Air Fryer Desserts: Sweet Treats Without The Heat

Air fryers are a great way to make desserts without deep-frying them. You can make a variety of desserts in an air fryer, including cakes, cookies, pies, doughnuts, and much more. Air fryer desserts are quick, easy, and satisfying. They are perfect for small batches and a few servings of delicious treats to satisfy your sweet tooth. With the right recipe, you can make anything from chocolate chip cookies to apple fritters and even cheesecakes in your air fryer.

Cookies, cakes and cupcakes

Cupcakes are one of the most popular treats to make with an air fryer, and they taste just as good as, or even better than, traditional oven-baked cupcakes. The air circulation in the basket helps cook the cupcake evenly, so make sure not to overcrowd the basket.

The first step to making perfect cupcakes in your air fryer is preparing your batter. You can use a box cake mix or a homemade batter – whichever you prefer. If using a box mix, prepare it according to the instructions on the package. For homemade batters, mix together the wet and dry ingredients until they are just combined – do not overmix! This will ensure that your cupcakes rise nicely when cooked in the air fryer.

Once you have prepared your cupcake batter, it’s time to preheat your air fryer oven. Preheat it to 330 degrees F or 350 degrees F. Once preheated, lightly grease your air fryer basket with cooking spray or butter so that your cupcakes don’t stick when cooked.

Place the cupcakes in the air fryer basket and bake at 160°C (325°F) for 23-25 minutes for large cupcakes and 18-20 for smaller ones. You can also bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. You do not need to preheat the air fryer for this recipe. Check the cupcakes are risen, golden, and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. If they are not quite done yet, you can add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.

Allow the cupcakes to cool before frosting. Store in a cake container for 2-3 days or wrap well and freeze (without any frosting).

Cookies and cakes are also possible to make in an air fryer. Cookies can turn out with crunchy edges and a chewy center, and cakes can be more challenging as you don't want a crispy crust and an under-baked center. However, with the right recipe and some simple tweaks, you can make very good cakes in your air fryer.

Quick breads

Yes, you can cook quick bread in an air fryer. The bread will have a crusty exterior and a soft, warm interior. The process is easy and much faster than baking bread in an oven.

To make bread in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients: flour, yeast, salt, and water. You can also add sugar and a little melted butter to enhance the flavor. The first step is to combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Then, add room-temperature water and oil to the mixture, and stir until a sticky dough is formed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for at least an hour, or until it has doubled in size.

Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a floured surface and knead it until it forms a ball. You can then shape the dough into a loaf and score the top with a knife. Place the dough in a greased pan that fits inside your air fryer basket, and brush the sides with melted butter. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and place the pan inside. Cook for 15 minutes, then lower the heat to 350°F (180°C) and cook for an additional 30 minutes.

To ensure even cooking, you may need to flip the bread halfway through. The bread is ready when it sounds hollow when tapped. Remove it from the air fryer and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Air fryer bread can be stored at room temperature for up to 4 days if wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Donuts and cinnamon rolls

Air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent years. They are a great way to make certain foods without deep-frying them, and you can even make desserts with them!

Donuts

Air fryer donuts are a popular choice for those who want to avoid deep-frying. They are made with the same dough as traditional deep-fried donuts, but they are cooked in an air fryer, resulting in a soft and fluffy texture with less fat. You can use canned biscuit dough, which is easier and faster, but these may taste more like biscuits with sugar on top than real donuts. A better option is to make the donuts from scratch with yeast dough. This will give you a more authentic donut taste and the glaze will keep them soft. You can dip them in a variety of toppings, such as a simple sugar glaze, a chocolate glaze, or even a maple glaze with bacon bits!

Cinnamon Rolls

Air fryer cinnamon rolls are another delicious dessert option. They are very similar to classic cinnamon rolls but are cooked in an air fryer instead of an oven, resulting in soft and fluffy rolls. The dough is made in one bowl and kneaded by hand, making it a beginner-friendly recipe. You can top them with a simple icing or a homemade cream cheese yogurt frosting.

So, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to make desserts without deep-frying, an air fryer is a great option. Donuts and cinnamon rolls are just a few of the sweet treats you can make with this versatile appliance!

Chocolate treats

Air fryers can be used to make a variety of chocolate treats. Here are some ideas:

Chocolate Cake

Air fryer chocolate cakes are easy to make and can be decorated with frosting and sprinkles or chocolate truffles or shavings. To make a chocolate cake, preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Mist a cake pan with cake release and line the bottom with baking paper or a reusable liner. Sift the flour, baking powder, sugar, and cocoa powder into a mixing bowl. Add butter, eggs, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla. Place the cake pan into the air fryer basket and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil cover and cook for another 5 minutes or until the cake feels springy to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Leave the cake to cool before adding any frosting.

Chocolate Brownies

Air fryer chocolate brownies are a must-bake for chocolate lovers. To make brownies, preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C) and prepare the brownie batter. For a deeper chocolate flavor, add some instant coffee or espresso powder. You can also top the brownies with nuts or powdered sugar. Bake the brownies for about 40 minutes, testing with a toothpick to ensure they are cooked to your desired texture.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Air fryers can also be used to make soft, gooey chocolate chip cookies. To make these cookies, simply prepare your favorite chocolate chip cookie dough and drop spoonfuls of the dough into the air fryer. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked to your desired doneness.

Chocolate Ramekin Cakes

These decadent little chocolate cakes are perfect for a treat for two. To make them, you'll need half-cup (4-ounce) ovenproof ramekins. Mist the ramekins with cooking spray and spoon in the batter. Bake in the air fryer for a speedy and delicious dessert.

Chocolate S'mores

You can make chocolate s'mores in your air fryer by using crescent roll dough and filling it with Nutella and marshmallows. The air fryer makes the dough crisp and crunchy, which is a great counterpoint to the gooey marshmallow filling.

Chocolate-Glazed Donuts

Air fryer donuts can be made with Pillsbury Grand biscuit dough and a 3-ingredient chocolate glaze. Simply cut out donut shapes from the biscuit dough, air fry them, and top them with the chocolate glaze.

There are endless possibilities for chocolate treats in the air fryer, so feel free to experiment and get creative!

Fruit-based desserts

Air fryers are not just for savoury dishes; they can also be used to make mouthwatering fruit-based desserts. The hot circulating air in the air fryer helps caramelise the sugars in the fruit, giving it a slightly crispy texture on the outside while keeping it tender and juicy inside.

Air-fried fruits

Air-frying fruit is a great way to enhance its natural sweetness and flavour. You can air-fry almost any fruit, but some of the best options are apples, pears, and peaches. Simply cut the fruit into even sizes, season with cinnamon and brown sugar, and air fry at 380°F (190°C) for up to 10 minutes. You can also experiment with other seasonings, like a sprinkle of orange zest or a drizzle of honey.

Air Fryer Peach Cobbler

For this comforting dessert, fresh peach slices are topped with a buttery, crumbly mixture and air-fried.

Air Fryer Fruit Skewers

Thread chunks of your favourite fruits onto skewers, air-fry until slightly caramelised, and serve with a drizzle of honey.

Air Fryer Apple Crisp

This classic dessert can be easily made in your air fryer. Simply slice some apples, mix them with butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar, and air-fry until tender.

Air Fryer Cheesecake

This indulgent dessert starts with a cookie crust, adds a layer of caramel cheesecake, and is topped with a chocolate ganache. You can also make mini cheesecakes and serve them with fresh fruit toppings.

Air Fryer Baked Apples

These are easy to make and the filling is irresistible. Simply core some apples, fill them with your favourite ingredients (such as brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter), and air-fry until tender.

Air Fryer Churros

Churros are a classic dessert that can be easily made in your air fryer. Simply drop ropes of dough into hot oil and roll them in cinnamon sugar once they're golden and crisp.

Frequently asked questions