Air fryer pain au chocolat

Ingredients

• 1rectangular sheet of puff pastry
• 1 bardark chocolate (or milk chocolate bars, such as Kinder, if preferred)
• to tastemelted dark chocolate
• to tastechopped hazelnuts
• to tasteicing sugar
• 2egg yolks

Instructions

1. 1

   Cut the pastry

   Unroll the rectangular sheet of puff pastry and cut it into strips about 8–10 cm wide.

2. 2

   Add the chocolate

   Place a piece of dark chocolate, or a milk chocolate bar, at one end of each strip. Roll each strip into a small cylinder, keeping the seam underneath.

3. 3

   Brush with yolk

   Beat the egg yolks and brush them over the pastries. Arrange the pastries in an air fryer basket lined with baking paper.

4. 4

   Air fry

   Cook at 180°C for about 15 minutes, until puffed and golden. Alternatively, bake in an oven at 180°C for about 25 minutes.

5. 5

   Add the toppings

   Leave the pastries to cool until just warm, then drizzle with melted chocolate and add chopped hazelnuts and a dusting of icing sugar.

6. 6

   Serve warm

   Serve while warm, when the chocolate centre is still soft.

What are pain au chocolat?

Pain au chocolat is a French pastry traditionally made with laminated dough wrapped around chocolate. This version uses ready-rolled puff pastry and an air fryer for a straightforward homemade take.

The pastry puffs around the chocolate as it cooks, while the finishing drizzle, hazelnuts and icing sugar add extra sweetness and crunch.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 253 calories, 0g protein, 0g carbs, 0g fat.

Most of the carbohydrates and fat come from the puff pastry, with additional fat from the chocolate and egg yolk; the chocolate also contributes some carbohydrates. For a more balanced plate, serve a pastry with fresh fruit and plain yoghurt.

Choose the chocolate

Dark chocolate: break the bar into pieces that fit neatly at the end of each strip. The recipe also allows milk chocolate bars for a sweeter filling.

Roll for a neat shape

Even strips: aim for widths of about 8–10 cm so the pastries are similar in size. Roll each one snugly around its chocolate and place it seam-side down to help it keep its shape.

Look for golden pastry

Air fryer: cook at 180°C for about 15 minutes, until the pastries are puffed and golden. Air fryer performance can vary, so use their colour and rise as cues.

Oven: the alternative in the recipe is 180°C for about 25 minutes. The same golden, puffed appearance signals that they are ready.

Finish after cooking

Cool slightly: let the pastries become warm rather than piping hot before adding the toppings. This gives the melted chocolate, hazelnuts and icing sugar a better chance to stay on the surface.

Serve with breakfast

These pastries are best served warm, when the centre is soft. Pair them with fresh fruit and plain yoghurt for a simple breakfast plate, or enjoy one alongside coffee.

Recipe notes & tips

• Cut the pastry into strips of a similar width so they cook at roughly the same rate.
• Keep the rolled seam underneath when arranging the pastries.
• Leave space between pastries in the basket so hot air can circulate.
• Check for a puffed, golden finish before taking them out.
• Wait until the pastries are warm before adding the toppings.

Variations

• Milk chocolate: use milk chocolate bars instead of dark chocolate for a sweeter filling.
• Hazelnut finish: add extra chopped hazelnuts on top for more crunch.
• Chocolate drizzle: adjust the amount of melted dark chocolate to suit your taste.
• Plain topping: leave off the hazelnuts if you prefer a smoother finish.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Overfilling the strips: use a manageable piece of chocolate so the pastry can roll around it.
• Loose seams: place each pastry seam-side down to help prevent it unrolling.
• Crowding the basket: leave room around each pastry so it can puff and brown.
• Topping while piping hot: let the pastries cool until warm so the decorations stay in place.
• Relying only on the timer: check that the pastries are puffed and golden, as air fryers may cook differently.

How to store

Cool completely and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. Reheat briefly in the air fryer until warmed through; the pastry is best freshly made.

Frequently asked questions