18 Air Fryer Desserts You Didn’t Know You Could Make

Look, I get it. Your air fryer has been the MVP of chicken wings and crispy fries. But here’s the thing—that little countertop wonder sitting in your kitchen can crank out desserts that’ll make your sweet tooth sing. We’re talking warm, gooey brownies, caramelized fruit that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant, and cookies that are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. No oven preheating, no heating up your entire kitchen, and honestly, way less cleanup.

I stumbled into air fryer desserts by accident. Had a craving for something sweet, didn’t want to wait 15 minutes for the oven to heat up, and thought “why not?” Threw some cookie dough in the air fryer basket, and let me tell you, my life changed that day. Now I’m out here making everything from churros to cheesecake bites, and people think I’m some kind of dessert wizard.

So grab your air fryer and let’s dive into 18 dessert ideas that’ll make you wonder why you’ve been sleeping on this appliance’s sweet side for so long.

Why Your Air Fryer Is Actually Perfect for Desserts

Before we get into the recipes, let’s talk about why this actually works. Air fryers circulate hot air around food at high speed, which means you get that golden, crispy exterior without drowning everything in oil. For desserts, this is a game-changer. Think about it—you get the caramelization and texture of oven baking, but in a fraction of the time and with way more control over the temperature.

The compact size means heat distribution is incredibly even. No more cookies that are burnt on the edges and raw in the middle. Plus, you can make smaller batches without feeling wasteful about heating up a massive oven for two brownies. It’s honestly the lazy baker’s dream come true.

And here’s something most people don’t realize: air fryers are fantastic for recipes that need high heat for a short time. That’s exactly what you want for things like caramelized sugars on fruit or getting that perfect crust on a mini pie.

The Classics (But Make Them Air Fryer)

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies That’ll Ruin All Other Cookies

Start with your favorite cookie dough recipe or grab some store-bought dough if you’re feeling lazy (no judgment here). Scoop them onto a piece of parchment paper cut to fit your air fryer basket. Set it to 320°F and let them bake for about 8-10 minutes. The result? Cookies with crispy edges and centers so soft they’re almost molten.

The trick is not overcrowding the basket—these babies need room to spread. I usually do 4 cookies at a time in my standard air fryer. Yeah, it takes a few batches, but honestly, fresh warm cookies every 10 minutes is not exactly a hardship.

2. Brownies That Don’t Require Your Oven

Mix up your brownie batter and pour it into a small 6-inch cake pan that fits in your air fryer. Cook at 330°F for about 15-18 minutes. The edges get slightly crispy while the center stays fudgy. It’s basically brownie perfection, and you didn’t have to heat up your whole kitchen to make it happen.

I like adding chocolate chips on top halfway through cooking. They get all melty and create this gorgeous marbled effect. Plus, more chocolate is never a bad thing, right?

If you’re looking for more quick dessert ideas that won’t heat up your kitchen, you might love these air fryer snacks under 200 calories—some of them work surprisingly well as lighter dessert options too.

3. Apple Hand Pies (AKA Fancy Pop-Tarts)

Grab some pre-made pie crust because life’s too short to make everything from scratch. Cut it into rectangles, fill with cinnamon-spiced apples (or apple pie filling if you’re really taking the easy route), seal the edges with a fork, and brush with a little beaten egg. Air fry at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

These are dangerous. I’ve eaten three in one sitting and regretted nothing. Well, maybe the third one. But the first two? Absolutely worth it.

Fruit Desserts That Don’t Suck

4. Caramelized Bananas (Game-Changing Simple)

Slice bananas lengthwise, brush with melted butter, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Air fry at 375°F for 5-7 minutes. What you get is basically nature’s candy with a caramelized crust that makes regular bananas seem boring in comparison.

Serve these over vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt. Or just eat them straight from the air fryer basket standing over your sink. I won’t tell.

5. Stuffed Apples That Look Way Fancier Than They Are

Core an apple, stuff it with a mixture of oats, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Maybe throw in some chopped walnuts if you’re feeling fancy. Air fry at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. The apple gets tender, the filling gets crispy on top, and suddenly you’re serving a dessert that looks like you spent all afternoon on it.

Pro tip: Use a melon baller to core the apples. Makes the job weirdly satisfying and you won’t massacre your fruit in the process.

6. Grilled Peaches with Honey and Mascarpone

Halve some peaches, remove the pit, brush with a tiny bit of oil, and air fry cut-side down at 380°F for 6-8 minutes. Top with a dollop of mascarpone and a drizzle of honey. This dessert tastes like summer decided to show up in your kitchen.

According to research on healthy fats, using small amounts of quality oils for cooking can actually enhance nutrient absorption from fruits and vegetables. So really, you’re just being health-conscious here.

Speaking of fruit-based air fryer ideas, these air fryer veggies that actually taste good use similar techniques—turns out the air fryer is just magic with produce in general.

The “Wait, You Can Make That?” Category

7. Churros Without the Deep Fryer Mess

Make a simple choux pastry (or buy frozen churro dough, I’m not here to judge your life choices). Pipe it into long strips on parchment paper, spray with a little oil, and air fry at 375°F for 10-12 minutes. Roll in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm. You just made churros without a vat of hot oil.

Get yourself a piping bag set with a star tip. Makes the whole process way easier and your churros look professional. Mine looked like sad worms the first time I tried without one.

8. Donut Holes That’ll Make You Question Store-Bought Forever

Use biscuit dough from a can (yeah, the kind that pops). Cut into quarters, roll into balls, spray with oil, and air fry at 350°F for 6-8 minutes. Toss in cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or glaze them. Fresh donut holes in under 10 minutes? This is living.

9. Mini Cheesecakes That Don’t Need a Water Bath

Make mini cheesecakes in a silicone muffin pan. Graham cracker crust on the bottom, classic cheesecake filling on top. Air fry at 300°F for 12-15 minutes. No water bath required, no cracking issues, no stress. Just perfect little individual cheesecakes.

The silicone molds are clutch for this. Nothing sticks, and you can pop these out like it’s nobody’s business. Plus, you can make different flavors in the same batch—chocolate swirl, lemon, berry, whatever you’re feeling.

Chocolate Lovers Unite

10. Molten Lava Cakes (Seriously)

Mix up a simple chocolate cake batter, pour into greased ramekins, and push a piece of chocolate into the center. Air fry at 370°F for 8-10 minutes. When you cut into them, chocolate oozes out like you’re at a five-star restaurant. But you’re in your pajamas. Winning.

The timing is crucial here—too long and you lose the molten center, too short and it’s just raw batter. Start checking at 8 minutes. The tops should look set but the center should still jiggle slightly when you shake the ramekin.

11. S’mores That Don’t Require a Campfire

Place graham cracker squares in the air fryer, top with chocolate and marshmallows, and cook at 390°F for 3-4 minutes. Watch them carefully because marshmallows go from perfect to burnt in about 30 seconds. But when you nail it? Indoor s’mores that are every bit as good as the campfire version.

12. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries (But Faster)

Okay, this one’s a hybrid. Dip strawberries in melted chocolate, place on parchment, and pop the whole thing in the air fryer at the lowest setting for 2-3 minutes. The gentle heat helps the chocolate set faster and gives it this perfect glossy finish. Way faster than waiting for them to set at room temperature.

For more quick sweet treats you can whip up in minutes, check out these easiest air fryer dinners ready in 10 minutes. Some of the dessert techniques overlap, and you’ll find inspiration for other speedy recipes.

The Actually-Kinda-Healthy Options

13. Sweet Potato “Fries” with Cinnamon

Cut sweet potatoes into fry shapes, toss with a tiny bit of coconut oil and cinnamon, air fry at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, shaking halfway through. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup. It’s dessert that’s basically a vegetable, which means you can eat twice as much. That’s science.

These work great as a healthier dessert option when you’re trying to balance nutrition with cravings. Sweet potatoes are packed with fiber and vitamins, so you’re actually doing your body a favor here.

14. Cinnamon Apple Chips

Slice apples super thin (a mandoline slicer makes this stupid easy), sprinkle with cinnamon, air fry at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until crispy. They’re like healthy candy. Store them in an airtight container and snack on them all week.

15. Oatmeal Cookie Energy Bites

Mix oats, peanut butter, honey, and mini chocolate chips into balls. Air fry at 320°F for 6-8 minutes. They get slightly crispy on the outside while staying chewy inside. Perfect for when you want something sweet but don’t want to hate yourself later.

The Crowd-Pleasers

16. Cinnamon Sugar Donut Twists

Take pizza dough (yes, really), cut into strips, twist them, brush with melted butter, and coat in cinnamon sugar. Air fry at 350°F for 6-8 minutes. They’re like churros met a donut and had a delicious baby. People go absolutely nuts for these at parties.

I buy the pre-made pizza dough from the grocery store for this. Takes about 30 seconds to prep and they disappear in about 30 seconds after serving. Math checks out.

17. Cookie Dough Egg Rolls

Hear me out. Take edible cookie dough (the kind without raw eggs), wrap it in egg roll wrappers, seal with water, and air fry at 375°F for 6-8 minutes. The wrapper gets crispy and flaky, the cookie dough inside stays soft and warm. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and everyone will ask for the recipe.

You can make these ahead and freeze them too. Just add an extra minute or two to the cooking time if you’re going straight from frozen.

18. Air Fryer Beignets

Use store-bought biscuit dough (sensing a theme here?), cut into squares, air fry at 350°F for 5-6 minutes until puffy and golden, then drown them in powdered sugar. Are they as good as the ones in New Orleans? Probably not. Are they 100x easier and still incredibly delicious? Absolutely.

Make these when you want to impress people with minimal effort. They look fancy, taste amazing, and the only real work is shaking powdered sugar on top. Which, let’s be honest, is the fun part anyway.

If you’re digging the air fryer life and want more ideas beyond desserts, definitely check out these easy air fryer recipes for beginners. They cover the basics really well and help you understand how to adapt pretty much any recipe to the air fryer.

Tips for Air Fryer Dessert Success

Here’s what I’ve learned after making way too many desserts in this thing. First, temperature matters more than time. Every air fryer runs a little different, so treat recipe times as suggestions rather than gospel. Start checking things a few minutes early.

Second, don’t skip the oil spray. Even on parchment paper. A light mist of oil helps things brown evenly and prevents sticking. I use coconut oil spray for most desserts because it adds a subtle sweetness.

Third, shake or flip halfway through for anything that needs even cooking. Especially things like apple chips or cookie-type items. Just open the basket, give it a shake or flip things with tongs, and you’re good.

And here’s something nobody tells you: let things cool in the basket for a minute or two before removing them. They firm up slightly and you’re way less likely to break your dessert trying to get it out while it’s still super soft and hot.

Want to take your air fryer skills even further? These healthy air fryer meals you can make in minutes show you how versatile this appliance really is. Master the basics there and desserts become even easier.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t overcrowd the basket. I know you want to make everything at once, but air fryers need, well, air to work properly. If things are touching or overlapping, you’ll get uneven cooking. Just do smaller batches—it’s faster than you think.

Stop opening the basket every 30 seconds to check on things. You’re letting all the hot air out and messing with the cooking time. Set a timer and trust it. Check once at the halfway point if you need to flip or rotate, but otherwise leave it alone.

Don’t forget to preheat. Yeah, one of the perks of the air fryer is quick heating, but 3-5 minutes of preheating makes a real difference in how evenly things cook. Think of it like you would preheating an oven, just faster.

And please, for the love of dessert, don’t use the highest temperature thinking it’ll cook faster. That’s how you get burnt outsides and raw centers. Lower and slower usually wins with desserts. Unless you’re doing something specifically designed for high heat, stick to the 300-375°F range.