Air-Fried Pop Tarts: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to cook or heat up food. They can be used to make a variety of dishes, from savoury meals like Scotch eggs and lobster tails to sweet treats like chocolate cake. One such snack that can be made in an air fryer is pop tarts.

Pop tarts are a popular breakfast pastry, usually warmed up in a toaster or eaten straight from the packet. However, air-fried pop tarts offer a unique experience with a crisp, flaky exterior and a warm, soft interior. The filling is perfectly warmed without becoming scalding, and the pastry turns golden and crispy.

Air fryer pop tarts are easy to make and only require a few minutes of cooking time. The temperature is typically set between 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and the pop tarts are placed in a single layer in the air fryer basket. The result is a delicious, warm snack that is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

How to make pop tarts in an air fryer

How to Make Pop-Tarts in an Air Fryer

Ingredients

Pop-Tarts (any flavour)

Optional Ingredients

• Spatula
• Egg wash (for homemade pop-tarts)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350–400°F.
• Place your desired amount of pop-tarts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If your pop-tarts are frosted, place the frosted side facing up.
• Cook for 3–5 minutes.
• Remove the pop-tarts from the air fryer using a spatula and let them cool for 1–2 minutes before serving.

Tips

• The cooking time may vary depending on the number of pop-tarts in your basket and your air fryer model.
• You can add as many pop-tarts to the air fryer as can fit in a single layer.
• If you are making homemade pop-tarts, brush the edges with egg wash before placing them in the air fryer.

Flavours that work best for this recipe

The best part about making your own air fryer pop tarts is that you can choose the flavour of the jam or spread that goes in the middle. You can use any flavour of pre-made pop tarts in the air fryer, but if you're making them from scratch, the choice is endless.

Some of the most popular flavours include strawberry, brown sugar cinnamon, wild berry, chocolate hazelnut spread, blueberry, cherry, fudge, chocolate chip, cookie dough, raspberry, s'mores, salted caramel, peach cobbler, and banana cream pie.

If you're making your own pop tarts, you can also switch up the filling. For example, instead of brown sugar, you could use strawberry jam and make a simple vanilla glaze instead of a cinnamon one.

The air fryer is perfect for heating the filling just right and getting an irresistibly golden pastry. The filling gets perfectly warmed but not scalding, while the pastry turns golden and crispy on the edges.

How long to air fry pop tarts

Air frying Pop-Tarts is a great way to heat up the snack and achieve a warm, sweet, and crispy texture. The cooking time may vary depending on the number of Pop-Tarts in the air fryer basket and the air fryer model. However, the general consensus is that Pop-Tarts should be air-fried for around 3-4 minutes at 400°F.

At 400°F, air-frying Pop-Tarts for three minutes is sufficient to warm the filling without making it too hot, while also crisping the pastry and giving it a golden colour. This method works for any flavour of Pop-Tarts, whether it's the classic strawberry or something more adventurous like s'mores or hot fudge sundae.

It's important to note that you should only air fry one layer of Pop-Tarts at a time, as stacking them may cause the frosting to melt and make a mess. If you're cooking for a crowd, it's best to do multiple batches.

Overall, air frying Pop-Tarts is a quick and easy way to enjoy this snack, and it's definitely worth giving it a try if you're looking for a tasty treat or an indulgent breakfast.

How many pop tarts can you make at once?

The number of Pop-Tarts you can make at once in an air fryer depends on the size of your air fryer. You can cook as many as can fit in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space for hot air to circulate around each Pop-Tart. This will allow them to toast evenly on all sides and prevent the frosting from making a mess.

It is recommended to avoid overlapping the Pop-Tarts, as this can cause the frosting to melt and create a sticky situation. If you are cooking for a crowd, it is best to do multiple batches to ensure even cooking and browning.

Since air-fried Pop-Tarts cook relatively quickly (3-4 minutes), making multiple batches is still an efficient way to feed a group. You can easily make several batches in a row and have breakfast ready in 10 to 15 minutes.

What to serve with air fryer pop tarts

There are many ways to serve air fryer pop tarts, whether it be for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.

If you are serving them for breakfast, you could accompany them with some air fryer hash browns, or even a breakfast burrito or cinnamon roll, also made in the air fryer.

For a snack, you could serve pop tarts with some banana blueberry oatmeal muffins, or even tater tot casserole.

If you are serving pop tarts for dessert, you could get creative and make an ice cream sandwich with two pop tarts and a scoop of ice cream. Alternatively, you could crumble the pop tarts into a bowl of ice cream, or make a trifle with multiple flavours of pop tarts layered with whipped cream.

Frequently asked questions