Air-Fried Croissants: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to ovens, and they can be used to make croissants from scratch or to reheat stale ones. You can use store-bought crescent roll dough to make croissants in an air fryer, or you can reheat pre-made croissants and fill them with savoury or sweet ingredients.

Reheating croissants in an air fryer

If you have stale croissants that you want to restore to their former flaky, buttery glory, then an air fryer is a great option. It's also a good way to warm up a croissant sandwich without flattening it, as you would with a frying pan or sandwich press.

To reheat a croissant in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 170C (340F). Slice the croissant down one side, open it up, and lay it flat. Place your chosen filling—such as sliced cheese and tomato—across both sides. Then, air fry for 3-4 minutes, until the filling is melted and the croissant is warmed through. Remove from the air fryer and fold the croissant back together. Serve immediately.

You can also reheat frozen croissants in an air fryer. First, heat the air fryer to 180C/356F for 2 minutes, then put the frozen croissants in for 20 minutes. Use parchment paper on the bottom of the air fryer to prevent sticking.

If you're reheating pre-prepared crescent rolls, these will only need 4-5 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 330F.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The ideal temperature for cooking croissants in an air fryer is 350°F (175°C). This temperature should be maintained for 5 minutes to preheat the air fryer.

The cooking time for croissants in the air fryer varies depending on the type of croissant and the specific air fryer model. On average, it takes 8-12 minutes to cook croissants from frozen, and 2-5 minutes to reheat or cook fresh croissants.

For frozen croissants, it is recommended to set the air fryer to 180°C for 12 minutes, checking on them at the 10-minute mark. Fresh or leftover croissants should be cooked for 2-3 minutes at 350°F (175°C), and Pillsbury Crescent Rolls should be cooked at 300°F for 5 minutes, then turned over and cooked for an additional 4-6 minutes.

When cooking or reheating croissants in the air fryer, it is important to leave space between them to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.

Air fryer basket preparation

Preparing the air fryer basket is an important 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 recommended to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) or 375°F (190°C) and preheat for about 5 minutes. Preheating ensures even cooking and helps achieve the desired texture of your croissants.

Next, prepare your cooking spray or oil. It is important to prevent the croissants from sticking to the basket, so lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with oil. This step ensures that your croissants will release easily and helps achieve a golden colour on the pastry.

Now, you are ready to arrange the croissants in the basket. Place the croissants in a single layer, leaving some space between each one. This spacing is crucial as it allows the hot air to circulate and ensures even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the croissants in batches.

If you are using ready-made croissant dough, unroll the dough and separate it into individual triangles before placing them in the basket. If you are adding any fillings, such as chocolate or cheese, be sure to seal them inside the croissants to prevent melting and dripping.

Once the croissants are arranged in the basket, it's time to set the timer and let the air fryer work its magic! Depending on your desired level of doneness, cook the croissants for 5 to 10 minutes, keeping an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Finally, when the croissants are golden brown and flaky, carefully remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the delicious, freshly baked goodness!

Croissant fillings

Yes, you can make croissants in an air fryer! Here are some ideas for croissant fillings:

Chocolate

Slice the croissant in half lengthwise and spread your desired amount of chocolate ganache (a mixture of equal parts chocolate and cream) on one side. Then, sandwich the two halves together. Alternatively, you can pipe the chocolate ganache into the croissant after it has been baked.

Pumpkin

Try pumpkin pie filling nestled within a croissant for an autumnal treat. Add some finely chopped nuts for an extra crunch. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ice Cream

Slice a heated croissant in the centre and place a scoop of ice cream between the two halves for a delicious contrast of temperatures.

Pastry Cream

Rich pastry cream is a classic filling for croissants. You can either pipe it in after baking the croissant or fill the croissant before baking, but be aware that the cream may melt and separate during the baking process.

Apples

Coat thin slices of apple with a blend of cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg. Let the mixture absorb for 30 minutes, then place a layer of apples inside your croissant. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Slice a croissant lengthwise, add a layer of peanut butter and jelly between the two halves, and then sandwich them together. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ham and Swiss Cheese

Place a slice of ham and a strip of Swiss cheese on a triangle of crescent dough, then roll it up. Air fry at 300°F for 6 minutes, then turn over and cook for another 4 to 7 minutes, or until golden brown.

Air fryer croissant roll dough

Air fryer crescent rolls are a perfect addition to any meal and can be served at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are light, fluffy, and tender, and can be made in a few simple steps.

Ingredients

• 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count)
• 8 thin slices of deli ham (3.5 oz)
• 4 thin slices of Swiss cheese (3 oz), each cut into 4 strips
• Melted butter
• Cooking spray or parchment paper

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees F (160°C) for 3-5 minutes.
• Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into triangles along the perforated lines.
• Roll each triangle starting from the wide end to the tip to form the crescent shape. Don't roll them too tight, as you want to allow room for the dough to expand and cook through.
• Place the rolled crescent rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching or overlapping. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Cook the crescent rolls at an air fryer temperature of 320 degrees F (160°C) or 330°F/165°C, and set the cook time for 6-8 minutes. Check them halfway through the cooking time to ensure they are browning evenly. Adjust the time if necessary; they should be golden brown and flaky when done.
• For extra flavour, brush the crescent rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder, herbs, or cinnamon sugar before air frying.
• If you are making filled crescent rolls, such as ham and Swiss cheese, place one piece of ham on each triangle of dough, then place two strips of cheese down the centre of the ham. Fold in the edges of the ham to match the shape of the dough triangle, then roll up each crescent, ending at the tip of the triangle.

Tips

• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and the right texture for the crescent rolls.
• Arrange the crescent rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch each other. This allows for proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Watch the cooking time and check the crescent rolls halfway through to avoid overcooking.
• Rotate or flip the crescent rolls halfway through cooking to ensure even browning on all sides.
• You can use parchment paper to prevent sticking, but it should be perforated for the best results in an air fryer, and cut to fit without blocking airflow.
• Crescent rolls are done when they are golden brown and flaky. If they seem undercooked, give them an extra minute or two, but keep a close eye to prevent burning.

Frequently asked questions