Toasting Pop-Tarts: Air Fryer Magic

Air fryers have become increasingly popular over the years, and for good reason. They can cook or crisp up almost anything with less mess and in less time than a conventional oven. But can you toast a Pop Tart in an air fryer? The answer is yes!

Air fryer Pop Tarts are a quick and easy breakfast, snack, or dessert option. They have a warm, sweet, and flaky texture that's perfectly toasted and crispy. The filling gets heated through without becoming scalding, and the pastry turns golden and crispy around the edges.

To make Pop Tarts in an air fryer, simply preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F and place your desired number of Pop Tarts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, frosting-side up. Cook for 2-4 minutes, keeping an eye on them to ensure they reach your desired level of doneness.

How to make pop tarts in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 2-4 Pop Tarts (any flavour)
• 1 egg (optional)
• 1/3 cup of berry jam (optional)
• 1-2 tablespoons of milk (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 drop of food colouring (optional)
• 2 tablespoons of sprinkles (optional)

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Spatula
• Trivet
• Wire rack (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F. Most sources recommend heating to 400°F, but one source suggests 350°F, and another 325°F.
• Place your desired amount of pop tarts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, frosting side up. If you are making your own pop tarts, see below for instructions.
• Cook for 2-4 minutes, checking regularly to make sure they are not burning.
• Remove the pop tarts from the air fryer using a spatula and serve immediately.

Making Your Own Pop Tarts

• Combine 1/2 a cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour, and 2 tablespoons of melted light butter in a small bowl.
• Unfold a puff pastry sheet and transfer it to a lightly floured surface or cutting board. Roll the pastry out to form a 12x16” rectangle, then cut into 8 equal rectangles. Repeat for a second puff pastry sheet so you have 16 rectangles.
• Place a tablespoon of the brown sugar filling in the middle of 8 of the rectangles, leaving 1/4 inch of space on the edges.
• Brush the edges with a beaten egg wash, then lay the other half of the dough over the filling. Seal the edges by crimping with a fork. Poke the pop tarts a few times with a fork to allow air to escape.
• Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and add the pop tarts, leaving enough room for air to circulate.
• Cook for 8-10 minutes or until browned to your liking. Then remove and place on a plate or wire rack to cool.
• While the pop tarts cool, make a frosting by combining 1 cup of confectioner's sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk, and 1/2 a teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Add more milk as needed to reach a spreadable consistency.
• Spread the frosting onto each pop tart and allow to set for about an hour.

The best temperature and time settings

The best temperature to set your air fryer to when making Pop-Tarts is 350–400°F. It is recommended to preheat your air fryer for at least 3 minutes before adding the Pop-Tarts. However, you should refer to the manufacturer's instructions for precise preheating information.

The ideal cooking time is 3–4 minutes. However, this may vary depending on the number of Pop-Tarts in the air fryer and the model of your air fryer. It is important to keep an eye on your Pop-Tarts to ensure they are cooked to your desired level of doneness.

If you are cooking a larger batch of Pop-Tarts, it is best to cook them in multiple batches to ensure even cooking and browning. Additionally, always place the Pop-Tarts in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.

Flavours that work well

When it comes to choosing Pop-Tart flavours that will work well in an air fryer, you have a lot of options to choose from. Here are some flavours that are particularly well-suited to this cooking method:

Frosted Strawberry

A classic flavour, the Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tart is an excellent choice for air frying. The sweet strawberry filling pairs perfectly with the crispy, toasted pastry, creating a delicious and satisfying treat. The bright, fruity flavour of strawberries shines through and is especially refreshing when served warm, straight out of the air fryer.

Brown Sugar Cinnamon

For those who enjoy a sweet and spicy kick, the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart is a perfect choice. When air-fried, the cinnamon flavour becomes even more pronounced, creating a warm and inviting treat. The brown sugar adds a depth of flavour that is simply irresistible, and the pastry becomes beautifully crisp.

S'mores

Imagine all the deliciousness of a campfire s'more, but in Pop-Tart form. The S'mores flavour combines a graham cracker-like pastry with a marshmallowy filling and a chocolatey topping. When air-fried, the chocolate melts slightly, creating a decadent and indulgent treat. It's like enjoying a summer night by the fire, all year round.

Blueberry Muffin

Capture the essence of a freshly baked blueberry muffin with the Blueberry Muffin Pop-Tart. This flavour is packed with a generous helping of sweet blueberry filling, reminiscent of a classic muffin. When air-fried, the pastry becomes golden and flaky, delivering a crispy and fruity bite. It's a perfect option for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Chocolate Fudge

Chocolate lovers, rejoice! The Chocolate Fudge Pop-Tart is a chocolate-filled, chocolate-covered treat. When cooked in the air fryer, the chocolate becomes soft and gooey, creating a fudgy and indulgent experience. Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream for a dessert that will satisfy all your chocolate cravings.

With these suggested flavours and more, you can experiment and discover your favourite Pop-Tart varieties to enjoy straight from your air fryer.

What to serve with air fryer pop tarts

So, you've decided to make some air fryer pop tarts—a delicious, mouthwatering treat that's oh-so-easy to make. But what should you serve with them? Here are some ideas to elevate your pop tart experience:

Sweet Treats

If you're looking for a decadent dessert option to serve with your air fryer pop tarts, why not try one of these sweet treats?

• Ice cream: Create an ice cream sandwich by using pop tarts as the "bread". Experiment with different flavour combinations, such as strawberry pop tarts with chocolate chip ice cream or brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts with vanilla ice cream.
• Milkshakes: Blend your favourite flavour of pop tarts with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a dash of milk for a fun and fruity milkshake.
• Banana Bread: Try this 4-ingredient banana bread recipe for a quick and easy treat to serve alongside your pop tarts.
• Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins: These muffins are a great option if you're looking for something a little more wholesome to balance out the indulgent pop tarts.

Savoury Bites

If you're looking for something savoury to offset the sweetness of the pop tarts, here are some ideas:

• Tater Tot Casserole: This meatless tater tot casserole is a fun and comforting option to serve on the side.
• Air Fryer Hash Browns: Crispy hash browns made in the air fryer can add a savoury and crunchy element to your pop tart feast.
• Air Fryer Scrambled Eggs: For a more substantial breakfast or brunch, serve your pop tarts with some fluffy scrambled eggs made in the air fryer.

Remember, the beauty of pop tarts is their versatility. You can experiment with different flavours, from classic strawberry to wilder options like s'mores or salted caramel. So, feel free to get creative and curate a spread that will delight your taste buds!

Reheating air fryer pop tarts

Air-fried pop tarts are a quick and easy snack, dessert, or breakfast. They are a great alternative to using a toaster and can be ready in just a few minutes.

How to Reheat Pop Tarts in an Air Fryer

To reheat your pop tarts, simply place them in the air fryer in a single layer, with some space between each pastry. You can cook as many as you can fit in a single layer, but be sure not to overcrowd the basket.

Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook for 2-4 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the pop tarts are warmed through. Be sure to keep an eye on them, as you don't want them to burn!

Once the air fryer has finished cooking, remove the pop tarts with a spatula and serve immediately.

The number of pop tarts you can reheat at once will depend on the size of your air fryer. A 6-quart basket model can fit around 2-3 pop tarts at a time, while a tray-style air fryer may fit 4-6, depending on its size.

If you are cooking for a crowd, you can easily do multiple batches to ensure everyone gets a warm, crispy pop tart!

Flavour Options

Any flavour of pop tart can be reheated in the air fryer. Whether you prefer the classic Frosted Strawberry, or want to mix it up with Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Frosted Cookies & Crème, or even Salted Caramel, the air fryer will deliver a warm, crispy treat.

The air fryer is perfect for heating the filling of the pop tart just right, while also achieving a golden, crispy pastry. It's a quick and easy way to prepare this snack, without the mess of a toaster or the hassle of an oven.

Frequently asked questions