Air Fryer Profiteroles with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce
Crispy air fryer profiteroles filled with creamy vanilla ice cream and topped with a rich, glossy chocolate sauce.
Steps
- 1
In a saucepan, bring water, butter, and salt to a boil. Remove from heat, add the sifted flour all at once, and stir vigorously until combined.
- 2
Return the saucepan to low heat and cook the dough for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it dries out. Let it cool slightly.
- 3
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, until the dough is smooth and glossy.
- 4
Transfer the dough to a piping bag and pipe small balls onto a parchment-lined tray.
- 5
Cook in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 12 minutes, until golden brown and puffed.
- 6
In a small saucepan, melt the dark chocolate with the heavy cream over low heat. Stir in the optional butter for a shiny finish.
- 7
Cut the profiteroles open, fill with vanilla ice cream, and drizzle with warm chocolate sauce.
Shopping list
125 ml water, 40 g butter, 1 pinch salt, 75 g all-purpose flour, 2 eggs, 100 g dark chocolate, 10 tbsp heavy cream, 1 tbsp butter (optional), 1 liter vanilla ice cream
Recipe story
Profiteroles, originally known as 'petits choux,' were first crafted in the 16th century by the Italian chef Pantanelli, who served at the royal court of Catherine de' Medici. In the grand kitchens of French royalty, these delicate puffs of choux pastry became emblems of elegance, filled with silky creams and draped in chocolate. This modern twist, using an air fryer to achieve a perfect crispness, honors the dish's storied past while embracing contemporary convenience, blending the speed of innovation with the timeless allure of a royal dessert. Today, profiteroles with vanilla ice cream and rich chocolate sauce are a global celebration of culinary heritage and joyful creativity.
Ingredient Secrets
Sea salt
Sea salt, extracted from ocean waters by evaporation, was one of the most precious goods of antiquity, used both as food and as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is the origin of the word 'salary'. Salt roads connected entire civilizations, and in the Middle Ages, salt was so valuable it was called 'white gold'.
Vanilla
Vanilla, native to Mexico, was discovered by Spanish conquistadors who brought it to Europe in the 16th century. In Aztec culture, vanilla was used to flavor a royal cocoa drink. For centuries, hand-pollination was a closely guarded secret, and it wasn't until 1841 that a 12-year-old slave on Réunion discovered the method that allowed widespread cultivation.
