Did you know that air fryers are a perfect way to make quick sweet treats? We gathered up over 20 gluten free and dairy free air fryer desserts. Our roundup includes fruit desserts, cookies, brownies, and more!
You probably already know that your air fryer can create crispy savory foods like french fries or potato chips without oil, but did you know that you can also make desserts in the air fryer?
We have the roundup for you if you’re looking for more ways to use your air fryer beyond just savory foods. I gathered over 20 gluten free and dairy free air fryer dessert recipes for you to make delicious treats when your sweet cravings strike.
The delicious desserts we’ve included in this roundup are written as gluten free and dairy free, or can be easily made that way with easy swaps (such as swapping dairy free milk for regular milk in the recipe).
Since I had a harder time finding very niche air fryer dessert recipes, I decided to include some recipes in here that would easily adapt to allergy friendly swaps, like a dairy free milk swap.
If you’re new to eating dairy free and want to learn more about how to make dairy free recipe changes, check out our post with ideas and tips for replacing dairy in recipes.
Can you make desserts in an air fryer?
Yes! You can make desserts in an air fryer, although some desserts are better suited for the air fryer than others.
People have successfully made things like brownies, donuts, banana bread, etc. in air fryers versus cooking them in the oven.
Just pay attention to the size of your air fryer if you need to make bigger batches of desserts (like cookies for instance) since you won’t be able to put as many cookies in an air fryer basket as you can a large baking sheet pan for the oven.
Are air fryer desserts healthier?
In some ways, air fryer desserts can be healthier than regular desserts depending on the ingredients of each dessert you’re making.
Since air fryers use circulating hot air (similar to a convection oven), you can use less oil in your cooking versus frying with hot oil. Skipping the hot oil usually means fewer calories from fry oil and you don’t have to drain or soak up any excess oil from deep frying.
However, each dessert we feature here is made with different ingredients and some still include oil and sugar in the recipe, so they aren’t necessarily healthier than a non-air-fried version.
But some of the recipes here are healthier or can be made healthier, like the baked apples or the air fried pears! Fresh fruit does really well in the air fryer and is featured in several of the recipes here.
You can also make easy swaps in many of these recipes to reduce the sugar as well.
What desserts can you make in an air fryer?
The best desserts for an air fryer would be ones that normally would be well-suited for frying, such as donuts, but you can also “bake” things in the air fryer, such as brownies and cookies.
Just keep in mind that the circulating hot air can crisp and cook the edges of your dessert much faster than baking it will, so it’s a good idea to look for dessert recipes that were created specifically for the air fryer for the best results.
Delicious air fryer dessert recipes (gluten free and dairy free)
Easy Caramelized Air Fryer Pears
These easy air fryer pears are coated in a sweet and spicy cinnamon brown sugar mixture, giving them a golden caramelized exterior. The pears are tender and juicy, while the topping is crispy and slightly spiced, creating a delicious and satisfying dessert. (Opt for certified gluten free oats if needed).
Air Fryer Paleo Brownies (amazingly fudgy and easy!)
If you love gooey brownies but want to bake a smaller batch, these dairy-free air fryer brownies made with almond flour are the perfect recipe for you. They're super easy to make, and the air fryer makes them even easier.
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Banana Spring Rolls
You'll adore the simplicity of making these Banana Spring Rolls. With each mouthful, you'll savor the delicious combination of peanut butter and bananas, perfectly complemented by the crunch of air-fried spring rolls. (You can easily swap peanut butter for Sunbutter if you have peanut allergies!).
Paleo Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies (awesome texture! vegan option)
These paleo air fryer cookies have the taste and texture of traditional chocolate chip cookies, with a vegan option! You can also bake them in a regular oven. These chewy cookies are loaded with chocolate chips, the entire family will love them!
Air Fryer Apple Crisp
This air fryer apple crisp is the perfect fall treat, with seasonal spices, sweet and tender baked apples, and a buttery crumble topping. It's simple to make, yet incredibly delicious!
10-Minute Vegan Single Serve Cookie
This quick and easy vegan single-serve cookie recipe is an easy dessert for satisfying your cookie cravings with very little prep time. It's not only gluten-free but also takes just 10 minutes to prepare from start to finish!
Apple Pie Spring Rolls
Looking for a delicious and easy-to-make treat that's perfect for any day of the week? Try our amazing apple pie spring rolls! Filled with grated apples and cinnamon, these crispy finger foods are sure to become a favorite Friday tradition in no time.
Easy Air Fryer Peaches
Delicious air fryer peaches are our new favorite summertime dessert. The peaches caramelize to perfection in the air fryer and are then topped with honey and granola, bringing out their natural sweetness. This is a great way to use up extra peaches and enjoy a healthy and satisfying treat. (Opt for the dairy free Greek yogurt option).
The Ultimate Gluten Free Air Fryer Donuts
These incredibly light and fluffy gluten-free air fryer donuts are the ultimate gluten-free and dairy-free treat, perfect for topping with a chocolate glaze or simple cinnamon sugar. This simple recipe yields delicious bakery-style yeast donuts in under an hour!
Vegan Baked Apples in the Air Fryer
Try these easy and nutritious vegan air fryer baked apples, the perfect fall dessert! Simply core and sprinkle apples with cinnamon, then bake until tender. Serve with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream for a sweet and satisfying treat.
Lava Cake Recipe (easy, vegan, gluten free)
This vegan and gluten-free chocolate lava cake is made with simple, nutritious ingredients and is both delicious and beautiful for special occasions. This is a great way to make an individual-serving air fryer cake!
Air Fryer Apples
These perfectly tender apples are air fried to perfection and coated with a sweet and delicious maple cinnamon glaze. They are quick and easy to make, and can be enjoyed as a side dish, dessert, or added to breakfast.
Vegan Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
These delicious and easy-to-make vegan peanut butter oatmeal cookies are a tasty treat made with just three pantry staples. They can be baked, air-fried, or made in an Instant Pot using the Crisp Lid. No matter how you choose to make them, you're sure to love the aroma and taste of these cookies. (If you have peanut allergies, you can swap the peanut butter for almond or Sunbutter!).
Vegan Pistachio Air Fryer Brownies
Indulge your brownie craving in just 20 minutes with this incredibly quick and easy small batch brownie recipe made in your air fryer!
Air Fryer Pineapple
Air Fryer Pineapple is a delicious and healthy treat that is perfect for both dessert and as a side dish. It comes out sweet, juicy, and perfectly caramelized, with charred golden edges, just like grilled pineapple.
Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies
Chewy, gooey vegan chocolate chip oatmeal cookies made in just 6 minutes with just one bowl and an air fryer! This small batch recipe is gluten-free and plant-based, making it the perfect anytime treat.
Easy Air Fryer Apple Chips
With just 2 ingredients and no sugar or oil, this air fryer apple chips recipe is a healthy and delicious snack that you can enjoy guilt-free.
Caramelized Bananas in the Air Fryer
Creating Caramelized Bananas in the Air Fryer is both easy and incredibly delicious! What makes it even better is that you can whip up this wholesome dessert with just three ingredients.
More amazing air fryer dessert recipes:
- Gluten Free and Vegan Donut Holes – Veggie World Recipes. These air-fried, gluten-free vegan donut holes are a breeze to make and taste amazing!
- Easy Air Fryer Candied Walnuts – Cooking with Camilla. Air fryer candied walnuts are a sweet and savory, crunchy snack that you can easily make and store at home. They’re perfect for snacking, adding to salads, topping ice cream, or giving as a homemade gift.
- Air Fryer Chocolate Mochi Cake (opt for dairy free milk in this recipe) – Tiffy Cooks. If you love chocolate, you must try this Chocolate Mochi Cake, made in an air fryer and gluten-free!
- Gluten Free Air Fryer Apple Fritters (opt for dairy free milk in this recipe) – Small Farm Big Life. This recipe for gluten-free air fryer apple fritters is a delicious and healthy fall dessert or breakfast. Made with cinnamon, fresh apples, and a yummy glaze, these donuts are ready in under 30 minutes.
- Easy Vegan Peach Cobbler Dumplings (Gluten Free) – Justine Cooks Vegan. These peach cobbler dumplings are a breeze to make, require no baking, and are bursting with the irresistible flavor of peach cobbler.
Sarah Jane Parker is the founder, recipe creator, and photographer behind The Fit Cookie. She’s a food allergy mom and healthy living blogger based in Wyoming. Sarah is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Health Coach, Revolution Running certified running coach, and an ACE Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist