My air fryer dessert hack is on sale – these tiny Staub cocottes are the trick to the easiest single-serve sweet treats

I’ve got a serious sweet tooth, and sometimes I just want a single portion of dessert without turning the oven on (or leaving the house). That’s where the air fryer comes in; it’s quick, low-effort, and perfect for small-batch baking and whipping up healthier treats.

But the real game-changer for me? These mini Staub cocottes, now on sale at Nordstrom. They’re elegant, heat-safe (up to a whopping 570°F), and just the right size for single-serve desserts.

If you’re into the idea of quick, personal-sized desserts, the best air fryer liners are always worth it. I’ve tested a ton of options – porcelain ramekins, glass bowls, silicone molds – and while most get the job done, I keep going back to these ceramic cocottes because they bake evenly, clean up easily, and look stunning on the table, even when I’m just serving myself.

22% off

Staub Citron 3-Piece Mini Round Cocotte Set | Was $89.99, now $69.99 at Nordstrom

The bright yellow hue of these Staub cocottes is a great match for summer desserts (I'd go for individual lemon bars). The glaze is non-reactive, scratch and stain-resistant, and glossy, which makes cleaning easy. The pots are also safe for the dishwasher and for storing in the freezer, too.

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With my Staub cocottes, I whip up dessert in around 10 minutes. When the craving strikes, I have a handful of go-to recipes that never fail. Sometimes it’s a rich lava cake, with a gooey chocolate center that’s great with a scoop of perfect vanilla ice cream. Other times, I’ll add a round of cookie dough for a warm cookie pie with crispy edges.

I own the red Staub cocottes, so my recipe on repeat at the moment matches thematically; it's a 'Summer Strawberry Crumble', inspired by a large-batch recipe from Deliciously Ella Everyday, a healthy cookbook I bought on Amazon years ago.

I place a few whole strawberries and sliced banana into my cocotte, drizzle with maple syrup and bake in my air fryer at 320°F for five minutes, until soft. Meanwhile, I make the crumble topping. I melt coconut oil in the microwave, then mix in ground almonds, oats, cinnamon, and honey (Staub's microwave-safe bowls, also on sale at Nordstrom, are perfect for this task).

Finally, I top the gooey fruit with the crumble and bake for another five minutes, until golden. With no refined sugar or processed ingredients, it’s incredibly healthy – yet tastes like a treat.

The Staub cocottes aren’t just for sweet treats, though. If you're wondering about what else to cook in an air fryer using your cocottes, another easy one is 'eoufs en cocotte'. I brush the inside of the dish with olive oil, crack in an egg, add a pinch of salt, pepper, and Parmesan, then air fry at 360°F for about 8 minutes, until set. Add slices of buttered toast for dipping, and you’ve got a surprisingly easy and elegant brunch.

Durable, dishwasher-safe, and stackable, the mini Staub cocottes are ideal for my small kitchen. They're always stacked next to my air fryer, so I'm ready to go – whether I'm craving dessert or baking breakfast for one. They’ve become a staple in my kitchen. Although they're small, they are one of my most successful buys this year.

My essentials for single-serve treats in the air fryer

If you’re still figuring out which air fryer to buy, check my tried-and-tested guide to the best air fryers to get started.

Did you know you can even bake a full-sized cake in an air fryer? I’ve tested it with a Victoria sponge. Baking air fryer desserts are really easy when you know how and you have the right tools. Honestly, air fryers are one of my summer baking essentials, helping avoid heating up the entire kitchen with a sizzling hot oven.

Of course, if you don't have an air fryer, the single-serve cocotte recipes I've suggested will work just as well in the oven, though you'll have to preheat beforehand, increase the temperature and bake for longer.