Air-Fried Pillsbury Croissants: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

You can definitely make Pillsbury croissants in an air fryer. The circulating hot air makes the canned crescent dough rise beautifully, resulting in a crispy, flaky texture on the outside and a warm, tender inside. The cooking time will depend on your specific air fryer, but generally, it should take around 5-11 minutes. It's important to note that you should not roll the crescent rolls too tightly, as this can result in dense raw centres. Instead, roll them slightly loose to allow the dough to expand and cook through, creating fluffy rolls.

How to make Pillsbury croissants in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 can of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
• Butter (optional)
• Cooking spray or oil
• Parchment paper or a silicone liner (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 300-350°F.
• On a piece of parchment paper or a silicone liner, roll out the crescent roll dough, starting from the wide end and moving down to the point.
• Slightly curl the ends of the dough into a crescent shape, then lay them on the mat.
• Once the air fryer is preheated, place the mat with the crescent rolls inside the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not touching each other or the sides.
• Air fry for 5-7 minutes, checking after 4 minutes, until the croissants are golden brown on top and cooked through.
• Brush the croissants with melted butter, if desired, or serve with butter and jam.

Tips

• If you don't have a silicone liner or parchment paper, you can spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. However, this may add too much oil to the croissants and make them less crispy.
• For an extra flavor boost, brush the croissants with a mixture of melted butter and garlic powder before cooking.
• If you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes for subsequent batches as the air fryer will already be hot.
• Always check that the croissants are fully cooked, as air fryer models vary in temperature.
• Don't roll the crescent dough too tightly before placing it in the air fryer. This will allow the dough to expand and cook through, resulting in fluffy croissants.

Serving Suggestions

Pillsbury croissants made in an air fryer can be served at any time of day. Some serving suggestions include:

• Breakfast sandwiches with egg and sausage.
• Savory sides of butter and jam, or honey drizzled on top.
• Ham and cheese roll sandwiches.
• Dinner rolls.
• Pigs in a blanket.
• Cinnamon sugar crescent rolls.
• Chocolate and Nutella crescent rolls.
• Apple pie crescent rolls.

Enjoy your freshly made Pillsbury croissants, hot and crispy from the air fryer!

Tips for making croissants in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to ovens when it comes to making croissants, and the Pillsbury brand is a popular choice for this. Here are some tips to help you achieve the perfect air-fried croissants:

Preparation

Before placing the croissants in the air fryer, ensure that the dough is rolled out loosely. This will allow room for the dough to expand and cook through properly, resulting in fluffy croissants instead of dense, raw centres. Roll the dough from the widest part to the smallest, and then shape into a crescent. It is important not to roll the dough too tightly, as this can restrict the cooking process and impact the texture of the croissants.

Temperature and Timing

Air fry at around 300°F/165°C for about 6-7 minutes. The exact temperature and timing will depend on your air fryer, so it is worth testing one or two first to get an idea of how long they take to cook through. You may also need to reduce the timing if your air fryer is preheated or if you are cooking multiple batches. Check that the croissants are crispy and brown on the outside, and cooked through on the inside.

Spacing

When placing the croissants in the air fryer basket, ensure they are in a single layer and spaced out so they are not touching each other or the sides of the basket. This allows for even cooking and prevents overcrowding, which can lead to uneven results.

Liners and Spray

To prevent the croissants from sticking, you can use a liner or spray. A silicone liner or perforated parchment paper are good options, but be aware that parchment paper may impact the airflow and prevent the croissants from cooking through properly. Alternatively, you can spray the basket with oil or cooking spray, ensuring an even coat so the dough doesn't stick.

Flavour

For an extra flavour boost, brush the croissants with a mixture of melted butter and garlic powder before cooking. You can also add fillings to the croissants, such as ham and cheese, or sweet ingredients like cinnamon and sugar.

Serving

Air-fried croissants are versatile and can be served at any time of day. Enjoy them as a savoury snack with butter, or add some jam for a sweet treat. They also go well with coffee, and can be served as a side dish or a tasty snack.

How long to cook Pillsbury croissants in an air fryer

Yes, you can make Pillsbury croissants in an air fryer! Here's how to do it:

Firstly, lay out the dough completely, then roll them up per the package instructions, from the widest part to the smallest. You don't want to roll them too tightly, as this can lead to dense raw centres. Instead, roll them slightly loose so the dough can expand and cook through, resulting in fluffy rolls.

Next, place the unbaked croissant dough into your air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not touching each other or the sides of the basket. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to do this in batches.

Now, it's time to air fry! Set the temperature to between 300°F and 360°F. The exact cooking time will depend on your specific air fryer, but generally, they will take around 11 minutes in total. Start by cooking them for 5 minutes, then turn them over and cook for another 4-6 minutes, until they are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn.

Once they are golden brown, plate and serve! You can brush a little butter on top, but it's best to do this after they have finished cooking so you can better taste the butter.

Enjoy your freshly cooked Pillsbury croissants!

What to serve with Pillsbury croissants

While crescent rolls are delicious on their own, they can also be used as a side to complement a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas on what to serve with Pillsbury croissants:

Breakfast Options

Pillsbury croissants can be the perfect addition to your breakfast or brunch spread. You can make breakfast sandwiches with these croissants, such as savoury egg and sausage roll sandwiches, or ham and cheese roll sandwiches. You can also serve them with simple sides like butter and jam, or drizzle some honey on top.

Appetizers and Snacks

For a tasty appetiser or snack, try pairing your Pillsbury croissants with a variety of dips and spreads. Some options include hummus, tzatziki, babaganoush, or a simple cheese platter with crackers. If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own dip by mixing cream cheese, chopped herbs, and sundried tomatoes.

Lunch and Dinner

Pillsbury croissants can be a great side to a variety of lunch and dinner dishes. They can be served as a dinner roll to accompany your main course, or you can get creative and use them as a base for mini sandwiches. For example, you can make mini chicken salad sandwiches, or fill them with slices of roast beef and horseradish cream. They also go well with soups and salads, adding a warm and flaky texture to your meal.

Dessert

If you're looking for a sweet treat, Pillsbury croissants can be transformed into a delicious dessert. You can fill them with chocolate hazelnut spread, fresh berries and cream, or a combination of your choice. For an extra indulgent touch, sprinkle some powdered sugar on top or drizzle with chocolate syrup.

Creative Recipes

Pillsbury croissants are a versatile base for creative recipes. You can use them to make pigs in a blanket, wrapping them around mini hot dogs or sausages. They can also be used as a pizza crust, topped with your favourite pizza sauce, cheese, and vegetables. For a more elaborate dish, try making a crescent roll casserole, filled with eggs, bacon, and cheese, or your choice of ingredients.

With their flaky texture and buttery taste, Pillsbury croissants are a versatile addition to any meal, and can be adapted to suit a variety of cuisines and creative recipes.

Can you use parchment paper in an air fryer?

Yes, you can use parchment paper in an air fryer, but there are some important precautions to be aware of. Firstly, always ensure you are using food-grade parchment paper and check the maximum temperature restriction on the box. Cut the paper slightly smaller than the bottom of your air fryer basket to allow for good air circulation, and perforating the paper can also assist with this. It is important to never put the paper in the air fryer by itself, especially during preheating, as it may float up to the heating element and burn. Parchment paper is best used when weighed down by food. If you are looking for a more reusable option, silicone liners can also be purchased for air fryers and are dishwasher-safe.

Now, onto your croissants! Pillsbury crescent rolls can be cooked in an air fryer, and it only takes about 10 minutes! First, lay out the dough and roll them up per the package instructions. Then, place them into your air fryer basket and set the temperature to 300°F. Cook for 5 minutes, turn them over, and then cook for another 4-7 minutes or until golden brown.

Some tips from air fryer enthusiasts include not rolling the crescent rolls dough too tight so that the dough can expand and cook through, and spraying the air fryer basket or racks with oil to prevent sticking. You can also brush a little butter on top after cooking for some extra flavour.

Frequently asked questions