If you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert that feels gourmet but takes minimal effort, puff pastry chocolate twists in the air fryer are the perfect choice!
These flaky, buttery pastries are filled with rich, melted chocolate and cooked to crispy perfection in just minutes.
For more quick and delicious sweet treats, check out the full list of air fryer desserts and satisfy your cravings in minutes!
With only a handful of ingredients, this recipe is great for last-minute desserts, brunch treats, or even an indulgent snack.
The air fryer makes them golden and crisp without the hassle of preheating an oven, so you can enjoy a bakery-style treat in no time.
Looking for more Puff Pastry Desserts and Recipes? Try my collection of Puff Pastry Recipes with Chocolate.
Check out the recipe inspiration baked in the oven! Made with a Chocolate Cream Cheese filling!
Puff Pastry Twists
Table of Contents
- Puff Pastry Twists
- Why you'll LOVE this recipe!
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Recipe Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Kitchen Tool Spotlight
- Air Fryer Instructions
- Expert Puff Pastry Tips
- Before You Begin!
- Recipe FAQ's
- Prep Ahead Tips
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- More Recipes You'll Love!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Why you'll LOVE this recipe!
- Quick & Easy – Minimal ingredients and no complicated steps make this a stress-free treat.
- Crispy & Flaky – Puff pastry bakes up perfectly golden in the air fryer with a light, buttery texture.
- Rich Chocolate Filling – A delicious mix of semi-sweet chocolate, butter, and cream creates a smooth, indulgent center.
- Perfectly Sweet – A touch of sugar enhances the flavor without being overly sweet.
- Great for Any Occasion – Ideal for dessert, brunch, or a sweet snack anytime.
- Air Fryer Convenience – No need to heat up the oven—just twist, bake, and enjoy in minutes!
Helpful Kitchen Tools
CHEFMAN 2 Qt Mini Air Fryer – Digital Space-Saving Compact Air Fryer with Nonstick and Dishwasher Safe Basket, Quick & Easy Meals in Minutes, Features Digital Timer and Shake Reminder – Black
KitchenAid Classic Pizza Wheel with Sharp Blade For Cutting Through Crusts, Pies and More, Built In Finger Guard for Safety and Comfort Grip to Protect Fingers, Dishwasher Safe, 9-Inch, Aqua Sky17.6 inch Wooden Rolling Pin for Baking - Long Dough Roller for All Baking NeedsMixing Bowls with Airtight Lids Sets, 5 Packs Thick Glass Nesting Bowls for Kitchen Baking, Meal Prepping, Bpa Free, Dishwasher Safe, 0.5/0.8/1.6/2.7/4.4 Qt
Recipe Ingredients
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark, milk, or white chocolate.
- Try crescent roll dough for a softer texture or phyllo dough for extra crispiness.
- Spread a thin layer of raspberry or strawberry jam first to the puff pastry before the melted chocolate.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Allow the puff pastry to defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Then place it out on a dusted flat surface.
Step 2: Roll the puff pastry out, keeping the rectangle shape but until ¼” thick.
Step 3: Melt the chocolate with the butter, sugar and milk. Use the microwave 30 seconds at a time.
Step 4: Stir until smooth. (Be careful not to get any water in the bowl.)
Step 5: Cut the pastry sheet in half making two smaller rectangles. Then add the chocolate to the lower rectangle and spread it to completely cover short of the edge.
Step 6: Place the other sheet over the chocolate covered sheet.
Kitchen Tool Spotlight
A pizza wheel is perfect for cutting puff pastry because it glides smoothly, creating even cuts without dragging or tearing. It’s quick, mess-free, and great for slicing strips, trimming dough, or making lattice designs with ease.
- SLICE PIZZA LIKE A PRO: Pizza restaurants use a roller cutter like this one. The sharp blade makes a clean cut in any crust and, unlike using a knife, actually presses the crust and toppings together, keeping the toppings on your pizza.
Step 7: Using a pizza wheel or sharp knife, cut the pastry into 1” wide strips. Don't be afraid to use a ruler if you want to be really precise.
Step 8: Then twist the strips two to three times. Place the twists in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.
Air Fryer Instructions
Step 9: Place the twists in the air fryer basket. Brush with an egg wash and sprinkle decorating sugar over top
Step 10: Bake in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes or until the crispy and golden
Expert Puff Pastry Tips
Keep the Puff Pastry Cold – If the dough gets too warm, it won’t puff up as well. Chill it for a few minutes if needed. I like to chill all my puff pastry recipes before baking.
Don’t Overfill – A thin, even layer of chocolate prevents leaks while baking.
Use a Pizza Cutter for Clean Cuts – It makes slicing strips easier and neater.
Twist Gently – Avoid pressing too hard so the pastry stays light and flaky.
Press Only the Ends to Seal – This helps the twists hold their shape while allowing the layers to puff properly.
Brush with Egg Wash for a Golden Finish – A mix of egg and water or milk adds shine and crispness.
Let Them Cool Slightly Before Serving – The chocolate filling will be very hot right out of the air fryer!
Before You Begin!
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Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
If your puff pastry didn’t puff up, it may have been too warm before baking, causing the butter layers to melt instead of creating steam. Keep the pastry cold, fully preheat your air fryer or oven, and avoid pressing too hard to allow the layers to rise properly.
Spread a thin, even layer and avoid overfilling. Press only the ends to seal while keeping the layers loose for puffing. If any leaks, let the pastries cool slightly before removing them.
Prep Ahead Tips
Assemble the twists and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking to save time. For longer storage, freeze unbaked twists on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag and bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Refrigerate: Place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Wrap twists individually in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer or oven at 325°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the pastry soft and chewy. If they are frozen, reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer or oven until warmed through.
More Recipes You'll Love!
Check out this easy variation for Puff Pastry Cinnamon Twists or my Chocolate Puff Pastry Braid.
📖 Recipe Card
Puff Pastry Chocolate Twists Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 sheet puff pastry; defrosted but still cold
Instructions
- Lightly dust a flat surface and roll out the puff pastry, maintaining its rectangular shape until it reaches ¼” thickness.
- Melt the chocolate with butter, sugar, and milk in the microwave, heating in 30-second intervals until smooth but still spreadable.
- Cut the pastry in half to create two smaller rectangles.
- Spread the melted chocolate over one rectangle, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Place the second pastry sheet on top, pressing gently to seal.
- Cut into 1” wide strips, then twist each strip 2-3 times.
- Chill the twisted pastry strips in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to help them hold their shape while baking.
- Arrange twists in the air fryer basket, brush with egg wash, and sprinkle with sugar if desired.
- Air fry in batches at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until the twists are crispy and golden.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes as the filling will be very hot.
Notes
- Keep Puff Pastry Cold – Chilled dough puffs up better. If it gets too warm, refrigerate for a few minutes before baking—I always do this for the best results.
- Avoid Overfilling – A thin, even chocolate layer prevents messy leaks while baking.
- Use a Pizza Cutter – It makes cutting pastry strips quick, clean, and easy.
- Twist Lightly – Gentle twisting keeps the pastry airy and flaky.
- Seal Only the Ends – This helps the twists hold their shape while allowing the layers to rise properly.
- Brush with Egg Wash – A mix of egg and water or milk adds a golden, crisp finish.
- Cool Before Serving – The chocolate filling will be very hot fresh out of the air fryer!
- Storage Tips - Place any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Estelle Forrest says
Looks like I will be digging out the air fryer soon to make these! So happy you shared this recipe at the #HomeMattersParty this last week because I get to feature it this coming week. I hope you will pop back over to check it out.