Air Fryer Mini Eclairs – Crispy Shells with Creamy Custard in 15 Minutes

These Air Fryer Mini Eclairs deliver everything you love about the classic French pastry in a quicker, easier way. After testing popular air fryer pastry recipes and fine-tuning the technique, I’ve found the perfect method for creating golden, crisp shells filled with rich custard and topped with smooth chocolate glaze. They’re elegant, bite-sized, and ready in just 15 minutes of cooking time.

Perfect Air Fryer Mini Eclairs Recipe

Mini eclairs may look delicate, but the air fryer makes the process foolproof. By controlling heat precisely, the shells puff evenly without collapsing, and you skip the hassle of oven preheating or deep frying. These petite pastries are perfect for parties, holiday trays, or a fun family dessert.

Ingredients

• For the choux pastry shells
  1 cup water
  1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
  ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  1 cup all-purpose flour
  4 large eggs
  1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• For the filling
  1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
  2 cups cold milk
  1 cup heavy whipping cream
  ¼ cup powdered sugar
  1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• For the topping
  1 cup chocolate frosting (or homemade ganache)

Instructions

1. Line your air fryer basket or tray with parchment paper.
2. In a medium saucepan, bring water, butter, and salt to a boil. Stir in flour and cook until a dough ball forms and a thin film coats the pan.
3. Remove from heat and let cool for 8–10 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time until the dough becomes shiny. Stir in vanilla.
4. Transfer dough to a piping bag or Ziploc bag. Pipe 1-inch wide, 3-inch long strips onto the prepared parchment.
5. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. Check at the 7-minute mark, as air fryer models vary.
6. While shells cook, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. In another bowl, whisk pudding mix with milk. Fold in whipped cream. Chill 15 minutes.
7. Cool eclair shells fully. Slice in half lengthwise with a serrated knife. Pipe custard filling onto the bottoms and replace tops.
8. Warm chocolate frosting slightly, then spread or drizzle over tops. Chill briefly before serving.

Air Fryer Settings & Tips for Mini Eclairs

Temperature & Timing Guide

• Standard basket air fryer: 350°F for 8–10 minutes
• Smaller capacity models: May need 1–2 minutes less cooking time
• Larger batches: Cook in batches, never overcrowd
• Visual cue: Eclairs should be puffed and light golden

Pro Tips for Best Results

• Let dough cool slightly before adding eggs to prevent scrambling.
• Always line the basket with parchment to prevent sticking.
• Space piped dough strips at least 1 inch apart.
• For extra shine, brush shells with a little beaten egg before cooking.
• If shells deflate, they may need 1–2 more minutes in the fryer.

Serving & Storage for Air Fryer Mini Eclairs

Best Pairings

• Drizzle with caramel or coffee glaze for flavor twists.
• Dust with powdered sugar for a classic bakery look.
• Serve with fresh berries for a light, elegant dessert plate.
• Try fillings like chocolate mousse, pistachio custard, or whipped cream.

Perfect Side Dishes

Pair these mini eclairs with other air fryer desserts like:

• Air Fryer Donut Holes
• Bite-size Pretzels with Chocolate Dip
• Mini Molten Lava Cakes

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store unfilled shells in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Fill before serving.
• Freezer: Freeze baked, unfilled shells for up to 2 months. Reheat at 300°F for 3–4 minutes to crisp.
• Reheating: Filled eclairs should not be reheated. Instead, keep shells and custard separate until ready to serve.

Conclusion

These Air Fryer Mini Eclairs prove that elegant desserts don’t have to be complicated. With just 15 minutes of cooking and minimal cleanup, you’ll enjoy bakery-quality pastries that are crisp, creamy, and impossible to resist.