Air Fryer Yogurt Melts: A Quick, Easy, Healthy Treat

Yogurt melts are a great snack for toddlers and babies who are teething or being introduced to solid foods. They are easy to make and only require a few ingredients. To make yogurt melts in an air fryer, you will need yogurt Greek, dairy-free, or regular), fruit or vegetable puree (strawberries, mango, banana, spinach, or carrot), and possibly some additional ingredients like honey or maple syrup for sweetness. You can also add eggs or chickpea liquid to help with binding and create a meringue-like consistency. The ingredients are mixed, shaped into dots or drops, and then dehydrated or frozen until ready to serve.

Yogurt and fruit combinations

Some great combinations to blend with yogurt include:

• Blackberry, mango, and kale
• Mixed berries (often sold as a mix in a freezer bag) with spinach
• Pineapple, mango, and spinach
• Blueberry, mango, and spinach
• Blueberry, strawberry, and kale
• Mango, raspberry, and kale
• Banana and strawberry
• Apple sauce

You can also add a little spinach or kale to any of these combinations for some extra nutrients.

Tips for Making Yogurt Melts

When making yogurt melts, it's best to use silicone molds or line a baking sheet with parchment paper. You can pipe the yogurt into dots or other shapes, or simply spoon the mixture onto the paper or into the molds.

Storage

Once frozen, store the melts in an airtight container in the freezer. They will last for about a week.

Using a food processor

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need Greek yogurt (either vanilla or plain), honey or maple syrup (if making for babies under 1, use maple syrup or agave instead of honey), and fruit of your choice (such as strawberries, bananas, blueberries, or mango). You will also need a food processor, parchment paper, and a baking sheet.

Next, prepare your fruit by chopping it into small pieces, especially if you are using strawberries, to ensure a smooth puree without any lumps. Then, combine all your ingredients, including the fruit, in the food processor. Blend until you have a smooth puree.

Once you have your puree, transfer it to an icing bag or a plastic ziplock bag. Snip off a tiny corner of the bag—just a small amount, as the mixture will come out quickly. Pipe the puree in small dots or your desired shape onto the parchment paper, leaving a little space between each dot. Alternatively, you can pipe the puree into silicone molds.

Finally, place the baking sheet or silicone mold in the freezer and freeze for at least two hours. Once frozen, peel off the yogurt melts and store them in an airtight container in the freezer until you are ready to serve them. Enjoy!

Some additional tips: if you are using frozen fruit, let it thaw slightly before blending. You can also add a handful of spinach for extra nutrients. These yogurt melts are a healthy and delicious treat for toddlers, babies, and adults!

Freezing the melts

First, prepare your desired yogurt mixture following your chosen recipe. This could be a combination of Greek yogurt, fruit, and other ingredients. Some recipes suggest using a food processor or blender to create a smooth puree, while others involve simply combining the ingredients in a bowl.

Next, you'll need to line a baking sheet or plate with parchment paper, wax paper, or a silicone mat. Then, transfer your yogurt mixture to a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a tiny corner snipped off. If you don't have either of these, you can use a spoon to drop small amounts of the mixture onto the prepared surface.

Pipe or spoon the yogurt mixture into small dots or desired shapes, leaving some space between them as they will expand slightly during freezing. The size of the dots will depend on the age of the intended consumer, with smaller dots being safer for younger babies to avoid choking hazards.

After you've piped or spooned the yogurt melts, place the baking sheet or plate in the freezer. The freezing time can vary depending on the recipe and the desired consistency, but most sources recommend freezing for at least two hours or until the yogurt melts are completely hardened.

Once the yogurt melts are frozen solid, you can remove them from the freezer and peel them off the parchment paper or silicone mat. It's important to note that they melt quickly, so it's best to store them in the freezer until you're ready to serve them.

For storage, it's recommended to place the yogurt melts in a single layer on their original plate covered with parchment paper. You can also store them in an airtight container or a ziplock bag in the freezer. They will last for about a week in the freezer, although they may become stickier and harder over time.

Piping the yogurt

Preparing the Piping Bag

Before you begin piping, you will need to prepare your piping bag. If using a disposable plastic bag, simply transfer the yogurt mixture into the bag. If you are using a reusable piping bag, you may want to consider using a piping tip. Choose a small, round tip for precise piping. Screw the piping tip onto the bag and then fill the bag with the yogurt mixture.

Piping Technique

When you are ready to start piping, hold the bag with one hand and gently squeeze the bag with the other. Apply even pressure to ensure a consistent flow of the yogurt mixture. If using a disposable bag, you can cut a small hole in the corner of the bag, be careful not to make the hole too big as the mixture will come out quickly.

To pipe the yogurt melts, start by piping small dots of the yogurt mixture onto your prepared surface. Leave a small space between each dot as they will expand slightly during freezing. You can pipe the dots in a grid pattern or create fun shapes like circles or hearts. If you are feeling creative, you can even pipe letters or numbers!

Tips for Piping

• For precise piping, hold the piping bag close to the surface and apply even pressure.
• If you are using a disposable bag, be careful not to cut the hole too big, as this will result in larger dots and may cause the mixture to come out too quickly.
• If you are using a piping tip, choose a small, round tip for precise dots.
• If the yogurt mixture becomes too thin or runny, place it in the refrigerator for a few minutes to thicken before continuing piping.
• If you are having trouble piping consistently sized dots, you can use a toothpick or skewer to guide the size and shape of each dot.

By following these steps and tips, you'll be able to pipe yogurt melts like a pro!

Baking vs air frying

Baking and air frying are two different cooking methods that can be used to achieve similar results. Here is a detailed comparison of the two:

Baking:

Baking is a traditional cooking method that uses a conventional oven. It is a slow and indirect cooking process that uses hot air to cook food. Ovens typically have multiple racks and can accommodate larger portions or multiple dishes at once. Conventional ovens use heating elements at the top and bottom of the cavity, resulting in static air. This makes them ideal for baking delicate items and recipes that use liquid batters. Ovens are also commonly used for broiling, roasting, toasting, and other extended functions.

One of the main benefits of oven baking is that it requires no additional oil, reducing the risk of harmful contaminants in your food. It also results in lower fat content compared to frying. Additionally, baking helps retain nutrients that may be lost in other cooking methods. Most homes already have an oven, making it a readily accessible option.

However, one drawback of oven baking is its limited functionality. It cannot offer the same variety of cooking styles as an air fryer, such as steaming or sautéing. Broiling in an oven can also lead to the formation of harmful compounds associated with an increased risk of certain cancers.

Air Frying:

Air frying is a more modern cooking method that uses a countertop appliance. It rapidly circulates heated air to cook and crisp up food. Air fryers use a perforated basket to expose all sides of the food to the hot air, resulting in an all-around crispy finish. They are typically used for cooking smaller batches of food, such as a single pan of fried recipes.

One of the main advantages of air frying is that it requires only a small fraction of the oil needed for deep frying, making it a healthier alternative. Air fryers can also replicate the traditional frying process very closely in terms of taste and texture. They are incredibly versatile and can cook a wide range of foods, from chicken nuggets and fries to vegetables, pizza, and even cookies.

However, one disadvantage of air frying is that it still carries some health risks. Even with reduced oil usage, air fryers can be susceptible to the formation of harmful compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines, which are linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. Additionally, just because a food is air-fried does not automatically make it healthy; it is important to consider nutritional alternatives.

Both baking and air frying have their advantages and disadvantages. Baking is ideal for those seeking a traditional, slow-cooking method that preserves nutrients and reduces fat content. On the other hand, air frying is perfect for those who want a quick, convenient, and healthier alternative to deep frying, with a crispy finish. The best choice between the two depends on personal factors such as preferred cooking methods, household size, and budget.

Frequently asked questions