10 Air Fryer Desserts in Under 20 Minutes

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The air fryer is not just for fries. It bakes, crisps and caramelises in a fraction of oven time, which makes it the fastest route to a warm dessert on a weeknight. Every dessert below goes from ingredients to plate in under 20 minutes, uses pantry basics, and serves 2–4. Work in a single layer, shake or flip halfway where noted, and let things cool 2 minutes before serving — air-fried sugar is hotter than it looks.

1. Cinnamon-Sugar Donut Holes



Time: 8 min · Makes: 16 holes

Ingredients: 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough · 3 tbsp butter, melted · ½ cup sugar · 1 tsp cinnamon

Method:

  1. Cut each biscuit into quarters and roll into balls.
  2. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 5–6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until golden.
  3. Brush warm holes with melted butter, then toss in the cinnamon sugar. Serve immediately.

2. Air Fryer Apple Fries



Time: 10 min · Serves: 4

Ingredients: 2 firm apples, cut into fries · ¼ cup flour · 1 egg, beaten · ½ cup panko · 1 tsp cinnamon · caramel sauce, to dip

Method:

  1. Toss apple fries in flour, dip in egg, then coat in panko mixed with cinnamon.
  2. Spray lightly with oil and air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp.
  3. Serve warm with caramel sauce for dipping.

3. Churro Bites



Time: 10 min · Makes: 24 bites

Ingredients: 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed · 3 tbsp butter, melted · ⅓ cup sugar · 1 tsp cinnamon · chocolate sauce, to dip

Method:

  1. Cut the pastry into small squares and twist each one once.
  2. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 7–8 minutes until puffed and golden.
  3. Brush with butter and toss in cinnamon sugar. Dip in chocolate sauce.

4. S'mores Pockets



Time: 8 min · Makes: 8 pockets

Ingredients: 1 can crescent roll dough · 8 tsp chocolate chips · 8 tsp mini marshmallows · 2 graham crackers, crushed

Method:

  1. Unroll the dough, place chocolate, marshmallows and a sprinkle of graham crumbs on each triangle, and fold into sealed pockets.
  2. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 6–7 minutes until golden.
  3. Rest 2 minutes — the filling is molten — then serve.

5. Cinnamon Bananas



Time: 8 min · Serves: 2

Ingredients: 2 ripe but firm bananas, sliced thick · 1 tbsp butter, melted · 1 tbsp brown sugar · ½ tsp cinnamon · vanilla ice cream, to serve

Method:

  1. Toss banana slices in butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.
  2. Air fry in a single layer at 375°F (190°C) for 5–6 minutes until caramelised at the edges.
  3. Spoon over ice cream and drizzle with any pan juices.

6. Chocolate Lava Cakes



Time: 12 min · Makes: 2 cakes

Ingredients: ½ cup chocolate chips · 4 tbsp butter · 1 egg + 1 yolk · 2 tbsp sugar · 2 tbsp flour · butter and cocoa, for the ramekins

Method:

  1. Melt chocolate and butter together. Whisk in the egg, yolk and sugar, then fold in the flour.
  2. Divide between 2 greased, cocoa-dusted ramekins.
  3. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8–9 minutes — the edges should be set and the centre soft. Turn out and serve at once.

7. Berry Hand Pies



Time: 15 min · Makes: 4 pies

Ingredients: 1 sheet pie crust · ½ cup jam or fresh berries, mashed with 1 tbsp sugar · 1 egg, beaten · 1 tbsp coarse sugar

Method:

  1. Cut the crust into 8 rectangles. Spoon filling onto 4, top with the rest, and crimp the edges with a fork.
  2. Cut a small slit in each top, brush with egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
  3. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until deep golden.

8. Cinnamon Roll Bites



Time: 10 min · Makes: 16 bites

Ingredients: 1 can cinnamon rolls with icing · 2 tbsp butter, melted · extra cinnamon sugar, to toss

Method:

  1. Cut each roll into quarters and roll into balls.
  2. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 6–7 minutes, shaking halfway, until puffed.
  3. Toss in cinnamon sugar and drizzle with the icing while warm.

9. Brown-Sugar Pineapple Rings



Time: 8 min · Serves: 4

Ingredients: 1 can pineapple rings, drained · 2 tbsp brown sugar · ½ tsp cinnamon · vanilla ice cream, to serve

Method:

  1. Pat the rings dry and sprinkle both sides with brown sugar and cinnamon.
  2. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 5–6 minutes, flipping once, until caramelised.
  3. Serve over ice cream.

10. Three-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies



Time: 12 min · Makes: 12 cookies

Ingredients: 1 cup peanut butter · ½ cup sugar · 1 egg

Method:

  1. Mix all three ingredients into a dough and roll into 12 balls.
  2. Flatten with a fork in a crosshatch pattern on a lined air-fryer tray.
  3. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes. Cool 5 minutes — they firm up as they cool.

Tips for Air Fryer Desserts

  • Never overcrowd the basket: air needs to circulate, or you get steamed instead of crisp.
  • Line the basket with parchment made for air fryers for sticky doughs, and never use loose foil that can fly into the element.
  • Every air fryer runs a little hot or cold — check 2 minutes early the first time you make each recipe.

The Bottom Line

Ten desserts, one appliance, none over 20 minutes. Start with the donut holes and the cinnamon bananas — they are the two that disappear before they reach the table — then work through the lava cakes when you want something that looks far harder than it is.

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