Air Fryer Cream Puffs

Air Fryer Cream Puffs — A traditional cream puff is a delicate pastry filled with whipped cream and coated in powdered sugar. It’s the perfect dessert for any occasion, but making them can be time-consuming. However, this recipe for air fryer cream puffs will have you whipping up these treats in no time!

There is nothing better for dessert than a batch of homemade Air Fryer Cream Puffs. They are a classic French Dessert made with Choux Pastry dough, and they are excellent when prepared in the air fryer. Light, airy, and delicious.

A traditional Choux dough is prepared with only four ingredients, butter, water, flour, and eggs. Today, I added some salt, but you can easily omit it, or if you are using salted butter, omit it; otherwise, your cream puffs with be too salty.

This dough is the same as other classical French desserts, such as Beignets, Eclairs, and even French Crullers.

I made a homemade whipped cream to fill them, which is classic. While I made the homemade filling, you can always change it for a chocolate homemade whipped cream for an easy twist.

Some other great and easy Air Fryer Baked Goods Recipes, AIR FRYER CHERRY CHEESECAKE EGG ROLLS, AIR FRYER HOMEMADE CINNAMON ROLLS {CINNABON COPYCAT), AIR FRYER CINNAMON SUGAR APPLE PUFF PASTRY and one of my personal favorites, AIR FRYER, EASY APPLE TARTS.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Cream Puffs

• Unsalted Butter
• Water
• Salt
• All-Purpose Flour, Sifted
• Eggs
• Powdered Sugar
• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Pure Vanilla Extract

How To Make Air Fryer Cream Puffs

Start by preheating your air fryer to 350 degrees F, air fryer setting. In a saucepan over medium heat, add butter, water, and salt. Cook until the butter melts and remove from the heat. Stir in the flour until well combined (the mixture will resemble mashed potatoes)

Return to the stove and cook over medium heat for another 2-3 minutes, constantly stirring, until the dough mixture forms a soft-ball and a light film is across the bottom of the pan. (Note: Do not skip this step, it helps remove moisture from the dough to help your puff rise when baking)

Add the dough to a large mixing bowl and allow it to cool down for 10 minutes.

Beat in the eggs one at a time, by hand or with a mixer, until the dough comes together to form a slightly stiff, shiny dough.

Place a sheet of parchment on the bottom of your air fryer basket, and drop spoonfuls of the dough onto the parchment paper. You’ll need to work in batches to avoid crowding.

Bake the puffs in the air fryer for 14-16 minutes, or until puffed up and golden brown. Remove and poke holes with a skewer or knife in each cream puff and set aside to cool for 10 minutes.

While the puffs bake, add the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to a medium bowl. Whisk or mix with an electric mixer for several minutes until peaks form and the cream has thickened. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Once cooled, slice each puff in half, spoon a dollop of whipped cream onto the bottom half and replace the puff top. Serve immediately with a dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Some Common Questions Asked About Making Air Fryer Cream Puffs

Some Expert Tips When Making These:

• If cooking the puffs in a regular oven, preheat the oven to 375F and cook for 30-35 minutes.
• Cream puffs are best used within 24 hours.
• Empty puff shells can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Homemade whipped cream is good for 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Can I Store the Cream Puffs Before Filling?

While I do not recommend assembling the cream puffs ahead of time, I often make the Cream Puff shells ahead of time.

To keep the cream puff shells at their best, I would let them cool to room temperature and then place them into an airtight container.

They will keep for about 2 to 3 days. If you would like to re-crisp them, place them back into the air fryer for a few minutes at 300 degrees F, air fryer setting.

Can I Freeze Cream Puffs?

While you can purchase frozen Cream puffs at your local grocery store, I recommend that you only freeze the cream puff shell. I would wait to fill them. Otherwise, the homemade whipped cream may separate or ooze out.

To freeze the cream puff shells. Let them cool to room temperature, and then place them into an airtight container or a freezer bag.

To Use The Cream Puff Shells from Frozen, let them defrost overnight in the refrigerator. If you are in a hurry, place the frozen cream puff shells on the counter, they will be thawed in about 30 to 40 minutes.

Why do Cream Puffs Deflate?

This is a prevalent problem while making any Choux Pastry. The main reason you will find when baking them in the air fryer is that they are underbaked.

So, to see if your cream puff shells are entirely baked, all you need to do is test one. I usually cut it in half, and if it’s mostly empty dough. If you find that the dough is still wet, it will need a couple of minutes.

More Air Fryer Recipes:

• AIR FRYER CHERRY CHEESECAKE EGG ROLLS
• AIR FRYER OREO CINNAMON ROLLS
• EASY AIR FRYER HOMEMADE CINNAMON ROLLS {CINNABON COPYCAT}
• AIR FRYER COOKIE DOUGH CRESCENT BITES

Don’t Forget To Pin-