A Sweet Revolution in Your Kitchen
Last night, I found myself staring into my pantry at 10 PM with that familiar sweet craving that wouldn’t quit. My oven seemed like too much effort—preheating for 20 minutes just to bake a small treat? No thanks. That’s when I remembered the air fryer sitting on my counter. What began as a quick experiment turned into a late-night dessert revelation that changed everything. I’ve since tested dozens of sweet treats in my air fryer, and I’m thrilled to share the absolute best with you today. These indulgent desserts come together in minutes, taste like they took hours, and might just make your traditional oven jealous!
1. Oreo Churros
Why you’ll love them: Imagine the perfect marriage between America’s favorite cookie and Spain’s beloved cinnamon-sugar treat. These Oreo churros deliver crispy exteriors with a tender, chocolatey interior that mimics the familiar Oreo flavor we all crave.
The dough comes together easily with just flour, water, oil, and sugar, but the magic happens when you fold in crushed Oreo crumbs. Unlike traditional churros that require dangerous hot oil, the air fryer creates that signature crispness with just a light spray of cooking oil.
Chef’s note: The first time I made these, I accidentally used double-stuffed Oreos and found they actually made the churros even more indulgent—happy accidents do happen!
Common mistake to avoid: Don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket. I’ve learned the hard way that churros need space to crisp up properly. Working in batches takes a few extra minutes but ensures each churro develops that perfect texture.
Get the Complete Air Fryer Oreo Churros Recipe →
2. Lava Cakes
Why you’ll love them: That magical moment when your fork breaks through the cake exterior and molten chocolate flows out—it’s dessert theater at its finest! Making lava cakes in the air fryer not only speeds up the process but delivers perfectly cooked exteriors while maintaining that gooey center.
These individual cakes take just 7-9 minutes to cook, compared to 12-14 in a conventional oven. The circulating hot air creates an even heat that sets the outside while preserving the molten interior.
Chef’s note: I keep ramekins of unbaked lava cake batter in my fridge for unexpected guests (or, let’s be honest, my own late-night cravings). Just add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time when starting from cold.
Pro tip: The type of chocolate you use makes all the difference. Splurge on a high-quality dark chocolate with at least 60% cacao for a more sophisticated, less sweet result.
Get the Complete Air Fryer Lava Cake Recipe →
3. Fried Ice Cream
Why you’ll love it: All the nostalgic joy of fried ice cream without the mess or danger of hot oil! This genius method involves coating frozen ice cream balls in a crunchy cornflake and cinnamon mixture, then giving them a quick blast in the air fryer.
The result is mind-bending—a warm, crispy exterior with perfectly cold, creamy ice cream inside. The contrast of temperatures and textures makes this dessert absolutely unforgettable.
Chef’s note: I’ve experimented with different ice cream flavors, but vanilla bean and dulce de leche work exceptionally well as they complement the cinnamon in the coating.
Common mistake to avoid: Working too slowly. This dessert requires quick hands—once you’ve coated your ice cream balls, they need to go straight into the freezer to firm up again before air frying, or you’ll have a melty mess.
4. Air Fryer Donut Holes with Glaze
Why you’ll love them: These bite-sized treats deliver all the satisfaction of fresh donuts without the deep-frying. Using refrigerated biscuit dough as the base makes them incredibly easy, while the hot circulating air creates a beautiful golden crust.
Once they’re done cooking, a quick dip in a simple powdered sugar glaze transforms them into bakery-worthy treats. The glaze forms a sweet, slightly crisp shell that gives way to a tender, fluffy interior.
Chef’s note: I often add a splash of vanilla to the glaze, but almond extract or even a bit of maple syrup can create delightful variations.
Pro tip: If you’re feeling adventurous, try filling these with jam or Nutella before air frying. Use a piping bag with a long tip to inject the filling after rolling the dough into balls.
Get the Complete Air Fryer Donut Holes With Glaze Recipe →
5. Air Fryer Nutella-Stuffed Pastry Puffs
Why you’ll love them: Store-bought puff pastry transforms into an impressive dessert with minimal effort. The air fryer’s circulating heat causes the layers to puff up beautifully while developing a golden, flaky exterior.
The Nutella inside becomes warm and slightly more fluid, creating a molten chocolate hazelnut center that’s utterly irresistible. A dusting of powdered sugar adds the perfect finishing touch.
Chef’s note: I’ve made these for last-minute dinner guests, and they always think I spent hours in the kitchen. The secret is keeping puff pastry and Nutella on hand at all times!
Common mistake to avoid: Don’t overload with Nutella. As tempting as it is to be generous, too much filling will leak out during cooking. About a teaspoon per puff is perfect.
Get the Complete Nutella-Stuffed Pastry Puffs Recipe →
6. Mini S’mores Pies
Why you’ll love them: All the campfire flavors without the smoke in your eyes! These adorable single-serve pies feature a graham cracker crust filled with chocolate and topped with toasted marshmallows.
The air fryer heats everything through, melting the chocolate to perfection while giving the marshmallows that beautiful golden-brown finish you’d normally achieve over a flame.
Chef’s note: Sometimes I add a tiny pinch of sea salt to the chocolate layer to enhance the sweetness and add complexity.
Pro tip: For the most authentic s’mores flavor, use broken pieces of Hershey’s milk chocolate bars rather than chocolate chips.
Get the Complete Mini S’mores Pies Recipe →
7. Air Fryer Chocolate Croissants
Why you’ll love them: Transform store-bought croissant dough into a bakery-worthy chocolate treat in minutes! The air fryer creates that perfect contrast between the crispy, flaky exterior and the soft, buttery layers inside.
Adding high-quality chocolate bars that melt into pockets of rich goodness elevates this simple dessert to something truly special. A light egg wash before cooking ensures beautiful golden brown results.
Chef’s note: The first time I made these, I watched through the air fryer window like it was a baking show. The transformation is truly spectacular to witness!
Common mistake to avoid: Using chocolate chips instead of bar chocolate. Chips contain stabilizers that prevent them from melting as smoothly. Chop a good chocolate bar for the best melting results.
Get the Complete Air Fryer Chocolate Croissant Recipe →
8. Air Fryer Cheesecake Bites
Why you’ll love them: These two-bite wonders deliver all the rich, creamy satisfaction of cheesecake without the long baking and cooling times. Using individual paper liners means perfect portions and easy cleanup.
The air fryer creates a uniquely creamy texture with a slightly caramelized top that’s different from oven-baked cheesecake—in the best possible way.
Chef’s note: I’ve discovered that adding a small berry or dollop of jam to the center of each bite before cooking creates a beautiful “surprise inside” effect.
Pro tip: For the smoothest texture, make sure all your ingredients (cream cheese, eggs, etc.) are at room temperature before mixing.
Get the Complete Air Fryer Cheesecake Bites Recipe →
9. Strawberry Shortcake Egg Rolls (air-fried)
Why you’ll love them: This creative dessert reimagines a classic in portable, crispy form. Egg roll wrappers filled with sweetened cream cheese and fresh strawberries transform into crispy, creamy, fruity perfection in the air fryer.
The contrast between the crunchy shell and the luscious filling makes these irresistible, while a dusting of powdered sugar and perhaps a drizzle of strawberry sauce elevates them to restaurant quality.
Chef’s note: I serve these at parties and people always ask for the recipe, never believing how simple they are to make!
Common mistake to avoid: Overstuffing the egg rolls. It’s tempting to pack in the filling, but this leads to bursting and leaking during cooking. Less is more for a perfect result.
Get the Complete Strawberry Shortcake Egg Rolls Recipe →
Pro Tips for Air Fryer Dessert Success
- Always preheat your air fryer for 2-3 minutes before adding desserts for the most consistent results
- Use parchment paper liners designed for air fryers to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze
- Don’t overcrowd the basket – better to work in batches than compromise on texture
- Keep a spray bottle of oil handy for a light mist that promotes even browning without adding much fat
- Check early and often – desserts can go from perfect to overdone quickly in an air fryer
Next You’ll Love
If you enjoyed these air fryer desserts, you’ll want to try my upcoming collection of “5-Minute Mug Cakes for Every Craving” and “No-Bake Summer Treats That Keep Your Kitchen Cool.” Stay tuned to Dessertique.com for these collections coming soon!
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