I’ve got a serious sweet tooth, and sometimes I just want a single portion of dessert without turning the oven on (or leaving the house). That’s where the air fryer comes in; it’s quick, low-effort, and perfect for small-batch baking and whipping up healthier treats.
But the real game-changer for me? These mini Staub cocottes, now on sale at Nordstrom. They’re elegant, heat-safe (up to a whopping 570°F), and just the right size for single-serve desserts.
If you’re into the idea of quick, personal-sized desserts, the best air fryer liners are always worth it. I’ve tested a ton of options – porcelain ramekins, glass bowls, silicone molds – and while most get the job done, I keep going back to these ceramic cocottes because they bake evenly, clean up easily, and look stunning on the table, even when I’m just serving myself.
With my Staub cocottes, I whip up dessert in around 10 minutes. When the craving strikes, I have a handful of go-to recipes that never fail. Sometimes it’s a rich lava cake, with a gooey chocolate center that’s great with a scoop of perfect vanilla ice cream. Other times, I’ll add a round of cookie dough for a warm cookie pie with crispy edges.
I own the red Staub cocottes, so my recipe on repeat at the moment matches thematically; it's a 'Summer Strawberry Crumble', inspired by a large-batch recipe from Deliciously Ella Everyday, a healthy cookbook I bought on Amazon years ago.
I place a few whole strawberries and sliced banana into my cocotte, drizzle with maple syrup and bake in my air fryer at 320°F for five minutes, until soft. Meanwhile, I make the crumble topping. I melt coconut oil in the microwave, then mix in ground almonds, oats, cinnamon, and honey (Staub's microwave-safe bowls, also on sale at Nordstrom, are perfect for this task).
Finally, I top the gooey fruit with the crumble and bake for another five minutes, until golden. With no refined sugar or processed ingredients, it’s incredibly healthy – yet tastes like a treat.
The Staub cocottes aren’t just for sweet treats, though. If you're wondering about what else to cook in an air fryer using your cocottes, another easy one is 'eoufs en cocotte'. I brush the inside of the dish with olive oil, crack in an egg, add a pinch of salt, pepper, and Parmesan, then air fry at 360°F for about 8 minutes, until set. Add slices of buttered toast for dipping, and you’ve got a surprisingly easy and elegant brunch.
Durable, dishwasher-safe, and stackable, the mini Staub cocottes are ideal for my small kitchen. They're always stacked next to my air fryer, so I'm ready to go – whether I'm craving dessert or baking breakfast for one. They’ve become a staple in my kitchen. Although they're small, they are one of my most successful buys this year.
My essentials for single-serve treats in the air fryer
If you’re still figuring out which air fryer to buy, check my tried-and-tested guide to the best air fryers to get started.
Like miniature Dutch ovens, Staub cocottes are ideal for baked desserts or even small breads. This selection is also on sale ($40 off at Nordstrom), dishwasher safe, and made of ceramic materials for the best results.
Effective and no-fuss. The Ninja Pro is the best air fryer I've ever tested and perfect for most people. There is plenty of room for a couple of Staub cocottes, and even better, it's a non-toxic air fryer with a ceramic-coated non-stick crisper plate.
If you want to make cupcakes, muffins, or mini quiches in the air fryer, these are a good quality and affordable option. Your baked goods will pop right out of the non-stick casing, but they can be a bit tricky to lift out of the air fryer basket without handles, unlike Staub cocottes.
If you've got your eye on the Citron Staub cocottes, the brand also makes a set of mixing bowls in the same lemon-yellow tone (as well as white, blue, and red options). They are microwave-safe, which is very handy for melting chocolate or butter for your air fryer desserts.
For sticky desserts like a family-sized batch of air fryer smores for example, choose a disposable paper basket instead. They catch the mess and can be instantly discarded.
If you need more air fryer dessert inspiration, this is a fantastic read. When I first started converting my oven recipes to the air fryer, this book was a great help. The author, Jenny Tschiesche, has a lot of ideas for sweet single-serves, as well as family favorites.
Did you know you can even bake a full-sized cake in an air fryer? I’ve tested it with a Victoria sponge. Baking air fryer desserts are really easy when you know how and you have the right tools. Honestly, air fryers are one of my summer baking essentials, helping avoid heating up the entire kitchen with a sizzling hot oven.
Of course, if you don't have an air fryer, the single-serve cocotte recipes I've suggested will work just as well in the oven, though you'll have to preheat beforehand, increase the temperature and bake for longer.
