Air Fryer Meat Lovers Garlic Bread Pizza Boats

A fusion of rich garlic butter, zesty pizza sauce, and savory meats served in crusty baguette boats, perfect for a hearty Italian-American meal.

Ingredients

• 1 large French bread baguette (cut into 4 boat sections)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup robust marinara or pizza sauce
• 1 cup cooked Italian sausage crumbles
• 1/2 cup cooked seasoned ground beef
• 12-15 slices of classic pepperoni
• 4 slices of thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
• 2 cups freshly shredded whole-milk mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded provolone or cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Slice the baguette lengthwise and crosswise to create four boat sections, then gently scoop out a small amount of the interior crumb to form a cavity.
2. In a bowl, mix softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth.
3. Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly across the top and inside of the bread boats.
4. Optional: Pre-toast the buttered bread in the air fryer at 380°F (193°C) for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly golden.
5. Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce into the center of each boat.
6. Distribute cooked sausage crumbles and ground beef over the sauce.
7. Overlap pepperoni slices down the length of the boats and sprinkle crumbled bacon over the top.
8. Cover with shredded mozzarella and provolone/cheddar cheese, pushing some down the edges to anchor toppings.
9. Dust with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.
10. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
11. Place 1 to 2 boats in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
12. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, until the crust is golden-brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
13. Remove from air fryer and let rest for 2 to 3 minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.

Notes

Use a crusty French or Italian baguette for the best texture. Shred your own cheese from blocks for better melting. Ensure all meats are fully cooked before assembling. Nutritional info per serving: 540 kcal, 32g fat, 38g carbs, 26g protein.