Put the finishing touch on dinner with these easy air-fryer desserts. No need to preheat the oven for a sweet treat!
24 Best Air-Fryer Desserts
Updated on Jul. 17, 2025
1/24
Air-Fryer Oatmeal Cookies
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I am crazy about chocolate chips, and this chewy cookie has enough to satisfy me. My husband and kids love these cookies. This big batch is perfect for our family. —Diane Neth, Menno, South Dakota
The addition of vanilla pudding mix makes these chocolate chip cookies extra-moist and soft in the center. Count on reaching for seconds and thirds! The recipe makes a large batch of cookies, so it’s a fantastic option for potlucks.
2/24
Homemade Air-Fryer Churros
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Serve these cinnamon-sugar air-fryer churros fresh and hot with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. They're sure to become a family favorite! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Who needs a deep fryer when you can air-fry churros? They’re just as crispy on the outside and moist and fluffy in the middle. Plus, our recipe adds a touch of lemon zest to keep things interesting. Roll the fluted pastry sticks in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm. Serve them with warmed chocolate ganache for churros con chocolate, or pair them with dulce de leche for dipping.
3/24
Air-Fryer Brownies
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
55 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These small-batch fudgy air-fryer brownies come together so quickly, and no oven is required. Top with nuts or confectioners' sugar for a quick homemade treat. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
These classic brownies are crispy on the top and soft in the middle. Air fryers vary, so test the brownies with a toothpick at 40 minutes, as overbaking will affect the texture. Add a little instant coffee or espresso for a deeper chocolate flavor.
4/24
Air-Fryer Doughnuts
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 doughnuts and 8 doughnut holes
From the Recipe Creator:
My sons and I love doughnuts, but in the Florida heat I rarely want to deep-fry them. I tried making this easy air-fryer doughnut recipe, and it turned out so well—with no mess! —Christine Hair, Odessa, Florida
These doughnuts are done in less time than it takes to brew a pot of coffee! Just cut biscuit dough into rounds and air-fry. Brushed with vanilla-spiked melted butter and coated in cinnamon sugar, they’re just the thing for a morning pick-me-up or dessert on the fly.
5/24
Air-Fryer S’mores
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
5 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
File this recipe for a rainy summer day or as amazing use No. 101 for your air fryer: crunchy, gooey, melty s'mores ready in two minutes. If you know, you know! —Megan Taylor, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Too cold to make s’mores outside? You don’t need a fire if you have an air fryer. This easy recipe helps you enjoy ooey-gooey s’mores any time of year.
6/24
Air-Fryer Lemon Oreos
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to get fried Oreos at the county fair every summer. Since this version cooks up quickly in the air fryer, I can enjoy my favorite summer treat all year round! Lemon zest and lemon yogurt add a burst of flavor to the batter, and a dusting of confectioners' sugar makes for a pretty presentation. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Create the crisp, sweet fun of the deep-fried Oreos you love from the state fair without a deep fryer. This easy recipe uses pancake mix, lemon yogurt and milk to make a zingy batter for lemon Oreos. Be sure to trim the parchment so it fits in the bottom of the air-fryer basket or the overhang will become brittle and break off.
7/24
Air-Fryer Apple Danish
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this quick and tasty treat when my daughter had a sleepover. I whipped these together in no time, and the girls devoured them! —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
These mini pastries taste just like cinnamon apple Danishes from the bakery. Canned crescent rolls stand in for the usual puff pastry, so they’re a snap to roll up. Air-fry these little treats in batches with plenty of room between them to allow for air circulation for even browning.
8/24
Air-Fryer Cookie Pie
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom used to make cookie bars for every school event growing up. This is my updated version. It takes half the time and tastes just like hers. —Ashley Long, Shawnee, Kansas
Like a giant toffee chocolate chip cookie, this cookie pie can be baked in the air fryer in an 8-inch cake pan. With two layers of toffee cookie and a melty layer of Nutella in the middle, it looks like a fancy dessert when cut into wedges, but it couldn’t be simpler to make. Make sure your chocolate hazelnut spread is room temperature for easy spreading over the cookie dough.
9/24
Air-Fryer Mocha Cupcakes
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These luscious air-fryer cupcakes smell wonderful while they cook. If you have the drawer-type air fryer, you'll need to use individual silicone cupcake liners. If you have a bigger air fryer, a 6-cup muffin tin should fit in nicely. —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan
This recipe pairs rich chocolate cupcakes with silky mocha buttercream for a dessert you can fall back on again and again. Wait for the cupcakes to cool completely, then pipe on the frosting or spread it on with a spatula if you’re in a hurry.
10/24
Air-Fryer Fried Cookies
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Deep-fried Oreos are a county fair favorite. Now you can make them at home quickly, easily and mess free. —Margarita Torres, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
What’s better than an Oreo? A warm, battered Oreo! These fun cookies on a stick taste just like the carnival favorite but they’re less greasy thanks to the air fryer. Arrange the cookies around the edge of the air-fryer basket with the sticks facing in like spokes on a wheel. Flip them once halfway through cooking for the best results.
11/24
Air-Fryer Cheesecake
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This air-fryer cheesecake is something I've been making and perfecting for years. My daughter insisted it be served at her wedding. —Howard Koch, Lima, Ohio
Simple cheesecake gets an air-fryer twist. For an easier transfer from the air fryer, set the pan on a sling made from a piece of foil folded into a 2-inch strip. Top the cheesecake with cherry pie filling or spoon sliced fresh berries tossed with a little sugar over each slice for a colorful twist.
12/24
Air-Fryer Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Taking inspiration from my mom's pineapple upside-down cake, I added a cheesecake layer and baked it in an air fryer. So delicious and so easy. —Marilyn McGinnis, Citrus Heights, California
Classic cheesecake meets caramelized pineapple upside-down cake in this fun dessert mashup. Instead of a graham cracker crust, sprinkle toasted graham crackers over the top right before serving to add a buttery crunch.
13/24
Air-Fryer Bacon-Peanut Butter Cornbread Muffins
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
My family can't get enough of bacon and peanut butter, so I created these quick and easy cornbread muffins using ingredients I regularly keep stocked in my pantry and fridge. The streusel topping adds a delicious sweet and salty crunch! —Shannon Kohn, Summerville, South Carolina
This recipe takes an everyday cornbread muffin mix and gives it a sweet-salty glow-up with crispy bacon and a trifecta of peanuts—chopped peanuts, peanut butter and peanut butter chips. The muffins are cooked in just 20 minutes, so they’re ideal for a last-minute dessert. Top with a scoop of caramel ice cream.
14/24
Air-Fryer Mocha Pudding Cakes
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These mouthwatering mini cakes make the perfect treat for two. My mom used to make these when I was a little girl. Now I whip them up and pop them in my air fryer for a speedy dessert. —Debora Simmons, Eglon, West Virginia
If you love the size of ramekin recipes, try these decadent little chocolate ramekin cakes. They have a crisp top and gooey center with just the right amount of coffee flavor. Be sure to use 1/2-cup (4-ounce) ovenproof ramekins and mist them with cooking spray before spooning in the batter.
15/24
Air-Fryer Lime Macaroons
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I took these lime and coconut air-fryer macaroons to our annual cookie exchange, where we name a queen. I won the crown! —Milissa Kirkpatrick, Angel Fire, New Mexico
These simple coconut cookies have all the zesty flavor of a gin and tonic with the added appeal of a dunk in white chocolate. Baking macaroons in the air fryer gives these treats a crisp exterior and a sweet, chewy interior. Serve these at a brunch or cocktail party.
16/24
Air-Fryer Bread Pudding
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This air-fryer bread pudding is a fun dish because the chocolate makes it different from traditional recipes. It's a rich, comforting dessert. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
This rich chocolate dessert is a thrifty way to use up day-old bread. An easy-to-make custard and chopped chocolate make it especially noteworthy. Serve the bread pudding warm with whipped cream.
17/24
Air-Fryer Caribbean Wontons
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen (1-1/4 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
I first served these fresh and fruity air-fryer wontons as an appetizer at a summer luau. My family and friends now enjoy this fried wonton recipe for dessert at special occasions throughout the year. —Melissa Birdsong, Gilbert, South Carolina
These cute little bites taste like a tropical banana split folded into a crispy dumpling. They’re drizzled with a pretty strawberry glaze for extra pizzazz. Misting the wontons all over with a neutral-flavored cooking spray will make them extra-crispy in the air fryer.
18/24
Air-Fryer Apple Fritters
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These air-fryer apple fritters are healthier than old-fashioned fritters, yet they are still just as delicious. They're a quick and easy dessert that includes a scrumptious brown butter glaze! —Alyssa Castriotta, North Scituate, Rhode Island
These cinnamon apple-spiked fritters are perfect for a tea time treat or brunch. Use a 1/4-cup ice cream scoop to easily portion the dough and place it on parchment in the air fryer. The browned butter icing has a nutty, butterscotch flavor that makes these homemade fritters irresistible.
19/24
Air-Fryer Apple Pie Egg Rolls
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These easy apple pie egg rolls can be prepared as needed, using egg roll wrappers as vessels for the fruit rather than traditional pie crust. The air-fryer method of cooking results in a crispy, crunchy crust with a tender, juicy filling. Flavored cream cheese spread may be used instead of plain, depending on availability. —Sheila Suhan, Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Like a hot hand-held apple pie a la mode, these crunchy air-fryer treats star tart apples, cinnamon and a little cream cheese. For crispy, not chewy, exteriors, be generous with the cooking spray.
20/24
Air-Fryer Apple Crisp
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll need only a few ingredients to make this toasty cinnamon treat. Each bite consists of crisp pieces of apples and crunchy homemade granola. This recipe allows for versatility with the apple flavor, so you can go from something sweet to something tart. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
A not-too-sweet oat streusel topping is tucked into a cored apple in this healthy air-fryer dessert. Use a melon baller to easily carve out the seeds and hard core of the apple. It takes just 15 minutes for the apple to become tender and the filling to crisp up in the air fryer, making this a weeknight win!
21/24
Air-Fryer Banana Bread
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Yes, you can make banana bread in the air fryer! This easy air-fryer banana bread recipe is a cinch to put together. Eat it while it's still warm or at room temperature with a spread of butter. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
This spin on the classic delivers moist banana bread thanks to the air fryer’s intense heat and air circulation. Cover the pan with foil for the first stage of baking to keep the bread moist without overcooking on the top. Feel free to make this recipe your own by adding pumpkin pie spice, chocolate chips or different nuts to the batter.
22/24
Air-Fryer Carrot Coffee Cake
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of the greatest things about the air fryer is that it's conducive to making small, quick treats like this air-fryer carrot cake. The little cake bakes in about 30 minutes and is perfect for enjoying with your morning coffee. —Leigh Rys, Herndon, Virginia
This carrot cake is moist and full of flavor thanks to carrots, dried cranberries and pumpkin spice. Be sure to cover the cake with foil if it gets too dark on the top while baking in the air fryer. For a fancier cake, omit the nut topping and frost the cooled cake with cream cheese frosting.
23/24
Cheesecake Chimichanga
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
23 min
Servings
8 chimichangas
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll swoon over cheesecake filling enveloped in golden-fried tortillas, then rolled in melted butter and tossed in cinnamon sugar. It's all achievable in under 30 minutes, thanks to the air fryer! —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Dessert chimichangas are incredibly easy to make. Simply fill tortillas with a sweet cream cheese filling and air-fry until golden brown and delicious. If you want to take them to the next level, start with homemade tortillas.
24/24
Air-Fryer S’mores Crescent Rolls
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Want to score indoor s'mores? Try these air-fryer crescent rolls made with Nutella. The kids will love to help with this rolled-up version of the campfire classic. —Cathy Trochelman, Brookfield, Wisconsin
These dessert bites have all the yummy flavors of the campfire favorite folded into mini croissants. The air fryer makes the crescent roll dough exceptionally crisp and crunchy, which is a lovely counterpoint to the gooey chocolate marshmallow filling.
Air-Fryer Desserts FAQ
How do air fryers work?
Air fryers are small appliances that circulate hot air around the food to cook it quickly and evenly. A convection oven does the same thing, but usually with a less powerful fan and a space that takes much longer to preheat. Because the small appliance can make foods crispy, crunchy and evenly browned, the term fryer was coined to describe its best attribute.
What can you easily bake in an air fryer?
Air fryers are great for baking desserts like cookies, cakes, doughnuts and muffins, or you can use the appliance to tackle savory baked recipes. Crumbed foods like air-fryer chicken Parmesan and air-fryer coconut shrimp come out golden brown and crispy all over. Air fryers are also fantastic for quick-roasting meats and seafood like salmon, beef skewers and air-fryer stuffed pork chops. It’s also the ideal appliance for roasting vegetables, as the hot air produces crispy edges that add flavor.
Can you bake cookies on parchment in an air fryer?
You can bake cookies in an air fryer, and lining your air-fryer basket with parchment is a great way to keep cleanup to a minimum. The paper may darken in the air fryer, but parchment is safe to use at temperatures up to 450°F. Trim the parchment to fit the air-fryer basket without any overhang. Edges sticking out can get brittle and break off or prevent the food from getting browned. Do not use waxed paper; it will melt and burn.
