Hot Air Fryer Phyllo Dough: A Tasty Treat?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance, and for good reason: they make cooking easier, faster, and healthier. But can you use phyllo dough in an air fryer? The answer is yes!

Phyllo dough is a thin, flaky dough that is often used in pastries and appetizers. When cooked in an air fryer, it becomes crispy and delicious. You can use phyllo dough to make a variety of dishes in your air fryer, including sandwiches, snacks, and desserts.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using phyllo dough in an air fryer. First, make sure the dough is thawed before using it. Second, brush the dough with melted butter or spray it with olive oil before cooking to achieve that golden, crispy texture. Finally, don't overcrowd the air fryer basket – cook your phyllo dough creations in batches if necessary.

So, if you're looking for a new way to use your air fryer, give phyllo dough a try! You can create delicious and impressive dishes with this versatile ingredient.

How to defrost phyllo dough

Phyllo dough is a tissue-thin sheet of unleavened dough used predominantly in Greek and Middle Eastern countries. It is extremely sensitive to temperature and dries out very quickly, so it is important to defrost it properly.

The best way to defrost phyllo dough is to plan ahead and remove the sealed roll from its box, placing it in the refrigerator overnight. After this, it should be left out at room temperature for about two hours before use, so that it is completely thawed and pliable.

If you are in a rush, you can defrost phyllo dough by placing it on the counter. This will take about 2-3 hours, depending on the room temperature.

Some people suggest defrosting phyllo dough in the microwave, but this is not recommended by most sources. However, if you are short on time, you can try this method by wrapping the dough in damp paper towels and microwaving it in 30-second intervals until done.

Once your phyllo dough is defrosted, it is important to keep it covered with a damp (not wet) towel or plastic wrap while you work, to prevent it from drying out.

How to wrap phyllo dough around brie

Phyllo dough can be used in an air fryer, and one tasty recipe idea is to wrap it around brie. Here's how to do it:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). You will need to thaw your phyllo dough—do this according to the package instructions. You will only need around eight to ten sheets, so unroll and stack the thawed sheets, then re-roll and refreeze any remaining sheets for future use. Take one sheet of phyllo dough and place it in a springform pan, pressing it to conform to the shape of the pan.

Now, for the brie. For this recipe, you will need a 12-ounce French brie wheel. Remove the wrapping and place the cheese in the middle of the phyllo. Top with a third to a half of a cup of your chosen preserves—raspberry, apricot, or St. Dalfour are all great options. You can also add a tablespoon of honey for extra sweetness.

Brush melted butter over the phyllo pastry. Place another sheet of phyllo on top, brush with butter, and repeat until you have used up all of your phyllo sheets. Be sure to brush or spray liberally between sheets. Fold the phyllo sheets over the brie one at a time, brushing with butter as you go. Spray the top of the pastry liberally when you are done.

Place in the air fryer for 15 minutes, checking after 10 minutes to ensure it is cooking evenly. Once the outside is browned and the brie is melted, it is ready to serve. Enjoy your crispy, gooey, phyllo-wrapped brie!

How to make crinkle dessert with phyllo dough

Ingredients:

• Phyllo dough (half a package)
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• Granulated sugar (can be substituted with a sugar alternative)
• Milk (whole, oat, or almond)
• 1 stick of salted butter, melted
• Vanilla butter extract

Method:

• Defrost your phyllo dough. Most phyllo boxes contain two individually wrapped sets of phyllo dough, so for this recipe, you will only need half a box. Remove the phyllo dough from the box and place it in the fridge overnight, or on the counter for 2-3 hours if you are in a rush.
• Preheat your air fryer to 325°F.
• Crinkle or fold two sheets of phyllo dough at a time. Add the folded sheets to an air fryer-sized pan. Repeat this process with the remaining phyllo, pressing it up against the other phyllo in the pan.
• Air fry the phyllo for 8 minutes.
• While the phyllo is air frying, melt the stick of butter.
• After 8 minutes, remove the pan from the air fryer and pour the melted butter over the phyllo.
• Air fry the phyllo for another 8 minutes at 325°F.
• In a medium bowl, beat the egg and add the milk and sugar. Combine fully with a hand mixer or whisk.
• Air fry again at 325°F for 15-25 minutes. Check the dessert at 5-minute intervals, as the time may vary depending on your air fryer. The phyllo is done when it is golden brown.
• Optional: Make a syrup with ¼ cup of sugar and ¼ cup of water on the stovetop to pour over the top of the dessert. Alternatively, you can use honey or pre-made syrups.

Tips:

The size of your air fryer will determine the size of the pan you use. You need to use a dish that allows air to freely circulate around the pan.

Storage:

• Let the crinkle dessert come to room temperature, then place any leftovers in an airtight container. The phyllo dessert will last for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
• You can reheat the dessert in the microwave or air fryer until warmed through.

How to make crispy phyllo-wrapped brie roll-ups

Ingredients:

• Phyllo dough (one roll)
• Olive oil
• Brie log (6-ounce)
• Dates (6 pitted)
• Butter (1/4 cup, melted)
• Honey (1-2 tablespoons)
• Walnuts (1-2 tablespoons, toasted and chopped)
• Sesame seeds (1 teaspoon)
• Flaky sea salt

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
• Toast the walnuts in a pan and chop them into small pieces. Set aside.
• Unwrap the brie log and slice it into thin strips.
• Unroll the phyllo dough and cut it in half widthwise.
• Grab two or three sheets of phyllo and place them on a clean surface.
• Lightly spray the phyllo sheets with olive oil.
• Add one stick of brie cheese and 3-4 slices of pitted dates.
• Fold the sides of the phyllo in over the ends of the cheese/dates, then roll it up.
• Brush the roll-up with melted butter and place them on a baking tray.
• Repeat for all roll-ups.
• Add the roll-ups to the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed.
• Air fry for 3 minutes at 375°F.
• Repeat for all roll-ups.
• Add to a serving platter and top with a drizzle of honey, chopped toasted walnuts, sesame seeds, and a pinch of flaky sea salt.
• Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips:

• Cover the phyllo dough with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out while you work.
• This recipe can be made in the oven by following the baking instructions on the phyllo dough package.
• The thin rind on the brie is safe to eat and does not need to be removed.
• For a cheesier roll-up, cut the brie log into 8 sticks instead of 12.

How to make air fryer spanakopita rolls

Spanakopita is a Greek spinach pie and one of the most iconic Greek dishes. It is a savory pastry made with phyllo dough sheets stuffed with spinach and feta. Here is a recipe for making spanakopita rolls using an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Phyllo (filo) pastry: two squares of phyllo per roll, after dividing the whole pack in half. The pastry should be thawed overnight in the refrigerator if frozen.
• Spinach: fresh spinach works best. If using frozen chopped spinach, thaw it first.
• Herbs: fresh dill, parsley, and mint, plus dried oregano.
• Melted butter or ghee (clarified butter) or light olive oil.
• Everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds to sprinkle on top (optional)

Steps:

Make the spinach and feta filling:

• Chop the spinach and sprinkle with salt, tossing to combine. This will draw out the moisture in the spinach leaves, so leave it to rest while you prepare the herbs.
• Finely chop the spring onions, fresh dill, parsley, and mint, and add them to a mixing bowl.
• Place the spinach in a clean cloth and wring out the moisture, or use your hands. Add the spinach to the bowl with the herbs.
• Stir in the crumbled feta cheese, egg, and oregano until the filling is well mixed.

Assemble the spanakopita rolls:

• Open the phyllo pack and cut it crosswise into two square halves. Trim the pastry so each stack of sheets is square.
• Keep the dough covered with a slightly damp clean cloth while you work, so it doesn't dry out.
• Lay one phyllo square on your worktop with a corner facing you. Brush with melted butter and lay a second sheet directly on top. Brush with butter again (or use an oil spray if preferred).
• Add two tablespoons of filling about one inch from the edge. A small cookie scoop can be useful here.
• Fold the sides of the dough over the filling, brushing with melted butter as you go, then roll into a neat little parcel.
• Keep the prepped rolls covered while you continue to use up all the filling and pastry. You should have enough for 8-9 spanakopita rolls.
• Brush the rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with the bagel seasoning, if using.

Air fry the spinach and feta rolls:

• Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 350°F / 180°C.
• Place the rolls on a rack or directly in the air fryer basket, misting them with oil first. Cook a maximum of four rolls per batch to avoid crowding them.
• Air fry for seven minutes, gently flip the rolls over, and continue to cook for another 7 minutes or until the rolls are golden and crisp. If the pastry is browning too much, you can reduce the temperature by a few degrees.
• Cool the rolls on a wire rack while you cook the second batch. Do not cover or stack the rolls, as the steam will cause the pastry to lose its crispness.

Serving:

Serve the spanakopita rolls as a starter or appetizer as soon as they have cooled down enough to handle. Serve two per person as a meal with a side salad or a selection of dips.

Frequently asked questions