Fluffy Air Fried Cream Puffs with Whipped Cream and Berries

Nothing says “fancy” quite like a cream puff (or profiterole, known as chou à la crème in French), especially when filled with fluffy whipped cream, topped with fresh berries, and drizzled with chocolate. When made in an air fryer, they achieve the perfect golden-brown color and maintain a soft, airy center that serves as the ideal base for your filling. These Air Fryer Cream Puffs are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. They’re an ideal dessert for kids to learn how to cook and explore their culinary creativity.

If Nancy were to see these cream puffs, I’m sure she would exclaim, “Ooo-la-la!” They turn out perfect when made in an air fryer, and the best part is that they cook nearly twice as fast as they would in a conventional oven. The dough for cream puffs, known as Pâte à choux (pronounced “paht ah shoo”), is French for “paste of cabbage.”

No Cabbage Involved!

Rest assured, there’s no cabbage in Pâte à choux. The name comes from the way the pastry puffs up during baking, resembling small cabbage heads. But let’s face it, Pâte à choux sounds much fancier than “paste of cabbage,” don’t you think?

Kid Gourmet Recipe

While Pâte à choux may sound a bit high-end, it’s actually a simple and tender pastry. Its flavor is relatively neutral, which makes it the perfect vessel for whatever fillings you desire. The real magic comes from what you put inside the cream puff. The whipped cream filling is light, fluffy, and holds its shape beautifully. My kids absolutely love filling their cream puffs with generous amounts of this heavenly fluff and then adding their favorite toppings—whether it’s fresh berries, sprinkles, chocolate chips, or anything else they fancy. After replacing the top, they proudly present their creations and finish them off with a decadent drizzle of chocolate syrup. The best part is seeing their excitement when it’s time to sample their culinary masterpieces.

Fun with Cream Puffs

Create a “Fancy” cream puff bar! Serve halved cream puffs along with a bowl of whipped cream and let the kids build their own unique cream puff creations.

Host a “Fancy” party. It’s a fantastic way for kids to practice good table manners while enjoying their fancy desserts.

Let the kids take charge of dessert. Allow them to “customize” a cream puff for each family member and see the creative combinations they come up with.

Air Fryer Cream Puffs
Sweet and fluffy cream puffs made in an Air Fryer. Fill them with your favorite berries, frosting, or other sweet fillings, and drizzle with chocolate, caramel, or strawberry syrup.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 12
Calories: 254 kcal

Equipment: Air Fryer

Ingredients

For the Cream Puff Dough

1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup flour
4 eggs

For the Whipped Cream

2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tbsp unflavored gelatin
3 tbsp water

Instructions

Make the Dough:
In a saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Heat until the butter is fully melted. Add the flour, stirring continuously until the mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
Add Eggs:
Once the mixture has cooled, add one egg at a time, stirring after each addition to ensure the egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. The dough should become shiny and soft once all the eggs are added.
Prepare the Air Fryer:
Line the bottom of your air fryer basket with parchment paper. Scoop large spoonfuls of dough onto the parchment, ensuring the mounds of dough are spaced apart. If using a traditional oven, place dough on a parchment-lined or greased baking sheet.
Air Frying (or Oven Baking):
Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes. For a traditional oven, preheat to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cream puffs are golden brown. After cooking, transfer the cream puffs to a wire rack to cool.
Make the Whipped Cream:
In a large bowl, whip together heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form. In a microwave-safe cup, mix 3 tbsp of water with the gelatin. Heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds, then add it to the whipped cream along with the vanilla and cream of tartar. Continue mixing until stiff peaks form.
Assemble the Cream Puffs:
Carefully cut each cream puff in half with a paring knife. Spoon a generous amount of whipped cream onto the bottom half, then top with sliced fruit (such as berries). Place the top half of the cream puff back on top and drizzle with your favorite syrup (chocolate, strawberry, caramel, etc.).