Air-Fried Croissants: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

Air fryers are a convenient way to make croissants, as they can cook them from frozen and reheat stale croissants, restoring their flaky, buttery texture. You can also make croissant sandwiches in an air fryer, with various fillings such as cheese and tomato, Nutella and strawberries, or ham and Swiss cheese. When cooking croissants in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that they are not rolled too tightly, so the dough can expand and cook through. The temperature and cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer model, but it typically ranges from 330°F to 350°F for 4-7 minutes.

Reheating croissants in an air fryer

The air fryer is not just for cooking; it's also fantastic for reheating croissants. This method is great for achieving a flaky, crispy exterior, almost reminiscent of a freshly baked croissant from a local bakery.

Steps to Reheat Croissants in an Air Fryer:

Firstly, preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This step is important as it ensures the croissant heats up quickly and evenly.

Place the croissant in the air fryer basket, ensuring there's enough space around it for air to circulate. This helps achieve that evenly crispy texture.

Reheat for about 3 minutes for a room-temperature croissant. This timeframe is perfect for getting the outside crispy while keeping the inside soft and warm. If you're reheating from frozen, you'll need to adjust the time to about 7-8 minutes.

Tips:

• If you're reheating a puff pastry or yeast dough-based croissant, consider using parchment paper to line the air fryer basket to prevent sticking. However, some sources suggest avoiding parchment paper as it can prevent maximum airflow.
• If you're reheating multiple croissants, you may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
• For an extra flavour boost, brush the croissants with a mixture of melted butter and garlic powder before cooking.

Air fryer temperature and time

The air fryer temperature and time will depend on whether you are cooking or reheating your croissants, and whether they are frozen or not.

Cooking croissants

If you are cooking croissants from scratch, you should preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes. Then, cook the croissants at the same temperature for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and flaky.

Reheating croissants

If you are reheating croissants, you should preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Then, reheat the croissants for 3-5 minutes, checking them halfway through. If you are cooking from frozen, you will need to allow a little more time—around 12 minutes should do the trick.

Tips

• It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. This ensures that each croissant cooks or reheats evenly.
• Keep a close eye on your croissants, especially if they are smaller or already quite brown, as they can go from perfectly warm to overcooked very quickly.
• If you are cooking filled croissants, make sure the fillings are sealed inside to prevent any melting and dripping.

Air fryer basket preparation

Preparing the air fryer basket is a crucial step in making croissants in an air fryer. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to ensure your croissants turn out perfectly:

First, it is important to note that the air fryer basket should not be overcrowded. If you are making multiple croissants, you may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding. This ensures even cooking and the best results.

Before placing the croissants in the basket, it is recommended to lightly coat the basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. This step is especially important if you are cooking filled croissants to prevent them from sticking to the basket.

Now, you can place the croissants in the basket. If you are cooking unfilled croissants, leave some space between each one to allow the hot air to circulate properly. For filled croissants, such as chocolate croissants, it is best to use a single layer to ensure even cooking.

If you are cooking frozen croissants, you can place them directly in the air fryer basket. It is recommended to leave enough space between each croissant to allow for proper air circulation.

Once the croissants are in the basket, you are ready to start cooking!

Remember to keep an eye on your croissants while they cook, as the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the size and thickness of the croissants.

Croissant fillings

While croissants are delicious on their own, adding fillings can take them to the next level. Here are some mouth-watering ideas for croissant fillings:

Chocolate Ganache

Slice your croissant in half lengthwise and spread chocolate ganache (a mixture of equal parts chocolate and cream) on one side. Sandwich the two halves together for a decadent treat. Alternatively, you can pipe the chocolate ganache into the croissant after it's baked, or poke a hole in the bottom of the croissant and fill it with chocolate ganache before baking.

Pumpkin Pie Filling

For an autumnal twist, fill your croissant with pumpkin pie filling. You can even add some finely chopped nuts for an extra crunch. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ice Cream

Slice a heated croissant in half and add a scoop of ice cream for a delicious contrast of temperatures and textures.

Pastry Cream

Rich and indulgent, pastry cream is a classic choice for croissant fillings. You can either pipe it into the croissant after baking or fill and bake the croissant with the cream for a more well-done treat.

Apples

Coat thin slices of apple with a mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg. Let the apples sit for 30 minutes to absorb the flavours. Place the apples inside your croissant and bake for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Peanut Butter and Jelly

A classic combination, peanut butter and jelly (or jam) can be sandwiched between croissant halves. For an extra indulgent treat, bake the filled croissant for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ham and Swiss Cheese

Layer a slice of ham and a strip of Swiss cheese in your croissant and bake in the air fryer for a savoury treat.

Bacon

Try adding some fresh, warm bacon strips to your croissant, along with lettuce, tomato slices, and mayonnaise for a delicious breakfast or lunch option.

Chicken Parmesan

Place a thin portion of chicken parmesan inside a sliced croissant and bake for 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve with marinara sauce on the side for an Italian-French fusion masterpiece.

Meatballs or Meatloaf

Sandwich half a meatball or a sliver of meatloaf inside a croissant and bake for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This savoury and satisfying filling is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Feta and Spinach

Go Greek with this filling! Stuff your croissant with feta cheese and spinach, then bake for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Butter and Jam

Keep it simple with a classic combination of butter and jam. You can even drizzle a little honey on top for an extra touch of sweetness.

Feel free to experiment with your own favourite ingredients and create unique croissant fillings! The possibilities are endless.

Air fryer crescent rolls

Ingredients:

• 1 can refrigerated Crescent Rolls
• Butter (optional)
• Garlic Powder (optional)
• Cinnamon Honey Butter (optional)

Instructions:

• Spray the air fryer basket or racks with oil to prevent sticking. You can also use perforated parchment paper, but this is not necessary.
• Open the can of crescent roll dough and unroll the dough. Separate the pre-cut triangles and roll up each triangle to form a single crescent roll.
• Place the crescent rolls in a single layer in your air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other or the sides of the basket. Leave room for the rolls to expand.
• Air fry at 330-350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are lightly golden and cooked through. Check the rolls after the first 5 minutes to ensure they don't burn.
• For an extra flavour boost, brush the crescent rolls with a mixture of melted butter and garlic powder before cooking.
• Serve with cinnamon honey butter for a sweet touch.

Tips:

• Don't roll the crescent roll dough too tight. It's best to roll them slightly loose so the dough can expand and cook through.
• Test 1-2 rolls first before cooking a whole batch to ensure they don't burn.
• If you are making a large batch, you may need to cook the crescent rolls in batches.

Frequently asked questions