Can I make desserts in an air fryer?
Air fryers are all the rage these days. They’re small, convenient, and cook food with little or no oil. So, can you bake in an air fryer? The answer is a resounding yes! In this blog post, we’ll share some of the best air fryer desserts to make in an air fryer. Before we get into this, let’s check out how the air fryer works first.
An air fryer cooks your food with hot air that moves around it. It’s a small appliance which has a heating element and fan installed. When the heating element heats up, the fan circulates the hot air around the food. This cooks the food evenly giving it a crispy texture outside with a tender core. It’s a simple concept, but it works very well. The best thing about an air fryer is that you do not have to add oil while cooking, which means fewer calories and less mess to clean up!
Best air fryer desserts to make
The air fryer is a great alternative to baking in the oven. Listed below are some of the best desserts that can be made in an air fryer.
Banana bread
It takes no more than 30 minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius). And it will have a crispy crust on the outside and a soft, fluffy inside. It pairs perfectly with ice cream or a piece of chocolate and can easily replace other desserts such as pies and cakes.
Apple pie
The flakiness and crispness of pastry are achieved through the air fryer without melting the butter inside, yielding a tender and moist dough that bakes into a flaky crust around the apples. Shape them into small half-circles and bake them at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
Flourless chocolate cake
This is a delicious and nutritious dessert that is ideal for people with allergies or sensitivities to many types of food. Simply put your cake mixture in a baking pan and bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius) for 30 minutes.
Brownies
The ideal air fryer brownie has a crispy crust and chewy center, not too soft nor too dry! Make sure to grease the pan well before baking the brownies at 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius) for 20 to 25 minutes.
Cinnamon rolls
They make a great breakfast or dessert that can be cooked in the air fryer. The rolls will come out fluffy and soft on the inside, with a nice and crispy crust on the outside. Set the temperature at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) for 7 to 10 minutes. The length of time depends on the thickness of your rolls. One inch (2.5 centimeters) is an ideal width.
Chocolate lava cake
Who doesn’t love a good chocolate lava cake? This dessert can be made in the air fryer in just minutes! The air fryer will give the lava cake a crispy outside while the inside is moist and oozing with chocolate. Bake it at 395 degrees Fahrenheit (202 degrees Celsius) for 6 to 9 minutes.
Doughnuts
Imagine having crispy, fluffy, and soft doughnuts without having to deep fry them in oil? Well, that’s exactly what you will get with air-fried doughnuts. Make sure to grease the pan well before baking them at 370 degrees Fahrenheit (188 degrees Celsius) for 5 to 7 minutes.
Please note that the above temperature and timer settings are only estimates and that every air fryer is different. It is recommended that the desserts should be checked and the settings to be adjusted to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
Baking Accessories for your air fryer
When it comes to baking accessories for your air fryer, there are a couple of basic things that can be useful.
Parchment Paper for air fryer
This is a type of paper that is almost like baking paper with holes in them. They have a high heat tolerance so they won’t burn while baking. It is shaped to fit in the air fryer baskets. Lining the basket or pan will help with the easy removal of food or desserts.
Baking pan or tray for air fryer
These are shallow pans or trays that can be used to bake free standing desserts like croissants.
Air Fryer Deep Baking Dish
It’s suitable for any recipe where you would normally use a cake pan, this dish is perfect for air frying cakes and other deep-dish desserts.
Air Fryer Cake Tin
As the name suggests, this is perfect for recipes that call for baking a cake, such as brownies or layer cakes.
Air Fryer Pie Plate
Ideal for single-crust pies, this plate should be used when the recipe doesn’t call for a deep dish.
Wire Rack
This is perfect for cooling cakes and other air fryer desserts once they have been cooked. Make sure to place it on a heat-resistant surface to avoid any accidents.
Most air fryers do not include any baking accessories so you can either try and use what you have in the kitchen or buy them. However, some multifunctional air fryers may include an air fryer bake pan or bake tray. Like the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven or the Chefman Air Fryer Toaster Oven.
There are also baking accessory sets or individual items like cake pans and muffin pans at affordable prices.
Some handy tips for air fryer baking accessories
The size of your air fryer basket: It stands to reason that a bigger basket will hold a bigger accessory (like a cake tin). The thing to note is to allow for a decent gap between the accessory and the inner sides of the basket. This allows the airflow to circulate smoothly.
The thickness of the accessory: Use thin molds, dishes, or cake tins so that the food doesn’t spend too long in the fryer. This will help to ensure that the outside of your food is not overcooked while the inside is not cooked through.
The shape of the accessory: Air fryers come in two general shapes, the oval egg shape, and the square shape. When looking for accessories, make sure that they will fit in your air fryer basket.
Non-stick surfaces: This is a must, especially if you’re baking something like a cake that can easily stick to the sides or bottom of the pan.
The material the accessory is made from: Make sure that whatever you buy is oven-safe and heat-resistant. Silicone molds and pans are a great alternative to traditional tin trays.
Conclusion
Air fryers are a great way to cook without having to use any oil. This means that you can enjoy delicious, crispy food without all of the unhealthy fats. When it comes to desserts, the sky’s the limit! You can create air-fried doughnuts, cakes, pies, and more without any fuss. All you need is the right accessories.
The key is to find the right baking accessory set or individual items that will fit your air fryer and meet your needs. Make sure that whatever you buy is oven-safe and heat-resistant to avoid any accidents. With the right accessories, you’ll be able to cook up a storm in your air fryer!