French Crullers

Introduction

Crisp, airy, and glazed to perfection, French Crullers offer a lighter-than-air doughnut experience that’s as elegant as it is delicious. With their signature ridged shape and ethereal texture, these beauties make any morning feel special, whether you’re hosting brunch or treating yourself.

Crullers are celebrated not just for their delicate flavor but also for their beautiful appearance—guaranteed to impress a crowd and delight any sweet tooth.

What Makes French Crullers Irresistible?

Unlike yeasted doughnuts or dense cake varieties, French Crullers use a pâte à choux dough—the same base as profiteroles and éclairs. This creates a pastry that is crispy on the outside and astonishingly light within. When drizzled with a simple vanilla glaze, every bite is both subtly sweet and gloriously decadent.

Their ridged rings, expertly piped, give them a show-stopping look, making them stand out at any breakfast spread.

The Choux Dough: Lightness in Every Bite

Achieving that light texture starts with preparing silky-smooth choux pastry. It’s important to cook out the flour, beat in eggs one at a time, and pipe the dough into classic cruller rings. To make this process mess-free, lining your baking sheet with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll guarantees your crullers lift off easily after baking or frying.

Beat the dough with a sturdy spatula or a stand mixer—precision pays off here for the perfect puff.

The Cooking Method: Bake or Fry for Perfection

For authentic flavor and texture, crullers are typically deep-fried. However, you can also achieve crispiness with far less oil and cleanup using an air fryer like the COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1. Whether baked or air fried, piping the dough into rings ensures those lovely ridges that define a perfect cruller.

If you prefer to stick to the stovetop, a reliable frying pan like the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet keeps your oil at a consistent temperature and makes flipping crullers a breeze.

Finishing with a Glaze

A glossy vanilla glaze completes the French Cruller, giving it a delicate sweetness and irresistible sheen. Dip each slightly cooled cruller gently for a thin, even coating, letting the excess drip away. Place the glazed crullers back on your parchment to set.

To ensure orderly presentation (and no sticky counters), use a wide, flat container like a Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container as a drip tray beneath your cooling rack.

Serving Suggestions for the Ultimate French Crullers

Enjoy crullers as a standalone treat with coffee or tea, or add them to brunch tables alongside fresh fruit. Their airy interiors pair beautifully with rich, hot beverages. For an elegant addition, dust crullers lightly with powdered sugar right before serving.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

The recipe below makes about 10–12 French Crullers, depending on the size you pipe them. Each cruller clocks in at roughly 140–160 calories, making it a lighter indulgence among pastries. Glaze amounts may slightly increase calorie count.

French Crullers: A Delicate Brunch Treat (Recap)

With their delicate crispness and signature vanilla glaze, French Crullers are a standout pastry for special occasions or a refined weekend treat. Light, elegant, and crowd-pleasing, they’re sure to win hearts at any breakfast or brunch table.

Instructions

1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Heat over medium until the butter melts and the mixture just starts to boil.
3. Quickly add all the flour at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon or spatula until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides (1–2 minutes). Cook for another minute to dry out the dough slightly.
4. Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let cool for 5 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring the dough is glossy and holds a thick ribbon. (You may need a mixer for this—precision matters!)
5. Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe rings (about 3-inch diameter) onto the prepared parchment, spacing them apart.
6. If frying: Heat 2 inches of oil in a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet to 350°F. Fry each cruller (parchment side up, then peel away) for 2–3 minutes per side until puffed and golden. Drain on paper towels.
7. If air frying: Lightly spray air fryer basket with oil. Using an COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, air fry piped crullers at 375°F (parchment on bottom) for 10–12 minutes or until golden and puffed.
8. For the glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Dip each slightly cooled cruller top-side down into the glaze, letting excess drip away. Rest on a cooling rack or inside a Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container to set.
9. Serve within a few hours for the best texture and taste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Enjoy creating these ethereal pastries, sure to delight and impress both family and guests alike!