Tiffany Haney
Air fryers are a great way to cook dough, offering a healthier alternative to deep-frying. They can be used to cook a variety of dough-based foods, from cookies to fried dough treats and pizzas. Air fryers are convenient, reducing prep and cook times, and making cleanup easier. They also allow for even cooking and customisation, making them a fun and simple way to get the whole family involved in cooking.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Dough in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dough Type | Bread dough, Pizza dough, Cookie dough |
| Dough State | Raw, frozen, pre-cooked |
| Toppings | Cinnamon and sugar, olive oil and garlic salt, chocolate sauce, fruit compote, honey, jam, maple syrup, Nutella, butter, cheese |
| Temperature | 320-380°F/193°C |
| Timing | 2-11 minutes |
| Benefits | Quick, convenient, healthier, easy cleanup, versatile, family-friendly, impressive |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza dough
Cooking Pizza Dough in an Air Fryer
Air fryers are a great option for making pizza, especially if you want it quickly and easily. You can use store-bought or homemade pizza dough, rolled-out crescent rolls, or a tortilla. A 12-inch piece of dough will make two personal pizzas.
Preparation
Before you start, it's important to prepare your dough. If your dough has been in the fridge, let it rest at room temperature to make it easier to stretch. Roll out your pizza dough to the size of your air fryer basket, or cut it into four equal parts and roll into thin, round shapes. If you're using a ball of dough, you'll need 1/4 pound of dough per pizza, and you'll want to roll it out to about 8 inches in diameter and 1/4 inch thick.
Cooking the Dough
Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 375°F. Spray the air fryer basket with oil, or rub both sides of the dough with olive oil and prick it in several places with a fork to prevent bubbling. Place the dough in the basket and cook for 3 minutes, then flip it over and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Adding Toppings
Once the dough is par-baked, you can add your toppings. Start with a light layer of tomato sauce and sprinkle with cheese. You can then add your other toppings, pushing them into the softened cheese to hold them in place. Add an air fryer rack on top of the pizza to prevent the toppings from blowing around.
Final Cook
Place the pizza back in the air fryer and cook for another 4 to 7 minutes, until the crust is crispy and golden brown, and the cheese has melted. The total cooking time will depend on the thickness of your dough and how many toppings you've added.
Reheating
If you have any leftovers, you can reheat them in the air fryer by setting the temperature to 325°F and cooking for about 4 minutes.
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Cookies
Air fryers are a quick and convenient way to bake cookies, especially if you're craving something sweet and don't want to bake a whole batch. You can use store-bought or homemade refrigerated cookie dough to make cookies in an air fryer.
Preparing the Air Fryer and Cookie Dough
First, line the basket of your air fryer with parchment paper, poking holes in the paper to allow air to circulate freely. This step is important as it prevents the soft cookie dough from sinking into the gaps in the basket. While the air fryer is heating up, separate your cookie dough into 4 portions and shape them into flat circles, ensuring they are not pressed too thin as the dough will spread during baking.
Baking the Cookies
Place the cookie dough circles onto the parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch space around each one. Set your air fryer to 320ºF and bake for 6-8 minutes, or until the cookies are browned on top and golden around the edges. The baking time may vary depending on your preferred level of doneness, with 7-10 minutes producing cookies that are crispy on the outside and soft or raw in the middle.
Cooling the Cookies
Once the cookies are baked, remove the basket from the air fryer and let the cookies cool for at least 4-5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. The cookies will still be very soft and gooey, so it is important to let them cool and set before attempting to remove them, otherwise, they may fall apart.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the refrigerator for a slightly longer shelf life. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months and reheat them in the air fryer to enjoy that "freshly baked" taste.
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Doughnuts
Air-fried doughnuts are a great alternative to deep-fried doughnuts, with less fat and a similar taste and texture. They are fluffy, soft, and ready in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
- Warm milk
- Yeast
- Sugar
- Melted butter
- Eggs
- Flour
- Salt
- Cinnamon (optional)
- Oil spray (coconut or olive oil)
Method
- In a small bowl, whisk together the warm milk, yeast, and a teaspoon of sugar. Let the mixture stand until it becomes very bubbly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, and remaining sugar until smooth.
- Stir the yeast mixture into the butter and egg mixture.
- Add the flour and salt to the mixer bowl and mix on low speed until a dough starts to form.
- Increase the speed to medium-low and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Transfer the dough to a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until it has doubled in size.
- Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/2 inch.
- Cut out the doughnuts using a 3-inch round cutter and a 1-inch round cutter for the centre. You can also use the base of a large pastry tip if you don't have a cookie cutter.
- Place the doughnuts and holes on a prepared baking sheet, loosely cover, and let rise again in a warm place until doubled in size, about 15-30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 10 minutes.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil spray.
- Place 2-4 doughnuts in the basket, making sure they are not touching, and spray the tops with oil.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes for the doughnut holes and 8 minutes for the large doughnuts, or until golden brown.
- While the doughnuts are cooking, make the glaze by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then add hot water a tablespoon at a time until the glaze is thin but not watery.
- Dip the hot doughnuts into the glaze and place on a wire rack to allow the excess glaze to drip off and for the glaze to harden.
- Doughnuts are best consumed fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-3 days.
Tips
- Avoid using non-stick cooking spray as this can damage the coating of the air fryer basket.
- If your kitchen is cold, the dough will take longer to rise. The ideal temperature for the dough to rise is between 75-78°F.
- Don't roll out the dough too thin, or the doughnuts will be flat.
- Don't skip the double-rise and be careful not to overmix the dough.
- If you are worried about the doughnuts sticking, you can place a sheet of baking parchment at the bottom of the air fryer basket.
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Doughboys
Ingredients:
- Bread dough (you can use Rhodes frozen dough or make your own)
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- Toppings of your choice (classic options include cinnamon sugar, butter, honey, jam, maple syrup, or chocolate sauce)
Instructions:
- Separate the bread dough into 16 pieces by cutting it into halves repeatedly.
- Place the pieces on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Spray the dough with more cooking spray and cover with plastic wrap to rise.
- Let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1 hour.
- Form each piece into small circles and let them rest for 10 minutes.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and spray the pan and basket with cooking spray.
- Place the circles of dough into the air fryer, leaving some space around each one. Spray the tops with more cooking spray.
- Fry the doughboys until they are a nice golden color. The frying time will depend on your air fryer and the size of your doughboys.
- Allow the doughboys to cool completely before storing.
- For a sweet flavor, top with cinnamon and sugar, or keep it simple with butter. For a savory option, try olive oil and garlic salt.
- If not consuming within a day, store the doughboys in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap them individually and freeze for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, use the air fryer at 350°F or an oven preheated to the same temperature. Warm until crispy.
Air Fryer Doughboys are a fun and simple recipe that can be enjoyed by the whole family. They are a great way to experiment with different flavors and toppings, bringing back wonderful memories of childhood treats.
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Health benefits
Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance due to their ability to cook a wide range of foods with little to no oil, making them a healthier alternative to deep frying. Here are some of the health benefits of using an air fryer to cook dough:
- Reduced Oil Consumption: Air fryers use hot air to cook dough, significantly reducing the amount of oil needed compared to traditional deep frying. This results in a lighter, healthier version of your favourite fried dough treats.
- Lower Calorie Intake: The reduced oil usage in air frying leads to a significant calorie reduction. This makes it an ideal option for individuals watching their calorie intake or following specific diets.
- Decreased Fat Consumption: Air frying cuts down on fat consumption by up to 80%. This is particularly beneficial as the oils used in traditional frying have been linked to health issues such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.
- Reduced Acrylamide Formation: Research shows that air frying starchy foods like potatoes lowers the formation of acrylamide, a chemical produced during oil frying that has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
- Time Efficiency: Air fryers cook dough faster than conventional ovens, resulting in quicker cooking times and reduced energy consumption.
- Mess-Free Cooking: Air fryers eliminate the need for flour dusting and excessive cleanup, making the cooking process less messy and more convenient.
- Even Cooking: Air fryers circulate hot air around the dough, cooking it evenly and quickly. This ensures a consistent cooking temperature and prevents the dough from burning or being undercooked.
While air frying offers these health benefits, it is important to note that some studies have found increased levels of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) when air frying fish. However, adding fresh herbs like parsley and chives during cooking can help reduce these substances, which have been linked to coronary heart disease and other health issues. Overall, air frying dough provides a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying, allowing you to enjoy your favourite fried dough treats with reduced oil, calories, and potentially harmful chemicals.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking dough in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as it requires significantly less oil. It is also a quick and convenient method, as it cooks the dough evenly and efficiently, without compromising on quality.
To cook pizza dough in an air fryer, first pre-cook the dough. Shape the dough and poke a few holes in it with a fork. Air fry both sides at 380°F/193°C for 2-4 minutes each, or until golden. Then add your sauce, cheese, and toppings, before air-frying for another 3-5 minutes.
Yes, you can cook homemade, refrigerated, frozen, or store-bought cookie dough in an air fryer. First, preheat the air fryer and line the basket with parchment paper. Roll the dough into balls and flatten them. Air fry at 320ºF for 6-8 minutes or until browned. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the basket.
