Homemade Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Pop-Tarts

Our family loves pop-tarts, but unfortunately they come at a high price and a high ingredient list. With me only working 5–10 hours per week, I've been into cooking and baking more than usual. I decided to make these cinnamon sugar pop-tarts and let me tell you — I made 8 of them and they were gone in one day (I wish I was joking) — that's how good they were. We already made them a second time.

The icing on top of the pop-tarts is homemade as well but with only 8 ingredients, it really was a simple breakfast, dessert, or snack option overall. Although we made 8 pop-tarts both the first and second time, it may be more or less depending on how thin the dough is and how big or small you want to make them.

• Difficulty Level: Easy/Intermediate
• Serving size: Makes 8 pop-tarts 
• Family friendly: YES! My fiancé, son and I ate all of them in one day
• Rating: 10/10
• Total cook time: We did two batches, 9 minutes each so 18 total cook minutes

What Makes This Recipe Different

These pop-tarts "taste better than regular pop-tarts" - my 14 year old son.

He said other pop-tarts taste artificial and these pop-tarts taste more real and have more of a real flavor. I agree with him. The cinnamon and sugar mixture really stands out. I love the icing. It's not super doughy and it's not too sweet. The icing is made using only four ingredients - powdered sugar, cinnamon, heavy cream and almond extract. You can dip the pop-tarts in the icing or top with the icing. 

With using an air fryer to make these, they come out super crispy and browned. 

What I Learned

• Don't forget to spray the air fryer with cooking spray or the pop-tarts will stick (I learned this the hard way).
• We used Pillsbury refrigerated dough from our local market and it did not roll out like it should. I ended up having to roll it all into a ball and then roll it out using a pin roller. I did purchase a refrigerated Pillsbury dough in town and it worked perfectly so just be cautious when it comes to a refrigerated dough and it may take a little longer if you have to roll it up. 
 • Instead of pop-tarts, you can also roll up the dough and make mini churros like Jace (my son) did. 
 • If the icing is too thick, you can add more heavy whipping cream to thin it out until you are satisfied with the consistency.

What Inspired This Dish

This brown sugar recipe was inspired by AirFried.com. We don't have a working oven and probably won't until we move unfortunately. I was looking for a recipe with little ingredients, easy to make, and a delicious substitute. 

We replaced vanilla extract with almond extract. 

If You Enjoy Breakfast as Much as We Do, You May Like

• Easy No-Bake Cereal Bars
• Chicken and Waffles
• Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins
• Pumpkin French Toast Sticks

FAQs

If you want to make these ahead of time, you can refrigerate the uncooked pop-tarts overnight and then air fry them when ready. You can also freeze them and reheat in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes. 

Ingredients for Pop-Tarts

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• 2 refrigerated pie crusts (we used Pillsbury)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar 
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon for icing
• 2 tsp flour
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp water
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp heavy cream
• *1 tsp almond extract

Note: We used Pillsbury refrigerated crust, but homemade dough works great too. If you prefer puff pastry, reduce air fry time by 2–3 minutes. Almond extract gives a warmer flavor than vanilla, but either works.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Pop-Tarts

✓ Step #1: Roll out pie crust - On a cutting board, roll out your dough and cut into even squares. I cut out about 16 squares to make 8 pop-tarts. 

✓ Step #2: Make your egg wash - In a bowl, combine your egg and 1 tbsp water and mix. Add the egg wash on 1/2 of the dough. I used a spoon and just spooned it on.

✓ Step #3: Make your cinnamon sugar filling – In a separate bowl, add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour and stir until combined. Add this filling on each egg wash portion. Be sure to leave a small gap around the edges.

✓ Step #4: Crimp the edges – Fold over the non-filling dough and crimp the edges using a fork. Preheat air fryer for 350 degrees, 9 minutes. 

✓ Step #5: Add to air fryer – Add pop-tarts to the air fryer and top each pop-tart with the egg wash again. Cook for nine minutes. 

✓ Step #6: Make icing– While the pop-tarts are cooking in the air fryer, make your icing. In a bowl, mix together powdered sugar, heavy cream, cinnamon, and almond extract. Combine until it's an icing. If you need to add more heavy cream to make it thinner, you can. I had to do this both times. 

✓ Step #7: Add icing and serve – Once pop-tarts are done and cooled, top them with icing and eat immediately! Enjoy!

Storage & Reheating Tips

Store the pop-tarts in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days for the ultimate freshness.

About the Author

Abbie Guerrero is the creator of Savvy with Abbie and has been blogging since 2009. She has developed over 800 original recipes and shares thoughtful book reviews and personal reflections. Writing has been a lifelong passion and a meaningful form of self-expression. Recipe and photos by Abbie Guerrero. All photos are original.

Did You Enjoy These Pop-Tarts?

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