Air Fryer Salt Dough: Is It Possible?

Salt dough is a popular DIY material for homemade crafts and ornaments. It is made with flour, water, and salt and can be mixed with food colouring or painted after baking. You can use cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes and then bake them in the oven or air fryer. Once they are completely dry, you can paint and decorate them as you like. This is a fun and easy craft project for the whole family, especially around the holidays.

Air fryer temperature and duration

Air fryers are a great way to make salt dough ornaments. The temperature and duration for which you cook the salt dough ornaments depend on the shape and size of your air fryer.

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 300°F (approximately 149°C). While the air fryer is preheating, divide the dough into four sections and roll it out to about 1/4th of an inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out your preferred ornament shapes. You can also use a straw to poke a hole in the top of each ornament so you can hang them later.

Once your ornaments are ready, place them in the air fryer. If your air fryer is big enough, you can place the ornaments directly into the basket, ensuring they are not touching. Alternatively, you can place the ornaments on a piece of parchment paper and then into the air fryer.

Air fry your ornaments for 30 to 60 minutes, or until they are completely dried out. The temperature for this step can vary based on the source, with suggestions ranging from 90°C to 200°F (approximately 95°C). Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to bake the ornaments in batches.

After your ornaments are done, let them cool completely on a wire rack. You can then paint them with acrylic paint or seal them with a varnish like Mod Podge to prevent cracking or crumbling. Finally, thread a ribbon through the hole, and your ornaments are ready to hang!

Preparing the dough

At this stage, you can add food colouring to your dough if desired. You can use either gel food colouring or powder—add it to the water before mixing, and adjust the amount as needed to achieve your desired colour. Keep in mind that the colour will be more subtle once the dough dries. You can also add lustre powder for some extra sparkle and to make your ornaments catch the light, as well as ground cinnamon or vanilla essence for a seasonal scent.

Once your dough is mixed, preheat your air fryer to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Divide the dough into four sections and place one section on a piece of parchment paper. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. If you don't have parchment paper, you can roll it out directly on a clean work surface, but the dough may stick, so you may need to use flour.

Now, use a cookie cutter to cut out your chosen shapes. You can also use a straw to cut a small hole in each ornament, which you can use to hang them later. Gather any scraps of dough and set them aside to roll out again and cut more shapes.

Cutting out the shapes

Once you've prepared your salt dough, it's time to roll it out and cut out your desired shapes. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving the best results:

Rolling out the Dough:

Before you start, ensure your work surface and rolling pin are free of flour or stickiness. You can roll the dough directly on a clean surface or between two sheets of parchment paper to avoid any mess. Roll the dough to a thickness of approximately 1/4 inch. If you prefer thinner ornaments, you can roll it out to 1/8 inch, but be careful not to make it too thin, as this could affect the structural integrity of your shapes.

Now, it's time to cut out your desired shapes. Use cookie cutters in various festive designs, such as gingerbread men, hearts, or any other shape that strikes your fancy. Gently press the cookie cutter straight down into the flattened dough and then lift it to release the shape. If needed, use a small spatula or butter knife to help lift the cut-out shape from the dough carefully. Place the cut-out shapes onto a separate piece of parchment paper. Repeat this process until you've cut out as many shapes as possible from the rolled-out dough.

Gathering the Scraps:

After cutting out the initial shapes, you'll likely have some excess dough left over. Gather these scraps and gently press them together to form a ball again. You can then re-roll this dough and continue cutting out more shapes. Repeat this process until you've used up most of the dough. This step ensures that you get the most out of your dough and minimizes waste.

Creating a Hanging Hole:

If you plan to hang your ornaments, it's essential to create a small hole for threading ribbon or string. Use a straw or a skewer to gently poke a hole near the top of each ornament. Make sure the hole goes all the way through the dough. This step should be done before placing the ornaments in the air fryer, as it will be too late to create holes afterward.

Spacing the Shapes:

Once you've cut out all your shapes and created the necessary holes, it's time to place them in the air fryer. Place the shapes directly into the air fryer basket or on a liner, making sure they are spaced slightly apart to ensure even cooking. Avoid having the shapes touch each other, as this could cause them to stick together during the cooking process.

Now that your shapes are cut out and prepared, they're ready to be cooked in the air fryer. Remember to follow the specific temperature and timing instructions provided in the previous section for the best results. Enjoy crafting your unique salt dough ornaments!

Adding decorations

Once your salt dough ornaments are baked and cooled, you can decorate them as you like. You can paint them with acrylic paint, or use tempura washable paints if you're crafting with young children. If you want to add some sparkle to your ornaments, you can use glitter or lustre powder. You can also add a scent to your ornaments by mixing in ground cinnamon or vanilla essence. If you want to hang your ornaments, thread a piece of string or ribbon through the hole before you paint, and add a thin coat of glossy Mod Podge to seal in the colour and add shine.

If you want to add colour to your ornaments without painting them, you can add food colouring powder or gel food colouring to the dough before baking. You can also add colour to the water and adjust as needed to get the desired shade. However, keep in mind that the colour will be quite subtle once the salt dough dries.

You can also decorate your salt dough ornaments with cookie stamps or cookie cutters to create different shapes and designs. If you want to get really creative, you can use a combination of these techniques to create unique and personalised ornaments.

Sealing and storing

Once your salt dough is dry, you can decorate it with paint. Again, it is important to let the paint dry completely before applying a sealant. You can use a craft sealer like Mod Podge, a spray sealant coating, or polyurethane spray. Seal your creation twice to ensure it is well-protected. Allow the sealant to dry thoroughly before storing.

When storing your salt dough creations, avoid heat and humidity. Choose a cool, dry place, and opt for a sturdy, airtight container for the best protection. You can also wrap each item in wax paper before storing them away. Additionally, you can place a small bag of silica gel, rice, or even a marshmallow in the container to absorb any excess moisture and prevent mould.

If you seal and store your salt dough creations properly, they can last for decades.

Frequently asked questions