Craving a sweet treat with a twist? Say hello to Air Fryer Conchas – a delightful fusion of tradition and innovation!
These iconic sweet bread rolls, known for their colorful sugar toppings and soft, pillowy texture, take on a new dimension of flavor and texture when prepared in the air fryer.
Experience the perfect balance of crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors as we guide you through creating these delectable treats in your kitchen. With the air fryer’s precision and efficiency, you’ll achieve bakery-quality Conchas that impress friends and family alike.
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your baking game with Air Fryer Conchas – where tradition meets innovation in every delightful bite!
What Are Conchas?
Conchas, also known as “pan dulce” or sweet bread, are a popular Mexican pastry characterized by their distinctive shell-shaped topping. These soft and slightly sweet bread rolls have a tender crumb and are often enjoyed as a breakfast or snack alongside coffee or hot chocolate.
The most recognizable feature of Conchas is their topping, made from a sugar and flour paste flavored with vanilla or cinnamon. This paste is formed into a crumbly shell pattern on top of the bread before baking, giving Conchas their unique appearance and delightful texture.
Conchas come in a variety of flavors, ranging from classic vanilla and cinnamon to chocolate, strawberry, and more. They are a beloved part of Mexican cuisine and are enjoyed year-round, especially during breakfast or as an afternoon treat.
Ingredients For Conchas
Here are the simple ingredients you will need for a batch of homemade air fryer conchas:
Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.
- All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour serves as the base of the dough, providing structure and texture to the Conchas.
- Active Dry Yeast: Active dry yeast acts as the leavening agent, helping the dough rise and achieve its light and airy texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness to the dough and provides food for the yeast to activate and ferment.
- Unsalted Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness and flavor to the dough, resulting in a tender and flavorful Concha.
- Eggs: Eggs provide moisture, structure, and richness to the dough, contributing to its texture and flavor.
- Whole Milk: Whole milk adds richness and tenderness to the dough, resulting in a softer and more flavorful Concha.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the Conchas, adding a subtle sweetness and aroma to the dough.
- Salt: Salt enhances the Conchas’ flavor and helps balance the dough’s sweetness.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Confectioners’ sugar is combined with the flour to make the topping paste, adding sweetness and a smooth texture to the Conchas.
How To Make Conchas
To make Conchas, follow these steps:
In a small bowl, combine warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes or until it becomes frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Cream them together until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until well combined.
Pour the yeast and milk mixture into the bowl with the wet ingredients and combine. Gradually add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. You may need to knead the dough with your hands for a few minutes until it’s smooth.
Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and shape them into balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and rest for about 10 minutes. Cover them with saran wrap.
While the dough is resting, prepare the concha topping (streusel). In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, softened butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until you have a smooth paste. If you want colorful toppings, divide the streusel into separate bowls and add food coloring to each portion.
Roll the streusal topping out to about ⅛” thick and cut into circles that will be large enough to cover the dough ball
Flatten each dough ball slightly and place a cut out streusel circle on top, pressing it down gently. Use a sharp blade to cut the shape of a shell into just the streusel topping. Cover the conchas with saran wrap and allow to rise one more time for 1-2 hours.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C), for 3-5 minutes. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil. Place the conchas in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch each other. You may need to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
Air fry the conchas at 350 degrees F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes or until they are golden brown and the streusel is slightly crispy. Remove the conchas from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack.
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Pro Tips Air-Fried Conchas
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Ensure your air fryer is preheated before adding the Conchas. This helps them cook evenly and achieve a golden brown crust.
- Use a Parchment Paper: Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent the Conchas from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
- Space Them Out: Arrange the Conchas in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each one to allow for even air circulation and browning.
- Brush with Butter: Before air frying, brush the tops of the Conchas with melted butter. This helps them develop a beautiful golden color and adds richness to the flavor.
- Monitor Closely: Keep an eye on the Conchas while they’re air frying to prevent them from over-browning. They can cook quickly, so it’s important to check them periodically.
- Rotate if Necessary: If your air fryer doesn’t have a rotating basket, consider rotating the Conchas halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.
- Check for Doneness: Use a toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness. Insert it into the center of a Concha – if it comes out clean, they’re ready!
- Cool Properly: Allow the air-fried Conchas to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. This helps them set and develop the perfect texture.
Faq’s
Can I make Conchas without yeast? Yeast is a key ingredient in traditional Conchas recipes as it helps the dough rise and develop its characteristic texture. While there are yeast-free bread recipes available, they may not yield the same results as traditional Conchas.
Why didn’t my Conchas rise? Several factors can affect the rising of Conchas, including expired yeast, insufficient kneading, or a too-cold or too-hot environment for proofing. Make sure your yeast is fresh, knead the dough until smooth and elastic, and proof it in a warm, draft-free place.
Can I freeze Concha dough? Yes, you can freeze Concha dough for later use. After shaping the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer bag or container. When ready to bake, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight and proceed with the recipe.
Can I make Conchas ahead of time? Yes, you can make Conchas ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. However, they are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are baked for optimal flavor and texture.
Why are my Conchas dry? Dry Conchas can result from overbaking or using too much flour in the dough, which can absorb excess moisture. To prevent dryness, bake the Conchas just until they are golden brown and avoid adding too much flour to the dough.
How do I store leftover Conchas? Store leftover Conchas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing them in a freezer bag or container.
How do I reheat leftover Conchas? To reheat leftover Conchas, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave them for 20-30 seconds on high power.
Can I make Conchas without a Concha cutter? While a Concha cutter creates the traditional shell pattern on top of Conchas, you can use a sharp knife or bench scraper to create similar patterns if a Concha cutter is not available. Alternatively, you can simply flatten the topping dough and place it on top of the dough balls without scoring them.
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Equipment Used
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Air Fryer Conchas
Description
Ingredients
Ingredients Concha Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk, warmed
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Concha Topping (Streusel):
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 drops Food coloring, optional, for colorful toppings
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes or until it becomes frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Cream them together until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the yeast and milk mixture into the bowl with the wet ingredients and mix to combine.
- Gradually add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. You may need to knead the dough with your hands for a few minutes until it’s smooth.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and shape them into balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let them rest for about 10 minutes Covered with saran wrap
- While the dough is resting, prepare the concha topping (streusel). In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, softened butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until you have a smooth paste. If you want colorful toppings, divide the streusel into separate bowls and add food coloring to each portion.
- Roll the streusal topping out to about ⅛” thick and cut into circles that will be large enough to cover the dough ball
- Flatten each dough ball slightly and place a cut out streusel circle on top, pressing it down gently. Use a sharp blade to cut the shape of a shell into just the streusel topping. Cover the conchas with saran wrap and allow to rise one more time for 1-2 hours.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil.
- Place the conchas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch each other. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
- Air fry the conchas at 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes or until they are golden brown and the streusel is slightly crispy.
- Remove the conchas from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
Share this recipe
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Laurie
Amazing.