Air-Fried Egg Custard: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance for good reason. They can be used to make a variety of dishes, including crispy, gooey, and soft custard. This paragraph will introduce you to the world of making egg custard in an air fryer, a delicious dessert that can be prepared quickly and easily. With a short cooking time and minimal preparation, you'll be enjoying a tasty treat in no time!

How to make egg custard in an air fryer

Preparing the custard mix

To prepare the custard mix, start by whisking together 2 eggs, 2 egg yolks, 140g (2/3 cup) of caster sugar, 105g (3/4 cup) of cornflour, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste in a large bowl. Make sure to whisk thoroughly until the mixture is well combined and smooth. You can add a pinch of ground cinnamon to the custard mix for an extra layer of flavour.

Once you have a smooth, well-combined mixture, it's time to prepare the milk. Place 750ml (3 cups) of milk in a medium saucepan. If you want a more pronounced cinnamon flavour, you can add a cinnamon stick to the milk and heat it over medium heat. Bring the milk to a gentle simmer.

After the milk has heated, you'll need to slowly add it to the egg mixture. Strain the milk as you pour it into the bowl with the egg mixture to ensure any lumps or cooked bits of egg are caught. Discard the cinnamon stick, if used. Continue whisking the mixture as you add the milk to prevent curdling and ensure a smooth, homogeneous custard base.

Return the custard mixture to a clean medium saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat on your stovetop. Continuously stir the mixture with a spatula or wooden spoon as it cooks. Keep stirring for about 5 minutes or until you notice the mixture start to bubble and thicken. This step is crucial for cooking the eggs and thickening the custard base.

At this point, you can add any additional flavourings or ingredients, such as chopped chocolate, if desired. Stir the mixture until everything is well combined and smooth. For a silky-smooth custard, use a whisk to remove any lumps that may have formed during the cooking process.

Now your custard mix is ready to be used in your air fryer recipe! Remember to follow the subsequent steps for frying, cooling, and serving to ensure a delicious, crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside dessert.

Cooling and setting the custard

Once you've combined your milk and egg mixture with the dry ingredients and poured the custard into your prepared pan, it's time to let it cool and set. The first step is to let the custard cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the custard to start setting and prevents it from cracking when you transfer it to the fridge.

After the initial cooling period, place the pan of custard in the fridge, uncovered, for about 3 hours or until it is completely firm and set. The custard needs to be cold and solid enough to hold its shape when you turn it out of the pan. If you're in a hurry, you can speed up this process by placing the custard in the freezer for about 1 hour, checking periodically to ensure it doesn't freeze.

When the custard is firm to the touch and has an even, consistent texture, it's ready to be turned out. Take the pan out of the fridge and run a butter knife or offset spatula around the edges to loosen the custard. Place a chopping board or large plate over the pan and carefully but quickly invert the pan to turn out the custard in one piece. You should now have a perfect rectangle of custard ready for the next step!

At this stage, the custard will have a smooth, matte appearance and will be ready to be cut into portions. Using a sharp knife, cut the custard into your desired portion sizes. For bite-sized pieces that can be easily popped into your mouth, we recommend cutting the custard into 3cm x 5cm "fingers." This size allows for easy handling and ensures each piece has a good balance of crispy exterior and soft, gooey interior once fried.

Cutting and coating the custard

Once your custard has set in the fridge and is firm to the touch, take it out and place it on a chopping board. Using a sharp knife, cut the custard into pieces of your desired size. For bite-sized pieces, you can cut the custard into 3cm x 5cm fingers, as suggested by the recipe. If you prefer a larger or smaller size, feel free to adjust the dimensions accordingly.

After cutting your custard into the desired number of pieces, it's time to coat them. The recipe calls for a plain flour coating. Place the flour in a shallow dish or plate. Take each piece of custard and gently coat it in the flour, making sure to shake off any excess. This step ensures that the custard has a delicate, even coating.

The flour coating will give the custard a crispy, golden exterior when cooked in the air fryer. It is important to coat each piece evenly to achieve a consistent texture and colour when frying. You can also experiment with different coatings, such as crushed nuts or desiccated coconut, to add a unique twist to your custard.

If you prefer a gluten-free alternative, you can substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch. This modification will ensure that those with gluten intolerances or allergies can still enjoy your delicious egg custard.

Remember to place the coated custard pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each piece to ensure even cooking. Spraying the basket with oil beforehand will prevent the custard from sticking and help achieve a crispy, golden finish.

Cooking the custard in the air fryer

First, grease the basket of your air fryer with oil. Place a few custard pieces in the basket, ensuring they do not overlap, and spray them with oil. Set your air fryer to 200 degrees Celsius and cook the custard for 10 minutes, or until it turns golden. Remove the basket from the air fryer and let the custard cool for 5 minutes. Repeat this process with the remaining custard pieces.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your custard pieces. Keep a close eye on the custard during the cooking process to ensure it doesn't burn.

While the custard is cooking, you can prepare the toppings or any desired side dishes. The air fryer's small size and rapid cooking time make it an efficient and convenient appliance for preparing this dessert.

Once the custard is cooked, you can serve it immediately or allow it to cool slightly. Dust the custard with icing sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon for added flavour and presentation. The contrast between the crispy exterior and the soft, gooey interior makes this dessert a delightful treat.

Serving the custard

Once your custard is cooked and golden, it's time to serve it up! Allow the custard to cool for at least 5 minutes so you can handle it, and then plate up. You can serve the custard as it is, or add a light dusting of icing sugar and cinnamon for a little extra sweetness and spice. This dessert is best served warm, so don't let it sit for too long before digging in!

If you want to get creative with your presentation, you could place the custard on a bed of fresh berries or a fruity coulis. The tartness of the berries will cut through the richness of the custard, creating a delicious contrast of flavours and textures. Some suggested berries that would pair well include strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

For an extra indulgent touch, a drizzle of melted chocolate or a dollop of freshly whipped cream will elevate this dessert to the next level. If you're feeling really adventurous, you could even create a chocolate custard sauce by melting some extra Caramilk chocolate and adding a splash of cream to create a rich, decadent sauce.

Finally, a few fresh mint leaves or a light dusting of cocoa powder will add a beautiful finishing touch to your dish, making it look and taste restaurant-worthy. There are so many ways to serve and enjoy this delicious air-fried custard, so feel free to experiment and find your favourite combination!

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