Air Fryer Elephant Ears - Crispy Fried Pastry in 5 Minutes
Transform store-bought buttermilk biscuits into crispy, golden elephant ears using your air fryer. These carnival-style pastries puff up beautifully when air fried, creating light, flaky treats perfect for breakfast or dessert. Brushed with melted butter and dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, they deliver all the nostalgic flavor of fair food in just minutes. The air fryer method eliminates the need for deep frying while still achieving that signature crispy texture and buttery finish.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Lay out biscuits on a large cutting board
- 2
Use a rolling pin to flatten biscuits into large circles
- 3
Place flattened biscuits into air fryer basket sprayed with olive oil
- 4
Cook two at a time to avoid overcrowding as they expand greatly
- 5
Set temperature to 350 degrees F on air fryer setting
- 6
Cook for 5 minutes
- 7
Continue cooking remaining biscuits two by two until all are done
- 8
Lay cooked elephant ears on a plate
- 9
Spread melted butter on the dough
- 10
Generously sprinkle with confectioners sugar and ground cinnamon
- 11
Plate, serve, and enjoy
Tips
Don't skip spraying the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking during cooking.
Roll biscuits thin but not too thin - they need some thickness to puff properly in the air fryer.
Apply butter and toppings immediately while elephant ears are still warm for best adhesion.
Good to Know
Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly in air fryer to restore crispiness.
Best served fresh but can be made a few hours ahead and reheated.
Serve warm immediately after adding butter and sugar toppings for best texture.
Common Mistakes
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer to prevent uneven cooking and poor puffing
Don't skip the oil spray or elephant ears will stick to the basket
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
3
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use fresh biscuit dough instead of store-bought?
Yes, homemade biscuit dough works well. Roll it out the same way and adjust cooking time as needed based on thickness.
What if my elephant ears don't puff up properly?
Ensure your air fryer is properly preheated and don't roll the biscuits too thin. The dough needs some thickness to create steam for puffing.
How long do these keep and can I freeze them?
Best eaten fresh but keep 2 days covered at room temperature. Freezing not recommended as they lose their crispy texture when thawed.