Air-Fried Crumpets: A Quick, Easy Breakfast Treat

Crumpets are a British breakfast staple, and while they are traditionally cooked on a stovetop or in a toaster, you can also cook them in an air fryer. This method is quick, convenient, and yields a different texture and taste. The hot air circulation in the air fryer ensures that your crumpets are evenly heated, resulting in a crispy exterior and a fluffy, soft interior.

To cook crumpets in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (175-180°C). Place your crumpets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space between them for the hot air to circulate. Cook the crumpets for about 3-6 minutes, or until they are golden brown and heated through. You can also cook crumpets from frozen in an air fryer, but you may need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.

Once your crumpets are cooked, you can enjoy them with a variety of toppings, such as butter, jam, honey, or cheese. You can also get creative and make air fryer crumpet recipes like Cheesy Bacon Bites or Sweet Cinnamon Delight.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an essential step in achieving perfectly toasted crumpets. This step ensures that the crumpets cook evenly and develop a crispy exterior. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer is 350°F (180°C) or 356°F (180°C). Let the air fryer preheat for about 5 minutes or 2 to 3 minutes.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can take this time to prepare your crumpets and gather your ingredients. Take the crumpets out of their packaging and place them on a clean surface. You can also gather your desired toppings, such as butter, jam, honey, or cheese, so they are ready to be added after cooking.

Preheating your air fryer to the correct temperature is crucial for achieving the desired level of crispiness and ensuring your crumpets are cooked evenly. It is also important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the model and size of your air fryer, so keep an eye on your crumpets and adjust the timing as needed.

Prepare the crumpets

Ingredients:

• Crumpets
• Butter
• Optional toppings: cheese, marmite, peanut butter, or ingredients for a crumpet pizza

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 180°C/350°F for 2-3 minutes.
• Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or a small amount of oil. This will prevent sticking and make the cleanup easier.
• Place the crumpets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overlapping and leave some space between them to allow the hot air to circulate and ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the crumpets in batches.
• Air fry the crumpets for 2-3 minutes. If you are cooking from frozen, add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.
• Flip the crumpets and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
• Remove the crumpets from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Be careful, as they will be hot.
• Serve warm with your desired toppings. For a classic combination, spread some butter on the crumpets and let it melt into the holes. You can also experiment with different toppings, such as cheese, marmite, peanut butter, or create a mini crumpet pizza.

Place the crumpets in the air fryer basket

When placing the crumpets in the air fryer basket, it's important to ensure they are arranged in a single layer, leaving some space between each crumpet. This is to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the crumpets in batches. For example, you can place four crumpets at a time in the air fryer basket.

Additionally, if you are cooking frozen crumpets, it is recommended to place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and defrost them first. Set your air fryer to 160°C/320°F and air fry for about 2-3 minutes to defrost the crumpets before proceeding with the cooking process.

When placing the crumpets in the air fryer basket, you can also get creative with your toppings. For instance, if you want to make cheesy crumpets, sprinkle some grated cheese on top of the crumpets and return them to the air fryer. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or blue cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding a layer of marmite before the cheese for an umami punch.

Another option is to create a mini crumpet pizza. Spread some tomato sauce and sprinkle cheese on the crumpets, along with your favourite pizza toppings, and return them to the air fryer until everything is melted and bubbly.

When placing the crumpets in the air fryer basket, you can also try different variations, such as dipping the crumpets in egg before air frying or adding a spread like peanut butter, marmite, or honey.

Remember to always preheat your air fryer before placing the crumpets in the basket to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.

Heat the crumpets

Heating Crumpets in an Air Fryer

Preheat the Air Fryer

Before placing your crumpets in the air fryer, preheat the appliance to 180°C (around 350°F). This step is important as it ensures the crumpets cook evenly and start crisping up immediately.

Prepare the Crumpets

Take the crumpets out of their packaging and place them on a clean surface. If you're using frozen crumpets, you don't need to defrost them first.

Place the Crumpets in the Air Fryer Basket

Arrange the crumpets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each one. This ensures proper air circulation and even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the crumpets in batches.

Close the air fryer basket and set the timer for 2-4 minutes. Keep an eye on the crumpets and adjust the timing based on your desired level of crispness. Flip the crumpets halfway through cooking to ensure even heating on both sides.

Remove and Serve

Once the crumpets are heated to your liking, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Serve warm with your choice of toppings, such as butter, jam, honey, or cheese.

Tips

• Grease the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking and achieve a golden-brown texture.
• For a softer, less crispy crumpet, try lowering the temperature slightly.
• Serve the crumpets immediately for the best taste and texture.

Variations and Toppings

While crumpets are delicious on their own, you can elevate them with various toppings. Here are some ideas:

• Classic butter, honey, or jam
• Cream cheese and smoked salmon
• Avocado slices with a drizzle of olive oil
• Peanut butter and jam
• Marmite
• Pizza sauce, cheese, and your favourite pizza toppings
• Mango chutney and cheese
• Blue cheese or Brie
• BBQ sauce or Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic butter
• Ham or bacon

Storing Leftovers

Air-fried crumpets are best enjoyed fresh, so it's not recommended to store leftovers.

Final Thoughts

Using an air fryer to heat crumpets is a quick, convenient, and delicious alternative to traditional methods. It yields a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and fluffy. Experiment with different cooking times and temperatures to find your perfect level of crispness!

Flip and heat for additional time (optional)

Once you've heated your crumpets for 2-3 minutes, you can flip them over and heat for an additional 1-2 minutes. This step is optional, but it ensures even heating on both sides of the crumpets.

If you're adding toppings like cheese, you can sprinkle them on after flipping the crumpets and then return the air fryer for another 2 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

For a more golden-brown colour, you can air fry the crumpets for an extra minute or two. It's important to keep an eye on the crumpets to prevent overcooking, as air fryers are very efficient and can quickly turn your snack from golden to burnt.

If you're cooking frozen crumpets, add a couple of minutes to the cooking time to ensure they're heated through and crispy.

Frequently asked questions