We’re absolutely obsessed with our air fryer. We bake breakfast items in it, bring leftovers back to life for lunch, and cook delicious dinners that are simpler, easier, and healthier than using the stove, oven, or deep fryer. But what about our favorite meal, dessert? You may be surprised to find out that many classic dishes, regional specialties, and other sweet treats can also be made in our favorite kitchen appliance. Here are 22 air fryer dessert recipes.
1 of 22
Apple fritters
MSPhotographic / Shutterstock.com
As if these warm apple fritters from Fantabulosity aren’t irresistible enough on their own, they’re covered in a simple sweet glaze made from powdered sugar, butter, and milk. The fritters themselves are also super simple, calling for just flour, sugar, baking powder, milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and, of course, apples.
2 of 22
Apple hand pies
Katarzyna Hurova / Shutterstock.com
A whole pie would be tricky (but still possible) in the air fryer. However, apple hand pies are much more manageable to make. You’ll need to buy apples and pastry dough, but we’re guessing you already have the other ingredients you need for this version from All Recipes, which calls for brown sugar, confectioners sugar, butter, cinnamon, cornstarch, oil, and milk.
3 of 22
Blueberry crisp
nblx / Shutterstock.com
Air fryers provide the perfect amount of crispiness to numerous dishes, including blueberry crisp! Don’t take our word for it (even though we are totally trustworthy) — try this old-fashioned blueberry crisp recipe from Fork to Spoon yourself!
4 of 22
Bread pudding
vm2002 / Shutterstock.com
We love meals that are all about salvaging foods that often get tossed. If we have brown bananas, we make banana bread. If we have stale bread, we make bread pudding. We sometimes even make it in the air fryer, like this version from Classic Bakes. It’s soft and fluffy on the inside, perfectly golden on top, and can be served for dessert or breakfast…or any time in between!
5 of 22
Brownie “mug cake”
Ksenija Toyechkina / Shutterstock.com
We’re big fans of mug cakes — simple, small-portioned desserts that serve one or two people and can be made in a flash. But can you make a mug cake in an air fryer? The answer is a resounding “sort of!” This brownie recipe from The Big Man’s World is a lot like a mug cake. It serves two, can be “baked” in only 4 minutes in a ramekin (or a mug!), and calls for only simple ingredients. In another twist, this is also a vegan-friendly recipe, as the ingredient list doesn’t include eggs, milk, or butter.
6 of 22
Cannoli
vincenzo scarantino / Shutterstock.com
Holy cannoli! Did you know you could make the shells of this Italian dessert in your air fryer? Bonni Bakery can fill you in on the details, including how to make a six-ingredient pistachio filling (click the link in the article for this version!).
7 of 22
Cheesecake
Ahanov Michael / Shutterstock.com
Not only can you make cheesecake in the air fryer, but you can make many different types of cheesecake! This recipe from Recipe includes instructions for blueberry, key lime, caramel, birthday cake, and New York-style cheesecake. You can get creative with variations like chocolate, pumpkin, and Oreo.
8 of 22
Cherry pie
Alena Haurylik / Shutterstock.com
We told you baking a whole pie in the air fryer was possible, and now we’re here to show you that we’re not liars. (How dare you even think that?!) And if you’re looking to your air fryer for the simplicity it can provide, then you’ll love this easy four-ingredient cherry pie recipe from Fork to Spoon.
9 of 22
Chocolate cake
rontav / Shutterstock.com
A smaller cake calls for a smaller appliance — give your oven the night off and bake this chocolate cake with chocolate frosting from Also the Crumbs Please in your air fryer. You’ll need a 6-inch cake pan, an air fryer capable of fitting a 6-inch cake pan, and, you know, all the ingredients that make the actual cake.
10 of 22
Chocolate chip cookies
Mandi J. Smith / Shutterstock.com
Too hot for the oven? Make your next batch of chocolate chip cookies in the air fryer instead. As Gimme Delicious will explain, the ingredients are all the same and so is the process — you’re just using a different appliance. This one is also super useful if you want to make a smaller batch of cookies!
11 of 22
Churros
nelea33 / Shutterstock.com
Crispy on the outside, light & pillowy on the inside, and coated with cinnamon sugar, churros can be enjoyed morning, noon, or night. You can also eat them plain or dipped in chocolate, dulce de leche, or Nutella. This air fryer recipe from Lifestyle of a Foodie can get you started.
12 of 22
Cream puffs
Anna Shepulova / Shutterstock.com
Whether you call them profiteroles, choux pastries, or just plain ol’ cream puffs, you can make these fluffy clouds of pure bliss right in your air fryer with this recipe from Fast Food Bistro. Your family or guests won’t care what you call them, they’ll just ask for “more.”
13 of 22
Donuts
rawf8 / Shutterstock.com
Call us crazy, but we usually eat baked goods covered in chocolate and sprinkles for dessert rather than breakfast. And these air fryer donuts from Favorite Family Recipes are the real thing. You still proof the yeast, make actual dough, let it rise, and roll it out. The only difference is that you don’t need a deep fryer, and the only oil required is cooking spray.
14 of 22
Flan
gowithstock / Shutterstock.com
Air-fried flan feels so wrong but tastes so right. And despite a name dripping with pretentiousness, this fancy caramel-covered custard couldn’t be easier. You only need four ingredients, 20 minutes of your time, and this recipe from Gangas Amazing.
15 of 22
Fried Oreos
Karen Norton / Shutterstock.com
Make a more fit version of your favorite fair food at home with this easy air fried Oreos recipe from Air Frying Foodie. All you need are Oreos, crescent dough, a bit of powdered sugar, and one of those little cardboard containers. (Alright, the last part is optional.)
16 of 22
Funnel cake
JeniFoto / Shutterstock.com
For some more fair fare, try this funnel cake from Fork to Spoon. Not only can you make it in your air fryer instead of your deep fryer, but it doesn’t require any oil. That’s astounding, as everything at a fair or carnival uses some kind of grease…even the rides!
17 of 22
Peanut butter cookies
Marie C Fields / Shutterstock.com
These peanut butter cookies from Trop Rockin’call for just three ingredients can be prepped in 6 minutes, and only need 4 minutes of cooking time in your air fryer. However, they also need 30 minutes to rest, so kick your family out of the kitchen for 40 minutes, make these cookies in 10, and spend the remaining half hour with a glass of wine.
18 of 22
Pound cake
hanabiyori / Shutterstock.com
Have a loaf pan that will fit in your air fryer? You gotta try air fryer pound cake. Not only is it quicker & easier than the oven variety, but it comes out fluffier. Flex that air fryer pound cake with this recipe from The Flexible Fridge.
19 of 22
S’mores
Brent Hofacker / Shutterstock.com
Air fryers can replace deep fryers, ovens, microwaves, and numerous other appliances, so why can’t they also replace a campfire? You won’t actually be able to replicate the warmth, romance, or coziness of a real fire, but you can still cook up a good s’more — no open flame necessary! Try this recipe from Sparkles to Sprinkles.
20 of 22
Shortbread
Jiri Hera / Shutterstock.com
If you want to make a batch of shortbread but are short on time, try this air fryer version from Taste of Home. You only need three ingredients — butter, flour, and brown sugar — and 10 minutes of cooking time per batch, as opposed to normal recipes that require 30 minutes in the oven.
21 of 22
Snickerdoodles
Linda Hughes Photography / Shutterstock.com
Have you ever made chocolate chip cookies without chocolate chips? Don’t, they’re super weird. If you need to make a batch of cookies but find yourself without this key ingredient, try snickerdoodles instead. As Upstate Ramblings will tell you, it’s just the basics (flour, sugar, brown sugar, butter, baking soda, salt, vanilla, and an egg), plus a couple of extra items from your spice rack (cinnamon and cream of tartar).
22 of 22
Vanilla cake
Africa Studio / Shutterstock.com
If you were intrigued by the aforementioned air fryer chocolate cake recipe, but you’re not a fan of chocolate…then I’m sorry, but we can’t be friends. That’s a deal-breaker. Okay, okay…we overreacted, and we’re sorry. As a peace offering, please accept this air fryer vanilla cake recipe, which comes courtesy of Also the Crumbs Please.
