Air Fryer Desserts: 21 Reasons to Ignore Your Oven This Holiday Season

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Warm up to a new kind of dessert-making magic – your air fryer. I’ve got 21 delicious reasons to give your oven a break and let this countertop wonder transform how you bake, fry, and indulge in festive treats.

Air fryer christmas cookies in a metal cookie tine with different decorations.
Air Fryer Christmas Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

From melt-in-your-mouth cookies to crispy churros, these air fryer desserts are the no-sweat, no-regret way to enjoy some Christmas treats.

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Air Fryer Christmas Cookies

Whip up a batch of Christmas cookies with just one dough and a quick spin in the air fryer for four festive varieties. Sugar, thumbprint, kiss, and M&M cookies come out perfectly golden without turning on the oven. It’s a cookie extravaganza that’ll keep your kitchen cool and your cookie jar full.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Christmas Cookies

Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

Air Fryer Donuts with chocolate glaze and sprinkles.
Donuts with Chocolate Glaze. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Transform refrigerator biscuits into divine donuts with a quick trip through the air fryer, followed by a dip in chocolate glaze. They’re the perfect mix of simplicity and indulgence, topped with sprinkles for that extra festive touch. Get ready to ring in the holidays with a sweet, airy bite that’s ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls on a plate with icing.
Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

In just 10 minutes, you can have air fryer cinnamon rolls that are as adorable as they are delicious, shaped like Santa hats or Christmas trees. The air fryer ensures each roll is perfectly puffed and ready to be devoured.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Rolls

Apple Pie Bites

Apple pie bites cut open to show the apple filling inside.
Apple Pie Bites. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Bite-sized and beautiful, these air fryer apple pie bites wrap cinnamon-spiced apples in a flaky crust with minimal effort. With only five ingredients, they’re a quick way to satisfy those pie cravings.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Bites

Thumbprint Cookies

Top view of thumbprint cookie with strawberry jam and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Thumbprint cookies come out of the air fryer with just the right texture, ready to be filled with a dollop of your favorite jam. They’re the classic Christmas cookie with a modern twist, and they come together without a fuss. Get your thumbprints air-fryer-perfect and watch them disappear!
Get the Recipe: Thumbprint Cookies

Strawberry Shortcake

Air Fryer Strawberry Shortcake with whipped cream on a plate.
Strawberry Shortcake. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Letting the air fryer grill the cake to golden perfection and the berries to juicy sweetness. This twist on a classic dessert is as easy as it is impressive. It’s a summery treat with a wintery twist, perfect any time of year.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake

Apple Pie Egg Rolls

Apple pie egg rolls on a plate.
Apple Pie Egg Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Imagine the best parts of apple pie and egg rolls combined, then make it in your air fryer for a dessert that’s crispy on the outside with a warm, spiced apple filling. These innovative treats are a conversation starter and a taste sensation. It’s the kind of dessert that brings a crispy, fruity cheer to your holiday menu.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Egg Rolls

Pumpkin Donuts

Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts on a cooling rack.
Pumpkin Donuts. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Embrace the flavors of the season with air fryer pumpkin donuts, a festive treat that’s rolled in pumpkin spice sugar. They are perfect for holiday mornings or as a sweet snack. These donuts are your ticket to a quick, pumpkin-flavored delight that’s sure to become a new tradition.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Donuts

Apple Crisp

Forkfull of Air Fryer Apple Crisp.
Apple Crisp. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Get all the comforting flavors of grandma’s apple pie with none of the effort by making apple crisp in your air fryer. It’s crispy, sugary, and can be ready in a flash. Serve up this classic with a modern twist for a dessert that’s sure to warm hearts.
Get the Recipe: Apple Crisp

Blueberry Pie Bombs

Blueberry pie bomb cut in half to show the filling.
Blueberry Pie Bombs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Blueberry Pie Bombs are a burst of flavor with just four simple ingredients, made effortlessly in your air fryer. They’re the perfect quick-fix dessert for when you need something sweet and satisfying. Prepare for a flavor explosion.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Pie Bombs

Snickerdoodles

Air Fryer Snickerdoodles with cookie split in half.
Snickerdoodles. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer snickerdoodles come out with that signature crackly top and cinnamon-sugar goodness in record time. These cookies are a fast track to homemade happiness during the holiday rush. Enjoy the classic taste of snickerdoodles without the hassle of traditional baking.
Get the Recipe: Snickerdoodles

Nutella Crescent Rolls

Chocolate nutella crescent rolls on a plate.
Nutella Crescent Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

With just four ingredients, you can make warm, gooey Nutella crescent rolls that are the ultimate no-fuss treat. They’re the perfect marriage of flaky crescent rolls and rich chocolate-hazelnut spread. These rolls are a chocolate lover’s shortcut to dessert heaven.
Get the Recipe: Nutella Crescent Rolls

Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles on a white plate.
Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer sugar cookies are a quick way to get that classic crisp outside and soft, buttery inside. Dress them up with sprinkles or frosting to spread the holiday cheer. These cookies are a no-brainer for last-minute guests or when you’re short on time.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookies

Kiss Cookies

Air fryer kiss cookies on a plate with sprinkles.
Kiss Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Kiss cookies made in the air fryer are a sweet surprise, featuring buttery dough rolled in sprinkles and topped with a single chocolate kiss. They’re a delightful twist on a holiday favorite, without the peanut butter and oven time.
Get the Recipe: Kiss Cookies

Churros

Air Fryer Churros dipped in chocolate.
Churros. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Craving churros? The air fryer turns sweet dough into a crispy, cinnamon-sugar-coated treat that’s perfect for dipping. Follow this easy recipe for a festive dessert that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Churros

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies with milk in the background.
Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

For those times when you need a chocolate chip cookie, and you need it now, the air fryer has your back. They come out perfectly crispy on the outside with gooey, melted chocolate inside.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies

S’mores Crescent Rolls

S'mores cresent rolls drizzeled with chocolate.
S’mores Crescent Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

S’mores Crescent Rolls in the air fryer are a genius way to get all the gooey goodness of s’mores without the campfire. With just four ingredients, this dessert is an easy, quick, delightful treat. It’s the taste of summer camping with a winter twist.
Get the Recipe: S’mores Crescent Rolls

Banana Bread

Loaf of air fryer banana bread sliced on a wooden cutting board.
Banana Bread. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Turn to your air fryer for a moist, rich banana bread that’s perfect for the holiday dessert table. It’s a comforting classic that’s easy to make and even easier to eat. This banana bread will fill your home with a delicious aroma and your heart with holiday joy.
Get the Recipe: Banana Bread

Blueberry Muffins

Air Fryer Blueberry Muffins on a cutting board with tea in the background.
Blueberry Muffins. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Whip up some air fryer blueberry muffins that are golden brown on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They’re a homemade treat that’s ready in just 20 minutes. These muffins are the perfect way to start your holiday mornings or to enjoy as a sweet afternoon pick-me-up.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Muffins

Maple Glazed Donuts with Bacon

Air Fryer Maple Donuts with bacon on top.
Maple Glazed Donuts with Bacon. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Combine the flavors of pancakes and bacon in a donut form with these maple glazed donuts sprinkled with bacon, all cooked in the air fryer. They’re a unique treat that’s ready in about 20 minutes, perfect for a holiday brunch or dessert. Treat yourself to a sweet and savory delight.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Donuts with Bacon

Baked Apples

Air Fryer Baked Apples cut in half to show filling.
Baked Apples. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Stuff apples with spices, sugar, and raisins, then let the air fryer turn them into tender, caramelized wonders. It’s a simple way to create a sophisticated dessert that’s both healthy and heavenly. These baked apples are like individual little pies that you won’t have to share.
Get the Recipe: Baked Apples

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Holiday season is the perfect time to explore the world of delicious air fryer desserts.
anne

Hi, I’m Anne!

I love to cook and I want to share my recipes with you. I believe cooking should be approachable and fun, not a chore. I want to make simple recipes using everyday ingredients that you can make again and again, whether it is for a busy weeknight, a summer cookout or a special dessert. Read more...

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