Air-Fried Puff Pastry: Can It Be Done?

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They can create crispy and delicious food with less oil, and are incredibly versatile. One of the many things you can make with an air fryer is puff pastry.

Puff pastry is a great option for air frying because it can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes, and the air fryer's consistent heat circulation ensures the pastry is baked evenly. You can make anything from apple turnovers to chicken pot pies, and the results are always deliciously crispy.

So, if you're looking for a quick and convenient way to cook puff pastry, give your air fryer a go. You might just be surprised at how good the results are!

Air fryer puff pastry desserts

Air fryers are a great way to cook puff pastry, resulting in deliciously crispy creations. Here are some mouth-watering dessert ideas using puff pastry in an air fryer:

Air Fryer Apple Turnovers

Fill circles of puff pastry with sweet apple slices tossed in cinnamon and sugar. You can also use store-bought cherry filling or pineapples or peaches instead of apples. Cook in the air fryer until golden and serve with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

Air-Fryer Puff Pastry Danishes

These simple jam-filled pastries are perfect for a holiday brunch spread. Top each square with cream cheese mixture and jam. Bring two opposite corners of the pastry over the filling, sealing with egg wash. Brush the tops with remaining egg wash. Cook in the air fryer until golden brown.

Air-Fried Cinnamon Rolls

Roll out the puff pastry and brush melted butter on it. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon all over and roll up the pastry. Slice the roll into 8 pieces and place them in the air fryer. Once done, pour icing on top and enjoy!

Air Fryer Pumpkin Pinwheels

Although there is no recipe for this, it is mentioned as a dessert option.

Air Fryer Beignets

Dust air-fried puff pastry with powdered sugar and drizzle honey on top.

Some other dessert ideas using puff pastry in an air fryer include air fryer peach cobbler, air fryer biscuit donuts, air fryer candied pecans, air fryer banana split, air fryer peanut butter chocolate rolls, and air fryer caramelized bananas.

Air fryer puff pastry appetisers

Preparation and Cooking Instructions:

First, ensure your puff pastry is thawed according to the package instructions. This step is crucial, as you want the pastry to be pliable and easy to work with.

Rolling and Cutting:

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to your desired thickness, keeping in mind that it will rise during cooking. Don't roll it too thin! Cut the pastry into your desired shapes—traditional squares or rectangles, or get creative with circles or twists.

Air Fryer Basket Preparation:

Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. This step ensures your pastry doesn't stick to the basket.

Air Frying:

Arrange the cut pastry pieces in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between them. Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8-10 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.

Serving Suggestions:

• Savory Spinach and Feta Puffs: Fill your puff pastry squares with a mixture of sautéed spinach, crumbled feta cheese, and a hint of garlic. Air fry until golden and serve as a tasty appetiser.
• Sweet Apple Turnovers: Fill circles of puff pastry with sweet apple slices tossed in cinnamon and sugar. Air fry until golden, and serve with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert.
• Cheesy Ham and Mushroom Strudels: Roll up a mixture of diced ham, sautéed mushrooms, and grated cheese in puff pastry sheets. Air fry until golden and serve as a savoury snack.

Tips:

• Keep an eye on your pastry while it's cooking, as air fryers can vary, and you don't want your pastry to burn.
• You can use frozen puff pastry directly in the air fryer, but you may need to increase the cooking time slightly.
• Get creative with your toppings and fillings! Puff pastry is a versatile base for both sweet and savoury creations.

Enjoy the flaky goodness of air fryer puff pastry appetisers and experiment with different recipes to delight your taste buds!

Air fryer puff pastry tarts

Ingredients:

• Puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
• Filling of your choice (e.g. goat's cheese and caramelised onion, apple slices with cinnamon and sugar, or peach slices)
• Egg (beaten)
• Honey or milk (optional)
• Other toppings of your choice (e.g. powdered sugar, cinnamon whipped cream, or ice cream)

Instructions:

• Prepare the puff pastry: Thaw the puff pastry according to the package directions. Cut the puff pastry into rectangles or circles, depending on the shape of your tart. If using circles, you can use a round cutter to get a perfect shape.
• Prepare the filling: If making a sweet tart, you can drizzle honey onto the parchment paper before adding your fruit filling. For a savoury tart, a light drizzle of olive oil on the parchment paper will do the trick.
• Assemble the tarts: Place your filling of choice onto the puff pastry. If making a savoury tart, you can add some cheese after flipping the tart. Then, brush the beaten egg onto the edges of the pastry and place another piece of puff pastry on top to form a parcel.
• Air-fry the tarts: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush the top of the tarts with the beaten egg and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them. Air fry for 10 minutes, then carefully flip them over and air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes until the top is golden brown.
• Serve and enjoy: Remove the tarts from the air fryer and let them cool down for a few minutes. You can serve them warm or at room temperature. For a sweet treat, top with a scoop of ice cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, or some whipped cream.

Tips:

• Keep an eye on your tarts while they're in the air fryer to ensure they don't burn.
• If using frozen puff pastry, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly to ensure it cooks through.
• Get creative with your fillings! You can experiment with different combinations of sweet or savoury ingredients.

Air fryer puff pastry temperature

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to their ability to create crispy and delicious food with less oil. When it comes to cooking puff pastry, the air fryer is a great option as it provides consistent heat circulation, resulting in evenly cooked pastries.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature for cooking puff pastry in an air fryer is around 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius. This temperature will help achieve a flaky and crispy texture.

Prepare the Puff Pastry

If your puff pastry is frozen, make sure to thaw it according to the package instructions. It is important to handle the pastry when it is pliable and easy to work with. You can then cut the pastry into your desired shapes, such as squares, rectangles, circles, or twists.

Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper to prevent the pastry from sticking.

Air Fry the Pastry

Place the cut pastry pieces into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they have enough space between them. Cook for about 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or until the pastry turns golden brown and becomes puffy.

Cool and Serve

Once cooked, carefully remove the puff pastry from the air fryer and transfer it to a wire rack to cool. Let the pastry cool for a few minutes before serving.

Creative Toppings

You can get creative with toppings for your air-fried puff pastry. Some popular options include powdered sugar, honey, berry compote, whipped strawberry butter, brown sugar butter, or cinnamon whipped cream. You can also fill your puff pastry with sweet or savoury fillings, such as apple slices, sautéed spinach, crumbled feta cheese, or a mixture of diced ham and sautéed mushrooms.

Air fryer puff pastry prep

Air fryers are a great way to cook puff pastry, as they provide consistent heat circulation, resulting in evenly cooked pastries. Here are some tips to help you prepare and cook puff pastry in your air fryer.

Thawing and Rolling:

First, you need to thaw your frozen puff pastry according to the package instructions. It is essential to handle the pastry when it's pliable and easy to work with. Once thawed, roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness. Keep in mind that puff pastry tends to rise during cooking, so don't roll it too thin.

Cutting and Shaping:

Using a sharp knife or a pastry cutter, cut the pastry into your desired shapes. You can go for traditional squares or rectangles, or get creative with circles or twists. If you're making danishes or turnovers, you can fill them with sweet or savory fillings before sealing and shaping them.

Air Fryer Basket Preparation:

Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper to prevent the pastry from sticking. This step ensures your puff pastry doesn't stick to the basket and makes cleanup easier.

Air Frying:

Place the cut pastry pieces into the prepared air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they have enough space between them. Set your air fryer to 320-400°F (160-200°C) and cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until the pastry turns golden brown and becomes puffy. Keep an eye on your pastries, as air fryers can vary, and you don't want your creations to burn.

Cooling and Serving:

Once your pastries are golden brown, carefully remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a wire rack to cool. Let them cool for a few minutes before indulging in their flaky goodness. Serve them warm or at room temperature, depending on your preference.

Recipe Ideas:

Now that you know the basics of preparing puff pastry in an air fryer, here are some recipe ideas to get you started:

• Savory Spinach and Feta Puffs: Fill your puff pastry squares with a mixture of sautéed spinach, crumbled feta cheese, and a touch of garlic. Air fry until golden, and you have a delightful appetizer or light lunch.
• Sweet Apple Turnovers: Fill circles of puff pastry with sweet apple slices tossed in cinnamon and sugar. Air fry until golden, and serve with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Cheesy Ham and Mushroom Strudels: Roll up a mixture of diced ham, sautéed mushrooms, and grated cheese in puff pastry sheets. Air fry until golden, and you have a mouthwatering savory snack.

So, there you have it! A simple and convenient method to cook puff pastry in your air fryer, resulting in flaky and delicious creations every time.

Frequently asked questions