If you have never tried making toaster strudels in the air fryer, you are in for a treat. They come out so much better than the toaster – flakier, puffier, and perfectly golden on both sides.
The best part is that it only takes about 5 to 7 minutes. You go straight from freezer to air fryer, no thawing needed.
I started making them this way a while back and honestly never went back to the toaster. The texture difference is real.
All you need is a box of frozen toaster strudels and your air fryer. That’s literally it. The icing packets are already included in the box.
Let me walk you through exactly how I make them so they turn out perfect every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crispier Than a Toaster – The air fryer gives these strudels a perfectly golden and flaky crust that a regular toaster just cannot match.
That Warm Icing Trick Is a Game Changer – Warming the icing packets in water makes the drizzle silky smooth and it melts perfectly over the hot pastry.
Beautifully Puffed Up – These come out looking bakery-level puffy and golden which makes breakfast feel extra special.
Ingredients
- 1 box Frozen Toaster Strudel Pastries (6 count, any flavor)
- Icing Packets (included in the box)
How To Make
Step 1
Remove the frozen toaster strudel pastries from the box and set the icing packets aside. Do not thaw the pastries – they go into the air fryer straight from the freezer for the best results.
Step 2
Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F for 2 minutes. Place the frozen toaster strudel pastries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each one so the hot air circulates. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
Step 3
Air fry at 350 degrees F for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping gently halfway through. The pastries are done when they are puffed up and golden brown on both sides.
Step 4
While the pastries cook, warm the icing packets by placing them in a cup of warm water for 1 to 2 minutes. This makes the icing easier to drizzle smoothly.
Step 5
Remove the pastries from the air fryer and let them cool on a plate for about 1 minute. Snip the corner of each icing packet and drizzle generously over the warm pastries. Serve immediately while warm and flaky.
Tips
Don’t Thaw Them First
It might seem like a good idea to let the strudels sit out for a few minutes before cooking, but that actually works against you. When they start to thaw, the pastry gets soft and soggy, and it won’t puff up the way it should in the air fryer.
Take them straight from the freezer to the air fryer basket. The frozen dough hitting the hot air is exactly what gives you that crispy, flaky outside with a warm filling inside.
Give Them Space in the Basket
It’s tempting to squeeze all six strudels into the basket at once, but crowding them is the fastest way to get uneven results. When they’re too close together, the hot air can’t reach all the surfaces and you’ll end up with some spots that are golden and others that are still pale and soft.
Leave at least half an inch of space between each pastry. For most air fryers, that means cooking in two batches of three. It only takes a few extra minutes and the difference is worth it.
Flip Them Gently
When you flip the strudels halfway through, be careful with them. The pastry is delicate at this point and the filling inside is hot, so if you use a fork or tongs and press too hard, you can poke through the dough and the filling will leak out.
Use a thin spatula or gently grab them by the edge with silicone-tipped tongs. A quick, light flip is all you need. If any filling does leak, it’s not the end of the world, but the strudel won’t look or taste as good.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Strawberry Turnovers
- Air Fryer Chocolate Hazelnut Pastry Twists
- Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites
- Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
- Air Fryer Nutella Banana Pastry Rolls
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to preheat the air fryer for toaster strudels?
Yes, preheating for about 2 minutes at 350 degrees F is a good idea. It helps the pastries start cooking evenly right away, which gives you a crispier and more golden outside without overdoing the inside.
If you skip preheating, the pastries might cook unevenly or need an extra minute or two, so it is worth the short wait.
Air Fryer Toaster Strudel
- 1 box Frozen Toaster Strudel Pastries (6 count, any flavor)
- Icing Packets (included in the box)
- Remove the frozen toaster strudel pastries from the box and set the icing packets aside. Do not thaw the pastries - they go into the air fryer straight from the freezer for the best results.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F for 2 minutes. Place the frozen toaster strudel pastries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each one so the hot air circulates. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
- Air fry at 350 degrees F for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping gently halfway through. The pastries are done when they are puffed up and golden brown on both sides.
- While the pastries cook, warm the icing packets by placing them in a cup of warm water for 1 to 2 minutes. This makes the icing easier to drizzle smoothly.
- Remove the pastries from the air fryer and let them cool on a plate for about 1 minute. Snip the corner of each icing packet and drizzle generously over the warm pastries. Serve immediately while warm and flaky.