Air-Fried Croissants: The Perfect Recipe For Your Air Fryer

Making croissants in an air fryer is a quick and easy process that can be done in under 12 minutes. You can make croissants in an air fryer using either refrigerated canned croissant dough or make them from scratch. The main ingredients for making croissants are flour, butter, eggs, sugar, yeast, milk, water, and sugar. The dough is layered with butter, rolled, and folded several times, resulting in a flaky texture. The air fryer's circulating hot air cooks the dough evenly, giving it a crispy and flaky texture on the outside, while keeping it tender on the inside.

Pre-heat the air fryer to 300°F/149°C

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the croissant-making process. It ensures that your croissant will cook evenly and helps to achieve that desired crispy and flaky exterior.

To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and allow it to heat up to the desired temperature of 300°F/149°C. This should take around 2-3 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your croissants by rolling out the dough and shaping it into triangles. You can also use this time to brush the croissants with an egg wash, which will give them a beautiful golden colour.

Once the air fryer has preheated, it's time to place your croissants inside. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking. Place 2-3 croissants in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded and have enough space to expand.

With the air fryer preheated and your croissants ready, you can now set the timer and let the magic happen. For croissants made from refrigerated canned croissant dough, cook them at 350°F/180°C for 5 minutes, and then flip them over and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, until they are golden brown. If you are making your croissants from scratch, the cooking time will be slightly longer. Cook them at 400°F/200°C for 8-10 minutes, and then lower the temperature to 350°F/180°C and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until the croissants are golden.

Prepare the croissant dough

To make croissant dough from scratch, you will need the following ingredients: flour, butter, eggs, sugar, yeast, milk, water, and salt. The main process involved in making the dough is called lamination, which involves layering the dough with butter, rolling it out, and folding it several times to create a flaky, puff pastry-like texture. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing the croissant dough:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Stir until well combined. You can also add in any additional ingredients like chocolate chips or other flavourings at this stage.
• Gradually add milk to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough starts to form. The amount of milk needed may vary, so pour slowly and mix until you achieve your desired dough consistency.
• Once the dough is formed, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and let it rest for about an hour at room temperature. This allows the dough to relax and makes it easier to roll out later.
• While the dough is resting, prepare the butter by cutting it into thin sticks and arranging them horizontally on a piece of plastic wrap. Cover with another layer of plastic wrap and pound or roll out the butter until it forms a thin, rectangular shape. Refrigerate the butter until the dough is ready.
• After the resting period, lightly flour your work surface to prevent sticking. Roll out the dough into a long, triangular shape. You want it to be thin enough to encase the butter.
• Place the prepared butter in the centre of the dough. Fold the dough over the butter like a letter, into thirds. This encapsulates the butter within layers of dough.
• Repeat the process of rolling out the dough and folding it over the butter 4-6 times. This is the lamination process, which creates the flaky layers in the croissant dough.
• After the final fold, roll out the dough and cut it into triangles. The size of the triangles can vary depending on how big you want your croissants to be. A common size is approximately 9 inches wide, 21 inches long, and 1/2 inch thick.
• Now you can shape your croissants. Starting from the wide end of the triangle, roll the dough away from you towards the point. Pinch the end of the dough underneath the croissant and gently curve it to give it that classic crescent shape.
• Place the shaped croissants on a baking tray or sheet, leaving enough space between them as they will expand during proofing and baking. Let the croissants proof for another hour. You should see them start to rise and become puffy.
• Once the croissants have proofed, brush them with an egg wash (a mixture of beaten egg and a small amount of milk or water) to help them achieve a golden colour during baking.

At this stage, your croissant dough is ready to be baked! You can follow the remaining steps in the air fryer recipe instructions to cook and enjoy your freshly made croissants.

Roll the dough into triangles

To roll the dough into triangles, start by laying out the dough completely. Then, unroll the dough sheet and pat it out to make a triangle. Cut the dough into triangles using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife. You can also cut the triangles lengthwise to make them longer and thinner.

Once you have your triangles, it's time to start rolling. Start from the widest end and roll towards the top point. Don't roll the dough too tightly, as you want to leave room for the dough to expand and cook through. Continue rolling until you reach the end of the triangle. If you are adding any fillings, such as chocolate or jam, add them before rolling.

After rolling, tuck the tip of the dough underneath the croissant and bend it slightly to give it a curved shape. This will help the croissant keep its shape during cooking. Repeat this process for the remaining triangles.

It is important to note that you should not roll the dough too tightly, as this will result in dense raw centers. The key is to roll them slightly loose, so there is room for the dough to rise and cook evenly.

Brush with egg wash

Once you've shaped your croissants, it's time to brush them with an egg wash. This will give them a beautiful golden colour and a shiny finish. Here's how to do it:

First, take a small bowl and crack an egg into it. You can use a fork or a small whisk to beat the egg. Then, add a splash of milk to the bowl and mix it well to create an egg wash. You can also add a pinch of salt to the egg wash if you like.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for about 3 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, use a pastry brush to gently coat the croissants with the egg wash. Be sure to cover all the surfaces of the croissants, including the sides and the ends. This step will ensure that your croissants come out of the air fryer with a uniform golden colour.

After brushing the croissants with the egg wash, it's time to place them into the air fryer. Arrange the croissants in a single layer, making sure they don't touch each other. This will allow the hot air to circulate properly and ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the croissants in batches.

Now, it's time to cook your croissants! Place them in the air fryer and set the temperature to 350°F (180°C). For homemade croissants, cook them for 8-10 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 8-10 minutes at 350°F (180°C) until they are golden brown. For store-bought crescent rolls, cook them for 5 minutes, then turn them over and cook for an additional 4-6 minutes until golden.

And that's it! Your croissants are now ready to be enjoyed. Serve them warm with your favourite toppings or fillings. You can also get creative and experiment with different flavours and fillings, such as ham and cheese, Nutella, or strawberries.

Cook for 7-11 minutes

Once you've prepared your croissants, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. The cooking time will depend on the number of croissants you're cooking, the size of your air fryer, and your desired level of crispiness. As a guide, cook your croissants at 350°F (180°C) for 7-11 minutes, flipping them over halfway through.

For a single batch of croissants, arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren't touching and have room to rise and expand. If you're cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.

Keep an eye on your croissants as they cook. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your desired level of doneness. If you prefer your croissants crispy and golden brown, aim for the longer end of the cooking time. For a lighter bake, 7-8 minutes should suffice.

Once your croissants have reached the desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and serve them warm. If you've prepared any toppings or fillings, such as butter, jam, or cheese, add them to your croissants now. Enjoy your freshly baked croissants!

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