10+ Irresistible Air-Fryer Desserts - MyRecipes (2024)

Credit: Meredith Food Studios

Air-fried foods aren't just a healthier take on indulgent treats. Sticking your favorite sweet snack in the air fryer also guarantees a delicate, crispy coating you won't be able to get enough of. Once you make these air-fryer desserts, you'll never want them any other way.

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Air-Fryer Cannoli Recipe

The air fryer’s strengths span far beyond crisping up frozen French fries. Here, the countertop appliance provides a perfect shortcut to homemade cannoli (a traditionally labor intensive treat to make). In this impressive air fryer dessert, prepared pie dough is used to create the crunchy, buttery richness you’d expect from a deep-fried cannoli shell. Though all of the ingredients for this air-fryer cannoli are easily found at any supermarket, you may need to order the cannoli tubes if you do not already have a set. (However, you can also use aluminum foil formed into a cylindrical shape in lieu of the tubes.) Pro-tip: Don’t skip draining your ricotta cheese! This essential step keeps the filling from being too moist—leading to soggy cannoli shells.

Double-Glazed Air-Fried Cinnamon Biscuit Bites

Double-Glazed Air-Fried Cinnamon Biscuit Bites Recipe

This scrumptious cross between cinnamon rolls and biscuits is easier than either and stars a simple, no-yeast dough that requires no rising and bakes up into tender, fluffy bites in a matter of minutes. It’s like an adult-version easy bake oven! You can jazz up the glaze any way you like—we tried swapping out the water for lemon juice and adding a little lemon zest, and loved it. Resist the urge to crowd the basket; these little guys need to bake in batches so they don’t stick together.

Air Fryer Strawberry Pop Tarts

Air Fryer Strawberry "Pop Tarts" Recipe

These adorable air fryer delights check all the nostalgia boxes, from afternoons spent with your sister’s Easy Bake Oven to Saturday mornings eating piping hot pop tarts fresh from the toaster oven. Our grown-up air fryer version wraps all that goodness into a healthier package, featuring a quick microwave jam with nice chunks of strawberries. Lemon juice cuts the sweetness of the glaze, and the sprinkles—well, they’re just plain fun.

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Air-FriedCookies Recipe

You may not believe it, but you can make perfectly crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside cookies with some help from your air frier. This method is also useful if your oven is taken or you only need to make a small batch.

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Air-Fried Churros Recipe

Crispy, light, and sweet, these air-fried churros are just as tasty as the deep-fried version. The dough is perfectly tender and tastes like a lightly sweetened breadstick, while the cinnamon sugar adds the perfect crunchy texture and sweetness. This dough can be made up to a few hours in advance, but once it’s cooked, the churros should be enjoyed immediately for best results.

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Air Fryer Glazed Cake Doughnut Holes Recipe

Few things in life are better than a warm, fresh doughnut, but it’s no secret that deep frying at home is a pain. Save yourself a mess (not to mention, some calories/fat) by breaking out the air fryer for these cakey glazed doughnut holes.

Air-Fried Peach Hand Pie

Air Fryer Peach Hand Pies Recipe

Perfectly flaky pies from your air fryer? You bet! Store-bought piecrust is a smart shortcut; it bakes up nice and flaky in the air fryer. Naturally, fresh peaches will make the best filling, but you can use thawed frozen peaches if the fresh kind aren’t in season. Don’t toss out the leftover peach juice—simmer it down in a small saucepan until thickened for a fantastic ice cream topper.

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Air-Fryer Fried Oreos Recipe

Not only does the air fryer make this fairground favorite a bit healthier, but fried Oreos have also never been easier to make at home thanks to the fat-slashing countertop appliance. And requiring only 4 ingredients, these air-fried Oreos are the perfect treat for anything from weekend sleepovers to an extra-special weeknight dessert. We opted to give our Air-Fryer Fried Oreos an especially indulgent edge by adding in a layer of peanut butter; however, feel free to swap the peanut butter out for something else (dulce de leche or Nutella would be delicious!) or leave it out altogether. When wrapping the Oreos in crescent dough, make sure the dough is fully encasing the cookie—otherwise, you’ll end up with burnt Oreos.

Air-Fried Apple Chips

Make These Easy Air-Fried Cinnamon Apple Chips With Almond Yogurt Dip Recipe

On the hunt for a treat that satisfies your sweet tooth without busting your diet? Pack these cinnamon-laced apple chips in your lunch bag. Apples deliver natural sweetness and a handsome amount of fiber, making them a smart choice for any diet, and the air fryer transforms them into something altogether more delicious, thanks to its signature move—adding fat-free crunch. Cutting almond butter with low-fat Greek yogurt adds protein to the dipping sauce, as well as extra creaminess.

Air Fryer Churros With Chocolate Sauce

Air Fryer ChurrosWith Chocolate Sauce Recipe

These delights are lighter than traditional churros—almost like éclairs—coming out of the air fryer fluffy and delicious. The cinnamon-sugar mixture creates a thin crust on the outside, delivering that classic churro crunch. Kefir is a dairy product similar to yogurt that is much thinner (it’s drinkable, like a smoothie) and packed with gut-healthy probiotics. The slightly tangy flavor makes the chocolate sauce nice and smooth. Be sure to chill the dough before piping to help it to hold its shape in the air fryer basket. You'll to enjoy the churros immediately as they're best fresh, but you can save any extra chocolate sauce—try drizzling it over frozen yogurt.

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Air-Fried Apple Pies Recipe

These miniature apple pies are warm, sweet, and comforting. The crust is flaky and savory, while the inside is saccharine, juicy, and tangy. The secret to apple pie is using more than one kind of apple (We used a mixture of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), so feel free to get creative with your fillings. You can assemble them ahead of time and air-fry before serving, or reheat them and serve them for breakfast with a cup of coffee.