15 Old Fashioned Southern Air Fryer Desserts Your Grandma Would Secretly Approve Of

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If you’re craving the nostalgic flavors of old-fashioned Southern desserts, these air fryer recipes are sure to hit the spot. I’ve found 15 desserts that bring back those comforting, homemade tastes with the convenience of modern cooking. The air fryer makes it easier and quicker to whip up these classic treats without compromising on flavor. Perfect for anyone who loves traditional sweets but wants a simpler method, these recipes offer the best of both worlds. So, get ready to enjoy desserts that even Grandma would secretly approve of!

Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts

Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts on a cooling rack.
Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings

These air fryer pumpkin donuts are perfect for the fall! Pumpkin flavored dough is air fried and dipped in pumpkin spice sugar for a Halloween treat!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts

Air Fryer Blueberries

Air fryer dehydrated blueberries on a white plate on a purple backdrop surrounded by fresh blueberries.
Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Dehydrated Blueberries are a crunchy, sweet, quick dessert, healthy granola add-in, yogurt topping, or snack. This recipe gives directions for the air fryer, oven, and dehydrator.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Blueberries

Air Fryer Strawberries

A white plate of air fryer dehydrated strawberries sits on a pink marble background surrounded by fresh strawberries.
Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Want to know how to make dehydrated strawberries? This recipe will teach you to make sweet, crisp strawberries in the air fryer, oven, or dehydrator.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Strawberries

Air Fryer Churros

Air Fryer Churros on a wooden board with chocolate sauce in a bowl in the background.
Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Easy Air Fryer Churros are delicious and easy to make! Serve them with Mexican chocolate sauce for a yummy treat.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Churros

Air Fryer Cinnamon Chips

Cinnamon chips on a blue green plate on a wooden background.
Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Hot, crispy, delicious air fryer cinnamon chips make a great appetizer or snack!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cinnamon Chips

Pumpkin Spice Churros

Pumpkin spice churros on a wooden serving board with a bowl of butter off to the right side.
Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Pumpkin spice churros are delicious and great in the air fryer or oven!
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Churros

Air Fryer Cinnamon Apples

Cinnamon apple slices on a white plate.
Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Discover the delightful flavor of easy air fryer apples. Learn how to make these tasty treats in minutes. They taste even better than oven-baked apples and cook much faster.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cinnamon Apples

Filipino Banana Turon Lumpia

Fried Filipino banana turon lumpia on a white plate.
Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Experience a taste of the Philippines with this delectable banana turon lumpia. It’s a quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious air fryer recipe!
Get the Recipe: Filipino Banana Turon Lumpia

Air Fryer Apple Fritters

Apple cinnamon fritters on a plate with apples.
Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Discover the secret to perfectly golden air fryer apple fritters. Enjoy the mouthwatering combination of cinnamon-spiced apples in a light and crispy cake.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Fritters

Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas

Caramelized bananas with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.
Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This Air Fryer Banana dessert is so easy to make, and you won’t believe how delicious it is! These air fryer caramelized bananas require only 3 ingredients and can be ready in less than 10 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas

Air Fryer Apple Pie Bites

Apple pie bites cut open to show the apple filling inside.
Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These delightful air fryer apple pie bites are an easy dessert idea. Cinnamon apple filling is wrapped in a flaky biscuit crust. Only 5 ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Pie Bites

Air Fryer Baked Apples

Air Fryer Baked Apples cut in half to show filling.
Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

To make air fryer baked core apples, fill with spices, sugar and raisins and air fry until they are tender and turn into a sugary, caramelized treat.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baked Apples

Air Fryer Bananas with Cinnamon

Air fryer bananas on a white plate over a rustic wooden cutting board with a pink linen.
Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

These Air Fryer Bananas with Cinnamon are a delicious and easy dessert, healthy snack, or addition to breakfast. These lightly sweet, caramelized bananas with warm spices are equally great with vanilla ice cream, yogurt, or oatmeal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bananas with Cinnamon

Air Fryer Chocolate Cake

A close-up of a slice of chocolate cake with a layer of chocolate frosting and chocolate crumble, served on a light green plate.
Photo credit: Splash of Taste

Indulge in a rich and moist chocolate cake with this easy air fryer recipe. The air fryer ensures even baking, resulting in a perfectly textured cake every time. No need to heat up your entire kitchen with this quick and efficient method. This cake is perfect for those who want a delicious dessert without the fuss of traditional baking. Treat yourself to a slice of air fryer heaven!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chocolate Cake

Air Fryer Pears

Air fryer pears sit on a black plate topped with walnuts.
Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

These sweet, warm air fryer pears are a delicious alternative to baked pears. With caramelized maple syrup, a hint of warm cinnamon, and the perfect amount of salt to balance the sweetness, they will be a new favorite in your home.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pears

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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