Air Fryer Fried Dough: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can make fried dough in an air fryer. It is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, reducing the amount of oil needed without compromising on the taste or texture. You can use store-bought or homemade dough, cut it into your desired shape, and air-fry until golden brown. The air fryer's hot air circulation cooks the dough evenly, resulting in a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Serve it with sweet or savoury toppings for a delicious treat.

Can you make fried dough in an air fryer?

Yes, you can make fried dough in an air fryer. It is a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-frying method, as it significantly reduces the amount of oil needed while still achieving a crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior. The air fryer circulates hot air around the dough, cooking it evenly and quickly.

Ingredients:

• 1 large ball of homemade pizza dough or 1 package prepared pizza dough
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter

Instructions:

• Roll the pizza dough into small balls, about the size of a small red potato.
• Grease the bottom of the air fryer pan. (You can use butter or cooking spray.)
• Place a single layer of pizza dough balls into the pan of your air fryer.
• Air fry the balls of dough at 340 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes. Check to see if the balls of dough are cooked through. If not, shake the air fryer pan and air fry the dough balls for another 3 minutes.
• Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a bowl in the microwave.
• Brush the air-fried balls of dough with the melted butter.
• Dust the dough balls with powdered sugar.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and fluffy air-fried dough balls!

What ingredients do you need?

Making fried dough in an air fryer is a fun and simple activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, yielding a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior without the excess oil and mess. Here's a list of ingredients you'll need to make delicious air-fried dough:

Basic Ingredients:

• Dough: You can use store-bought pizza dough, bread dough, or make your own from scratch. If you're short on time, go for pre-made options like refrigerated buttermilk biscuits or frozen bread dough.
• Oil: A small amount of oil is needed to grease the air fryer basket or pan. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or butter.
• Sugar: Powdered sugar, also known as confectioner's sugar or icing sugar, is typically used to dust or sprinkle on the fried dough for a sweet finish.

Optional Ingredients:

• Butter: Melted butter adds richness and helps the sugar adhere to the fried dough. Brush it on the cooked dough or use it during cooking to prevent sticking.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is a classic pairing with sugar. Mix it with powdered sugar for a warm, spicy note, or sprinkle it on its own.
• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavour of the fried dough. You can also use garlic salt as a savoury topping.
• Toppings and Fillings: Get creative with your toppings! Traditional choices include cinnamon sugar, butter, honey, chocolate sauce, or fruit compote. For a savoury twist, try cheese, garlic, or herbs. You can also fill the dough with sweet or savoury fillings before frying.

How do you make the dough?

Here's a simple recipe for making fried dough in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf Rhodes frozen bread dough, thawed overnight in the fridge
• Cinnamon and sugar (optional)
• Melted butter (optional)

Method:

• Separate your bread dough into 16 pieces (cut in half, and then cut in half again).
• Place the 16 pieces on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Spray them again with the spray and cover with plastic wrap to rise.
• Let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1 hour.
• Form each piece into small circles of dough and let them rest for 10 minutes.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and spray the pan and sides of the basket with cooking spray.
• Place the circles of dough in the air fryer, ensuring there is room around each piece.
• Spray the tops of the dough with cooking spray.
• Fry in the air fryer for 9 minutes, flipping the dough after 5 minutes. Repeat with the remaining dough.
• Optional: brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Tips:

• You can use store-bought or homemade dough.
• If you want to make the dough from scratch, simply combine flour, water, yeast and salt, and let it rise before shaping and air-frying.
• For a sweet treat, coat the fried dough with cinnamon and sugar, or try other toppings like honey, Nutella, or maple syrup.
• For a savoury option, try toppings such as olive oil, garlic salt, grated cheese, or pesto.

How do you cook the dough in the air fryer?

Ingredients:

• 1 can buttermilk biscuits with butter
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Method:

• Remove the buttermilk biscuits from the can and lay them out on a large cutting board.
• Using a rolling pin, gently flatten each biscuit into larger circles, approximately 1/4 inch thick. This will help them cook evenly and give you more surface area for toppings.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) if your model requires preheating. This ensures the dough cooks evenly and becomes perfectly golden.
• Spray the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil spray or brush with melted butter to prevent sticking.
• Place the flattened biscuits into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
• Set the air fryer to cook at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, flip the dough and continue to air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed up.
• Once cooked, carefully remove the fried dough from the air fryer and place them on a serving plate.
• While still warm, brush each piece of fried dough generously with melted butter. Then, sprinkle powdered sugar over the top, adding ground cinnamon as well if desired. The warmth of the dough will melt the butter, allowing the sugar and cinnamon to stick and create a deliciously sweet coating.
• Serve the air fryer fried dough warm, as is, or with additional toppings of your choice, such as chocolate sauce, fruit compote, or a dollop of whipped cream.

Tips:

• Roll evenly: Aim for even thickness when flattening the dough to ensure uniform cooking and prevent under or overcooking.
• Preheat your air fryer: Preheating ensures the dough starts cooking at the optimal temperature, promoting even browning and crisping.
• Use parchment paper: Use parchment paper in the basket of your air fryer to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. Just ensure it's perforated or add holes to allow airflow.
• Don't overcrowd: Avoid overcrowding the basket as it will prevent the dough from cooking evenly and achieving a crispy texture.
• Flip halfway through: Flip the fried dough halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
• Brush, don't soak: Gently coat the fried dough with a pastry brush when applying melted butter or other toppings to prevent the dough from becoming soggy.
• Serve immediately: Fried dough is best enjoyed warm, straight out of the air fryer. If you must wait, keep it in a warm oven to maintain its texture.

Variations:

You can also make air fryer zeppole (fried dough balls) or air fryer sugared dough dippers.

What toppings can you add?

There are endless possibilities when it comes to toppings for your air-fried dough. Whether you prefer sweet or savoury, there are plenty of options to choose from.

For a classic sweet treat, you can dust your fried dough with powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or a combination of the two. If you're feeling extra indulgent, create a chocolatey delight by spreading Nutella or another chocolate-hazelnut spread on top. You can even add sliced bananas and chopped hazelnuts for a true dessert experience. For a fruity twist, top your fried dough with warm sautéed apples cooked in butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar, or simply add some sliced fresh fruit. A drizzle of honey or maple syrup can also add a sweet and sticky element to your treat.

If you're craving something more savoury, there are plenty of options to explore. Sprinkle on some shredded cheese, such as mozzarella or cheddar, and return your dough to the air fryer for a minute or so until the cheese melts. You can even add some minced garlic to the melted butter before brushing it on the dough for an extra kick of flavour. Finish it off with a dash of parsley for a savoury masterpiece. For a more Mediterranean flavour profile, try topping your fried dough with pesto or marinara sauce and some grated parmesan cheese.

Feel free to experiment with various combinations of toppings to find your perfect match. You can even create sweet and savoury fusion by adding both sweet and savoury toppings to your dough. The possibilities are endless!

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