Authentic Italian Desserts Made in the Air Fryer
If you’re a fan of Italian cuisine and enjoy indulging in sweet treats, then you’re in luck.
Using an air fryer, you can now make your favourite Italian desserts without the added calories of deep frying.
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Air Fryer Tiramisu
What is Air Fryer Tiramisu?
Tiramisu is a traditional Italian dessert that combines sponge fingers dipped in coffee and layered with a creamy mixture of mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar, and double cream.
While tiramisu is typically made in the oven, the air fryer provides a quick and easy alternative that is just as delicious.
Ingredients
- 8 sponge fingers
- 115ml strong coffee (cooled)
- 115g mascarpone cheese
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 60ml double cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- cocoa powder for dusting
How To Air Fry Tiramisu
- Mix the mascarpone cheese and sugar until smooth in a small mixing bowl.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whip the cream until stiff peaks form.
- Fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until fully combined.
- Dip the sponge fingers into the cooled coffee, one at a time, and place them in the air fryer basket.
- Spoon the mascarpone mixture over the sponge fingers, dividing it evenly between the four sponge fingers.
- Repeat the layers of coffee-dipped sponge fingers and mascarpone mixture until all the ingredients are used.
- Preheat the air fryer to 170C / 340F.
- Place dessert in the basket and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned.
- Remove the basket and let the dessert cool for a few minutes.
- Dust the top of the tiramisu with cocoa powder.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips For Making the Perfect Tiramisu
- Use strong coffee to dip the sponge fingers, as weaker coffee may not give the tiramisu enough flavour.
- Use room-temperature mascarpone cheese to make it easier to mix with the sugar.
- Whip the double cream until stiff peaks form to add more air into the mixture and make it lighter.
- Don’t over-soak the sponge fingers in the coffee, as they may become too soggy and fall apart.
Air Fryer Zeppole
What Is Air Fryer Zeppole?
Zeppole is a healthier version of traditional Italian zeppole.
Instead of deep-frying the dough balls in oil, you use an air fryer to cook them.
Using this method to make zeppole, you can significantly reduce the fat and calories in the dessert.
Lastly, zeppole is versatile and can be customised with different toppings and fillings, such as Nutella, jam, or whipped cream.
Ingredients
- 125g plain flour
- 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 120ml of milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 28g of unsalted butter, melted
- Icing sugar, for dusting
How to Make Air Fryer Zeppole
- Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Use another mixing bowl, to whisk together the milk, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon, drop the dough into the basket, spacing them out evenly.
- Set the temperature to 180 C / 360 F and cook for 8-10 minutes, until the zeppole are golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the zeppole from the basket and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Add a topping or filling of your choice and dust the zeppole with icing sugar before serving.
Air Fryer Zeppole Tips
- Use an ice cream scoop or a spoon to make even-sized dough balls.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket, as this can affect the cooking time and texture of the zeppole.
- Dust the zeppole with icing sugar while they’re still warm, as this will help the sugar stick to the surface.
- You can customise the flavour of the zeppole by adding lemon zest or cinnamon.
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Air Fryer Amaretti Cookies
What are Air Fryer Amaretti Cookies?
Amaretti cookies are an Italian-inspired treat made with almonds, sugar, and egg whites.
I will be swapping out the traditional ingredients for healthier options in this version.
I use ground almonds instead of almond flour, honey instead of maple syrup, and egg whites instead of aquafaba.
These swaps make the cookies gluten-free, dairy-free, and lower in sugar.
Ingredients
- 200g ground almonds
- 120ml honey
- 2 egg whites
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- Pinch of salt
- Icing sugar, for dusting
Equipment
In addition to the ingredients, you’ll need a few other tools:
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Ice cream scoop or spoon
- Greaseproof paper
How To Cook Air Fryer Amaretti Cookies
Preheat your air fryer to 170C / 330 F.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the ground almonds, honey, egg whites, almond extract, and salt until well combined.
Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, scoop the dough into balls and place them on a sheet of greaseproof paper.
Place the greaseproof with the cookies into the basket. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are lightly golden brown.
Remove the cookies from the basket and allow them to cool completely. Dust with icing sugar before serving.
Recommended Accessories
Measuring an impressive 40 x 25 cm, this essential kitchen tool is perfect for cooling muffins, cookies, biscuits, and cakes. With ample space, this cooling rack is ideal for batch baking, allowing air to circulate freely around your goodies for even cooling. The premium non-stick surface ensures that your baked items release easily without sticking, making it simple to transfer your creations from the rack to the plate.
These stainless steel duty kitchen shears are designed for both functionality and comfort, making them an essential tool for every home chef. Perfect for cutting chicken, beef, poultry, fish, meat, and vegetables, these scissors are versatile enough to handle all your culinary needs. The sharp blades effortlessly slice through various foods, ensuring a clean cut every time.
This pack of 20 reusable trays is perfect for baking, roasting, freezing, and air frying, making them an essential addition to any kitchen. These trays are perfect for everyday meals or special occasions. Made from high-quality aluminium, these trays are designed to withstand high temperatures while being lightweight and easy to handle. Simply wash and reuse for your next culinary creation.
