Croissants in the Air Fryer
Frozen croissants are a handy weekend treat, but heating the whole oven for 15 minutes to bake two or four is wasteful. In the air fryer, they take 8–10 minutes, and the circulating air gives a crisp, flaky shell with a soft, buttery inside. The one thing to get right is the temperature, because croissants brown fast and can burn on top before the middle has warmed.
- Temperature
- 160°C
- Total time
- 14min
- Prep
- 2min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 240kcal
Why the air fryer works for croissants
Frozen croissants in air fryer baskets bake faster than in a conventional oven and use a fraction of the energy. The hot air moves around the pastry layers, which crisp up and puff while the butter melts inside. A basket also gives a more even finish than a baking tray, since the underside is exposed to the air instead of resting on hot metal. You get a golden, flaky shell in under 10 minutes.
Many people ask whether you can cook croissants in an air fryer. You can, and many of the questions come down to temperature and the type of croissant. Ready-baked ones just need warming through, while bake-at-home ones need baking, and sometimes proving, first. In short, cooking croissants in air fryer machines works best at 160 °C. Other bakery items, such as bread and bagels, have their own pages.
How to make croissants in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Check the pack Look at the instructions on the bag. Ready-to-bake croissants that are already proved can go in frozen, but if the pack says to prove them first, do that on a tray at room temperature for the stated time.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 160 °C for . A moderate temperature is important, because the butter in the pastry browns quickly at higher settings.
- Arrange Place the croissants in a single layer in the basket, with at least 2 cm between them so they can puff. Brush lightly with milk for a glossy finish if you like.
- Cook Cook for , turning them over after if the tops are browning faster than the sides. They should be deep golden and sound crisp when tapped.
- Cool briefly Rest the croissants for on a wire rack. The inside is very hot and steamy, and the layers set as they cool. Serve warm with butter and jam.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Croissants | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen ready-to-bake croissantsCheck the pack for proving | 160 °C | 8–10 min |
| Ready-baked frozen croissants | 160 °C | 4–5 min |
| Reheating day-old croissants | 160 °C | 2–3 min |
| Chilled shop-bought croissants | 160 °C | 3–4 min |
| Ham and cheese croissantsSteaming hot throughout | 160 °C | 5–6 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Read the pack first. Frozen croissants come in three kinds: ready-baked, ready-to-bake and ones that need proving. The air fryer times differ for each.
- Watch the colour, not just the clock. The pastry is ready when it is a deep golden brown. If one batch browns faster, lower the next to 150 °C.
- Do not butter the basket. The croissants contain plenty of fat, and extra butter smokes. A perforated liner is enough to stop sticking.
Serving
Serve the croissants warm with butter and jam, or split them and fill with ham and cheese. A fried egg and a rasher of bacon make a good breakfast sandwich, and scrambled eggs are good in a split croissant. For a sweet version, add chocolate spread or sliced banana. Baking frozen croissants in air fryer baskets is also handy when guests turn up unannounced.
Storing and reheating
Cooked croissants are best on the day. Keep leftovers in a paper bag for 1 day, or freeze them once cooled. To reheat, cook at 160 °C for 2–3 minutes until warm and crisp. Filled croissants with ham, cheese or egg should be reheated until they are steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre).
Variations
- Ham and cheese: Split the baked croissants, add a slice of ham and cheddar and cook at 160 °C for 5–6 minutes, until the cheese melts and the filling is steaming hot all the way through.
- Chocolate: Tuck 2 squares of dark chocolate into the pastry before baking from fresh dough, or melt some over a warm croissant.
- Almond croissants: Spread day-old croissants with almond paste, scatter on flaked almonds, and cook at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes.
Troubleshooting
- The tops are dark but the middle is doughy
- The temperature was too high. Cook at 160 °C, or tuck a piece of foil snugly over the top (never loose – it can blow into the heating element) for the last 3 minutes to slow the browning.
- The croissants are flat and greasy
- They were not proved or the basket was overcrowded. Follow the pack on proving, and leave space between them so the air can circulate.
- The croissants blow around and flip over
- Light pastry can move in the airflow. Use a perforated liner, or put a small oven-safe rack on top to hold them in place.
Frequently asked questions
How long do frozen croissants take in an air fryer?
8–10 minutes at 160 °C if they are ready-to-bake and already proved. Ready-baked frozen croissants need only 4–5 minutes to warm through.
Can you cook croissants in an air fryer?
Yes. Cooking croissants in an air fryer gives a crisp, flaky pastry in under 10 minutes, as long as the heat is kept moderate. Always check the pack, because some need proving first.
How do you reheat croissants in the air fryer?
Heat day-old croissants at 160 °C for 2–3 minutes until warm and crisp again. If they contain ham, cheese or another filling, heat them until steaming hot all the way through.
What temperature is best for croissants in an air fryer?
160 °C works for most pastries. At 180 °C they are quicker, at about 6–7 minutes, but they colour faster, so check them early.
Can you air fry a croissant from the fridge?
Yes. Chilled shop-bought croissants take 3–4 minutes at 160 °C, and unbaked chilled dough from a tube takes 8–10 minutes.
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