This Air Fryer Fried Milk Dessert combines the best of traditional fried milk from Chinese cuisine with modern convenience, resulting in a light and crispy treat that’s creamy on the inside. With flavors of cinnamon and a touch of lemon, it resembles popular European and South African variations like Spain’s leche frita, Italy’s crema fritta, and South Africa’s milktart. Here’s the complete recipe:
Air Fryer Fried Milk Dessert
Ingredients:
- 1.2L milk
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 strips lemon rind
- 4 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 215g (1 cup) caster sugar
- 140g (1 cup) cornflour
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 120g (3/4 cup) plain flour
- Cinnamon sugar (for sprinkling)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Baking Dish:
- Grease and line a 20cm x 30cm lamington pan with baking paper.
2. Infuse the Milk:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, cinnamon sticks, and lemon rind. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it starts to simmer. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Mix the Egg Base:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, caster sugar, cornflour, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Combine the Milk and Egg Mixture:
- Strain the infused milk into the egg mixture, whisking continuously to combine. Discard the cinnamon sticks and lemon rind.
5. Thicken the Custard:
- Return the milk-egg mixture to a clean medium saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and bubbles.
6. Set the Custard:
- Pour the thickened custard into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Allow it to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until firm.
7. Cut and Coat:
- Once firm, turn the set custard onto a cutting board and cut into 3.5cm squares. Coat each square in plain flour, shaking off any excess.
8. Air Fry the Squares:
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F). Spray the air fryer basket with oil, and add some of the custard squares, spraying them lightly with oil. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Repeat with the remaining squares.
9. Serve:
- Once fried, sprinkle the squares generously with cinnamon sugar. Serve warm and enjoy this delicious fusion dessert.
Notes:
- Custard Thickness: Make sure to cook the custard until it thickens significantly, ensuring that it holds its shape when cooled.
- Storage: You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat them in the air fryer for a quick refresh.
This crispy, custard-like treat will soon become a favorite in your dessert repertoire!