How to Make Sweet Treats in Your Air Fryer

Craving a sweet snack? Believe it or not, you can use your air fryer to satisfy that craving. From heart-healthy Honey-Roasted Mixed Nuts to Vegan Brownie Bites, these air fryer dessert recipes have something for everyone.

Air-fried foods have a powerful flavor component, especially some of the fruits that impart a large amount of natural sugar, so many of the recipes here are made using a third of the amount of added sugar of their traditional counterparts.

Instead, we use our skills in the kitchen and knowledge of food to bring you a healthier alternative that’s made with wholesome foods you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. After all, a Pop Tart is still a Pop Tart, but when you air fry your own, it’s made with much more love!

Honey-Roasted Mixed Nuts

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup raw, shelled pistachios

1/2 cup raw almonds

1 cup raw walnuts

2 tablespoons filtered water

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 300 degrees.
2. Lightly spray an air-fryer-safe pan with olive oil; then place the pistachios, almonds, and walnuts inside the pan and place the pan inside the air fryer basket.
3. Cook for 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to rotate the nuts.
4. While the nuts are roasting, boil the water in a small pan and stir in the honey and oil. Continue to stir while cooking until the water begins to evaporate and a thick sauce is formed. Note: The sauce should stick to the back of a wooden spoon when mixed. Turn off the heat.
5. Remove the nuts from the air fryer (cooking should have just completed) and spoon the nuts into the stovetop pan. Use a spatula to coat the nuts with the honey syrup.
6. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spoon the nuts onto the sheet. Lightly sprinkle the sugar and salt over the nuts and let cool in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
7. When the honey and sugar have hardened, store the nuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

You can use whatever nuts you have on hand. If you prefer a maple-roasted nut, maple syrup instead of honey and omit the sugar.

Thumbprint Sugar Cookies

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 8 minutes

Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients

2-1/2 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup cane sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

10 chocolate kisses

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar and vanilla. Whisk in the egg and set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and salt. Then gently mix the dry ingredients into the wet. Portion the dough into 10 balls; then press down on each with the bottom of a cup to create a flat cookie.
4. Liberally spray the metal trivet of an air fryer basket with olive oil mist.
5. Place the cookies in the air fryer basket on the trivet and cook for 8 minutes or until the tops begin to lightly brown.
6. Remove and immediately press the chocolate kisses into the tops of the cookies while still warm.
7. Let cool 5 minutes and then enjoy.

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to bake the cookies in multiple batches.

Store in an airtight container on the counter for 5 days or in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.

For a healthier cookie with more fiber, use white whole-wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter S’mores

Prep time: 2 minutes

Cook time: 6 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

4 graham cracker sheets

4 marshmallows

4 ounces dark chocolate

4 teaspoons chunky peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees. Break the graham crackers in half so you have 8 pieces.
2. Place 4 pieces of graham cracker on the bottom of the air fryer. Top each with one of the marshmallows and bake for 6 or 7 minutes, or until the marshmallows have a golden brown center.
3. While cooking, slather each of the remaining graham crackers with 1 teaspoon peanut butter.
4. When the baking completes, carefully remove each marshmallow graham cracker and lightly sprinkle with cinnamon. Top with the remaining peanut butter graham cracker to make the sandwich. Serve immediately.

Try using chocolate or cinnamon graham crackers for a unique twist! Or replace the peanut butter with Nutella.

Keto Cheesecake Cups

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese

1/4 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 tablespoons monk fruit sweetener

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 315 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese together with the yogurt, egg, vanilla, sweetener, and salt. When combined, fold in the chopped walnuts.
3. Set 6 silicone muffin liners inside an air-fryer-safe pan. Note: This is to allow for an easier time getting the cheesecake bites in and out. If you don’t have a pan, you can place them directly in the air fryer basket.
4. Evenly fill the cupcake liners with cheesecake batter.
5. Carefully place the pan into the air fryer basket and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned and firm.
6. Carefully remove the pan when done and place in the refrigerator for 3 hours to firm up before serving.

You can use stevia in place of monk fruit sweetener to also comply with the keto diet. compliance. If you aren’t on a keto diet, you can use regular cane sugar in the place of the monk fruit.

Looking for a bit more fat on your keto diet? Add a tablespoon of MCT oil into the batter.

Have a favorite nut? Mix that into the batter, too!

Vegan Brownie Bites

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 8 minutes

Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients

2/3 cup walnuts

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup dark cocoa powder

1/3 cup cane sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon almond milk

1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees.
2. To a blender or food processor fitted with a metal blade, add the walnuts, flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Pulse until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add in the oil, vanilla, and milk and pulse until a dough is formed.
3. Remove the dough and place in a bowl. Form into 10 equal-size bites.
4. Liberally spray the metal trivet in the air fryer basket with olive oil mist. Place the brownie bites into the basket and cook for 8 minutes, or until the outer edges begin to slightly crack.
5. Remove the basket from the air fryer and let cool. Sprinkle the brownie bites with powdered sugar and serve.

Brownie bites will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.