• There are lots of different ways people celebrate Christmas around the world. 
• In Japan, a bucket of KFC fried chicken has become a holiday staple.
• Christmas Eve in Finland can involve going to the sauna with your whole family.

Christmas is a time of celebration and festivity, and there are many ways to observe it.

Individuals may have their own holiday traditions, but customs also vary across different countries and cultures. 

From rum-soaked desserts to dazzling markets, here's a closer look at how people celebrate Christmas around the world.

Some people in the Philippines celebrate Christmas for five months.

The Christmas season in the Philippines lasts for almost half the year.

Decorations start going up in September, and the holiday fervor doesn't end until the first Sunday in January.

Many people hang up paper lanterns called paróls and eat a big family meal on Noche Buena, or Christmas Eve.  

Many people in Japan like to eat fried chicken on Christmas.

In Japan, Christmas is celebrated in a more secular way than in other predominantly Christian countries.

It's considered a romantic day for couples, and many Japanese families treat themselves to what has become the traditional Christmas meal: a bucket of KFC fried chicken.

One Christmas tradition in Poland involves keeping a fish in your bathtub.

Christmas in Poland is celebrated with gift-giving, church services, and fasting on Christmas Eve before a 12-dish feast, which usually features carp for good luck. 

Most people simply buy a cut of fish from the market, but the old tradition was for the lady of the house to keep a live carp in the bathtub for a few days before preparing it for the Christmas meal. 

This tradition is also popular in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, and Croatia.

Many people in Finland celebrate Christmas with a trip to the sauna.

In Finland (and many other countries around the globe), St. Lucia Day on December 13 is one of the main events of the holiday season.

On this date, the eldest girl in each family sometimes dons a white robe and a crown of candles before serving her family buns, cookies, coffee, or mulled wine to kick off the holiday season. 

On Christmas Eve, many Finnish families visit the sauna to relax or go to cemeteries to remember loved ones who have died before attending midnight mass. 

For Christmas lunch, the traditional meal is a porridge containing a hidden almond — although it's likely that this originated in Sweden. Whoever finds the almond will have good luck for the rest of the year.

In the UK, stockings are hung from the end of beds and the monarch gives an annual speech.

Rather than hanging Christmas stockings over the fireplace, families in the UK typically place them at the foot of their beds.

On Christmas Day, families break open crackers filled with small toys, jokes, and paper crowns — which are traditionally worn throughout the midday Christmas meal. 

The reigning monarch gives an annual broadcast speech on Christmas Day, during which they discuss what the holiday means to them. 

Boxing Day, December 26, is also a national holiday in the UK.

Christmas in Croatia can involve cleaning your shoes and avoiding Krampus.

Like many places around the world, some Croatian families celebrate Christmas with an Advent wreath made of straw or evergreen.

The wreath has four colored candles that symbolize hope, peace, joy, and love.

On the night of December 5, children in Croatia make sure to clean their boots and place them by the window for St. Nicholas to fill with treats. However, naughty kids might only receive a few twigs from the Christmas monster, Krampus.

Christmas Eve is typically celebrated with a light, seafood dinner in preparation for the heavier feast on Christmas Day, complete with roasted meats and poppyseed rolls. 

People in Greece might keep a fire burning during Christmas to ward off holiday goblins.

Greece is primarily a Greek Orthodox nation, and in addition to attending midnight church services on Christmas, families might also keep their fires burning or sprinkle holy water from a basil-wrapped cross to ward off the "kallikantzaroi" — evil creatures that creep into homes through the chimney and cause mischief.

Around Christmas, many Greek cities also hold a festival called the Night of Wishes where people gather to make wishes and release paper lanterns into the sky. 

Some holiday traditions in Greece also include making Christopsomo (Christmas bread) and decorating boats.

Christmas in Australia is often celebrated on the beach.

Since December is a summer month in the southern hemisphere, most of Australia is bathed in balmy temps during the holidays.

Accordingly, those in Australia frequently celebrate Christmas with a lunchtime barbecue on the beach. Friends and family gather to indulge in prawns, lobster, and sweets before playing a game of cricket or taking a dip.

In Argentina, some celebrate Christmas with fireworks.

In Argentina, many families put up their Christmas trees on December 8 — the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary — and decorate them with cotton balls to look like snow. 

Fireworks are typically launched at midnight on Christmas Eve after a late dinner, and families with children also often light paper lanterns to send into the sky.

Some people continue the festivities and attend overnight parties, so Christmas Day is usually a more relaxed holiday in the country. 

For many in Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated on January 7.

Like many Orthodox countries, Ukraine uses the Julian calendar for its church festivals. This means some individuals there celebrate Christmas on January 7 rather than December 25.

Whenever the festivities begin, it's traditional to delay eating Christmas dinner until the first star in the sky is spotted.

Caroling in the streets and Vertep, the Ukrainian puppet theater, are also common holiday traditions.

In the US, children leave cookies for Santa and hang their stockings on the fireplace.

Families in the US often leave cookies and milk out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve in the hopes that they wake up to presents under the tree and in their stockings, which are hung by the fireplace.

Many families also have Christmas dinner complete with ham or roast beef and eggnog.

Cities typically put up lights and other decorations, and it's common for families to do the same in front of their own houses. 

In New York City, people who celebrate Christmas often look forward to traditions like the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree or the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes. 

People in Spain often open presents on Epiphany.

Rather than unwrapping goodies on Christmas Day, most families in Spain open their presents on January 6, or Epiphany, which is the day that the three wise men are said to have brought gifts to the infant Jesus.

Many families in Spain decorate their houses with ornate nativity scenes and enjoy a seafood feast on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

There's also an annual Christmas lottery, called El Gordo ("The Big One"), which is the biggest of its kind. The grand event has roots tracing back to the 1800s.

The main celebration in Brazil typically takes place on Christmas Eve.

Much of the holiday celebration in Brazil takes place on December 24, when families and friends will often get together for a party that includes ringing in Christmas at midnight. 

The holiday feast, which is typically eaten on Christmas Eve, is usually packed with hearty portions of pork, ham, rice, nuts, and fruits.

A version of Secret Santa called "Amigo Secreto" is also popular for gift-giving. 

Hanging giant paper lanterns is a common Christmas tradition in India.

Although Hinduism is the prominent religion in India, the country also has a large population of Christians — which means Christmas is still widely celebrated. 

The holiday is usually observed by attending midnight mass and sharing a meal (and plenty of festive sweets) with family and neighbors.

Like many other festivals and holidays in the country, many towns and cities decorate for Christmas with plenty of lights, streamers, and flowers. 

Families might also hang mango leaves, star-shaped paper lanterns, or nativity scenes outside their homes. Inside, some people even decorate mango or banana trees.

Instead of waking up to presents under the tree, many families in India pack up boxes of sweets on Christmas morning and take them to their neighbors and friends. 

Father Frost visits Russian homes on New Year’s Eve.

In Russia, New Year's Eve is usually the day of celebration complete with a New Year tree and a visit from the Slavic character Father Frost, who leaves unwrapped presents for children. 

On January 7, some Russian households enjoy a meatless Christmas feast that traditionally includes 12 dishes representing the 12 apostles. 

In Latvia, you might have to read a poem before getting your presents.

One Latvian Christmas tradition involves reciting a poem, playing an instrument, or singing a song in exchange for receiving one of your presents.

Christmas markets that sell foods, drinks, and gifts are also popular in the country, and it claims to be the home of the first decorated Christmas tree.

One of the oldest recorded uses of an evergreen tree to celebrate Christmas dates back to the year 1510 in Riga, the country's capital, though it's hard to know if it was indeed the first use of the tradition.

Christmas in Kenya is all about connecting with family.

In Kenya, families often see family for Christmas. Many attend midnight Christmas vigils and indulge in a big meal that often includes goat, sheep, and rice.

Instead of evergreen trees, those in Kenya sometimes decorate cypress trees or local evergreen trees with lights and ornaments. 

Christmas in Pakistan is a religious celebration filled with family activities.

Though Pakistan is a predominantly Islamic country, Christians often celebrate Christmas by caroling with family and friends or setting up a Nativity scene in their homes and churches.

On Christmas Day, some families attend Bara Din celebrations at church. This festive event calls for spending time with family and feasting on delicious food.

Caroling is a big part of Christmas in many parts of Romania.

Children carol house to house in Romania, receiving traditional sweets and cakes in return for their efforts.

In some parts of the country, it's also traditional for one person to dress up as a goat with a colorful mask and cause mischief among the carolers. However, in other parts, a similar tradition exists but with one caroler dressing up as a bear. 

On Christmas Eve, many families start decorating their trees and hanging mistletoe in their houses for good luck. 

Decorations and festive markets are popular in Germany around Christmastime.

In Germany, preparing for Christmas often includes strolling through markets while sipping mulled wine. 

Families also decorate their trees with angel ornaments and light candles in their windows. 

A few traditional holiday desserts include stollen, a cake filled with dried fruit and sprinkled with powdered sugar, and lebkuchen, a large spiced cookie that often features a message written in frosting. 

In France, Christmas markets are a popular places to shop.

Christmas in France usually involves strolling through festive markets and cutting into a lavishly decorated bûche de Noël cake.

An actual Yule log is also often burned in the fireplace on Christmas Eve after being sprinkled with red wine to make it smell even nicer.

The holiday feast, called le réveillon de Noël, is typically eaten around midnight on Christmas Day, and in some parts of France, it's traditional to eat 13 different desserts.

This story was originally published in December 2018, and most recently updated on December 17, 2024.

Read More:

• 9 UK Christmas traditions that probably confuse Americans
• From hanging stockings to caroling, these 10 holiday traditions have surprisingly bizarre origins
• Incredible photos show how the White House has celebrated Christmas through the years
• Photos show what holidays look like around the world

• Professional chefs told Insider the best sweet and savory snacks to make in the air fryer.
• You can make plantain chips or crunchy chickpeas in the popular kitchen appliance.
• Fry up beignets or candied cashews to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Although you can definitely use air fryers to make an entire meal, they're also perfect for whipping up snacks.

So Insider spoke to professional chefs about their favorite small bites to make with the popular kitchen appliance. 

Buffalo cauliflower bites offer a kick of spice

Chris Curren, executive chef at and owner of The Graceful Ordinary, told Insider that Buffalo cauliflower bites are the perfect air-fryer snack. 

"These are a healthier alternative to Buffalo chicken bites," Curren said. "I like to bread mine to make sure they're extra crunchy."

To make these bites, coat cauliflower florets in Buffalo sauce and breadcrumbs and cook until crispy. 

Transform leftover pasta into a crunchy treat

Executive chef Garrison Price told Insider that he loves using the air fryer to turn cooked pasta into bite-sized snacks.

"A great air-fryer hack is coating leftover pasta with your favorite seasoning and cooking until you get crunchy, chip-like munchies," Price said. 

If the leftover pasta is dry, coat the pieces with a little oil to ensure they crisp up in the air fryer, then pair the finished bites with a dipping sauce for extra flavor. 

Make a quick batch of beignets in the air fryer

Beignets are a deep-fried pastry often associated with New Orleans and served with powdered sugar. 

"The air fryer is perfect for beignets because you don't have to mess around with bringing frying oil up to temperature," Curren said. "They also puff up really well in the air fryer."

You can adapt a standard recipe for the air fryer by brushing the shaped dough with oil and cooking until golden. Then dust the finished pastries with powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

Air fryers make enjoying candied cashews easy

Making candied nuts often involves deep-frying or caramelizing the pieces on the stovetop, but using an air fryer is a simpler way to create this sweet snack.

"Toss raw cashews with a little water, spices or seasonings of your choice, and a spoonful or two of sugar," Price said. "Making them this way involves less oil and mess."

For candied nuts that combine sweet, spicy, and salty flavors, Price recommended trying Japanese togarashi seasoning — a spicy and umami blend of flavors — and a touch of coconut sugar.

Plantain chips are an easy, gluten-free snack

The chef Monti Carlo, a former "MasterChef" contestant, told Insider you could make homemade plantain chips in under 10 minutes by using an air fryer.

"All you need to do is cut a very green plantain into strips, coat with cooking spray and salt, and cook until golden," Carlo said. 

The chef advised that if you're watching your sodium intake, skip the salt and use nutritional yeast instead. 

Empanadas can sport sweet or savory fillings 

A type of turnover, empanadas are usually deep-fried or baked, but popping them in an air fryer can cut back on the mess.

"Even if you make your empanadas with store-bought dough, the air fryer guarantees your filling will be surrounded by a flaky and crisp pastry," Price said. 

Empanadas can be stuffed with seasoned meat, vegetables, cheese, or fruit, but make sure the edges are completely sealed or the filling may ooze out while cooking. 

The air fryer is great for making crunchy chickpeas

Carlo told Insider that crunchy chickpeas are her favorite air-fryer snacks.

"They're budget-friendly and you can season them with whatever you want," Carlo said. "I like using fresh rosemary, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese."

Toss soaked or canned chickpeas with olive oil and seasoning then cook them in a preheated air fryer until golden and crispy. 

Elote is tasty and customizable

Elote is a Central and South American take on corn on the cob that's typically grilled and served with toppings like grated cheese, mayonnaise, chili powder, lemon juice, butter, or salt. 

"Making Elote in the air fryer is great because you can give the corn that crispiness without having to fire up the grill," Curren said. 

He recommended drizzling the corn with a spoonful or two of melted butter to give it extra flavor and color.

Brussels sprouts come out perfectly crispy in the air fryer

Curren said Brussels sprouts made in an air fryer are better than traditionally fried ones.

"A traditional fryer can leave Brussels sprouts greasy and overcooked, but you don't have those worries with an air fryer," Curren told Insider. 

To make crunchy, air-fried Brussels sprouts, halve or quarter the pieces and toss them with your choice of seasonings, salt, and a small amount of oil. Then cook until the centers are soft and the outer leaves are browned. 

Turn leftover pizza into bite-sized snacks

If you have leftover slices in your fridge, use an air fryer to transform them into a plate of crispy pizza bites.

"Unlike the microwave, the air fryer will make the pizza nice and crispy again," Curren said. "It's a great way to breathe new life into leftovers."

Simply cut the pizza into smaller pieces and pop them in the air fryer for five to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling.

This story was originally published in October 2021 and most recently updated on December 6, 2024.

• Culinary pros shared tips for how to make store-bought pies look homemade and taste even better. 
• Melting butter or cheese on top of a pie can help balance out its sweetness. 
• Decorate your dessert with a dusting of powdered sugar, frosted lettering, or caramel sauce. 

Make an herbed caramel sauce to add a gourmet flair to a store-bought pie.

Professional baker and winner of TLC's "Cake Boss: Next Great Baker" Dana Herbert told Business Insider that he recommends adding an herbed caramel sauce to ready-made pies.

"Add some cinnamon, rosemary, thyme, ginger, or cardamom to warm caramel sauce and serve it with the pie," Herbert said. "Even traditionally savory herbs can complement sweet desserts." 

If you're not sure whether a particular herb would pair well with your pie, Herbert recommended closing your eyes and smelling the herb or spice — if you can detect something sweet in the scent, it's probably OK to use.

Pop your store-bought pie out of its packaging to make it look homemade.

Alexandra Lourdes, co-owner of Saint Honoré Doughnuts and Beignets, told BI that the easiest way to elevate a store-bought pie is to simply remove it from its original packaging. 

"Make sure you take it out of the box it came in," Lourdes said. "If you place it in a new box, add a ribbon, or arrange it on a beautiful cake stand, no one will ever know it's not homemade."

Top blueberry or cherry pie with a dollop of lemon curd.

Introducing some lemon flavor can add complexity to and elevate the taste of a premade berry pie. 

"Make a super tangy lemon curd with lemon juice and plenty of zest," Herbert said. "The sourness will cut through some of the excessive sweetness found in store-bought blueberry and cherry pies." 

If you don't have time to make your own lemon curd, you can buy some from the grocery store and stir in a bit of fresh lemon juice and rind.

Melt butter on top for extra richness.

Kevin Cabrera, corporate executive chef at The Save Mart Companies, told BI that melting a bit of butter on top of a ready-made pie can help give it a homemade richness.  

"Halfway through warming your pie, directly insert thin slices of butter into the venting slits of the pie," Cabrera said. "This will give it a nice, moist flavor."

Adding too much butter might oversaturate the pie and lead to a soggy crust, so start with a tablespoon or two, and add more if necessary.

Sprinkle on some salt to balance overly sweet pies.

Carlo Lamagna, chef and owner of Magna PDX, told BI that a dose of salt can help tone down the sweetness in syrupy pies. 

"Salt helps accentuate flavors and balances out often overly sweet items," Lamagna said. 

If you don't want to sprinkle pure salt on your dessert, you can opt for crushed salted nuts, like peanuts or cashews, which will still do the trick and add extra texture.

Melt cheese onto the crust of your apple pie.

If you feel like taking some culinary risks, Lamagna suggested mixing up a classic store-bought apple pie by adding some sliced or shredded cheese.

"I grew up in the Midwest, so we would always melt a slice of cheddar on the top of apple pies," Lamagna said. "Don't be afraid to experiment with unconventional pairings."

Moderation is key to pulling off cheesy apple pie — don't layer on too much cheese, or you'll end up with an oily, salty crust.

Serve your pie with homemade whipped cream.

Chef and sommelier Melissa Smith told BI that serving a premade pie with fresh whipped cream is a great way to make the dessert taste and look gourmet.

All you need is a whisk, heavy cream, and powdered sugar. Consider using a piping bag to add the whipped cream to your pie for an elevated look. 

Smith said doing so will make your pie look "modern and classy, like something straight out of a magazine."

For bonus points, she recommended garnishing the piped cream with a few flakes of edible gold or a smattering of citrus zest.

A light dusting of powdered sugar is a fast way to dress up your pie.

Instead of making your own fresh whipped cream, you could also just grab a spoonful of powdered sugar. 

"A simple dusting of powdered sugar can really make your pie look more appetizing than if you simply served it bare and straight out of the container," Smith said. 

For flawless presentation, use a sieve to ensure an even coating of sugar and a stencil if you want to use the sugar to create clean and clear designs.

Add homemade lettering on top for a personal touch.

Just because your pie came straight from the grocery store doesn't mean it needs to look generic. 

"I'd add homemade lettering to the pie to make it your own," Lourdes said. "You can also add gold flakes or edible food glitter to make a statement." 

You can simply add your chosen phrase using frosting or make chocolate letters at home with silicone molds.

Top slices with ice cream for a pleasing temperature mix.

If you're serving a pie that's meant to be enjoyed warm, adding a scoop of high-quality ice cream can enhance the taste.

"Hot and cold foods are a dynamic pair," Cabrera said. "After warming it up, serve the pie with a generous scoop of slow-churned ice cream for a delectable dessert." 

Cabrera noted that you can't go wrong with vanilla ice cream, but you can also pick a rich chocolate or a fruity sorbet.

Sprinkle some bacon bits on top of your pie for a savory kick.

If you love marrying salty and sweet, adding a light dusting of bacon pieces to your pie might be a mouthwatering move. 

"The perfect way to improve an apple or peach pie is to grab your favorite bacon, cook it up, and toss it on the pie," Herbert said. 

For a Southern-inspired dessert, Herbert suggested using bourbon-flavored bacon on a pecan pie. 

Add fresh fruit to cream pies.

Liven up drab cream pies by topping them with chopped fresh fruit for added texture and color. 

"Find a fruit that would complement the type of cream pie you purchased," Lamagna said. "Cherries tend to go well with chocolate cream, and coconut works with banana cream."

Other tasty combos include peaches with vanilla cream, raspberries with lime cream, and banana with peanut-butter cream.

This story was originally published on November 3, 2020, and most recently updated on November 25, 2024.

• Veterinarians told Business Insider which pet products they don't think are worth splurging on.
• Products like fancy puppy restraints, premium cat litter, and pet clothes aren't necessary.
• Wireless dog fences can actually confuse your pet and could even be dangerous.

Pet owners often want to give their furry companions the best of everything, but not all products are worth their premium price tags. 

Business Insider asked veterinarians to highlight a few pet products that can be a waste of money. 

Pet multivitamins aren't always necessary 

Stacy Choczynski Johnson, veterinarian and vet expert at Pumpkin Pet Insurance, told BI that pet multivitamins usually aren't necessary.

"Vitamins and supplements don't require approval by the FDA to certify effectiveness, safety, or quality," said Johnson. "As a result, you may not always get what you are paying for."

According to Johnson, most pets get all the vitamins they need from their food, the only exception being if they're on a strict weight-loss diet. 

"In that case, your vet may recommend a xylitol-free human-grade multivitamin, which will be much cheaper," she said. 

All-terrain jogging strollers for dogs could actually hurt pets 

Though all-terrain dog strollers can transport pets that are unable to walk due to painful or debilitating conditions, they're expensive and may do more harm than good.

"It doesn't make sense to have an all-terrain jogging stroller that would subject sensitive dogs to bouncing on rough trails," said Johnson. "Dogs with arthritis and disc disease would do much better undisturbed at home."

For pets that need to be transported through a city, Johnson recommends a compact and size-appropriate stroller. 

Over-the-counter skin products could be a waste of cash

Pricey anti-itch shampoos, sprays, and ointments from the pet store can be ineffective. 

"Pet parents often spend a lot of money on anti-itch products that don't provide much relief," said Johnson. "Prescription-strength products with antifungal and antibacterial properties are best for pets with skin conditions."

Instead of checking pet-store shelves, Johnson recommends consulting your veterinarian about purchasing one or two prescription skin products.

Dog-safe 'beer' is usually just meat-flavored water

If you want to include your furry friend in a celebration, you could splurge on a six-pack of dog-safe 'beer.' But keep in mind these drinks don't contain hops, and typically use water, flavoring agents, and preservatives as their primary ingredients. 

"At around $4 a bottle, I'm not sure it's worth the novelty," Johnson said. "It's usually meat-flavored and non-toxic, but I think you'd be better off donating that money to a local animal shelter."

Automatic litter boxes don't save you that much work

Veterinarian Heather Venkat, advisor with VIP Puppies, told BI that it's not worth splurging on an expensive automatic litter box.

"It's much cheaper to scoop your cat's litter by hand, as the automatic litter boxes still require you to empty the bags by hand anyway," said Venkat. 

Wireless dog fences can be confusing and unsafe

Wireless dog fences deliver a vibration, sound, or a small electric shock — usually through a collar — to prevent dogs from wandering. 

"Wireless dog fences aren't worth spending money on," Venkat told BI. "They confuse dogs because they can't see their boundaries." 

A wireless fence may also prevent your pet from fleeing from a dangerous situation, such as a wild animal or stray dog. 

Not all tooth-cleaning toys and treats work

Some products that claim to clean your pet's teeth may not actually work. 

"Many of the special chew toys, rinses, and edible chews on the market are not scientifically proven to actually provide any oral health benefit to your pet," said Richardson. 

Brushing your pet's teeth with animal-safe toothpaste is the best way to control plaque and oral bacteria.

If you're unsure if the products you're buying will help your pet's oral health, you can check with your vet or reference this list from the Veterinary Oral Health Council.

Expensive puppy collars or harnesses can be a poor investment

Veterinarian Rachel Barrack of Animal Acupuncture told BI that owners shouldn't buy pricey puppy restraints. 

"Most puppies or small dogs will outgrow their collars or harnesses quickly, so don't buy a fancy one while they're small," said Barrack. 

As your dog grows, check with your vet to make sure you're using the right kind of restraint for your pet's breed and size. 

Premium cat litter often isn't necessary

Budget-friendly cat litter already comes in a range of scents, types, and textures, so unless your cat has a medical problem or allergy, there's no need to splurge on the premium stuff. 

"Cat litter doesn't have to be expensive to work," said Barrack. "Finding which one is best for your home may require some trial and error, but don't break the bank with fancy litter."

Dogs don't need to wear clothes unless there's a medical reason for doing so

It may be tempting to splurge on a fancy wardrobe for your dog, but most pets don't need clothes. 

"Pets don't need fancy clothes or clothing at all," said Barrack. "Large dogs, in particular, don't require extra insulation, especially if they have thick fur."

However, Barrack added, some pets, such as toy and short-hair breeds and dogs with compromised immune systems or endocrine issues, can benefit from a simple thermal sweater or coat. 

This story was originally published on January 26, 2022, and most recently updated on November 22, 2024.

• Business Insider asked chefs, bakers, and food writers about their favorite air-fryer desserts.
• They suggested using the appliance to make quick chocolate-chip cookies and brownies. 
• More complex desserts, like apple pie and cannoli shells, are also easy to make in an air fryer. 

Air fryers are known for their ability to give savory food a satisfying crunch without excess oil, but the trendy appliance is also capable of whipping up quick and easy desserts. 

Business Insider spoke with professional chefs, bakers, and food writers to share their favorite classic desserts to bake in the countertop appliance.

Here are some sweet treats you probably didn't know you can make in an air fryer.

Brownies are a quick and simple air-fryer dessert

Chris Riley, the chef and founder of The Darling Kitchen, told BI that you can use an air fryer to make perfectly tender brownies.

"The air fryer is perfect for making a small batch of brownies without heating up the whole house with the oven," he said.

Most air fryers are smaller than traditional ovens, so to make sure you don't end up with leftover mix, Riley suggested dividing your recipe in half or baking your batter in multiple smaller batches.

You can make apple pie in record time 

Air fryers are a great shortcut for making small fruit pies.

"This classic dessert can easily be prepared in an air fryer without having to turn on the oven. If you use ready-made apple crust, you can make this tasty treat in under half an hour," Riley told BI.

To decrease the chances of your pie bubbling over, allow the sliced apples to rest in a bowl for 30 minutes, and drain the excess liquid before adding them to your pie crust. 

Nutella pastry rolls are a deliciously easy treat

Chef and author Maria Liberati told BI that you can use hazelnut spread and store-bought pastry dough to create a quick and tasty dessert in the air fryer. 

"Spread Nutella between two strips of puff-pastry dough, brush the top strip with milk and brown sugar, roll it up, and then bake in the air fryer for five minutes at 400 degrees," she said. 

If you're using a large sheet of premade pastry dough, be sure to cut an even number of strips so that each roll has a top and bottom layer.

Chocolate-chip cookies are one of the quickest air-fryer desserts 

Chocolate-chip cookies are another classic dessert you can easily make in an air fryer.

"Chocolate-chip cookies bake in around five minutes in the air fryer," Riley told BI. "They get perfectly crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside."

If you want to save even more time, use store-bought dough or prepare a large batch ahead of time and bake individual cookies as needed. 

Air fryers are ideal for making homemade cannoli shells

Cannoli are Italian pastries made by filling tubes of fried pastry dough with sweet ricotta cream. Riley said the shells are easy to make in an air fryer. 

"You can make cannoli shells in an air fryer with a lot less work than usual by using store-bought pie dough," he told BI. "No one will suspect that this exquisite dessert came right out of your air fryer."

If you don't have cannoli tube forms, you can wrap your pastry dough around sturdy aluminum foil shaped into cylinders. 

You can shorten the baking time of banana bread 

Jessica Randhawa, a chef and the writer of The Forked Spoon, told BI that an air fryer is a great way to get banana bread that's perfectly chewy on the outside and soft on the inside.  

"Making banana bread is easy in an air fryer and the fast cooking time means that it can be enjoyed with your morning coffee, as an afternoon snack, or late-night dessert," she said. 

Use mini cake tins or Bundt pans to bake single portions of banana bread in the air fryer, and be sure to adjust your recipe and cooking time accordingly. 

Oatmeal cookies are easy and perfectly chewy

The dense, chewy texture of oatmeal cookies pairs perfectly with the crisping abilities of an air fryer. 

"Oatmeal cookies cook great in an air fryer," Randhawa said. "They come out soft yet chewy and are even better when they're loaded with gooey chocolate chips and spices."

This story was originally published in November 2020 and most recently updated on November 20, 2024. 

Read More:

• Chefs share 16 of the best foods to make in an air fryer
• Chefs and bakers share 10 amazing desserts you can make in an air fryer
• I made chocolate chip cookies using 3 celebrity chefs' recipes, and the best is the simplest
• 9 mistakes you're making when using your air fryer