Air-fried milk was one of those recipes I never knew I needed until I made it. I was barefoot in the kitchen, my youngest tugging at my apron, and a dusty old memory came back to me: my grandmother cutting thick, wobbly custard into squares and frying them until golden. The smell of warm milk, lemon rind, and cinnamon sugar always meant something special was coming.
This time, I skipped the oil. I turned to my air fryer, and honestly, it was a revelation. The inside stayed creamy like a pudding, the outside crisped up like the perfect churro, and my kids licked every grain of cinnamon sugar off their fingers. My husband, who swears he’s not a dessert person, asked if we could make it again tomorrow.
Air-fried Milk with Cinnamon Sugar
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
- Whisk
- Mixing Bowl
- Air Fryer
- Baking Dish
Ingredients
Custard Base
- 1.2 liters Milk whole milk preferred
- 2 pieces Cinnamon Sticks
- 2 strips Lemon Rind peeled, no pith
- 4 large Eggs
- 2 large Egg Yolks
- 215 grams Caster Sugar
- 140 grams Cornflour
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
For Frying and Serving
- 120 grams Plain Flour for coating
- as needed Cinnamon Sugar to sprinkle after frying
Now it’s a family favorite. And I promise you once you try air-fried milk, there’s no turning back.
Why Air-fried Milk Will Become Your Family’s Favorite
There’s something almost magical about biting into air-fried milk. That first crunch gives way to a soft, silky custard that melts right on your tongue. And then comes the cinnamon sugar it hugs each piece like a sweet little blanket. It’s nostalgic, it’s comforting, and somehow, it feels familiar even if you’ve never tasted it before.
My son once said it tasted like “what snow would taste like if it were warm.” I couldn’t have put it better myself. This dessert is the perfect mix of old-world tradition and new-kitchen convenience. No deep fryer, no splattering oil just your humble air fryer doing what it does best.
The best part? It works for every occasion. We’ve made air-fried milk for after-school snacks, cozy movie nights, and even as a fancy dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. It never fails to impress.
The 10 Ingredients You Can’t Skip
Here’s what you’ll need to make the magic happen. And trust me don’t skip the cinnamon sugar. It’s the heart of this dish.
- 1.2 liters of milk – I use whole milk for richness. Skim won’t give you the same creamy texture.
- 2 cinnamon sticks – You’ll infuse these into the milk. Don’t use ground cinnamon here it’s not the same.
- 2 strips of lemon rind – Peel them gently with a veggie peeler. Avoid the white pith (it’s bitter).
- 4 whole eggs – Room temperature works best.
- 2 egg yolks – Adds that extra custard depth. You’ll notice the difference!
- 215g (1 cup) caster sugar – Not granulated; caster dissolves better and keeps the texture silky.
- 140g (1 cup) cornflour – The secret to setting the custard just right.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract – Always go for the real deal. No imitation flavorings in my kitchen.
- 120g (¾ cup) plain flour – For dusting before air frying. Helps get that crisp crust.
- Cinnamon sugar, to sprinkle – Mix ¼ cup sugar with 1 tsp ground cinnamon. Or more… I don’t judge!
How to Make Air-fried Milk Step-by-Step (With My Kitchen Secrets)
Let’s get cozy and cook together. Don’t worry this might look like a lot of steps, but each one is as gentle and easy as stirring a pot of warm memories. I promise, if you can whisk and wait, you can make air-fried milk like a pro.
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Step 1: Line and love your pan
Grab a 20×30 cm lamington pan or any shallow baking dish you’ve got. Line it with baking paper and grease it just a little. That paper? It’s your friend when it’s time to turn out the custard later.
Step 2: Infuse the milk with soul
Pour your milk into a medium saucepan, drop in the cinnamon sticks and those sunny lemon rinds. Set it over medium heat and bring it gently to a simmer. Let it steep like a bedtime story this is how we build flavor.
Step 3: Whisk your heart out
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, yolks, caster sugar, cornflour, and vanilla. This part always reminds me of baking with my grandma whisking by hand until your arm gets warm and the mixture turns pale and glossy.
Step 4: Combine and strain with care
Now, strain the warm milk over your egg mixture, catching the cinnamon and lemon (we don’t need them anymore). Whisk again gently. This is where the magic starts it smells so good already, doesn’t it?
Step 5: Cook until thick and dreamy
Pour the mixture back into a clean saucepan and cook over medium-low heat. Stir constantly this is no time to walk away! After about 5 minutes, you’ll feel it thicken like pudding. When it starts bubbling, you’re done.
Step 6: Chill and let it set
Pour the thickened milk into your prepared pan, smooth the top with a spatula, and let it cool. Once it’s room temp, cover and pop it into the fridge for at least 3 hours. I usually make it the night before there’s something lovely about waking up to dessert-ready custard.
Step 7: Cut and coat each square with love
Once set, turn the custard out onto a chopping board and cut it into bite-sized squares (about 3.5 cm each). Lightly coat each square in plain flour. Shake off the extra it just needs a little coat, not a winter jacket!
Step 8: Air fry to golden perfection
Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place a few milk squares inside (don’t overcrowd them!) and spray the tops too. Cook at 200°C for 10 minutes. They’ll come out golden, crispy, and begging for a dusting of cinnamon sugar.
Step 9: Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and serve warm
As soon as they come out, sprinkle them with that cinnamon sugar mixture. It sticks better when they’re hot just like memories, fresh from the
FAQ
How do you make air-fried milk?
To make air-fried milk, you first cook a thick custard using milk, eggs, sugar, cornflour, and vanilla, then chill it until firm. After cutting it into squares, you coat them lightly in flour and cook in the air fryer until golden. Finish with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon sugar for that classic touch.
What does air-fried milk taste like?
Air-fried milk tastes like a warm, creamy custard with a crispy shell. It’s slightly sweet, rich with vanilla and cinnamon, and has that melt-in-your-mouth texture that reminds you of grandma’s pudding just with a crunchy twist on the outside.
Can you cook milk in an air fryer?
You can’t pour liquid milk directly into an air fryer, but once it’s cooked into a thick custard and set, air frying the squares creates a perfectly golden, crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and creamy. That’s the magic of air-fried milk!
Is air-fried milk Spanish or Chinese?
It’s inspired by both! Traditional fried milk exists in multiple cultures: Spain has leche frita, China has its own fried milk desserts, and Italy has crema fritta. This air-fried version takes inspiration from all of them and adds a modern twist with the air fryer.
Is air-fried milk healthy?
It’s definitely lighter than traditional deep-fried versions because we skip the oil bath. That said, it’s still a treat made with sugar, eggs, and milk so enjoy it mindfully. And hey, if it brings joy to your family? That’s healthy for the soul.
What can’t be air fried?
Air fryers are magical, but they don’t work well with anything too liquid or with wet batters. That’s why, for air-fried milk, we make sure the custard is fully chilled and coated in flour to help it crisp beautifully without melting through the basket.
Let Me Know If You Fall in Love With Air-fried Milk Too
Every time I make air-fried milk, it reminds me why I started cooking in the first place: to make people happy. To fill the house with sweet smells, to bring the kids running into the kitchen, to watch my husband sneak a second helping when he thinks I’m not looking.
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It’s not just about the recipe it’s about those little moments. The quiet joy of whisking something by hand. The soft crunch of the first bite. The way cinnamon sugar clings to your fingertips and makes you smile without realizing.
So if you give this recipe a try please tag me, send me a message, or just let me know how it turned out. Your stories make this space what it is. And if air-fried milk becomes your new family favorite too? Well, that would make my heart very, very full.
Now go on grab your air fryer, dust off that cornflour, and bring a little crispy custard magic into your kitchen.
I’ll be here, waiting to hear all about it 🧡
