7 Crave-Worthy Desserts You Can Make in Your Air Fryer

If you own an air fryer, you’ve probably used it to make healthier versions of tasty snacks like French fries, chicken wings, and onion rings. But did you know that this magical gadget is also great for making dessert? (Let’s face it, an air fryer is really just an Easy Bake Oven for adults.)

These show-stopping air fryer desserts show you how to indulge in something sweet without worry. Here, find easy and healthy recipes for your favorite treats from churros to homemade pop-tarts and so much more.

For more delicious ideas, check out our full collection of healthy air fryer recipes.

These delights are lighter than traditional churros—almost like éclairs—coming out of the air fryer fluffy and delicious. The cinnamon-sugar mixture creates a thin crust on the outside, delivering that classic churro crunch. You'll want to enjoy these churros immediately, as they're best fresh, but you can save any extra chocolate sauce (try drizzling it over frozen yogurt).

If you’re craving doughnuts without the guilt, these yeast-risen rings deliver the same sweet, tender, and crackly sugar glazed goodness thanks to your air fryer.

Pro tip: After the doughnuts have risen, use the parchment paper to help gently transfer them into the air fryer. Use two forks to lower them into the glaze for maximum coverage.

Brimming with great, traditional banana flavor, have a slice of this banana bread as an afternoon snack or post-dinner treat with a small smear of butter and/or a side of fruit. We suggest you toast the walnuts before using them in the recipe to deepen their flavor. Take note, though, the top of the bread will get a little darker than if you were to cook a banana bread in the oven due to the heating element being right above the bread.

These adorable air fryer delights check all the nostalgia boxes, from afternoons spent with your sister’s Easy Bake Oven to lazy weekends eating piping hot pop tarts fresh from the toaster oven. 

Our grown-up air fryer version wraps all that goodness into a healthier package, featuring a quick microwave jam with nice chunks of strawberries. Lemon juice cuts the sweetness of the glaze, and the sprinkles—well, they’re just plain fun.

This scrumptious cross between cinnamon rolls and biscuits is easier than either and stars a simple, no-yeast dough that requires no rising and bakes up into tender, fluffy bites in a matter of minutes. It’s like an adult-version easy bake oven!

You can jazz up the glaze any way you like—we tried swapping out the water for lemon juice and adding a little lemon zest, and loved it. Resist the urge to crowd the air fryer basket; these little guys need to bake in batches so they don’t stick together.

Perfectly flaky pies from your air fryer? You bet! Store-bought piecrust is a smart shortcut; it bakes up nice and flaky in the air fryer. Naturally, fresh peaches will make the best filling, but you can use thawed frozen peaches if the fresh kind aren’t in season. Don’t toss out the leftover peach juice—simmer it down in a small saucepan until thickened for a fantastic ice cream topper.

On the hunt for a healthy dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth without busting your diet? Pack these cinnamon-laced, air-fried apple chips in your lunch bag.

Apples deliver natural sweetness and a handsome amount of fiber, making them a smart choice for any diet, and the air fryer transforms them into something altogether more delicious, thanks to its signature move—adding fat-free crunch. Cutting almond butter with low-fat Greek yogurt adds protein to the dipping sauce, as well as extra creaminess.