Pin The smell of warm Nutella hitting flaky pastry layers still takes me back to snowy mornings when my roommate and I would raid the bakery discount bin and invent reasons to celebrate Tuesdays. We discovered air fryers completely transform day old croissants into something that tastes like a Parisian cafe spent hours on them. Now this is my secret weapon for last minute dessert emergencies or when I need everyone to think I tried way harder than I actually did.
Last winter I made a batch during a friend breakup emergency and we ended up sitting on the kitchen floor eating them straight from the air fryer basket, chocolate smeared everywhere, forgetting about everything else for exactly seven minutes. Sometimes food just needs to be that simple and that good.
Ingredients
- 4 store bought croissants: Day old ones from the bakery discount section actually work better here because they crisp up beautifully without burning
- 1/2 cup Nutella: Let it sit at room temperature for five minutes first and it will spread so much easier without tearing the delicate pastry layers
- 2 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts: Toast them quickly in a dry pan before sprinkling on top and you will thank yourself later for that extra crunch
Instructions
- Get your air fryer ready:
- Preheat to 350°F and take those croissants out of the fridge now so they can warm up slightly while you prep everything else
- Prep your pastry:
- Use a serrated knife to slice each croissant horizontally but stop before cutting all the way through like you are making a sandwich
- Add the chocolate:
- Spread about two tablespoons of Nutella inside each one then gently press the top back down to help it stay together while cooking
- Air fry them:
- Place them in a single layer and cook for four to five minutes until they are golden brown and you can smell toasted sugar wafting through the kitchen
- Finish and serve:
- Let them cool for literally one minute then add hazelnuts or powdered sugar and get them to the table before the filling sets
Pin My niece started calling these chocolate clouds after I made them for her sleepover and now she requests them every single time she visits. Watching four kids go completely silent over something so simple still makes me smile every time.
Make Ahead Magic
You can slice and fill the croissants the night before then keep them in the fridge wrapped tightly. Just pop them in the air fryer straight from the refrigerator the next morning and add one extra minute to the cooking time. The filling firms up overnight which actually makes them easier to handle.
Serving Ideas That Work
I have found these are perfect with a strong cup of coffee or cold almond milk to cut through all that richness. They also pair surprisingly well with vanilla ice cream if you want to go full dessert mode after dinner instead of treating them like breakfast.
Easy Flavor Twists
Sometimes I tuck sliced strawberries or bananas inside before air frying and the fruit gets all warm and jammy. You can also swap Nutella for Biscoff spread if you want a different vibe entirely.
- Raspberry jam swirled into the Nutella creates this chocolate covered fruit situation
- A pinch of sea salt on top cuts through the sweetness perfectly
- Cream cheese added to the filling makes it taste like a cheesecake croissant situation
Pin Hope these bring as much joy to your kitchen as they have to mine over the years.
Recipe FAQ
- → Can I use fresh croissants instead of store-bought?
Yes, fresh croissants work well and can provide an even flakier texture after air frying.
- → What temperature is best for air frying croissants?
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for optimal crisping without burning.
- → Are there alternatives to Nutella for the filling?
You can substitute any chocolate-hazelnut spread or even jam for a different sweet flavor.
- → How can I make the croissants extra crispy?
Ensure a single layer in the air fryer and avoid overcrowding for even crisping on all sides.
- → What garnishes complement these croissants?
Chopped hazelnuts add crunch, while powdered sugar offers a delicate sweetness on top.