Air Fryer Recipe: Puff Pastry Palmiers
Air-Fried Puff Pastry Palmiers
Air-fried Palmiers are a delightful, elegant, and surprisingly easy snack or dessert. These crispy, buttery "elephant ears" are made from puff pastry, lightly sweetened, and then perfectly puffed and golden in the air fryer.1 They're perfect for an afternoon tea, a quick sweet craving, or to impress guests with minimal effort.
Yields: 12-16 palmiers
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 8-12 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (about 9x9 inches, 250g), thawed
- 2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar (or a mix of sugar and cinnamon for cinnamon palmiers)
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (if making cinnamon palmiers)
Instructions:
- Thaw and Prepare Pastry: Unwrap the frozen puff pastry sheet and lay it flat on a lightly floured surface or a piece of parchment paper. If it's still a bit stiff, let it sit for a few more minutes until pliable but still cold.
- Sugar the Pastry: Evenly sprinkle about half of the granulated sugar (and cinnamon, if using) over the entire surface of the puff pastry. Gently press the sugar into the pastry with your fingers or a rolling pin.
- Fold the Sides: Take one side of the pastry and fold it towards the centre, stopping about halfway. Repeat with the other side, folding it towards the centre until the edges meet.
- Fold Again: Fold one half over the other, creating a log shape with about 4 layers of pastry.
- Slice the Palmiers: Using a sharp knife, slice the log into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Each slice will reveal the characteristic "heart" or "ear" shape.
- Preheat Air Fryer & Arrange: Lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil or line with parchment paper designed for air fryers. Preheat your air fryer to 375∘F (190∘C) for 3-5 minutes. Place the palmier slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch (you'll need to work in batches).
- Air Fry: Air fry for 4-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and puffed. Carefully flip the palmiers halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Keep a close eye on them as they can brown quickly due to the sugar.
- Cool and Serve: Transfer the air-fried palmiers to a wire rack to cool completely. They will crisp up further as they cool.
Tips:
- Don't Overcrowd: Air circulation is key for crispiness. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Keep it Cold: Work quickly with puff pastry. If it gets too warm, the butter will melt, and the pastry won't puff as well. If it becomes sticky, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.
- Even Slices: Aim for consistent thickness when slicing for even cooking.
- Sweetness Variation: Adjust the amount of sugar to your preference. For extra sweetness, you can dust them with powdered sugar after they cool.
- Flavour Variations:
- Savoury: Omit sugar and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and dried herbs for a savoury snack.
- Chocolate: Before folding, spread a thin layer of Nutella or sprinkle with mini chocolate chips.
- Storage: Store cooled palmiers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.2 They are best enjoyed the day they