Air Fryer Toaster Strudel: A Quick, Easy Breakfast Treat

Toaster strudels are a popular treat, but did you know you can make them in an air fryer? This method is perfect for achieving a light, flaky pastry with a warm, gooey centre. The air fryer's rapid circulation of hot air cooks the strudels evenly, giving them a fried taste without the need for preheating or greasing the fryer. You can use any flavour of strudel and even make them from scratch! The cooking time is usually between 5 and 7 minutes, but this may vary depending on your air fryer model. So, if you're craving a sweet snack or a quick breakfast, why not try making toaster strudels in your air fryer?

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F

Preheating your air fryer to 350°F is the first step to achieving that perfect golden brown, flaky pastry that's fully cooked. This temperature ensures the heating element generates hot air, and the rapid air circulation creates that irresistible fried taste and texture.

When preheating, it's important to prepare the air fryer basket with a nonstick cooking spray, olive oil, or line the basket with parchment paper. This step ensures that your toaster strudel doesn't stick to the surface and makes for easier cleanup.

The preheating process is crucial as it brings the air fryer up to the optimal temperature for cooking your toaster strudel. It ensures that the pastry cooks evenly, achieving that desirable golden brown exterior while keeping the inside warm and gooey.

By preheating your air fryer to 350°F, you're setting the stage for a delicious and perfectly cooked toaster strudel. This step may seem simple, but it's essential to achieving the desired results and ensuring your breakfast or snack is cooked to perfection.

Once your air fryer reaches the desired temperature, you can proceed with the next steps of adding your toaster strudel and following the cooking instructions for a tasty treat.

Place the frozen toaster strudels in the air fryer

When you're ready to cook your toaster strudels, take them out of the freezer and place them in your air fryer basket. It's important to note that you shouldn't overcrowd the basket—leave a little room between each strudel. Most recipes recommend cooking between two and four strudels at a time.

You'll want to cook your strudels in a single layer to ensure they cook evenly. If you're cooking for a crowd and need to cook more than four strudels, consider cooking them in batches to ensure the best results.

Once you've placed your strudels in the air fryer basket, you're almost ready to start cooking. Some recipes recommend spraying the basket with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil, or lining it with parchment paper, before pre-heating the air fryer. However, other recipes suggest that this step is unnecessary, as the oil in the pastry will prevent it from sticking.

Now you're ready to start cooking!

Cook for 5-7 minutes

Now, this is the fun part! Once you've got your air fryer all set up and your toaster strudels nicely placed inside, it's time to let the machine work its magic. Set the timer for 5 to 7 minutes and let the air fryer do its thing. This timing is crucial to achieving that perfect golden brown exterior while ensuring the inside is nice and gooey.

While the air fryer is running, you can take a moment to prepare any toppings or sides you might want to accompany your strudels. A simple drizzle of icing is a classic choice and comes included with most store-bought options. But feel free to get creative! A dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of ice cream, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar can all take your strudel experience to the next level.

Keep a close eye on your strudels as they cook. Every air fryer is a little different, and you don't want to overdo it. The goal is to find that sweet spot where the pastry is crispy and the filling is warm and gooey, so adjust the timing as needed.

Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the strudels from the air fryer. They will be very hot, so use tongs or a spatula to handle them safely. Now it's time for the grand finale—plate your strudels and add those toppings! Whether you go for a simple icing drizzle or get creative with whipped cream and berries, this final touch will make your strudels look and taste absolutely divine.

So, there you have it! In just 5 to 7 short minutes, you've transformed those frozen toaster strudels into a delicious treat. It's a quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth or treat your family to a fun breakfast. Enjoy the warm, flaky goodness of your freshly made toaster strudels!

Remove from the air fryer

Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the strudels from the air fryer. They will be very hot, so use a pair of tongs to take them out. Place them on a plate and drizzle the icing over the top. If you are using store-bought toaster strudels, they will come with their own icing. If you have made your own, you can use your favourite icing or even drizzle caramel sauce or sprinkle powdered sugar over the top.

The icing will melt slightly, creating a delicious glaze. You can also add other toppings, such as a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you are serving these to children, make sure to let them cool down a little first.

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can keep them for up to a week and reheat them in the air fryer for a couple of minutes at 350°F when you're ready to eat them again.

Drizzle with icing

Once your toaster strudels are cooked, it's time to add the icing. The icing that comes with the toaster strudels is usually too cold to drizzle straight away, so it's best to warm it up in your hands by kneading it in its pouch first. You can then carefully cut the pouch and drizzle the icing over the air-fried pastry.

You can get creative with the drizzle, trying patterns such as zigzags, swirls, or even polka dots. The key is to go slowly and steadily.

If you're making your own icing, you can also experiment with different flavours. For example, you could try drizzling a caramel sauce over an apple toaster strudel, or adding a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the raspberry variety.

The icing is the finishing touch that takes your toaster strudel to the next level, so don't skip it!

Frequently asked questions