Oh my gosh, do you remember those crispy, sugary elephant ears at summer fairs? The ones that made your fingers sticky and your heart happy? That’s exactly what I’ve been craving lately – but who has time to deep fry and deal with all that oil? That’s when I had my “aha!” moment – my trusty air fryer could totally handle this! These air fryer elephant ears give me all that nostalgic crunch without the mess, and they’re ready in just about 20 minutes flat. My kids go crazy for them (honestly, I do too), and the best part? They’re so simple to make with just puff pastry, cinnamon sugar, and a little butter. Talk about hitting the sweet spot between childhood memories and adult convenience!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Elephant Ears
Let me tell you why these have become my go-to dessert:
- Crazy fast – From fridge to table in 20 minutes flat (perfect for sudden sugar cravings!)
- That fairground crunch – All the crispy caramelized texture without deep-frying mess
- Four ingredients – I bet you have everything in your pantry right now
- Kid magic – My little ones love rolling the pastry almost as much as eating it
- No guilt – Uses way less butter than traditional versions but tastes just as indulgent
Honestly? These disappear faster than I can make them!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Elephant Ears
You won’t believe how little you need for these magical treats! Here’s what I always grab from my kitchen:
- 1 sheet puff pastry – thawed (trust me, trying to unroll frozen pastry is a recipe for tears)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar – packed like you mean it (this is dessert after all!)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon – the good stuff, none of that dusty old spice jar
- 2 tbsp melted butter – unsalted is my preference so I can control the sweetness
See? Told ya it was simple! Now go check your fridge – I bet you’re already halfway there.
How to Make Air Fryer Elephant Ears
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – making these crispy, sugary delights! I’ll walk you through each step just like I do when my kids beg me to make these (which is… often).
Step 1: Prepare the Pastry
First things first – get that puff pastry to room temp. I unfold mine carefully on a lightly floured surface (parchment paper works great too). Melt your butter and brush it all over – don’t skimp but don’t drown it either. Pro tip: If your pastry starts tearing, pop it in the fridge for 5 minutes – cold pastry is way more cooperative!
Step 2: Add Cinnamon Sugar
Mix your sugar and cinnamon in a little bowl – I like to give it a good whisk to banish any lumps. Then comes the fun part: sprinkling! I use my fingers to spread it evenly across the buttery surface. It should look like a cinnamon-sugar snowstorm hit your pastry – in the best way possible.
Step 3: Roll and Slice
Here’s where the magic happens! Roll one long side toward the middle, then do the same from the other side until they meet in the center (like a cinnamon scroll). Slice into 1-inch pieces – I find my sharpest knife makes clean cuts. Too thick and they won’t crisp up; too thin and they might burn. One inch is just right!
Step 4: Air Fry to Perfection
Preheat that air fryer to 375°F – this gives us that perfect golden crunch. I always use parchment paper (cut to fit) so nothing sticks. Arrange your slices with some breathing room – they’ll puff up beautifully! Start checking at 8 minutes – you want them golden brown with caramelized sugar edges. That smell? Pure happiness!
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Elephant Ears
After making these dozens of times (no joke), here are my hard-won secrets for perfection:
- Chill out – If your pastry gets sticky while rolling, pop it in the freezer for 5 minutes to firm up
- Rotate for glory – Halfway through cooking, rotate the basket for even browning (hot spots are real!)
- Timing is everything – Set a timer for 8 minutes and peek – some air fryers run hotter than others
- Serve warm – They’re best fresh, but if you must wait, re-crisp in the air fryer for 1 minute
- Space matters – Don’t crowd the basket or you’ll get steamed instead of crispy treats
Follow these and you’ll be the elephant ear hero of your household!
Variations for Air Fryer Elephant Ears
Once you’ve mastered the basic version (and trust me, you will), here are some fun twists I love to play with:
- Spice it up – Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon sugar for extra warmth
- Brown sugar magic – Swap half the white sugar for brown sugar – the molasses flavor is incredible
- Drizzle dreams – Melt some caramel or chocolate and zigzag it over the warm elephant ears
- Citrus zing – Add a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest to the sugar mixture for a bright note
My kids go nuts for the caramel drizzle version – though fair warning, it disappears even faster than the original! If you enjoy sweet pastry variations, you might also like this easy air fryer cinnamon rolls recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Oh my gosh, these elephant ears are seriously dreamy fresh from the air fryer! I love them with my morning coffee – the crispy sugar against hot coffee is pure bliss. For dessert, try them warm with vanilla ice cream melting over the top (heaven!). Leftovers? Just pop them back in the air fryer for 2 minutes to re-crisp – good as new!
Nutritional Information
Just so you know, these numbers are estimates – your exact nutrition will vary based on the brands you use. Each delicious piece has about 150 calories, with that perfect balance of crispy pastry and sweet cinnamon sugar goodness. Not bad for such an indulgent-tasting treat! For more information on how air frying affects food nutrition compared to deep frying, check out this American Heart Association resource on air frying.
Common Questions About Air Fryer Elephant Ears
I get asked about these treats all the time – here are the questions that pop up most often in my kitchen:
- “Can I use phyllo dough instead?” Oh honey, I tried – and it’s a messy disaster! Phyllo’s too delicate and will just crumble. Stick with puff pastry for that perfect crisp.
- “How long do they keep?” In an airtight container, they’ll stay decent for 2 days – but let’s be real, they never last that long in my house!
- “Best way to reheat?” Easy! Just pop them back in the air fryer for 2 minutes at 350°F – they’ll crisp right back up.
- “Can I freeze the dough?” Absolutely! After slicing, freeze on a tray, then bag ’em. Cook frozen adding 1-2 extra minutes.
Got more questions? Just ask – I’ve made every mistake so you don’t have to! If you are looking for other quick puff pastry ideas, check out these chocolate hazelnut puff pastry twists recipe.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to try these crispy little wonders! Let me know how yours turn out in the comments – and don’t be shy with the cinnamon sugar!
Print
Amazing 20-Minute Air Fryer Elephant Ears Recipe
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 8 pieces 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and crispy air fryer version of elephant ears, perfect for a sweet snack.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Unfold puff pastry and brush with melted butter.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over pastry.
- Roll pastry tightly from both long ends to meet in the middle.
- Slice into 1-inch pieces and place in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easier cleanup.
- Check at 8 minutes to prevent burning.
- Best served warm.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: air fryer elephant ears, cinnamon sugar pastry, easy air fryer dessert