Air Fryer Frozen Danish Pancake Balls
Air fryer frozen Danish pancake balls go from freezer to table in about 8 minutes, hot and puffy with a lightly crisp shell. They are aebleskiver, the round Danish pancakes traditionally eaten at Christmas with icing sugar and jam. The air fryer heats them evenly without drying them out, and there is no need to defrost. A standard basket takes about 10 at a time, so 20 balls means two batches.
- Total
- 21 min
- Prep
- 2 min
- Cook
- 19 min
- Serves
- 4
- Per serving
- 420kcal
Ingredients and swaps for air fryer frozen Danish pancake balls
The balls are the only ingredient that matters, and the toppings are up to you. Jam is the usual dip, and raspberry or blackcurrant jam works as well as strawberry. If you have no icing sugar, a sprinkle of caster sugar, or caster sugar mixed with a pinch of cinnamon, gives a similar sweet finish.
A standard 4–5.5 litre basket holds about 10 balls in a single layer. Piling them up stops the air circulating and leaves the shells pale and the centres cold, so cook two batches rather than crowding one.
Making air fryer frozen Danish pancake balls
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 180°C for . Do not defrost the pancake balls, which cook straight from frozen.
- Fill the basket Put 10 frozen balls in the basket in a single layer, with a little space between each so the hot air can reach all sides.
- Cook the first batch Cook at 180°C for , turning the balls over with tongs after . The shells should look dry and lightly golden. Check one by pulling it open: the centre should be piping hot all the way through.
- Cook the second batch Tip the first batch onto a plate and cook the remaining 10 balls in the same way. Add if the basket was not preheated for long.
- Serve Dust the warm balls with icing sugar through a small sieve and serve with strawberry jam for dipping.
Serving and oven alternative
Aebleskiver are best eaten warm, straight from the basket, with the icing sugar dusted on at the last minute so it does not melt into the shell. They suit a weekend breakfast, a Christmas morning or an afternoon with a hot drink. For another sweet bake from frozen, try air fryer frozen croissants, or make them from scratch with air fryer Danish pancake balls.
If you do not have an air fryer, the oven method in the FAQ gives similar results, though the shells will be a little softer.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Frozen Danish Pancake Balls
- The balls are cold in the middle.
- Brands and sizes differ. Add 1–2 minutes at 180°C and check again, and keep the balls in a single layer.
- The shells are dry and hard.
- They have cooked too long or at too high a temperature. Drop to 170°C and check after 6 minutes, or serve with extra jam or custard.
- The balls roll around and brown unevenly.
- Turn them gently with tongs rather than shaking the basket, and leave a small gap between balls so they stay put.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Frozen Danish Pancake Balls
Do I need to defrost frozen Danish pancake balls first?
No. They go in the air fryer frozen. Defrosting makes them soft and doughy, so cook them straight from the freezer.
How long do you cook frozen pancake balls in the air fryer?
About 8 minutes at 180°C, turning them after 4 minutes. Check your pack too, because brands vary in size.
Can I cook them in the oven instead?
Yes. Spread them on a baking tray and bake at 200°C (180°C fan), gas 6, for 10–12 minutes, turning once, until hot all the way through.
Can I reheat leftover pancake balls?
Yes. Reheat cooked balls in the air fryer at 160°C for 2–3 minutes, until hot all the way through. Do not refreeze them once they have been cooked.
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