Making cannoli has never been easier! This Air Fryer Cannoli recipe gives you perfectly crisp shells and a sweet, creamy filling without the hassle of deep frying!
Air Fryer Cannoli
Crispy, golden pastry shells filled with sweet, creamy ricotta are one of my favorite Italian desserts, and making them in the air fryer adds a convenient and healthier twist.
Cannoli used to be a treat I’d pick up from the bakery, but now I can make air fryer cannoli shells at home without the mess of deep frying — and they taste just as good!
In this easy recipe, I’ll show you how to make cannoli shells without deep frying and create a dessert that brings a taste of Sicily to your kitchen!
If you are looking for some other great and easy Air Fryer Dessert Recipes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER CINNAMON STICKY BUNS, AIR FRYER CINNAMON CHURRO BITES, and AIR FRYER BEST CHERRY TURNOVERS.
Why You’ll Love Air Fried Cannoli
- So easy to make
- No deep frying!
- No excess oil
- Healthier than traditional cannoli
- Cooks in less than 10 minutes
Ingredients Needed to Air Fry Cannoli
These air fryer cannoli are made with simple ingredients like ricotta, powdered sugar, and pastry shells. You might already have most of what you need in your kitchen, but check the list below to make sure you’re all set!
For complete ingredients and quantities, as well as nutritional information, keep scrolling until you reach the bottom, where you will find a printable recipe card.
- All Purpose Flour: This is the main ingredient for the cannoli shell dough, providing structure and texture to the shells. It helps create a light, crisp exterior when making air fryer cannoli.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the dough, balancing the flavors and enhancing the overall taste.
- Sea Salt: Enhances the flavor of the dough by balancing the sweetness and bringing out the other ingredients’ natural flavors.
- Butter: Cold and cut into small cubes, it adds richness and helps create a flaky, tender texture in the cannoli shells.
- Egg Yolk: Helps bind the dough together.
- Dry White Wine: Provides moisture and helps with dough formation, giving the shells a slightly crisp texture. You can substitute it with extra heavy cream. or try Marsala wine for a different flavor.
Ricotta Cheese: The key ingredient for the creamy filling, ricotta cheese adds a smooth, slightly sweet texture to the cannoli. Be sure to drain it well to avoid excess moisture. - Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the filling, giving it a smooth, velvety texture. Also used for dusting.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and a hint of spice to the ricotta filling.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: It adds a rich, airy texture to the ricotta filling, making it smooth and creamy.
- Cold Water: Used for sealing the cannoli shells.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: Optional for adding a touch of chocolate to the filling or for garnishing.
- Chopped Pistachios: Optional for garnishing the cannoli, adding a crunchy texture and a slightly salty contrast to the sweet filling.
How To Make Cannoli Shells without Deep Frying
Learning how to make cannoli shells without deep frying is easier than you might think! Follow these step-by-step instructions to air fry cannoli shells to perfection with minimal effort.
Step 1: Prepare the dough
Whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and cut it in using a pastry cutter, fork, two butter knives, or your hands until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Stir in the egg yolk and wine until combined — the dough will be crumbly.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate while you prepare the filling.
Step 2: Make the filling
In a large bowl, stir together the ricotta, powdered sugar, and cinnamon until smooth.
In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer to whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form (about 2 minutes).
Gently fold the whipped cream into the ricotta mixture. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Step 3: Preheat your air fryer
Set the temperature to 400 degrees F and allow your air fryer to preheat for a few minutes.
Step 4: Shape the dough
Divide the chilled dough into four equal parts. Work with one portion at a time, leaving the rest in the fridge. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 1/8 inch thick.
Use a cookie cutter to cut out 4-inch circles. You should get 4-5 circles per portion of dough, depending on how thin you roll it.
Step 5: Form the cannoli shells
Spray the cannoli forms with cooking spray. Wrap a dough circle around each form, overlapping the edges slightly. Seal the edge with a small amount of water (dip your fingertip in water to apply), then gently press down to secure. Repeat with the remaining circles of dough.
Step 6: Air fry cannoli
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the prepared cannoli shells in the basket and spray the outsides of the dough.
Air fry the shells for 4-6 minutes until golden brown. Carefully remove the shells from the air fryer using tongs and gently slide them off the cannoli forms. (Be careful as they’ll be very hot!)
Let the forms cool completely if reusing them for the next batch. Repeat with the remaining dough. Allow all the shells to cool completely before filling.
Step 7: Assemble the cannoli
Once the shells are cool, pipe the ricotta filling into both ends of each shell. Optionally, dip the ends into chocolate chips or crushed pistachios for extra flavor.
Step 8: Serve and enjoy
Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy your air-fried cannoli fresh! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Air Fryer Cannoli Shells Pro Tips
- Fresh Ingredients: High-quality ricotta makes a creamier and more flavorful filling. Always opt for the freshest ingredients.
- Drain Ricotta: Place the ricotta in a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth draped over a bowl and refrigerate for a few hours (or overnight) to remove excess moisture. This makes the filling thick and creamy.
- Chill the Dough: Let the dough rest in the fridge before rolling it out. Chilling makes it easier to handle and results in crispier shells, perfect for when you air fry the cannoli.
- Roll Thin: Roll the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness for light, crispy shells. Thin dough ensures the perfect texture.
- Fill Just Before Serving: Pipe the ricotta filling into the shells just before serving to keep the shells crunchy and the filling fresh.
Air Fryer Cannoli FAQ’s
What’s the advantage of using the air fryer for cannoli shells?
The air fryer allows you to achieve crispy and golden cannoli shells with less oil than deep frying. It’s a quicker and cleaner method.
How do I prevent cannoli shells from sticking to the air fryer basket?
Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil before adding the cannoli shells. This will help prevent them from sticking.
Can I freeze cannoli?
The issue with freezing filled cannoli is that the filling can make the shells soggy. If you’d like to freeze them, I recommend freezing the shells and the filling separately in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw both overnight, then fill the shells just before serving
How can I store air fried cannoli?
Filled cannoli will become soggy over time, so it’s best not to store them once filled. Instead, store the unfilled shells on a paper towel in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. Add the filling just before serving for the best texture.
How do you keep cannoli shells crispy?
To keep the shells crispy, fill them with the ricotta filling just before serving. If filled too early, the moisture from the filling can make the shells soggy.
Can I use store-bought cannoli shells in the air fryer?
Yes, you can use store-bought cannoli shells in the air fryer. Simply follow the same instructions for air frying, adjusting the time as needed based on the shell’s size and thickness.
Can I use other fillings for air fryer cannoli?
While ricotta is the traditional filling, you can experiment with other fillings such as mascarpone cheese, chocolate, or even whipped cream for different flavor variations.
Equipment Used
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. At no cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
- Cannoli Tubes Molds Stainless Steel Non-stick Cream Horn Danish Pastry Molds for Croissant Shell Cream Roll
- Philips Kitchen Appliances Digital Twin TurboStar Airfryer XXL, with Fat Removal Technology, 3 Lbs, Black, HD9650/96
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER CHERRY CHEESECAKE TACOS
- AIR FRYER BLUEBERRY PINWHEELS
- AIR FRYER FRUIT TART
- AIR FRYER ITALIAN BISCOTTI
- AIR FRYER STRAWBERRY SCONES
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Air Fryer Cannoli
Description
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 pinch sea salt,
- 2 tablespoons butter, cold, cut into small cubes
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
Filling:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Other:
- 1 cup cold water
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup crushed pistachios
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt set aside. Add the cold butter and cut it in with a pastry cutter until it forms coarse crumbs. You can also use a fork, 2 butter knives, or your hands for this. Stir in the egg yolk and wine until combined. The dough will be crumbly.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured, clean work surface and press/knead it into a dough ball. Wrap with plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge while you make the filling.
- In a large bowl, stir together the ricotta, powdered sugar, and cinnamon until combined, set aside.
- Place the whipping cream in a large bowl, and with a hand mixer, mix until stiff peaks form about 2 minutes. Gently fold the whipped cream into the ricotta mixture, place this is in the fridge until you are ready to assemble the cannolis.
- If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat it now to 400°F. Take the dough and cut it into 4ths, take one fourth and place it on a lightly floured, clean work surface. Place the remaining dough back in the fridge.
- Roll out the dough until it is about 1/8 inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut out 4-inch circles; depending on how thin you rolled out the dough, you can get 4-5 circles.
- Spray cannoli forms with cooking spray, wrap the dough around the form, and secure the edge where it meets with a small amount of water. Just dip your fingertip in the water. That’s enough. Press down gently to seal. Repeat with the remaining circles of dough you are working with.
- Spray the inside of the air fryer basket. Spray the outsides of the dough. Air fry for 4-6 minutes until golden brown. Using tongs, remove the shells and take the shells off of the cannoli forms. Caution, this is very hot!
- Repeat with the remaining shells. If you have to reuse the cannoli forms, let them cool completely between batches. Let the shells cool completely. Once cool, pipe the filling into the shells. Dip the ends in the chocolate chips or pistachios. Dust with powdered sugar and serve. Store in an air-tight containerin the fridge. If you can, pipe the cannolis to serve instead of assembling them all and letting them sit. This will help keep the shells crisp.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Cannoli Forms, or aluminum foil
- Cooking Spray, nonstick spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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Joanne Stickbacker
Truly Amazing!
Barb Barker
These absolutely look delicious as well as so pretty good to view!