air fryer

Name: Copycat Krispy Kreme Donuts
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 homemade biscuits or 1 can store bought; 6 Tablespoons of melted butter; 2 cups powdered sugar; 2 teaspoons of vanilla; 3/4 cup of evaporated milk

Air Fryer Copycat Krispy Kreme Donuts

February 12, 2021 by Rachel 7 Comments

As a foodie, I’ve always been obsessed with the yummy things that people gravitate towards. But it wasn’t until my late 20’s that I was introduced to warm Krispy Kreme glazed donuts. Honestly, I didn’t realize what the big deal was. That is, until a co-worker brought me my first ever warm Krispy Kreme donut. And that, my friends, was a game-changer. Recently I had the pleasure of introducing my kids to Krispy Kreme. But, instead of spending the money a couple of times a month to pick some up, I decided to make my own Copycat Krispy Kreme Donuts recipe!

Why you need an air fryer

So the Air Fryer in itself is a fairly new (and hot!) commodity. But our convection toaster oven has had an air fry function built in for the last 3+ years. So I’ve had the chance to play around with the air fry function a bit. It worked okay, but having an actual air fryer has seriously changed the game. It heats up very quickly. Something as simple french fries turn out absolutely delicious.

What you’ll need to make Copycat Krispy Kreme Donuts

Besides your handy dandy air fryer, you’ll need the following ingredients:

8 homemade biscuits or 1 can store bought
6 Tablespoons of melted butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla
3/4 cup of evaporated milk

That is it! Honestly, the most ‘difficult’ part is the prep of the glaze. But the glaze is the absolute best part of a Krispy Kreme donut, am I right?!

Copycat Krispy Kreme Donuts

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

8 homemade biscuits or 1 can store bought
6 Tablespoons of melted butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla
3/4 cup of evaporated milk

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

Using a baking hole punch, punch hole from center of biscuit.

STEP 2 -

Spray air fryer basket with oil and place four donuts leaving space to expand. Spray donuts with oil.

STEP 3 -

Cook on 390 for 5 minutes.

STEP 4 -

Mix the powdered sugar, vanilla, melted butter, and evaporated milk until completely combined.

STEP 5 -

Place donuts on a cooling rack over a baking sheet.

STEP 6 -

Pour glaze over donuts. Reuse captured glaze from baking sheet and re-glaze donuts 6-8 times.

STEP 7 -

ENJOY!

PIN FOR LATER

Must Try Air Fryer Copycat Cinnabon Rolls Recipe

January 30, 2021 by Rachel 13 Comments

There are plenty of mornings in our house where my kids wake up screaming that they want cinnamon rolls. In fact, I’m not going to lie — my kids wake up most mornings begging for cinnamon rolls. I’m not sure what started this. I remember, as a kid, begging my mom for ‘cinnamon toast.’ And I suppose cinnamon rolls might be this morning memory for my kids. I have tried basically every canned cinnamon roll on the market (PS. whatever you do, do not buy ALDI canned cinnamon rolls!). Regardless, I was never happy with the canned rolls. Instead I tried to make an exact copycat Cinnabon rolls recipe. Guess what? I nailed it.

Why use an air fryer?

Just like my other favorite appliance, the Instant Pot, the Air Fryer is incredible. It’s super easy to use and the cooking method just makes things extra delicious.

What You’ll need to make these Copycat Cinnabon Rolls Recipe

whole milk
active yeast
white sugar
egg
unsalted butter, melted
all-purpose flour
salt
cup light brown sugar
cinnamon
cream cheese
powdered sugar
vanilla extract

The recipe details seem difficult, but I promise it is way easier than you think! Most of the total time is spent letting the dough rise. So please don’t be intimidated about this recipe!

Copycat Cinnabon Rolls Recipe

Yield: 2 very large cinnamon rolls

Copycat Cinnabon Rolls

Prep Time 2 hours 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes

Ingredients

The Dough

¾ cup warm whole milk
2 ¼ teaspoons active yeast
¼ cup of white sugar
1 egg and 1 egg yolk
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt

The Filling

2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

The Frosting

4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

Place milk in a microwave safe container and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Pour warm milk into a mixing bowl and add yeast.

STEP 2 -

Add sugar, eggs, and melted butter. Mix until completely combined.

STEP 3 -

Stir in flour and salt until dough begins to form.

STEP 4 -

Using a stand mixer, attach dough hook and mix on medium until dough forms into a ball and not sticking to the mixing bowl. Add some flour if too sticky. If using hands to knead, knead the dough for 10 minutes on a floured surface until dough is no longer sticky.

STEP 5 -

Place the dough ball in a well-oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel. Place bowl on the counter for an hour and a half to allow for the dough to double in size.

STEP 6 -

Place the dough on a floured surface and flatten with a rolling pin until the dough is roughly a square foot of surface. (12”x12”)

STEP 7 -

Rub room temperature butter to cover the dough leave a slight margin around the dough.

STEP 8 -

Sprinkle and combine the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture to complete the filling.

STEP 9 -

Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into inch and a half wide strips.

STEP 10 -

Roll the strips into themselves until all are rolled into a wheel. Place dough wheel into spring mold pan that fits the air fryer basket. Cover pan with cloth and allow dough to sit for 15 minutes.

STEP 11 -

Cook in air fryer for 20 minutes on 350 degrees.

STEP 12 -

Remove cinnamon roll from air fryer and allow to cool.

STEP 13 -

In a mixing bowl, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and butter until frosting is combine completely.

STEP 14 -

Top the cinnamon roll with the frosting and enjoy!

PIN FOR LATER

The easiest copycat Cinnabon roll recipe

Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich Recipe

January 22, 2021 by Rachel 13 Comments

Living in Ohio, I feel like we were ‘late’ to the game when it came to Chick-fil-A. We would sometimes stop there during our travels south. But it wasn’t until I was in high school that a Chick-fil-A restaurant opened in Northeast Ohio. They definitely have a cult-like following. And, at first I didn’t quite get it. But after moving back home from New York, I caught the ‘bug’ that is a Chick-fil-A obsession. And, now that I have my trusty air fryer, I’ve made a Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich recipe that is to DIE for!

Why the air fryer?

Okay, so truth be told, we’ve been long-time advocates of the air fryer. Traditional fryers are messy and big! But air fryers aer simple and take up way less space. In fact, our Breville Smart Oven has an air fry feature we’ve been using for years. But, in addition to our Instant Pot, the air fryer is our next most-used kitchen appliance.

It’s such a great investment. And it’s way healthier than a deep fryer. Especially for the Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich!

What you’ll need

In addition to your air fryer, you’ll need the following:

2 chicken breasts
1/4 cup of pickle juice
1/4 cup of water
2 eggs
1/2 cup of milk, whole
1 cup of flour
2 Tablespoons of powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons of cornstarch
1 teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 Tablespoon of oil
2 hamburger buns
6 pickle slices

How to make your own Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich

Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich

Prep Time 35 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 47 minutes

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts
1/4 cup of pickle juice
1/4 cup of water
2 eggs
1/2 cup of milk, whole
1 cup of flour
2 Tablespoons of powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons of cornstarch
1 teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 Tablespoon of oil
2 hamburger buns
6 pickle slices

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

Place the chicken in a gallon size ziplock bags. Pound them until they are 1/2 inch thick.

STEP 2 -

Cut the breast into 4 pieces.

STEP 3 -

Place the chicken back in the bag. Add in your pickle juice and water. Allow them to marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.

STEP 4 -

Whisk the egg and milk together.

STEP 5 -

In a separate bowl, mix together your dry ingredients: flour, starch, and spices.

STEP 6 -

Coat the chicken in the egg mixture, then the flour mixture.

STEP 7 -

Spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil.

STEP 8 -

Place your chicken in the air fryer basket. Spray the chicken with cooking spray.

STEP 9 -

Cook for 6 minutes at 340 degrees. Flip and cook for another 6 minutes at 400 degrees.

STEP 10 -

Place your chicken on your hamburger bun with three slices of dill pickles.

STEP 11 -

Enjoy!

PIN FOR LATER

Air Fryer Valentine’s Day Strawberry Pop Tarts

January 1, 2021 by Rachel 7 Comments

I’m obsessed with making small moments into big memories for my kids. And, perhaps, this year more than ever. Truth be told, I have never been a big fan of Valentine’s Day. Not even while my husband and I were dating. I just kind of saw it for what we have made it — into a “Hallmark holiday.” But kids don’t see it that way. I vividly recall Valentine’s Day as a kid. My dad used to shower my sister and I with chocolates and gifts. It was ‘his’ holiday. Even as a kid it was clear that my mom ran the show on other holidays. But Valentine’s Day was his. To continue this tradition, my husband has taken to showering our kids with chocolates and gifts at Valentine’s Day. He’ll even pass of my Air Fryer Valentine’s Day Strawberry Pop Tarts as his. And I’ll totally let him!

Air Fryer Valentine’s Day Strawberry Pop Tarts

What you’ll need to make these festive pop tarts

15 ounces of premade pie crusts (equivalent to 2 frozen crusts)
4 ounces of strawberry preserves total (reserve 1 ounce for the frosting)
1 cup of powdered sugar
1 egg, whisked
4 tablespoons of valentine day sprinkles
1 heart cookie cutter

Why an air fryer?

Okay, so I know I have given mad love to my Instant Pot. But we’ve been on the air fryer bandwagon as well. Like, for a long time. For the last 2 years we have hardly ever used our ‘bake’ feature on our oven — or our deep fryer. Because our air fryer has done so many amazing things. I throw the kids pizza rolls and chicken nuggets in it for a quick and easy lunch. But I can also make yummy treats like these pop tarts!

Yield: 8 Pop Tarts (approximately)

Air fryer Valentine’s Day Strawberry Pop Tarts

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 11 minutes

Total Time 21 minutes

Ingredients

15 ounces of premade pie crusts (equivalent to 2 frozen crusts)
4 ounces of strawberry preserves total (reserve 1 ounce for the frosting)
1 cup of powdered sugar
1 egg, whisked
4 tablespoons of valentine day sprinkles
1 heart cookie cutter

Instructions

STEP ONE:

Lay your pie crust out flat on a lightly floured surface. With your cookie cutter cut out as many heart shaped hearts you can with the amount of pie crust you have.

STEP TWO:

On one of the heart-shaped crust, take 1 tablespoon of your jelly preserves, and place it in the middle. Spread it out evenly on the heart shape. Make sure to leave room around the edges.

STEP THREE:

Taking your finger, dip it in the egg wash, and evenly spread the egg wash around the edges surrounding the jelly.

STEP FOUR:

Place another heart shaped pie crust on top of the other heart with the jelly on it. Using a fork press down the edges creating a seal.

STEP FIVE:

Using a kitchen brush, dip it in the egg wash and top the rest of your heart shape with the egg wash.

STEP SIX:

Using a fork, or toothpick, poke about 6 to 8 holes in the top of your top layer pastry.

STEP SEVEN:

Depending on the size of your air fryer, place as many pastry hearts in your air fryer that will fit without interfering with the shape of the pastry.

pop tarts

STEP EIGHT:

Cook your pop tart at 370° for 7 minutes. Once the timer is done, open your air fryer, and flip your pop tarts. Continue to cook at 370° for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, or until it is reached a soft brown color.

STEP NINE:

Remove from the air fryer, and transfer to a cooling rack.

STEP TEN:

While your pastries are cooling, mix together your powdered sugar and jelly preserve. Mix, and whisk together. You can choose to add more powdered sugar if you like your frosting thicker.

STEP ELEVEN:

Drizzle your frosting over your pop tart and add your sprinkles while your frosting is still wet.

Air Fryer Valentine’s Day Strawberry Pop Tarts

STEP TWELVE:

Allow them to cool and the frosting to harden, and then enjoy!

PIN FOR LATER

Need an easy and delicious treat to make Valentine's Day special for your kids? Air Fryer Valentine's Day Strawberry Pop Tarts are THE best!

Delicious Air Fryer Salsa Verde Recipe

August 17, 2020 by Rachel 18 Comments

It’s official tomato season! All over social media I’m seeing photos of friends reaping their harvest of tomatoes, tomatillos, squash, and zucchini! Our recent harvests have been very plentiful! So why not put some of these garden veggies to use with making a super easy and super delicious air fryer salsa verde recipe!

What you’ll need

I know that air fryers have recently soared in popularity, but it doesn’t have to be a standalone appliance. In fact, I despise standalone kitchen appliances. They take up so much space! If you’re in the market for an air fryer please consider getting the Breville Convection and Air Fryer (it’s currently on sale right now!). We had an older version of this Breville Convection Toaster Oven, and when it came time to replace it, we went with this exact model. I know, I know… it’s not the most inexpensive option out there. But we get daily use out of it. More than a few times a day, in fact!

But you’ll also need tomatillos! Tomatillos, or husk tomatoes, can be grown across North America. So if you’re looking for something to grow in next years backyard garden, look no further! You’ll likely be able to find tomatillo seeds in your local garden store, but if not be sure to check a website like Seeds Now! Hurry! It’s time to start planning next year’s garden, now!

But why air fry?

Air frying is such a good alternative to traditional frying. It’s a way healthier option! Air frying doesn’t use any oil, so no need to worry about unneeded cholesterol spikes!

And why this recipe?

Because it is SIMPLE and delicious! And who doesn’t like those two things!? Besides a pound of tomatillos, it calls for a jalapeno, half of a white onion, a teeny pinch of salt, and cilantro (if that’s your jam — PS. it IS my jam!). How easy is that, right?! I am basically obsessed.

The Air Fryer Salsa Verde Recipe

Yield: 16 ounces

Air Fryer Salsa Verde

Ingredients

1 lb. tomatillos, peeled and rinsed
1 large jalapeno (or 2 serranos for spicier salsa)
½ small white onion
salt to taste
cilantro, handful
water (optional)

Instructions

Place the tomatillos and onion into the air fryer basket, depending on the size of your air fryer you may need to do this in batches. Close the machine and set temperature to 390F for 5 minutes.
Carefully open the air fryer and very gently remove the tomatillos, place them on a small bowl. If the jalapeno has also softened and browned a bit remove it from the air fryer as well.
Leave the onion in the air fryer but flip it over. Set temperature to 390F and time to 3 minutes. Once time is up check on the onion, it should be softened and a bit browned on the edges.
Allow the ingredients to cool before placing them in a Vitamix or blender. Add the salt and the cilantro on top. Any liquid that was released by the tomatillos while they cooled should also be added.
Blend until you have a smooth salsa. If desired, add water to thin it down some more. Taste for salt and add as needed!
ENJOY!

Easy peasy, am I right?! Just pair with your favorite tortilla chip and you’re DONE! Tell me — what’s your favorite way to use an air fryer?