Air fryer pear tarts deliver bakery-style flakiness with perfectly tender, caramelized pears in just 12 minutes. After testing techniques from the top air fryer dessert blogs, this method consistently produces golden, buttery pastry with sweet, spiced pears that melt in your mouth.
Perfect Air Fryer Pear Tart Recipe
This recipe transforms simple ingredients into an elegant dessert that rivals expensive bakery tarts. The key is using the two-temperature technique that ensures both crispy pastry and perfectly cooked pears.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed (about 9×9 inches)
- 2 medium ripe but firm pears (Bosc or Anjou work best)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 2 tablespoons caramel sauce or honey (for drizzling)
- Pinch of salt
Ingredient Substitutions: You can substitute the brown sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup. For a richer flavor, try using salted butter. If you don’t have nutmeg, add an extra ½ teaspoon of cinnamon.
Instructions
- Prep the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes, then reduce to 325°F (160°C). Line the basket with parchment paper.
- Prepare the pears: Wash, peel, and core the pears. Cut each pear in half lengthwise, then slice into ¼-inch thick wedges. This thickness ensures they cook evenly without becoming mushy.
- Make the spice mixture: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Mix well.
- Prepare the pastry: Unroll the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 4 equal squares (about 4×4 inches each). Brush each square with beaten egg.
- Assemble the tarts: Place pear slices in the center of each pastry square, leaving a ½-inch border. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the pears, then dot with small pieces of butter.
- Fold and seal: Fold the pastry edges up slightly to create a rustic border. Brush the exposed pastry with more egg wash for golden browning.
- Air fry: Place 2 tarts in the air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd). Cook at 325°F (160°C) for 10-12 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and pears are tender.
- Finish and serve: Remove and let cool for 5 minutes. Drizzle with caramel sauce or honey before serving.
Recipe Card:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Servings: 4 individual tarts
- Air Fryer Temperature: 325°F (160°C)
- Difficulty: Easy
Air Fryer Settings & Tips for Pear Tarts
Temperature & Timing Guide
Standard Air Fryer (3-4 quart): 325°F for 10-12 minutes. Cook 2 tarts at a time to ensure proper air circulation.
Large Air Fryer (5+ quart): 325°F for 10-12 minutes. You can fit all 4 tarts at once, but rotate the basket halfway through for even browning.
Oven-Style Air Fryer: Use the bottom rack at 325°F for 12-14 minutes. The larger space may require slightly longer cooking time.
Visual Doneness Cues: The pastry should be golden brown and visibly puffed. Pears should be fork-tender and slightly caramelized around the edges.
Pro Tips for Extra Crispy Results
Use the two-temperature technique: Starting at 350°F helps the pastry begin puffing, while reducing to 325°F prevents burning and allows the pears to cook through properly.
Don’t skip the egg wash: This creates the signature golden-brown finish that makes your tarts look bakery-professional. Brush it on both before and halfway through cooking for maximum effect.
Keep pear slices uniform: ¼-inch thickness is crucial. Thicker slices won’t cook through, while thinner ones can burn or become mushy.
Prevent soggy bottoms: Always use parchment paper and avoid overloading with butter or sweet toppings that can create excess moisture.
Space for air circulation: Never overcrowd the basket. Proper airflow is essential for achieving that signature flaky texture.
Serving & Storage for Air Fryer Pear Tarts
Best Sauce Pairings
Classic Caramel Drizzle: The most popular pairing from successful recipes. The sweet, buttery notes complement the pears perfectly.
Vanilla Crème Anglaise: For an elegant presentation, serve with a small pitcher of warm vanilla sauce.
Honey-Cinnamon Glaze: Mix 2 tablespoons honey with ½ teaspoon cinnamon for a simple but delicious topping.
Maple Cream: Whip heavy cream with 1 tablespoon maple syrup for a lighter alternative that won’t overpower the pears.
Perfect Side Dishes
Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Pears: Make extra spiced pears as a warm side that cooks alongside your tarts.
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: The temperature contrast creates an irresistible combination, especially when the tarts are served warm.
Candied Walnuts: Air fry chopped walnuts with brown sugar for 3 minutes at 300°F for a crunchy garnish.
Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature Storage: Store uncovered tarts at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Covering them can make the pastry lose its crispiness.
Refrigerator Storage: For longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Air Fryer Reheating: Reheat at 300°F (150°C) for 2-3 minutes to restore crispiness. This works much better than microwave reheating, which can make the pastry soggy.
Freezing: Assembled but unbaked tarts can be frozen for up to 1 month. Cook directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the cooking time.
Conclusion
This air fryer method creates restaurant-quality pear tarts with audibly crispy pastry and perfectly tender, caramelized pears in half the time of traditional oven baking. The two-temperature technique ensures both flaky layers and evenly cooked fruit every single time.
