Air Fryer French Crullers — French crullers are a crispy, fried treat that will have you hooked from the first bite. With a delicious apple filling and a light glaze on top, these crullers are sure to be your new favorite dessert!  Making them in an air fryer makes this recipe even easier than ever before so grab your ingredients and let’s get started.  

Air Fryer French Crullers
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These Air Fryer French Crullers are light and airy. Made with choux dough, they are completely infused with apple flavor!

If you have been looking to make the BEST Cruller donut in your air fryer, this is the recipe with you, and in minutes, you can have a great breakfast, dessert, or afternoon treat!

The truth is that baking has never been better than with your Air Fryer. The dough is light, fluffy, and tender. The hot air which circulates around the Air Fryer Basket cooks these up perfectly…to complete perfection!

So, whether you own an Air Fryer Basket, Air Fryer Oven, Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot Crisp Lid, or even the Mealthy Lid, you can bake up a perfect batch; in minutes!

I love a homemade batch of Air Fryer Donuts, and over the years, I have made a lot of donuts. Some of my favorites are AIR FRYER BAKED VANILLA DONUTS, AIR FRYER NUTELLA DONUTS, AIR FRYER APPLE FRITTERS, and AIR FRYER BANANA DONUTS.

What Are French Crullers?

They are a great type of donuts, which comes to us from the Dutch. They are typically made with pate a choux dough instead of traditional yeast dough.

The result is a very light and air donut, which does very well in the Air Fryer. Since the air fryer works with circulating hot air around the basket, it bakes up the Air Fryer French Apple Pie Crullers to perfection.

Choux dough is usually made by heating the dough and then simmering until a soft dough forms.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer French Crullers

Here are the simple ingredients needed for making French Crullers in air fryer:

Air Fryer French Crullers

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.

  • Unsweetened Apple Juice: Adds a subtle fruitiness and natural sweetness to the dough without overpowering the flavor.
  • Butter: Provides richness and moisture to the dough, contributing to a tender and flavorful cruller.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough, ensuring the crullers have the right amount of sweetness.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Infuses the crullers with a warm, spicy flavor that complements the sweetness.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structure of the crullers, giving them the necessary body and texture.
  • Eggs: Act as a binding agent and leavening agent, giving the crullers their characteristic light and airy texture.
  • Cooking Spray: Prevents the crullers from sticking to the baking sheet or air fryer basket, ensuring they cook evenly.

How To Make French Apple Crullers In Air Fryer

Here are the simple steps to make a fresh batch of Air Fryer French Crullers.

Air Fryer French Crullers

In a small pot over medium heat, add the unsweetened apple juice, butter, sugar, and cinnamon and bring to a simmer. Cook until the butter has melted. Remove from heat.

Air Fryer French Crullers

Add the flour and stir vigorously until you get a thick dough.

Air Fryer French Crullers

Return to the heat and continue cooking until smooth ball forms. Remove from heat.

Air Fryer French Crullers

Continue constantly stirring until the dough has cooled down. Add the eggs, one at a time, and continue mixing until the mixture is thick and slightly sticky.

Air Fryer French Crullers

Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe a large circle in the air fryer basket. Spray with cooking spray and cook at 350 degrees F, Air Fryer Setting, for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Repeat the process with the rest of the batter. Dip in a simple icing and serve.

Air Fryer French Crullers

Pro Tips For Air Fryer French Crullers Recipe

  • This recipe will work in any Air Fryer Basket or Oven Model. The cooking time may change by a few minutes, so remember to keep on watching your Air Fryer French Apple Pie Crullers as they cook up.
  • Use a piece of parchment paper if you find that the dough is sticking to the basket.
  • The dough is very sticky, so you might need to add additional flour to shape your dough.
Air Fryer French Crullers

Air Fryer French Crullers Recipe Faqs

Can I make French crullers in the air fryer instead of deep-frying? Yes, you can make French crullers in the air fryer for a healthier alternative to deep-frying. The air fryer gives them a light and airy texture with a slightly crispy exterior.

What temperature should I set my air fryer to for cooking crullers? Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (190°C) for cooking French crullers. This temperature ensures they cook through evenly and develop a nice golden color.

How long should I cook French crullers in the air fryer? Cook French crullers in the air fryer for about 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed up. Check for doneness by their color and firmness.

How do I prevent the crullers from sticking to the air fryer basket? Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper to prevent the crullers from sticking.

Can I use any type of dough for French crullers in the air fryer?For best results, use choux pastry dough, which is traditional for French crullers. This dough puffs up nicely and has a light, airy texture.

How do I make choux pastry for French crullers? Choux pastry is made by cooking butter, water (or apple juice), sugar, and flour together, then beating in eggs one at a time until smooth. The dough should be glossy and thick.

Can I prepare the cruller dough in advance? Yes, you can prepare the choux pastry dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature before piping and cooking.

How do I shape French crullers for the air fryer? Pipe the choux pastry dough into rings onto small squares of parchment paper. Carefully transfer the rings into the air fryer basket.

What is the best way to glaze air-fried French crullers? Once cooled, dip the crullers in a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and milk or apple juice. Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Can I add other flavors to the crullers? Yes, you can add flavors like vanilla extract, lemon zest, or ground cinnamon to the dough or glaze to customize your crullers.

How do I store leftover French crullers? Store leftover French crullers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator and reheat in the air fryer to crisp them up.

Can I reheat French crullers in the air fryer? Yes, you can reheat French crullers in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes to restore their crispness.

Air Fryer French Crullers

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Air Fryer French Crullers

Air Fryer French Crullers

4 from 7 votes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
5 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 10 Servings

Description

These French crullers are light and airy. Made with choux dough, they are completely infused with apple flavor!

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice
  • 1/2 cup butter, unsalted
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 large eggs

Instructions

  • In a small pot over medium heat, add the unsweetened apple juice, butter, sugar, and cinnamon and bring to a simmer. Cook until the butter has melted. Remove from heat.
  • Add the flour and stir vigorously until you get a thick dough. Return to the heat and continue cooking until smooth ball forms. Remove from heat.
  • Continue constantly stirring until the dough has cooled down. Add the eggs, one at a time, and continue mixing until the mixture is thick and slightly sticky.
  • Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe a large circle in the air fryer basket. Spray with cooking spray and cook at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Repeat the process with the rest of the batter.
  • Dip in a simple icing and serve.
  • Plate, serve, and enjoy!

Equipment

  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 96mgPotassium: 78mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 367IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg

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