Air Fryer Toaster Strudel: A Quick Breakfast Treat

Toaster strudel is a delicious treat, but can you cook it in an air fryer? The answer is yes! You can cook toaster strudel in an air fryer, and it is a great way to get that perfect golden brown, flaky pastry that's fully cooked. The air fryer will make the strudel crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with the filling nice and hot. The unique cooking method of an air fryer ensures a consistently crispy exterior and a warm, delectable interior. It's a quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth, and you can use any flavour of toaster strudel you like.

How to cook a toaster strudel in an air fryer

Toaster strudels are a delicious treat, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare them. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook toaster strudels in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Strudels

Firstly, you will need to preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While it is heating up, you can prepare your strudels. Take your frozen toaster strudels and place them in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with a little space between each one. You can cook between one and four strudels at a time, depending on the size of your air fryer. If you are using a basket-style air fryer, you may want to prepare the basket with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil, or line it with parchment paper. However, if your air fryer is non-stick, this step is not necessary, and the strudels will not stick.

Step 2: Cook the Strudels

Once your strudels are in the air fryer, it is time to cook them. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer and how dark you like your strudels, but on average, they will take between four and seven minutes. Keep a close eye on them to ensure they do not overcook. You may want to flip the strudels halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.

Step 3: Remove from the Air Fryer and Serve

Once the strudels have reached the desired level of golden brown, carefully remove them from the air fryer using a spatula or tongs. Place them on a plate and add the icing. The heat from the strudels will cause the icing to melt slightly, creating a delicious glaze. If your icing is too cold, you can warm it up by kneading the pouch in your hands. Allow the strudels to cool for a couple of minutes, then enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

• If you are making your own strudels, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to three days before cooking, but do not add the icing until after they have been cooked.
• Different air fryers cook at different rates, so you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your air fryer.
• If you have any leftover strudels, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. You can reheat them the next day by cooking them at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes.

The best temperature and time settings

If you are cooking 1-4 pastries, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, preferably with some space between them. If you are cooking closer to four pastries, you may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.

If you are using a basket-style air fryer, preheating is recommended. However, if your air fryer has a non-stick basket, you can skip preheating and simply place the frozen pastries directly into the basket.

For cooking times, most sources recommend cooking for 5-7 minutes at 350°F. However, one source suggests that 4 minutes is enough, while another recommends checking at the 4-minute mark and adding another minute or two if needed. This is to avoid overcooking, as the ideal toaster strudel should be golden brown, not burnt.

Halfway through the cooking time, remove the basket and use a spatula or tongs to flip the strudels. Then, return the basket to the air fryer to finish cooking.

Once the strudels are golden brown and flaky, carefully remove them from the air fryer and drizzle with icing. If you are cooking multiple batches, you can keep the first batch warm by placing them in an airtight container.

How to prevent the strudel from sticking to the air fryer

Yes, you can cook toaster strudel in an air fryer. However, to prevent the strudel from sticking to the air fryer, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some space between each toaster strudel as overfilling the basket can cause the strudel to stick.

Secondly, while some sources suggest that there is no need to grease the air fryer basket, others recommend spraying the basket with cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. If you do choose to grease the basket, avoid using oil spray cans as these can damage the coating of the basket. Instead, opt for a bottle of good-quality oil and apply a decent amount.

Additionally, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat mode, simply set it to the desired temperature and let it run for about three minutes before placing the strudel in the basket.

Finally, when frying small foods, it is advisable to shake the basket every few minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. Alternatively, you can use a pair of kitchen tongs to flip the strudel instead of shaking the basket.

How to store and reheat leftover strudel

To store leftover strudel, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. If you're storing homemade strudels, they can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, but make sure to store them without the icing. Strudels can also be frozen and kept in the freezer for up to 6 months. When freezing strudel, it's important to wrap and label it, placing it on a flat surface in the freezer to avoid any pressure or weight on top.

To reheat strudel, first, thaw it slowly and evenly in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 4-6 hours. Then, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the strudel on a baking sheet. Reheat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the strudel is heated through and the crust becomes slightly crispy. Keep in mind that oven performance varies, so it's important to check your oven frequently to avoid over-browning the strudel.

While some people enjoy eating strudel at room temperature, reheating it can enhance the experience by adding a crispy texture to the dough and warming the filling. However, it's important to note that store-bought toaster strudels may not reheat well after being iced.

Homemade toaster strudel recipes

Toaster strudels are a fun and easy breakfast or dessert option. They can be made from scratch or using frozen, store-bought puff pastry. Here is a simple recipe for homemade toaster strudels:

Ingredients:

• Puff pastry sheets (2)
• Jam (strawberry, spiced apple, or any flavour of your choice)
• Corn starch (optional)
• Heavy cream or egg wash
• Icing sugar, vanilla, and milk or heavy cream for the glaze

Method:

Start by thawing your puff pastry sheets according to the package instructions. It is important to ensure they are thawed properly. Next, roll out the sheets evenly to ensure they bake uniformly. Cut each sheet into 6 or 8 rectangles by cutting down the middle and then into equally-sized rectangles.

Take your jam and, if desired, mix in a little corn starch to make the jam stiffer. Spread the jam onto one of the rectangles, leaving a 1/2 inch gap around the edges. Place another rectangle on top and press the edges together with a fork.

Brush the tops of the strudels with an egg wash or heavy cream. If you have leftover puff pastry, you can cut out shapes to decorate the tops of the strudels. Place the strudels in the oven and bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Once baked, let the strudels cool on a wire rack. Meanwhile, prepare the glaze by whisking together icing sugar, vanilla, and milk or heavy cream. Drizzle the glaze over the strudels and enjoy!

Air Fryer Method:

If you would like to cook your toaster strudels in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F and prepare the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray, olive oil, or parchment paper. Place 2-4 strudels in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer, and air fry for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip the strudels halfway through the cooking time. Remove the strudels carefully from the air fryer and enjoy!

Variations:

You can fill your toaster strudels with cinnamon roll filling, fresh fruit, or any flavour of jam you like. For a more adult taste, try adding a little almond extract to your glaze. You can also make your own puff pastry from scratch if you are feeling adventurous!

Frequently asked questions