air fryer croissants in Minutes

The air fryer is amazingly a perfect way to create buttery, golden brown croissants in just minutes! This is a simple way transforms ordinary crescent roll dough into delightful pastries that are perfect for any occasion as sweet treats, or breakfast.

Why Air Fryer Croissants?

Air frying croissants is a game changer for those who love fresh pastries but lack the time for traditional baking methods. Just get your favorite brand of crescent rolls and follow the simple steps below. This technique delivers a crispy texture and perfect golden color while being quicker and less messy than oven baking.

PRO TIPS for the Best Air Fryer Croissants

– Ensure your crescent roll dough is at room temperature for easier handling. Use gluten-free crescent roll dough like one made from almond flour for those on a medically restrictive diet.

– Do not overcrowd; cook the croissants in a single layer in the basket for best results.

– Use an 8-inch round of cooking parchment paper at the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent sticking and achieve even cooking.

Ingredients

Crescent Roll Dough: The base of our recipe, providing a buttery and flaky texture.

Cooking Spray: Helps achieve that golden brown finish without extra calories.

Chocolate Chips or Cheese(optional): Adds a delicious twist for either sweet or savory treats.

Egg Wash (1 beaten egg with a tbsp of water): Gives the croissants a shiny, golden finish. Use plant-based cheese and a milk wash instead of egg wash.

How to make an air fryer crescent rolls

Preparation: Open a can of crescent rolls and separate the dough into triangles along the perforated lines. The package be crescent dough – pre made crescent-shaped rolls.

Add Fillings (optional): Sprinkle chocolate chips for chocolate croissants or a small amount of cheese for cheese croissant on the wider end of each dough triangle.

Roll: Roll each triangle from the wider end to the narrower tip to form a crescent shape.

Prep Air Fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and place a round of parchment paper at the bottom.

Cook: Arrange the croissants in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Brush with egg wash for a golden sheen. Cook at 330°F for 8-10 minutes until puffed up and golden brown.

Serve: Enjoy your fresh croissants out of the air fryer with a cup of coffee!

 Frozen Air Fryer Croissants

Preheat Your Air Fryer:

• Set your air fryer to 350°F (177°C). This is the ideal temperature to cook frozen croissants, as it warms them gently enough to thaw the insides without burning the outside.

Prepare the Croissants:

• If your croissants are not already individually separated, break them apart gently. You do not need to thaw them; just place croissants straight from the freezer to the air fryer.
• Optionally, you can brush the tops of the croissants with a little melted butter or milk for an extra golden finish, but this is not necessary.

Arrange Croissants in the Air Fryer:

• Place the frozen croissants in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave enough space between each croissant as they will expand when heated. It’s best to cook them in a single layer to ensure they heat evenly.

Cooking Time:

• Cook the croissants for about 8-10 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, you can gently flip them to ensure they brown evenly, but this is optional depending on how your air fryer circulates air anf the temperature settings.

Check for Doneness:

• The croissants are done when they have puffed up and have a golden-brown exterior. If they aren’t quite done, you can cook them for an additional 1-2 minutes, but be careful not to overcook as they can become too dry.

Serving:

• Serve the croissants warm from the air fryer. They are best enjoyed fresh, but you can also let them cool and store them for later use.

Tips for Best Results:

• Do Not Overcrowd: Keeping space between the croissants is key to getting them evenly cooked and properly crisped.
• No Need to Thaw: Cooking from frozen simplifies the process and prevents the dough from becoming overly soggy or misshapen.
• Adjust Cooking Times: Depending on your air fryer model and the size of the croissants, you might need to adjust the cooking time slightly.

Leftover crescent rolls

Store any leftover croissants in an airtight container or in a plastic wrap. They can be kept at room temperature for a day or refrigerated for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer for best results.

Alternative Cooking Methods

While the air fryer is the quickest method, you can also bake these in a conventional or toaster oven. However, I love that the air fryer remains my preferred method as it’s quicker, effiecient and provides a crispy texture with less oil in just a few minutes 

What is the difference between croissants and crescent rolls?

Croissants and crescent rolls might look similar in shape and be confused by their crescent-like appearance, but they have notable differences in terms of ingredients, texture, and preparation methods. Here’s a breakdown:

Traditional croissants are made with a yeast-leavened dough that includes flour, water, milk, sugar, salt, butter, and yeast. The key feature of croissant dough is the extensive use of butter in a laminating process, which involves folding and rolling the dough multiple times to create thin layers of buttery croissant.

Crescent Rolls are typically made from a simpler, softer dough that might include similar ingredients to croissants but in different proportions. Crescent rolls often use less butter and sometimes include eggs, which are not traditional in classic croissant recipes.

Is Croissant similar to Puff Pastry

Croissants and puff pastry are similar in that they both involve a technique known as lamination, which creates multiple layers of dough separated by butter. This results in a flaky, tender texture when baked. 

Serving Suggestions

Serve your air fryer croissants with a side of fruit, crispy bacon for breakfast or top with ice cream for a decadent dessert. They’re versatile and sure to impress whether they’re part of a breakfast spread or a sweet treat.

Enjoy your easy and delicious air fryer croissants, a quick way to bring a touch of gourmet to your daily meals!

FAQ’s

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, prepare and shape the croissants, store them in the refrigerator overnight, and cook when ready to serve.

Can I use homemade dough?

Absolutely, homemade dough can be used for even fresher results.

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