Chiacchiere in air fryer

Name: Chiacchiere in air fryer
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 40
Ingredients: Type 00 flour 4 cups; Sugar &frac13; cup; Butter at room temperature 3 ½ tbsp; Eggs (about 3 medium) 6.2 oz; Egg yolks (approximately from 1 medium egg) 1 tbsp; Grappa 1 oz; Baking powder 1 ¼ tsp; Vanilla bean 1; Fine salt 1 pinch; Water 0.4 cup; Sunflower seed oil 3 ½ tbsp; Powdered sugar to taste

it es br de fr

Vegetarian

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 10 min
Makes: 40
Cost: Low
Note + 30 min. of dough resting

PRESENTATION

Chiacchiere air fryer style brings all the crispy fun of the Italian Carnival right into your kitchen, minus the heaviness of deep frying. Seriously good. These treats are super popular across Italy—from Milan to Palermo. And here's the thing, they're the go-to sweet during Carnevale. What really makes them special is how light and almost airy they turn out when you make them in the air fryer. You still get that classic crunch you crave, just with way, way less oil. I mean, folks usually dust them with a ton of powdered sugar, giving every bite that little sweet finish everyone loves. Pretty cool, right? It's awesome to see such a long-standing tradition get a modern twist, letting you enjoy the party without feeling weighed down. Plus, you'll notice the air fryer method keeps all the flavor intact, so these are not just for people cutting back on fat—they're for anyone who loves a Italian carnival dessert and wants to snack a little smarter.

During Carnevale, Italian families always break out special sweets. Also, alongside the air fryer chiacchiere recipe options, you'll spot things like mini brioche and zeppole getting the air fryer treatment, keeping the kitchen a bit cleaner—always a plus—while everyone still gets their fill of festive treats. The whole point is to enjoy the party, but maybe with a little more balance. These healthy chiacchiere are the answer. Thing is, the texture turns out surprisingly tender inside while the edges stay golden and crisp, thanks to the hot air circulation. It is the kind of snack you put out on a platter, watch disappear, and honestly feel good about going back for seconds. Some folks like to serve them with extra powdered sugar, while others add a hint of citrus zest for a different vibe. Either way, these air fryer dessert recipes show that you do not have to lose any of the fun or flavor from traditional Italian pastries when you make a few swaps. So here's the thing, this updated take lets everyone enjoy the best parts of Carnival—food, fun, and just the right amount of sweetness—with a lighter touch.

INGREDIENTS

For about 40 chiacchiere: Type 00 flour 4 cups (500 g); Sugar ⅓ cup (70 g); Butter 3 ½ tbsp (50 g) - at room temperature; Eggs 6.2 oz (175 g) - (about 3 medium); Egg yolks 1 tbsp (15 g) - (approximately from 1 medium egg); Grappa 1 oz (30 g); Baking powder 1 ¼ tsp (6 g); Vanilla bean 1; Fine salt 1 pinch

For the Emulsion: Water 0.4 cup (100 g); Sunflower seed oil 3 ½ tbsp (50 g)

For Sprinkling: Powdered sugar to taste

Preparation

How to prepare Chiacchiere in air fryer

To prepare the chiacchiere in the air fryer, first sift the flour and baking powder into the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with a paddle attachment. Add the sugar 1 and salt, then pour in the eggs and the yolk, which you have lightly beaten together 2, and finally the grappa 3. Mix at medium speed to blend the ingredients well.

At this point, replace the paddle with the dough hook 4, then add the seeds from the vanilla bean and the softened butter 5. Continue kneading for 10 minutes until you get a smooth, firm but malleable dough. If necessary, you can add 5-10 g of water. Transfer the dough to a work surface and quickly shape it into a ball 6.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes 7. After this time, divide the dough into portions of about 5 oz each and start rolling one at a time; in the meantime, cover the rest of the dough to prevent it from drying out. Slightly flatten the first portion of dough with the palm of your hand 8, flour it, and pass it through the pasta machine at the widest thickness 9.

Fold the short sides of the dough strip towards the center 10, then roll it out again, gradually decreasing the thickness of the rollers until you reach about 1/16 inch 11. Proceed this way to roll out all the sheets, then let them rest for a few minutes. Trim the edges with a fluted wheel, then cut rectangles of about 4x2.5 inches 12.

Make two diagonal cuts in the center of each 13. At this point, briefly blanch the chiacchiere for a few seconds in a pot of boiling water, no more than 1-2 at a time 14. When they rise to the surface, drain the chiacchiere with a slotted spoon 15 and transfer them onto a tray lined with parchment paper.

Spray the blanched sheets with the water and oil emulsion 16; alternatively, you can brush them. Place the chiacchiere in the air fryer (we used a fryer with a 6-quart capacity) 17, close with the lid, and cook at 392°F for about 5 minutes. Every minute or minute and a half, open the door to check they haven't stuck together and spray the sheets again with the emulsion 18.

When they are nicely golden 19, transfer the chiacchiere to a tray and let them cool completely, then sprinkle with powdered sugar 20. Your air fryer chiacchiere are ready to be enjoyed 21!

Storage

The air fryer chiacchiere can be stored at room temperature for 5-6 days, in a paper bag or a tin box.

Freezing is not recommended.

Advice

The grappa can be replaced with the same amount of white wine. Alternatively, you can use orange juice.

The water and oil emulsion is used to moisten the surface of the chiacchiere to prevent them from drying out during cooking; it also makes them crispier and more golden. You can vary the amount of water and oil, as long as they are in a 2:1 ratio.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.