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    Home / Roundups

    11 air fryer desserts that surprise everyone at the table

    By Lisa MarcAurele · Feb 17, 2026 · This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosures.

    If you think your air fryer is only for savory meals, it's time to take a second look. I love using it to whip up desserts that come together fast, don't heat up the whole kitchen, and still manage to catch everyone off guard when they hit the table. These air fryer desserts are perfect for busy nights, last-minute guests, or anytime you want something sweet that feels a little unexpected without adding extra work to your day.

    A cream cheese danish topped with strawberries and blueberries drizzled with icing is on a white plate. A red checkered cloth, a bowl of strawberries, and a small bowl of blueberries are nearby.Pin
    Cream Cheese Danish. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

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    Baked Apple in Air Fryer

    Baked apple on a white plate filled with oats, nuts, and cranberries, with cinnamon sprinkled around. A red checkered cloth is partially visible on the side.Pin
    Baked Apple in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Warm, soft fruit with a lightly caramelized top makes this a simple dessert that feels special without extra work. It cooks in about 15 minutes and uses basic pantry ingredients, making it easy to pull together on a busy night. The air fryer keeps the texture tender while adding just enough golden color to make it stand out. It's the kind of sweet finish that comes together fast and still catches everyone off guard when it hits the table.
    Get the Recipe: Baked Apple in Air Fryer

    S'mores Dip

    A hand holding a graham cracker dipped in s'mores dip with more crackers and dip in the background.Pin
    S’mores Dip. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    This gooey chocolate and toasted marshmallow dip comes together in under 10 minutes and is perfect for sharing after dinner. The air fryer melts everything evenly without heating up the whole kitchen, which makes prep quick and stress-free. Served with graham crackers or fruit, it works well for family nights or casual get-togethers. It's a fun air-fried treat that no one expects to see made this way, and it always draws people in.
    Get the Recipe: S'mores Dip

    Chocolate Puff Pastry

    Close-up of a flaky pastry cut open to reveal a filling of chocolate, with a visible crispy golden crust.Pin
    Chocolate Puff Pastry. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Flaky layers and melted chocolate make this an easy dessert that looks bakery-made but takes very little effort. The air fryer turns the pastry golden in about 8 to 10 minutes, keeping the outside crisp while the center stays soft. It works well for a quick after-dinner bite or a simple weekend treat. Using the air fryer gives it that surprising factor that gets everyone talking once it's served.
    Get the Recipe: Chocolate Puff Pastry

    Air Fryer Cinnamon Apples

    Cinnamon apple slices on a white plate.Pin
    Air Fryer Cinnamon Apples. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Soft apple slices coated in cinnamon and sugar cook in under 15 minutes and require minimal prep. The air fryer helps them caramelize lightly while keeping cleanup simple. They pair well with ice cream or can be served on their own as a warm dessert. Bringing them to the table straight from the air fryer adds an unexpected twist that makes this sweet side stand out.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cinnamon Apples

    Cream Cheese Danish

    A pastry with berry filling and white drizzle on a white plate is accompanied by strawberry slices. A red and white checkered cloth, blueberries, and a bowl of strawberries are nearby.Pin
    Cream Cheese Danish. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    This creamy, flaky pastry comes together quickly with store-bought dough and cooks in about 10 minutes. The air fryer creates a golden exterior while the center stays smooth and rich. It works well for brunch, dessert, or an afternoon snack without much planning. Making it this way adds a little surprise factor that gets attention when everyone takes their first bite.
    Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Danish

    Filipino Banana Turon Lumpia

    A plate of freshly cooked Filipino banana turon lumpia spring rolls.Pin
    Filipino Banana Turon Lumpia. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Sweet banana wrapped in crisp pastry cooks up beautifully in the air fryer in around 10 to 12 minutes. The outside turns golden and crunchy while the inside becomes soft and warm. It's a simple handheld dessert that's easy to serve for gatherings or weeknight treats. Preparing it in the air fryer gives this traditional favorite an unexpected spin that stands out at the table.
    Get the Recipe: Filipino Banana Turon Lumpia

    Air Fryer Pineapples

    Sliced pinieapples sprinkled with cinnamon on a plate.Pin
    Air Fryer Pineapples. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Juicy pineapple slices caramelize lightly in about 8 minutes, creating a warm dessert with very little effort. The air fryer enhances the natural sweetness while keeping the texture tender. These slices can be served alone or paired with ice cream for an easy finish to dinner. Presenting fruit prepared this way always surprises guests and makes the meal feel a bit more thoughtful.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pineapples

    Brownie Bites

    Close-up of a hand holding a half-eaten chocolate brownie with gooey chocolate chunks, with another partial brownie blurred in the background.Pin
    Brownie Bites. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    These small, rich squares bake in the air fryer in under 12 minutes and are perfect for portioned servings. The centers stay soft while the tops develop a slight crust, giving them a balanced texture. They're ideal for parties, lunchbox treats, or a quick dessert after dinner. Baking brownies in the air fryer is not something most people expect, which makes them a conversation starter at the table.
    Get the Recipe: Brownie Bites

    Air Fryer S'mores

    A s'more with melted marshmallow and chocolate between graham crackers on a white plate.Pin
    Air Fryer S’mores. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Melted chocolate and toasted marshmallows come together quickly in about 5 to 7 minutes. The air fryer creates that classic campfire-style finish without needing to step outside. They're easy to assemble and serve as a fast dessert for family nights. Making them in the air fryer brings a fun and unexpected element that catches everyone's attention.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer S'mores

    Air Fryer Apple Crisp for One

    A plate of apple crisp with chunks of apple, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and an oat crumble topping.Pin
    Air Fryer Apple Crisp for One. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    This single-serve dessert cooks in about 10 minutes, making it perfect for when you want something warm without baking a full pan. The topping turns lightly crisp while the apples soften underneath. It's simple to prepare and works well as a quick evening treat. Serving an individual crisp made in the air fryer often surprises people and feels thoughtfully prepared.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Crisp for One

    Air Fryer Apple Fritters

    Glazed apple cinnamon fritters on a plate with front one broken in half.Pin
    Air Fryer Apple Fritters. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Soft on the inside with a lightly crisp exterior, these fritters cook in about 8 to 10 minutes in the air fryer. They're easier to manage than deep-fried versions and require less cleanup. Great for breakfast or dessert, they offer familiar flavors in a quicker format. Preparing fritters in the air fryer adds a bit of surprise that makes them memorable when shared.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Fritters

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    About Lisa MarcAurele

    Lisa MarcAurele is a blogger and cookbook author. She created Little Bit Recipes to help people save money by minimizing leftovers when cooking for one or two people. Lisa is also a co-founder of Daily Life Travels, where you can discover new places to visit and things to do. You can sign up for her recipe emails to see all her latest content.

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    A woman in a green shirt stands in a kitchen holding a bowl of strawberries.

    Hi, I'm Lisa! I'm a cookbook author who has been creating recipes for over a decade. I'd like to show you how easy it is to downsize your cooking for one or two people.

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