Croissants in the airfryer are the quickest way to get crispy, golden croissants with a buttery flavour. Bake them at 180°C in just 8-10 minutes, and you’ll have perfect croissants ready for breakfast or brunch. Below you’ll find my easy recipe, tips for both frozen and fresh croissants, and everything you need to know for the best result. Also try my French toast in the airfryer for a complete breakfast.
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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Table of Contents:
- What is the story behind croissants?
- The variants of this French classic
- I recommend this elegant coffee with our crispy croissants
- Anecdotes about croissants in the airfryer
- How to make croissants
- Tips for crispy croissants in the airfryer – both frozen and fresh
- That’s why croissants in the airfryer are a brilliant breakfast trick
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story behind croissants?
The croissant’s origin is shrouded in myths and legends. A popular tale takes us back to 1683, during the siege of Vienna, where the bakers working early in the morning heard the Ottoman tunnels beneath the city and alerted the city’s defenders. In honour of this victory, they created a recipe for a bread shaped like the Ottoman crescent moon emblem. Ironically, this delicacy was only associated with France several centuries later, where the true “croissant” was born, inspired by the Austrian “kipferl”.
The variants of this French classic
Today, the croissant exists in countless variants, from the classic plain croissant recipe to croissants in the airfryer. To filled versions with everything from chocolate (pain au chocolat) to almond cream (croissant aux amandes). Each variant offers a new dimension of flavour and texture, testifying to the croissant’s versatility. Regional interpretations, such as the Spanish “cruasán” and the Italian “cornetto”, show its global appeal and ability to adapt to local taste preferences.
I recommend this elegant coffee with our crispy croissants
A good croissant deserves a coffee that matches its buttery, lightly caramelised flavour profile – and here a medium-roast Arabica is the obvious choice. It has a soft acidity and notes of nuts and dark chocolate that lift the croissant’s richness without overpowering the delicate puff pastry. I can warmly recommend Freehand Gently Coffee Beans – 1 kg: they make the perfect cup for breakfast, whether you brew it as filter coffee or press it as espresso.
Anecdotes about croissants in the airfryer
The croissant’s journey through history is spiced with fascinating anecdotes. For example, when Marie Antoinette introduced the pastry to the French court, it instantly became a symbol of abundance and refinement. In the 20th century, it became a symbol of French identity, especially in post-colonial times, when it represented a blend of cultures and traditions.
In the recipe at the bottom of the page, we start from ready-made dough. That’s clearly the easiest, and it makes really good pastries. But if you’re up for it, here’s the whole process now.
Tips and tricks from the author: Morten Jensen
Making croissants with dough from scratch is an art that requires patience and precision, but the result is undoubtedly rewarding. The traditional method for making this dough involves a process called lamination, where the dough is folded with layers of butter to create the characteristic, airy layers.
How to make croissants
Here is a basic recipe and guide for how to make croissants and the dough yourself from scratch. Below are lamination techniques for croissants.
Ingredients:
For the dough (détrempe):
- 500 g strong wheat flour (bread or pizza flour)
- 60 g sugar
- 10 g salt
- 10 g dry yeast
- 300 ml cold water
- 40 g unsalted butter, softened
For lamination:
- 250 g cold, unsalted butter for lamination
How to do it:
- Prepare the détrempe (the base dough):
- Prepare the butter for lamination:
- Lamination techniques for croissants:
- Shaping and baking:
Tips for crispy croissants in the airfryer – both frozen and fresh
Making croissants in the airfryer is surprisingly easy, whether you use frozen or fresh. Frozen croissants bake best at 160°C for 12-15 minutes straight from the freezer – no thawing needed. Fresh croissants or canned croissants need 8-10 minutes at 180°C. Always make sure to place them well spaced in the basket so the hot air can circulate freely. Want to reheat yesterday’s croissants? Give them 3-4 minutes at 175°C – then they’ll turn crispy again without drying out.
- Butter quality: always use high-quality butter with a high fat content. This is the key to achieving the right crispness and flavour.
- Patience is a virtue: lamination, the process where the dough is folded with butter, requires patience and precision. Make sure the dough and butter are at the same temperature to prevent the butter from breaking through the dough.
- Slow proofing: a slow proof in the fridge overnight not only improves the flavour but also makes the dough easier to work with.
- Perfection in baking: bake at high heat to ensure the butter evaporates quickly, which creates the characteristic layers. Start at a high temperature, then reduce it to achieve the perfect golden finish.
That’s why croissants in the airfryer are a brilliant breakfast trick
Croissants in the airfryer are simply the easiest way to get crispy, golden croissants on the breakfast table. You save time and electricity compared to a traditional oven, and the result is fantastic every time. Whether you bake fresh canned croissants or reheat frozen ones, your airfryer is the perfect tool. Also try making Danish pastry dough in the airfryer – it’s also surprisingly easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, bake frozen croissants at 160°C (320°F) for 12-15 minutes straight from the freezer. No thawing needed – they turn out crispy and golden.
Fresh croissants or canned croissants need 8-10 minutes at 180°C (355°F). Keep an eye on them, since they can brown too quickly.
Reheat croissants at 175°C (350°F) for 3-4 minutes. This makes them crispy again without drying them out like a microwave does.
Recipe
Croissants in the Airfryer
Cooking Guide
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Step 2:
Start the guide and follow the recipe one step at a time.
Cost of the dish
Prices may vary depending on where you shop.
Our estimate is based on average food prices for the current year 2026.
Estimated price for the whole dish:
Airfryer size
All our recipes are tested in a Philips Airfryer 2000 Series NA230/00 – 6.2 L
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Shopping list
Ingredients
- 1 pcs puff pastry (or canned croissant dough)
- 1 pcs egg
- 1 pcs chocolate buttons (Or jam, cheese, ham, etc.)
How to make it
- Prepare your airfryer by preheating it to 180°C. This ensures the croissants start baking right away and get a nice golden surface.(Pre-program it, or let it run for a couple of minutes before cooking.)
- Roll out 1 pcs puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. If you’re using ready-made croissant dough, you just need to separate the dough along the perforated lines.
- Add filling to each croissant before rolling, if you like.Place 1 pcs chocolate buttons or a small amount of your chosen filling on the widest end of the dough, and roll the dough up tightly towards the pointed end to form a croissant shape.Brush with 1 pcs egg
- Place the croissants slightly apart in the airfryer basket. They will expand during baking, so make sure to give them room to do so.
- Lightly brush the tops of the croissants with the beaten egg. This will give them a lovely golden colour once they’re baked.
- Bake the croissants in the airfryer at 180°C for about 8-10 minutes. Or until they’re golden and flaky. The baking time can vary depending on your airfryer model, so keep an eye on them along the way.Start the online kitchen timer here
- Remove the baked croissants from the airfryer and let them cool. On a rack for a couple of minutes before serving.
Our notes for the recipe
Your notes for the recipe
Nutrition per serving (Guideline)
Important about shelf life and nutrition
Nutrition per serving (guideline): Calculations are based on data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Shelf life (guideline): Shelf life data is provided, as far as possible, by public institutions, including national food authorities. Our information is therefore only indicative, and it is your responsibility to obtain and calculate accurate information about shelf life and nutrition for all recipes on airfryerkogebogen.dk
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