Picture this: it’s a warm, sunny Sunday afternoon, you’ve spent a glorious morning enjoying your garden and entertaining family and friends. And now you’ve just delighted them with your succulent air fried pork shoulder for lunch. But wait – now it’s time to dazzle them with dessert! This air fryer Eton Mess is the perfect way to finish off the meal and leave everyone with a smile. Eton Mess is a traditional British summer dessert that combines a variety of textures and flavours to perfection. Crispy meringue, velvety whipped cream, and juicy fruit. And thanks to the air fryer, you can make this classic dessert in less time than ever before, so it’s easy to enjoy all year round.
I had the pleasure of cooking these delicious air-fryer Eton Mess meringues on the Channel 5 TV show AIR FRYERS: SUNDAY LUNCH MADE EASY, which first aired on April 3rd, 2024. Traditionally made with strawberries, meringue, and whipped cream, Eton Mess is a beloved dessert in the UK. But by using the air fryer, the meringues come out crispy and golden in half the time it would normally take to bake them in a conventional oven. The air-fryer’s speed allows you to enjoy this delightful dessert with much less waiting time, meaning you can spend more time enjoying your company and less time in the kitchen!
What’s even better is that this recipe isn’t just a time-saver – it’s also a cost-saver! With the air-fryer, you use less energy than in a conventional oven, making this treat even more efficient. Any recipe that tastes as good as this, while being quicker and more affordable, is a true winner in my book.
PREP 10 minutes
COOK 35 minutes
SERVES 2 people
KIT you will need: an air fryer, electric whisk, liner and mixing bowl.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Eton Mess
220g of caster sugar
1 teaspoon of white vinegar
5 egg whites, beaten
1 teaspoon of corn flour
220g of caster sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
To serve:
200g of double cream, whipped
150g of fresh blueberries
150g of fresh raspberries
Method
Let’s dive into making this delightful and easy air fryer Eton Mess – perfect for finishing off your Sunday lunch with a sweet and airy touch.
Start by separating five egg whites into a large mixing bowl. Then using an electric whisk, begin beating the egg whites on medium speed. Gradually add one tablespoon of caster sugar at a time, allowing each spoonful to incorporate before adding the next. This slow addition helps to stabilize the meringue and create a glossy finish.
Then once all the sugar has been added, mix in a teaspoon of white vinegar, a teaspoon of cornflour, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. These ingredients help to give your meringue that perfect chewy centre and crisp outer shell. Keep whisking the mixture until you achieve soft peaks – you’ll know it’s ready when you can flip the bowl upside down without the meringue slipping out!
Gently spoon the fluffy meringue mixture into an air fryer liner or onto a small baking tray that fits inside your air fryer. Pop it into the air fryer drawer and cook at 120°C for about 35 minutes using the roast mode. Keep an eye on it and check after around 30 minutes to avoid overcooking – every air fryer is slightly different.
So once done, remove the meringue and let it cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. The cooling helps it firm up and gives you those satisfying cracks when breaking it apart.
To assemble your Eton Mess, break the cooled meringue into chunks and layer it in serving bowls with whipped cream, fresh blueberries, raspberries, or any berries you love. Then repeat the layers for extra indulgence.
This light, crunchy, and fruity dessert is a wonderful way to end any meal!
Catch the full step-by-step video on my YouTube channel.
Tips for Air Fryer Eton Mess
Eton Mess is a classic British dessert made with crushed meringue, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries. Using the air fryer to make the meringue makes this sweet treat even more accessible at home so no need to turn on the oven! Here’s how to get it just right:
1. Whip your egg whites to stiff peaks
For perfect meringue, make sure your egg whites are at room temperature and whip them until they hold stiff peaks. Gradually add sugar, beating well between each addition, until glossy and smooth.
2. Use baking paper or silicone liner
Line your air fryer basket or tray with non-stick baking paper or a silicone mat. This prevents the meringues from sticking and makes clean-up a breeze.
3. Shape small meringues
Spoon or pipe small meringue blobs (about 1–2 inches wide) onto the lined tray. Smaller meringues cook more evenly and are perfect for layering in your Eton Mess.
4. Low and slow is key
Set your air fryer to a low temperature (around 100°C or 210°F) and cook the meringues for 30–40 minutes. Keep them white and crisp, not browned.
5. Let them cool in the basket
Once done, let the meringues cool completely in the air fryer basket. This helps them dry out fully and become light and crunchy.
6. Assemble just before serving
To prevent soggy meringue, layer with whipped cream and fresh strawberries just before serving. Crush some meringues and keep others whole for added texture.
7. Add flavour twists
Mix in raspberries, mint, or a drizzle of berry coulis for a fruity upgrade. You can also flavour your whipped cream with vanilla or a splash of elderflower cordial.
Similar recipes
Or you might also like my easy air fryer Victoria sponge or the air fryer crumble recipe.
So if you are still looking for more air fryer inspiration then click here for more of my TV recipes.
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