Air fryers have become an increasingly popular kitchen appliance in recent years. Their ability to make crispy “fried” foods using little to no oil is very appealing. But can you use an air fryer for more than just faux fried chicken and french fries? Specifically, is it possible to bake pastries like pies, tarts, and turnovers in an air fryer?
The short answer
Yes, you can bake pastries in an air fryer! While air fryers are best known for cooking crispy “fried” foods, they can be used for baking as well. The hot air circulation and convection heating of an air fryer makes it suitable for baking and cooking a variety of foods, including pastries.
How an air fryer works
To understand why air fryers are effective at baking pastries, it helps to first understand how they work. Air fryers use convection heating – a fan circulates hot air around the food at high speed to cook it fast and evenly. This rapid air circulation mimics the effects of deep frying without submerging food in oil.
Most air fryers have temperature controls up to 400°F, which is more than adequate for baking most pastry doughs. The convection heating cooks pastry doughs very evenly from all sides. This allows pastries to get crispy and golden brown on the outside while cooking through on the inside.
Tips for baking pastry in an air fryer
Here are some tips to get the best results when using an air fryer to bake pastry:
- Use parchment paper – Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Brush with egg wash – Brush pastries with egg wash before cooking for golden, shiny finish.
- Adjust cook times – Cook times will be shorter than oven, keep an eye on pastries.
- Flip halfway – Flip pastries about halfway through cook time for even browning.
- Brush with butter – Brush baked pastries with melted butter or glaze when done for extra richness.
- Let rest before serving – Let pastries cool for 5-10 minutes before removing from air fryer.
What pastries can be made in an air fryer?
A wide variety of pastries can be baked in an air fryer, including:
- Pies – Mini fruit and pot pies
- Tarts – Fruit tarts, galettes, small quiches
- Turnovers – Apple, cherry, or other fruit turnovers
- Pastries – Croissants, danish, bear claws, etc
- Hand pies – Empanadas, samosas, hot pockets, etc
- Puff pastry – Cheese straws, palmiers, Vol-au-vents
The key is to stick to individual sized or smaller pastries. Very large pies or pastries likely won’t fit or cook evenly in an air fryer. But individual hand pies, turnovers, tarts, and more are perfectly suited for air frying.
Fruit Pies
Individual mini fruit pies are delightful made in the air fryer. Hand pies with fillings like apple, cherry, blueberry, peach, or other fruits work very well. Brush the tops with egg wash before cooking for a shiny, golden finish.
Quiches and Tarts
Small crustless quiches in a muffin tin or individual mini crusts can be easily air fried. Egg tarts, galettes, and other individual savory or sweet tarts also cook up nicely this way. Blind bake any tart shells first before adding fillings.
Turnovers
Turnovers stuffed with apple, cherry, strawberry, blueberry, or other fillings are perfect for the air fryer. The air circulation will cook the filling evenly without making the pastry soggy.
Pastries
Air fry croissants, danishes, bear claws, and other puff pastry treats to crispy perfection. Brush with egg wash before air frying and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Hand Pies
Empanadas, samosas, Jamaican beef patties, and other hand pies are easy to make in bulk in the air fryer. The shells get nice and crisp while the fillings heat through.
Puff Pastry Treats
The air fryer’s convection heating is perfect for getting puff pastry items beautifully crisp and flaky. Bake bite-size cheese straws, palmiers, Vol-au-vents, or custom appetizers in just minutes.
Tips for success baking pastry in an air fryer
Follow these tips when using an air fryer to bake pastry:
- Use mini or individual sized pastries – Large pies won’t cook evenly.
- Adjust temperature and time – Pastries may require lower temp and less time than oven.
- Line with parchment – Prevents sticking and cooks more evenly.
- Flip halfway through – Ensures even browning on both sides.
- Use egg wash – Brush with egg wash before baking for color and shine.
- Let rest before eating – Let pastries cool slightly before removing from fryer.
- Experiment and take notes – Try a test pastry first to determine best time and temp.
Common air fryer pastry mistakes
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using an air fryer to bake pastry:
- Overcrowding – Do not overload the air fryer basket, pastries need space to cook evenly.
- Too high temperature – Pastries often require lower temps than meats or veggies, start around 300°F.
- No parchment paper – Lining the basket prevents sticking and promotes even cooking.
- Not preheating – Fully preheat the air fryer before adding pastries for best results.
- Not flipping/turning – Flip pastries halfway through cooking for evenly browned crust.
- Opening too often – Resist opening the air fryer frequently, it can cause temperature drops.
- No egg wash – Brush pastries with egg wash for appetizing, glossy finishes.
Air Fryer Pastry Recipes
Here are some delicious air fryer pastry recipes to try:
Mini Fruit Pies
Ingredients:
- Pie dough for single crust pies
- Your choice of pie filling (apple, cherry, blueberry, etc)
- Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 Tbsp water)
- Sugar for sprinkling
Instructions:
- Roll out pie dough and cut into rounds to fit your air fryer basket.
- Add 1-2 Tbsp of pie filling into each dough round.
- Moisten edges with water and crimp with a fork to seal.
- Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle sugar.
- Air fry at 300°F for 14-18 minutes until golden brown.
Cheese and Onion Tartlets
Ingredients:
- Ready-to-fill mini phyllo shells
- Shredded cheese blend (cheddar, gruyere, etc)
- Caramelized onions
- Eggs
- Half-and-half
Instructions:
- Divide cheese and onions between phyllo shells.
- Whisk together eggs, half-and-half, salt and pepper.
- Pour egg mixture over shells, about 2/3 full.
- Air fry at 300°F for 10-12 minutes until set.
Apple Turnovers
Ingredients:
- Puff pastry sheets, thawed
- Apple pie filling
- Egg wash
- Cinnamon sugar
Instructions:
- Cut pastry sheets into squares. Add 1-2 Tbsp filling to half of each square.
- Moisten edges with water, fold over and press with a fork to seal.
- Brush with egg wash and sprinkle cinnamon sugar.
- Air fry at 325°F for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
Raspberry Danish
Ingredients:
- Packaged Danish dough
- Raspberry preserve/jam
- Cream cheese (optional)
- Egg wash
Instructions:
- Roll out dough into a rectangle. Spread preserve down the center.
- Fold dough over filling and seal edges with a fork.
- Cut into strips and twist each strip. Place on parchment paper.
- Brush with egg wash. Air fry at 325°F for 8-10 minutes.
Pros and Cons of Baking Pastry in an Air Fryer
Here is a summary of the main pros and cons associated with baking pastries in an air fryer:
Pros
- Quick cooking times – Pastries cook much faster than oven.
- Crispy exterior – The circulated hot air makes flaky, crispy pastry crusts.
- Tender, moist interior – Fillings get heated through without drying out.
- Doesn’t heat up kitchen – Unlike using the oven.
- Easy cleanup – Air fryer basket cleans up fast.
- Versatile – Can make both sweet and savory pastries.
Cons
- Small batches only – Most air fryers only hold 1-2 servings.
- Trial and error – Takes testing to get timing right.
- Easy to overcook – Pastries can burn quickly if not monitored.
- No definitive recipes – Lack of authoritative air fryer pastry recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I use to bake pastry in an air fryer?
Most pastries bake best at temperatures between 300-350°F in an air fryer. Start on the lower end, around 300°F, and adjust up if needed. The convection heat of an air fryer cooks faster than a traditional oven.
How long does it take to bake pastry in an air fryer?
Cooking times can vary greatly depending on the size and type of pastry. Small individual pastries typically take 10-20 minutes in an air fryer. Larger pastries may take 15-30 minutes. Check frequently and adjust cook time as needed.
Should pastry be flipped during air frying?
Yes, flipping pastry items midway through the cook time is recommended when air frying. This ensures even browning on both sides of the pastry for the best texture and appearance.
Can you put raw pastry in an air fryer?
Most raw pastries can be put directly into a preheated air fryer, without par-baking. Pie crusts, puff pastry, croissants, etc. will all cook up nicely this way. Blanching any wet fruit fillings first helps prevent a soggy bottom crust.
Can I reheat baked pastry in an air fryer?
Yes, leftover baked pastries can be reheated very effectively in an air fryer. Place the pastry in a preheated air fryer for 1-3 minutes at 300°F. This will recrisp the exterior without over-drying it out.
Conclusion
While air fryers will never fully replicate the results of a traditional oven, they can absolutely be used to bake a variety of delicious pastries. The ability to cook pastries quickly with a crispy crust and moist interior makes an air fryer a versatile appliance. With a little trial and error to get the timing right, you can absolutely bake your way to pastry perfection using an air fryer.