This Simple Air Fryer Tip Will Revive Your Stale Pastries
There's nothing better than rolling out of bed and brewing a fresh cup of coffee alongside a fluffy croissant to start your morning. While croissants may not be the healthiest item off the breakfast menu, it's light on the stomach and pairs well with all breakfast drinks, whether it be orange juice or iced coffee. Plus, Harper's Bazaar points out that consuming carbs earlier in the day is actually beneficial for your body because carbs turn into fuel, which can propel you through the rest of your day.
Additionally, pastries such as croissants are typically sold everywhere from grocery stores to local cafes, and for an inexpensive price, too. In fact, your neighborhood grocer probably even sells them in bulk in the bakery section. The only downside to buying in bulk is that more often than not, there's a few pastries that have to get the boot because of their impending expiration date. Luckily, 2021 has been the year of air fryer recipes and hacks, and you bet there's one for reviving your day-old pastries.
Four minutes is all it takes
The air fryer is the unsung hero of the year and can make any meal or snack 10 times easier at the push of a button. One of the biggest complaints of buying freshly baked pastries is their short lifespan. Thanks to the air fryer, those problems have been solved.
According to Life Hacker, it only takes two steps and four minutes to turn your days-old pastry into a fresh-out-of-the-oven masterpiece. To begin, heat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and sprinkle several drops of water onto the croissant or pastry you'll be eating. The combination of the heat, water, and starch will ensure your croissant's tough exterior breaks down into a fluffy, delicious cloud. It's all about loosening the moisture trapped "within the starch crystals." Then, place your croissant in the air fryer for about two minutes, flip over, then let it heat for two minutes more. The croissant should be soft and flaky to the touch, as if you just picked it up from an artisan bakery.
Reddit users noted the same hack works for buttermilk biscuits and muffins, albeit croissants taste the best out of the air fryer.