — this is what makes it deep dish. Prick the bottom lightly with a fork to prevent bubbling.
If your air fryer is smaller than 6 quarts, use a 6-inch pan and reduce the filling by about 25 percent.
3. Layer the Pie:
First, spread the cooked meat mixture evenly across the bottom of the dough. Next, sprinkle 1½ cups of mozzarella and all the Parmesan directly over the meat. Then spoon the marinara on top and spread it to the edges. Do not mix — in deep-dish style, the sauce sits on top. Finish by adding the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella, a few extra pepperoni slices, and a sprinkle of oregano.
4. Air Fry:
Set the air fryer to 325°F (163°C) and cook for 18 to 22 minutes. Place the pan in the air fryer basket. Cook until the crust is deep golden brown on the edges and the cheese on top is bubbling and lightly browned.
Deep-dish needs lower heat than thin pizza. The air fryer's convection is aggressive, so 325°F gives you a cooked center without burning the crust exterior.
5. Rest & Serve:
Carefully remove the pan — it will be very hot. Let the pie rest for 5 minutes so the layers set and slicing is clean. Run a knife around the edge, then slice into wedges.
Pro Tips:
If the bottom crust is soggy, preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes before cooking and use a cornmeal dusting. If the cheese browns too fast, lay a small piece of foil loosely over the top after minute 12. If the center seems undercooked, check the internal temperature — it should reach 165°F (74°C) in the center. For leftovers, reheat at 350°F for 4 to 5 minutes — this comes out much crispier than a microwave.
Nutrition (per slice, makes 6 slices):
Each slice contains approximately 480 calories, 28 grams of protein, 32 grams of carbohydrates, and 26 grams of fat.
Variations:
For a spicy version, use hot Italian sausage and add sliced jalapeños. For a supreme version, add diced bell peppers and onions to the meat layer. For a cheese lover's version, layer provolone slices under the mozzarella.
Enjoy your crispy-edged, meat-packed deep dish pie straight from the air fryer!