Air Fryer Croissants: The Perfect Timing For Golden Treats

There's nothing like a warm, flaky croissant in the morning. But how long do they take to cook in an air fryer?

The good news is that cooking croissants in an air fryer is a quick and easy process, with most recipes suggesting a cooking time of around 2-12 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the specific air fryer model and the number of croissants being cooked. It's important to leave enough space between each croissant to allow the hot air to circulate and ensure even cooking.

For those who enjoy a simple buttered croissant, the air fryer is a great way to achieve that perfect, flaky texture. However, the air fryer also opens up a world of delicious sweet and savoury fillings, from the classic ham and cheese to more indulgent options like Nutella or peanut butter and chocolate hazelnut spread.

So, whether it's a quick breakfast or a leisurely brunch, air-fried croissants are a convenient and tasty option.

How to cook croissants in an air fryer from frozen

Ingredients and Equipment

• Frozen croissants
• Air fryer
• Cooking oil spray (optional)
• Egg wash, milk, or melted butter (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 170-180°C or 340-360°F.
• Place the frozen croissants in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space between each one to allow hot air to circulate.
• Brush the croissants with an egg wash, milk, or melted butter for a golden colour (optional).
• Cook for 9-12 minutes, checking on them after 8-10 minutes. Return to the air fryer for an additional minute or two if they are not golden brown.
• Serve with your favourite fillings, such as butter, ham, cheese, or chocolate hazelnut spread.

Tips

• If you are making croissant sandwiches, slice the croissants open and add fillings before cooking.
• If you are cooking from fresh, you may only need to cook the croissants for 2-8 minutes.

How to reheat croissants in an air fryer

Reheating croissants in an air fryer is a great way to restore their flaky, buttery goodness. It's perfect if you have stale or leftover croissants that you want to enjoy again. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to reheat croissants in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer. Set the temperature to between 170°C (340°F) and 180°C (350°F). This will ensure that your croissants heat up evenly and efficiently.

Step 2: Prepare the Croissants

Place your croissants in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not stacked on top of each other. Leave enough space between each croissant to allow for proper air circulation. If you have a lot of croissants, you may need to reheat them in batches.

Step 3: Reheat the Croissants

The reheating time for croissants in an air fryer can vary depending on the model and the number of croissants you are reheating. As a general guideline, reheat the croissants for 3 to 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook or burn.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once the croissants are warmed to your liking, carefully remove them from the air fryer. You can now enjoy your freshly reheated croissants! Serve them as they are, or with your favourite toppings and fillings.

Tips and Variations:

• If you're reheating filled croissants, such as ham and cheese croissants, adjust the temperature and timing accordingly to ensure the fillings are also warmed through without drying out.
• For sweet croissants, consider adding fillings like Nutella, strawberries, or peanut butter before reheating. The warmth will help melt and blend the flavours together.
• If your croissants are stale, a quick toast in the air fryer can bring them back to life. Adjust the timing as needed to avoid overcooking.
• Remember that cooking times may vary depending on your specific air fryer model, so always keep an eye on your croissants during the reheating process.

How to make air fryer croissant sandwiches

Ingredients

• Croissants
• Filling of your choice (e.g. ham, cheese, Nutella, strawberries, banana, peanut butter, etc.)
• Optional: egg, butter or milk for brushing

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 170-180°C (340-350°F).
• If using canned or fresh croissant dough, unroll it on a clean worktop and cut into triangles. Starting from the shortest side, roll the pastry until you reach the end, then curve the ends to form a crescent shape.
• If desired, brush the croissants with egg wash, butter or milk for a golden colour.
• Place the croissants into the air fryer basket, leaving space between each one for the hot air to circulate. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
• Cook for 8-12 minutes, checking on them regularly to ensure they don't burn.
• Once cooked, remove the croissants from the air fryer and leave to cool slightly before handling.
• Cut the croissants in half and fill with your chosen ingredients. For best results, place the cheese at the bottom of the croissant so it gets exposure to the convection heat and melts.
• Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips

• If you're reheating croissants, they will only need 2-5 minutes in the air fryer.
• Frozen croissants can be cooked from frozen in the air fryer and will take around 9-12 minutes.
• If your croissants are browning too quickly, you can use perforated baking paper to prevent burning.

How to make air fryer canned croissants

Ingredients:

• Canned croissants (crescent roll dough)
• Cooking spray
• Egg (whisked)
• Butter (optional)
• Milk (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 170°C or 375°F.
• Open the can of crescent rolls and unroll the dough on a clean kitchen surface.
• Cut the dough into triangles by scoring along the perforated lines.
• Starting from the shortest side, roll the dough into a croissant shape until you reach the pointy edge.
• Curve the ends to form a crescent shape.
• Brush the croissants with egg wash (or milk or melted butter) for a golden colour.
• Spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil.
• Place the croissants in a single layer, spaced apart, in the preheated air fryer.
• Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
• Enjoy your croissants warm with your choice of fillings or toppings!

Tips:

• If you prefer a more well-done croissant, cook for a few minutes longer.
• If you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce the timing by a few minutes.
• You can also make mini croissants by slicing the triangles in half before rolling.
• For chocolate croissants, spread Nutella or sprinkle chocolate chips on the dough before rolling.
• For a savoury option, roll the crescents around mozzarella sticks.

How to make Pillsbury Crescent Rolls in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 1 can of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
• Cooking oil spray
• 8 thin slices of deli ham (optional)
• 4 thin slices of Swiss cheese (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360°F or 375°F.
• Open the can of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and unroll the dough on a clean kitchen surface.
• Score the dough along the perforated lines to create large triangles.
• Starting from the shortest side, roll the pastry until you reach the edge.
• Curve the ends to form a crescent shape.
• (Optional) Layer a slice of ham and a slice of cheese on each triangle.
• Brush the tops of the crescent rolls with an egg wash, milk, or melted butter.
• Spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil spray.
• Place the crescent rolls in a single layer, spaced apart, in the preheated air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
• Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown.

Tips:

• If you don't have cooking spray, you can brush oil onto the air fryer basket or line it with perforated baking paper.
• If you don't have an egg wash, you can brush the crescent rolls with milk or melted butter for a golden finish.
• Leave enough space between the crescent rolls to allow hot air to circulate and prevent them from sticking together.
• If you are not preheating your air fryer, increase the cooking time.

Frequently asked questions