Prepare yourself for the ultimate quick and effortless snack: Cheesy air fryer crumpets with an optional smear of delicious savoury marmite!
With the help of the air fryer, these crumpets come out perfectly toasted every single time.
Picture taking a bite into a crumpet that's crispy crunchy on the outside, topped with melted cheesy goodness, and incredibly comforting. And the best part? They're ready in just four minutes!
My family love these cheesy crumpets made in the air fryer for after-school snacks and lazy weekend breakfasts, but they're good any time of day.
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👩🍳 Love your air fryer? Try my easy air fryer pizza bagels, air fryer cheese on toast or air fryer quiche crustless quiche next!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- With an air fryer, your cheesy crumpets will turn out flawlessly toasted every time. No more worrying about burning or undercooking them. The air fryer ensures consistent, golden brown perfection.
- Craving a tasty snack but short on time? Air fryer crumpets are your saviour. They take just a few minutes to cook, allowing you to enjoy a warm, cheesy treat in no time.
- While cheesy crumpets are a classic favourite, the air fryer allows you to experiment with different flavours. Add a smear of marmite, sprinkle on some herbs, or even layer on your favourite pizza toppings for a personalised twist.
- Tired of scrubbing pans and dealing with messy oil splatters? Air fryers make the cooking process much cleaner and hassle-free. Just pop your crumpets in the fryer, and when you're done, the removable air fryer basket makes cleaning up a breeze.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Crumpets - Sourdough crumpets are my personal preference, but you can use any type of crumpet you like. The sourdough variety adds a nice tangy flavour, complementing the cheesy goodness.
Butter - Use softened salted butter to spread on the crumpets. The butter adds richness and enhances the overall flavour. Make sure it's softened to ensure easy spreading onto the crumpets.
Cheese - Opt for grated extra-mature cheddar, as it melts exceptionally well and has a robust, tangy flavour. However, feel free to experiment with other types of cheese that melt nicely, or even use sliced cheese if that's what you have on hand. Red Leicester is another favourite and can provide a slightly nutty and sweet taste to the crumpets.
Marmite - For those who enjoy a savoury punch, adding a smear of marmite to the crumpets can elevate their flavour. However, if you're not a fan of marmite or prefer a more traditional cheesy experience, you can simply leave it off.
🥄 Equipment
Which air fryer? I use the Ninja Foodi 5.8 litre Grill and Air Fryer with 4 customisable cooking functions including air fry, roast, bake, and dehydrate!
What is an air fryer?
Air fryers are small(ish) kitchen appliances that operate like a convection oven—except in a smaller, more concentrated space.
The air is circulated at a high temperature and evenly around the food, which makes the food cook more quickly than in a conventional oven (saving energy), and helps give foods a crispy coating without the need for lots of oil and fat.
🔪 Instructions
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it's nice and hot for cooking the crumpets.
Two: Once preheated, place the crumpets in the air fryer basket. Air fry them for approximately 2 minutes, allowing them to start toasting and become slightly crispy.
Three: After 2 minutes, take out the crumpets from the air fryer. Spread softened salted butter generously on each crumpet, making sure to cover the entire surface.
Four: Next, sprinkle a generous amount of grated extra-mature cheddar cheese (or your preferred melting cheese) on top of the buttered crumpets. Ensure the cheese is evenly distributed for maximum cheesiness.
Five: Return the crumpets with the cheese to the air fryer basket. Continue air frying them for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on them during this time to prevent burning. The aim is to melt the cheese, resulting in a gooey, cheesy topping.
Six: If desired, spread a small amount of marmite over the melted cheese. This step is optional and can be skipped if you prefer a more traditional cheesy flavour without the savoury kick.
💭 Expert tips
- For a lower-fat option, you can omit the butter and use reduced-fat cheese. This modification reduces the overall fat content while still providing a cheesy and satisfying snack.
- To save time and effort, consider using cheese slices instead of grated cheddar. Cheese slices melt easily and evenly, eliminating the need for grating. Simply place a slice on top of each crumpet before air frying.
- For the best flavour, avoid using pre-grated cheese. Freshly grated cheese has a superior taste and texture. Take a few extra moments to grate the cheese yourself for a more delicious outcome.
- Properly arrange your crumpets in air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. Leave clear gaps between each crumpet to allow proper air circulation and even cooking. If necessary, cook your crumpets in two separate batches to ensure they cook evenly and achieve the desired crispness.
🍴 Serving suggestions
There are lots of ways you can serve cheesy air fryer crumpets!
- Serve the cheesy air fryer crumpets on their own for a simple and satisfying snack. The melted cheese and crispy crumpets are a winning combination on their own.
- Pair your cheesy crumpets with a variety of dips and sauces for added flavour. Try serving them with tangy tomato chutney, creamy garlic aioli, or spicy sriracha mayo.
- Balance the richness of the cheesy crumpets by serving them alongside a fresh green salad.
- Serve your cheesy crumpets alongside a flavourful soup such as curried parnsip soup or roasted swede soup.
- Add a tangy twist to your cheesy crumpets by serving them with pickles or relishes such as pickled gherkins, pickled onions, or a caramelised onion relish. You could also top them with air fryer garlic mushrooms!
- Transform your cheesy crumpets into a delightful brunch or breakfast spread. Serve them alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and grilled tomatoes for a satisfying meal.
- Arrange your cheesy crumpets as part of an afternoon tea spread. Serve them alongside a pot of hot tea, finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of sweet treats.
📖 Variations
- Explore different cheese varieties to give your crumpets a unique twist. Instead of cheddar, try using sliced brie for a creamier taste. Alternatively, crumbled blue cheese can add a bold and tangy flavour to your cheesy crumpets.
- Substitute marmite with delicious alternatives like red onion chutney or tangy cranberry sauce. These toppings provide a sweet and savoury balance that complements the cheesy goodness of the crumpets.
- Add an extra layer of flavour by placing a slice of ham or smoked salmon underneath the cheese.
- Transform your crumpets into irresistible garlic bread. Spread homemade garlic butter generously on the crumpets before air frying them. The result is a mouthwatering blend of garlicky goodness, crispy texture, and cheesy delight.
🥡 Storage
Air fryer crumpets are best enjoyed fresh and warm. However, if you have leftovers, allow them to cool completely to room temperature before storing.
Place the cooled crumpets in an airtight container to maintain their freshness. Ensure the container is tightly sealed to prevent air and moisture from entering, which can lead to the crumpets becoming soggy.
If you plan to consume the leftover crumpets within a day or two, you can store them at room temperature on the countertop. Make sure the area is cool and away from direct sunlight.
When you're ready to enjoy the stored crumpets, you can reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through. This will help restore their crispness and revive their deliciousness.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Crumpets are a traditional British teatime treat. They are a type of griddle cake, known for their cratered surfaces. The spongy cakes are traditionally toasted and spread with butter.
Crumpets originated in the 17th century as thin pancakes made from flour, milk, and egg. The version we know today however, was developed in the Victorian times, when bakers added yeast and baking powder to the recipe.
Yes, just use gluten-free crumpets and skip the marmite.
It's a personal preference, but any cheese that melts well can be used! My favourite is extra mature cheddar!
Yes, just add a minute or two to the air frying time.
1. Cheese
2. Cream Cheese
3. Eggs
4. Smashed Avocado
5. Jam
6. Honey
7. Peanut Butter
Absolutely! While cheesy crumpets are popular, you can also experiment with sweet variations. Try topping them with Nutella, Biscoff or jam.
😋 More easy air fryer recipes
- Air fryer roast potatoes
- Air fryer chips
- Air fryer cheese on toast
- Air fryer cheese toastie
- Air fryer scones
- Air fryer chicken fajitas
- Air fryer baked camembert
- Air fryer sausages
- Air fryer sausage rolls
- Air fryer baked apples
- Air fryer chicken nuggets
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Recipe
Cheesy Air Fryer Crumpets
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Crumpets
- 2 teaspoon Butter
- 50 g Extra Mature Cheddar grated
- ¼ teaspoon Marmite
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it's nice and hot for cooking the crumpets.
- Once preheated, place the crumpets in the air fryer basket. Air fry them for approximately 2 minutes, allowing them to start toasting and become slightly crispy.2 Crumpets
- After 2 minutes, take out the crumpets from the air fryer. Spread softened salted butter generously on each crumpet, making sure to cover the entire surface. Next, sprinkle a generous amount of grated extra-mature cheddar cheese (or your preferred melting cheese) on top of the buttered crumpets. Ensure the cheese is evenly distributed for maximum cheesiness.2 teaspoon Butter, 50 g Extra Mature Cheddar
- Return the crumpets with the cheese to the air fryer basket. Continue air frying them for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on them during this time to prevent burning. The aim is to melt the cheese, resulting in a gooey, cheesy topping.
- If desired, spread a small amount of marmite over the melted cheese. This step is optional and can be skipped if you prefer a more traditional cheesy flavour without the savoury kick.¼ teaspoon Marmite
Notes
- For a lower-fat option, you can omit the butter and use reduced-fat cheese. This modification reduces the overall fat content while still providing a cheesy and satisfying snack.
- To save time and effort, consider using cheese slices instead of grated cheddar. Cheese slices melt easily and evenly, eliminating the need for grating. Simply place a slice on top of each crumpet before air frying.
- For the best flavour, avoid using pre-grated cheese. Freshly grated cheese has a superior taste and texture. Take a few extra moments to grate the cheese yourself for a more delicious outcome.
- Properly arrange your crumpets in air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. Leave clear gaps between each crumpet to allow proper air circulation and even cooking. If necessary, cook your crumpets in two separate batches to ensure they cook evenly and achieve the desired crispness.
- Explore different cheese varieties to give your crumpets a unique twist. Instead of cheddar, try using sliced brie for a creamier taste. Alternatively, crumbled blue cheese can add a bold and tangy flavour to your cheesy crumpets.
- Substitute marmite with delicious alternatives like red onion chutney or tangy cranberry sauce. These toppings provide a sweet and savoury balance that complements the cheesy goodness of the crumpets.
- Add an extra layer of flavour by placing a slice of ham or smoked salmon underneath the cheese.
- Transform your crumpets into irresistible garlic bread. Spread homemade garlic butter generously on the crumpets before air frying them. The result is a mouthwatering blend of garlicky goodness, crispy texture, and cheesy delight.
Sue
A delicious quick and easy snack in the air fryer! The kids loved them.