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 15 minutes. You can use either refrigerated canned croissant dough or make the dough from scratch. If using canned dough, cut the dough into triangles and roll into a crescent shape. If making the dough from scratch, combine flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and choco-chips in a large mixing bowl, then add milk until the dough is formed. Roll the dough into a long triangle and place butter in the centre, folding like a letter. Repeat this process several times. For both methods, preheat your air fryer to a high temperature and cook the croissants for around 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

How to roll the dough

To roll the dough, you will need to start by laying out the dough completely. You can use either refrigerated canned croissant dough or make the dough from scratch. If you are using canned dough, open the can and unroll the dough, then cut the dough following the triangular shape. If you are making the dough from scratch, divide the dough in half, roll it out, and cut it into long triangles.

Next, you will start rolling the dough from the widest end to the smallest. If you are using canned dough, follow the package instructions. If you are making the dough from scratch, start from the wider part of the triangle and roll away from you to the smaller part. Pinch the end of the dough underneath the croissant and bend it slightly to give it a curved shape.

Repeat this process for the remaining triangles of dough. It is important not to roll the dough too tightly, as this will prevent the dough from expanding and cooking through properly. You want to end up with fluffy rolls, not dense, raw centres.

How to shape the croissants

Shaping the croissants is a simple and easy process. First, divide the dough in half, as it's easier to work with smaller portions. Then, roll out the dough and cut it into a long rectangle. The rectangle should be approximately 9 inches wide, 21 inches long, and 1/2 inch thick.

Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut the edges away from the rectangle, and then cut the dough into long triangles. Starting from the wider part of the triangle, roll the dough away from you towards the smaller part. Pinch the end of the dough underneath the croissant and bend it slightly to give it a curved shape.

Repeat this process for the remaining triangles. If you want to add an egg wash, now is the time to brush it on. This will give your croissants a golden-brown colour.

How to cook the croissants

Ingredients:

• 1 can refrigerated crescent rolls
• Butter (optional)
• Cooking spray
• Egg (optional)
• Milk (optional)

Method:

• Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into triangles.
• If desired, spread your chosen filling onto the dough. This could be chocolate chips, Nutella, or another sweet filling, or a savoury filling such as ham and cheese.
• Roll the dough into a crescent shape, starting with the widest part of the triangle and rolling towards the tip.
• If you are using an egg, crack it into a small bowl and add a small amount of milk. Whisk together to make an egg wash. Brush the egg wash over the croissants.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F/175-180°C for 2-3 minutes.
• Place the croissants into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching.
• Cook for 6-11 minutes, or until golden brown. You may need to cook the croissants in batches if your air fryer is small or medium-sized.
• If desired, brush the croissants with butter after cooking.

Your croissants are now ready to serve!

How to store the croissants

Now that you've made your croissants, it's important to store them properly to maintain their freshness and taste. Here are some tips on how to store your croissants, depending on how long you plan to keep them:

Room Temperature Storage:

You can store your croissants at room temperature for up to 2 days. Wrap them in foil or plastic wrap, ensuring no air gets in, and keep them away from direct sunlight or heat sources. To revive that crispy, just-baked texture, heat them directly on an oven rack at 200°Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes.

Refrigerator Storage:

If you want to extend the shelf life of your croissants, you can store them in the refrigerator, which will keep them fresh for 3-7 days. Wrap them in plastic or foil, and they will return to room temperature after about an hour out of the fridge. To speed up the process, place them in a warm oven for around 3 minutes.

Freezer Storage:

For longer storage, you can freeze your croissants. Double-wrap them tightly in plastic and then foil, or use airtight containers to prevent them from getting squashed. Frozen croissants can be stored for up to a year but are fresher within the first 2 months. You can reheat frozen croissants in the air fryer at 325°F for 3-4 minutes or in the oven at 365°F for 3-4 minutes.

Additionally, if you have uncooked croissant dough, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.

How to reheat the croissants

Reheating croissants in an air fryer is simple and quick. Preheat your air fryer to 325°F. Place the croissants in the air fryer basket and warm them for 3 to 4 minutes, or until they are heated to your liking.

If you are reheating filled croissants, such as those with chocolate or Nutella, be careful not to overheat them, as the filling may melt and burn. In this case, a shorter reheating time of around 2 minutes may be preferable.

If your croissants are frozen, there is no need to thaw them first. Simply place them straight into the preheated air fryer at 375°F.

For best results, ensure that the croissants are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary, so that the hot air can circulate effectively and heat the croissants evenly.

Frequently asked questions