Salted Caramel Bites (Air Fryer Recipe)

Introduction:

Craving something sweet, gooey, and a little bit salty? These Salted Caramel Bites are the ultimate bite-sized treat! Crisp on the outside, warm and molten in the middle—each bite delivers rich caramel with a touch of sea salt. And the best part? They’re ready in under 20 minutes using your air fryer. No need to turn on the oven or fuss with candy thermometers.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time (Air Fryer): 6–8 minutes

Cooling/Setting Time: 5 minutes

Total: ~20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

12–14 soft caramel candies (Werther’s Soft Caramels or similar)

1 egg (for egg wash)

Flaky sea salt (for topping)

Optional: powdered sugar for dusting

Equipment:

Air fryer (basket or oven style)

Parchment paper or silicone liner (optional)

Pastry brush

Instructions:

Prep Puff Pastry:

Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.

Cut into 12–14 squares (about 2×2 inches each).

Add the Caramel Centers:

Place one soft caramel candy in the center of each square.

Fold corners over the caramel and pinch to seal (form a tight ball or pouch shape).

Make sure no gaps remain to prevent caramel from leaking.

Egg Wash:

Beat the egg in a small bowl.

Brush each bite lightly with egg wash to help them brown beautifully.

Air Fry:

Preheat air fryer to 360°F (182°C) for 3 minutes.

Place bites in the air fryer basket (use parchment paper if needed), leaving a little space between each.

Air fry at 360°F for 6–8 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.

 Check at the 6-minute mark. If they look done and feel firm, remove them. Add an extra minute or two if needed.

Add the Salt & Cool:

Immediately sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of each bite while hot.

Let them cool for 5 minutes—this allows the caramel to thicken slightly.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve warm with coffee, hot cocoa, or vanilla ice cream

Dust with powdered sugar for an extra festive touch

Storage:

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days.

Reheat in air fryer at 330°F for 2–3 minutes to restore crispness.