Air Fryer Pop-Tarts: A Healthy Alternative?

Air fryers have become increasingly popular over the years, and for good reason. They can cook or crisp up almost anything in less time and with less mess than a conventional oven. But can you use an air fryer for pop tarts?

The answer is yes! Air-frying pop tarts is an excellent way to heat them evenly, resulting in a perfectly warmed, soft, and crispy texture that can be challenging to achieve with a toaster. The filling gets warmed through without becoming scalding, and the pastry turns golden and flaky.

To make pop tarts in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F for about 3 minutes. Place your desired number of pop tarts in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overlap them. Cook for 2-4 minutes, keeping an eye on them to ensure they reach your desired level of doneness. Remove the pop tarts carefully and enjoy!

How to make pop tarts in an air fryer

Air fryer pop tarts are a quick, easy, and tasty breakfast, snack, or dessert option. They are warm and sweet with a great texture—crispy and flaky at the same time. The filling gets perfectly warmed but not scalding while the pastry turns golden and crispy on the edges.

Ingredients:

Pop Tarts (any flavor)

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, frosting side up. Make sure they are not overlapping.
• Cook for 2–4 minutes. Check on them around the 2-minute mark and return to the air fryer if they are not browned enough.
• Remove carefully and enjoy!

Tips:

• The cooking time may vary depending on the number of pop tarts in your basket and your air fryer design.
• If you are cooking a large batch, it is best to cook in several batches to avoid overcrowding.
• You can cook any flavor of Pop Tarts, but some tasty options include Frosted Strawberry, Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Frosted Cookies & Crème, Frosted Confetti Cupcake, and Frosted Wildlicious Wild Berry.

How long to air fry pop tarts

Air fryer Pop-Tarts are a quick and easy breakfast, snack or dessert option. They are also a lot less messy than cooking them in a toaster or oven.

The cooking time will vary depending on the number of Pop-Tarts you are cooking, the size of your air fryer, and whether or not you preheated your air fryer. However, the general consensus is that Pop-Tarts will be ready in 3-5 minutes.

If you are cooking two to three Pop-Tarts in a basket-style air fryer, or four to six in a tray-style air fryer, and your air fryer has been preheated, they should take no longer than three minutes to cook. Check on them after two minutes, and return them to the air fryer if they are not browned enough.

If your air fryer has not been preheated, the Pop-Tarts will take between three and five minutes to cook. As above, check on them after two minutes and return them to the air fryer if they require more time.

If you are cooking the Pop-Tarts in a single layer, with frosting side up, at 400°F for three minutes, they should be ready to eat.

What flavour pop tarts work best for this recipe

When it comes to flavour, the options are endless! You can use any flavour of Pop-Tarts in the air fryer, and they will all turn out warm, sweet, and delicious.

Some people prefer the fruity flavours for breakfast, such as strawberry, brown sugar cinnamon, wild berry, blueberry, cherry, peach cobbler, or lemon. For a dessert or snack, chocolate-filled varieties might be more appealing, with flavours like s'mores, hot fudge sundae, salted caramel, banana cream pie, or chocolate chip cookie dough.

If you're looking for a classic flavour, strawberry Pop-Tarts are a great option, with their sweet-and-sour jam and thick sheet of frosting. But don't be afraid to experiment with other flavours like Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Frosted Cookies & Crème, Frosted Confetti Cupcake, or even off-brand varieties.

The beauty of using an air fryer is that you can make a small batch of any flavour to suit your taste buds, so feel free to get creative and indulge your sweet tooth!

How many pop tarts can you make in an air fryer at once?

The number of Pop-Tarts you can cook in an air fryer at once 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. If you have a 6-quart basket model, you can probably fit 2-3 at a time. If you have a tray-style air fryer, you could probably fit 4-6 at a time, depending on its size.

You should avoid stacking or layering the Pop-Tarts, as this can create excess moisture in the basket or oven and prevent them from cooking through. It is also important to ensure that there is enough space between each Pop-Tart for the hot air to circulate, so they become toasted on all sides.

If you are cooking for a crowd, you can easily make several batches in a row to avoid overcrowding.

Tips to perfect air-fried pop tarts

Air-fried pop tarts are a quick and easy snack that can be made in just a few minutes. Here are some tips to help you perfect the art of making air-fried pop tarts:

Preheat your air fryer

Always preheat your air fryer before adding the pop tarts. This is a best practice that ensures even cooking and the perfect crispness. Preheat to 350-400°F for at least 3 minutes, or follow the manufacturer's instructions. Some models have a preheat button, which can be used as a shortcut.

Prepare the pop tarts

Place your desired number of pop tarts in the air fryer basket or tray, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. If you have a basket-style air fryer, you can fit 2-3 pop tarts, while a tray-style air fryer can accommodate 4-6 pop tarts, depending on its size. You can use any flavor or brand of pop tarts, as long as they are similar in size to the classic branded pop tarts.

Cooking time and temperature

Cook your pop tarts at 350-400°F for 2-4 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the number of pop tarts and the model of your air fryer, so be sure to keep an eye on them. Check on them around the 2-minute mark, and return them to the air fryer if they need more time. The pop tarts are done when the edges are lightly browned and the filling is warmed through.

Use a trivet

When removing the basket from the air fryer, use a trivet to protect your countertop from the heat. The basket can get very hot, and you don't want to scorch your kitchen counter.

Use tongs or a spatula

When removing the pop tarts from the air fryer, use tongs or a spatula to protect your hands from the hot icing. This is especially important if you are making multiple batches, as the pop tarts will be hot!

Frozen pop tarts

You can air fry frozen pop tarts without thawing them first. Simply add an extra 30 seconds to 1 minute to your cooking time to allow for defrosting before toasting.

With these tips, you'll be able to make perfect air-fried pop tarts that are warm, crispy, and flaky—a delicious treat for any time of day!

Frequently asked questions