Delicious & Easy Weight Watchers Crescent Cronuts: Your 5-Point Air Fryer Treat!
Get ready to discover your new favorite breakfast or snack with these incredible Weight Watchers Crescent Cronuts! This recipe brilliantly fuses the flaky goodness of a crescent roll with the delightful indulgence of a donut, all while keeping things light and delicious. Each serving is a mere 5 Weight Watchers points, making them the perfect guilt-free accompaniment to your morning coffee, a refreshing glass of orange juice, a vibrant fruit salad, or a protein-packed yogurt parfait.
The term “cronut” traditionally refers to a hybrid of a croissant and a donut. However, we’ve put a unique and equally scrumptious spin on it by using readily available reduced-fat crescent roll dough. This clever substitution not only simplifies the process but also makes these delightful treats incredibly Weight Watchers-friendly. If you’ve been craving a donut but are mindful of your points, these quick and simple cronuts are an absolute game-changer. They deliver on flavor, texture, and satisfaction without derailing your health goals.
Initially, a classic cinnamon sugar coating crossed my mind, but I ultimately decided a traditional donut glaze would elevate these cronuts to an even more irresistible level. And I couldn’t be happier with the outcome! The sweet, glossy glaze sets beautifully, giving each cronut a professional, appealing shine. Plus, by cooking them in the air fryer, you achieve that coveted texture: wonderfully crispy on the outside, yet unbelievably soft and pillowy on the inside. It’s a perfect balance that truly mimics a bakery-style donut experience.
The secret to their perfect puffiness lies in the initial baking technique. We start with a really low temperature in the air fryer, which allows the dough to gently “proof” or rise significantly. This initial stage ensures maximum volume and a light, airy texture. Once puffed, a quick increase in temperature is all it takes to finish baking them to a beautiful golden brown, resulting in a perfectly cooked cronut every time.
Why These Air Fryer Crescent Cronuts Are a Must-Try!
- Incredibly Simple with Minimal Ingredients: Who doesn’t appreciate a recipe that requires less than five ingredients? This cronut recipe truly fits the bill for ease and convenience. I’m always on the lookout for quick and straightforward treats to share with loved ones, and this one consistently delivers. Using pre-made crescent roll dough is a brilliant shortcut, saving you from the complexities of making dough from scratch. It means less time shopping for obscure ingredients and more time enjoying delicious results.
- Lightning-Fast Cooking Time: Thanks to the use of store-bought crescent roll dough and the efficiency of the air fryer, these cronuts cook in under 10 minutes! This is an ideal recipe for those moments when a donut craving strikes unexpectedly, but you don’t have the luxury of spending hours in the kitchen. From start to finish, you can have warm, freshly glazed cronuts ready in about 30 minutes, including prep time. Perfect for busy mornings, impromptu brunches, or a last-minute sweet treat.
- Endless Customization Options: The versatility of these crescent cronuts is truly impressive. While a classic glaze is delightful, you’re certainly not limited to it. After they cool, you can opt for a partial glaze, adding a whimsical touch with colorful sprinkles. For a different flavor profile, consider dusting them with powdered sugar or coating them generously in a fragrant cinnamon sugar mixture. The possibilities are vast, allowing you to tailor them to your personal taste or any special occasion.
Understanding the Crescent Cronut Phenomenon
The original “cronut” gained widespread fame as a delectable pastry innovation, a perfect marriage between the flaky, buttery layers of a French croissant and the sweet, fried dough of an American donut. Our Weight Watchers Crescent Cronut takes this concept and makes it accessible, easy, and lighter. Instead of intricate laminated dough, we leverage the convenience of reduced-fat crescent roll dough. This ingenious swap allows us to achieve a similar soft, airy texture and a satisfying chewiness, but with significantly less effort and fewer calories. It’s not just a simpler recipe; it’s a smart adaptation that brings the joy of a hybrid pastry into your home kitchen, perfect for those monitoring their intake.
Why the Air Fryer is Your Best Friend for These Cronuts
Using an air fryer for these crescent cronuts is a game-changer. Air fryers circulate hot air around the food, creating a crispy exterior without the need for deep frying, which significantly reduces the fat content and makes them a healthier option. For these cronuts, the air fryer:
- Achieves Perfect Texture: It provides that desirable crispy shell and soft, airy interior, mimicking a traditional fried donut without the oil.
- Saves Time: Quick preheating and efficient cooking mean your cronuts are ready in minutes.
- Reduces Mess: No splattering oil, no greasy cleanup.
- Healthier Alternative: By “air frying” instead of deep frying, you enjoy a lighter version of a classic treat, aligning perfectly with Weight Watchers principles.
Recipe Snapshot
- Serving Size: 1 delicious cronut (approximately 32g)
- Yield: 10 perfectly portioned servings
- Active Cook Time: A swift 9-10 minutes
- Weight Watchers Points: Each serving is just 5 WW points, with a total of 54 points for the entire batch. (Click here to view the recipe directly in the WW app. A Weight Watchers login is required to access.)
Essential Ingredients for Your Weight Watchers Crescent Cronuts
You’ll be amazed at how few ingredients are needed to create these delightful treats. Most are likely staples you already have in your pantry!
- 8 oz can Reduced-fat crescent rolls: This is the star ingredient! Opting for reduced-fat is key to keeping the WW points low without sacrificing flavor or texture. These rolls are the foundation of our “cronut” and provide that signature flaky, soft dough.
- ¾ cup Powdered sugar: Essential for creating our smooth, classic donut glaze. Powdered sugar dissolves easily, yielding a silky consistency.
- 1 tbsp Water: Used to thin the powdered sugar into a pourable glaze. You might need a tiny bit more or less depending on your desired thickness.
- ½ tsp Vanilla extract: Adds that warm, comforting, and universally loved flavor to our glaze, enhancing the overall sweetness of the cronuts.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Perfect Crescent Cronuts
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, water, and vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps. If you prefer a thinner glaze, add a tiny bit more water, a quarter teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Set this aside; it will be used when the cronuts are fresh out of the air fryer.
- Prepare the Dough: Carefully remove the crescent dough log from its can. Keep it in its original log shape. Gently roll the log on a clean surface or cutting board to extend its length by about 1-2 inches. This ensures you can get even pieces. Once extended, use a sharp knife to cut the log into ten equal pieces. Precision here helps maintain consistent cronut sizes and even cooking.
3. Shape Your Cronuts: For each dough piece, locate the center of the spiral. Gently poke your finger through this center to create a small hole. From this initial small opening, carefully work the dough with your fingers to stretch it outwards, forming a larger circle with a wider diameter. Don’t be afraid to stretch! Remember that the holes tend to shrink quite a bit during the cooking process. For a perfect visual guide, or if you’re unsure, I highly recommend making one test cronut first. This will give you a better feel for how much to stretch the dough for your desired final donut-like shape. Initially, they might resemble thin rings more than traditional donuts, but trust the process!
4. Initial Air Fryer Stage (Proofing): Arrange a few of the shaped cronuts into your air fryer basket, ensuring there’s ample space between each one to allow for even airflow and rising. Lightly coat them with a non-aerosol cooking spray (aerosol sprays can damage air fryer coatings over time). Set your air fryer to 180°F (82°C) and “bake” them for 5 minutes. No need to preheat your air fryer for this step; the low temperature is crucial for the dough to gently puff up. This step essentially “proofs” the dough, preparing it for that light, airy texture.
5. Adjust and Reshape: After the initial 5 minutes, carefully open the air fryer basket. You might notice some cronuts have shifted or warped slightly due to the air circulation. This is completely normal! Use a knife or the back of a spoon to gently manipulate and reshape any cronuts that need a little adjustment, ensuring they maintain their desired donut-like form before the final cooking phase.
6. Final Air Fryer Stage (Browning): Increase the air fryer temperature significantly to 340°F (170°C). Air fry the cronuts for another 2 minutes. For a deeper golden color and an extra crisp, you can optionally give them another light spray of cooking oil at this point. Then, carefully flip each cronut over and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until they are thoroughly baked through and have achieved a beautiful golden brown finish on both sides. Watch them closely during this stage, as air fryers can vary in power.
7. Glaze While Hot: This step is critical for the glaze to adhere and set properly. While the cronuts are still warm from the air fryer, it’s time to glaze them. You have a couple of options: you can use a spoon to generously drizzle the glaze over each cronut, ensuring all sides are covered, or, for a more traditional look, you can gently dunk just the top part of each cronut into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip down the sides. There is just enough glaze for all 10 cronuts, so work efficiently! To minimize waste and ensure you use every drop, perform the glazing directly over the bowl of glaze so any drippings fall back in and can be reused for the remaining cronuts.
Delicious Variations & Customizations
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to get creative and tailor these cronuts to your personal preferences or what you have on hand.
- Cinnamon Sugar Cronuts: If a glazed donut isn’t what you’re craving, a cinnamon sugar coating is a fantastic alternative. Immediately after the cronuts emerge hot from the air fryer, give them a quick spray with cooking spray or brush them lightly with melted butter (for an added touch of richness). Then, toss or roll them in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon. A good ratio is typically 1/4 cup sugar to 1 teaspoon cinnamon, but adjust to your taste!
- Explore Glaze Flavors: Don’t limit yourself to vanilla! You can easily switch up the flavor of your glaze by substituting the vanilla extract for other essences. Consider using maple extract for a warm, autumnal note, almond extract for a delicate and sophisticated taste, or caramel extract for a rich, sweet indulgence. Even a hint of citrus zest (lemon or orange) added to the glaze can provide a bright, zesty twist.
- The “Splurge” Version: For those times when you want to treat yourself a little extra, there are ways to make these cronuts even more decadent while still being mindful. A small amount of melted butter stirred into the glaze can add a wonderfully rich, buttery depth of flavor. Another option is to simply make larger portions. Instead of dividing the dough into 10 pieces, create 8 slightly larger cronuts. Just remember that increasing the size will also increase the Weight Watchers points per serving.
Pro Tips for Perfect Weight Watchers Crescent Cronuts
Achieving bakery-quality cronuts at home is easier than you think, especially with these helpful tips and tricks!
- Don’t Be Shy with Stretching the Dough: When shaping your cronuts, it might feel like you’re overstretching the dough, but chances are, you’re not! The donut hole has a surprising tendency to close up significantly when cooked in the air fryer. This is why making a test donut first is such a valuable step – it provides immediate feedback and helps you gauge the perfect amount of stretch for the remaining pieces. Aim for a larger initial hole than you think necessary.
- Keep Your Dough Chilled: For the absolute best results, work with the crescent roll dough while it is still very cold. Cold dough is much more pliable and cooperative; it holds its shape beautifully. If the dough warms up too much, it becomes soft and difficult to handle, tending to slump over and lose that desirable donut shape. If your kitchen is warm, work quickly or chill the dough briefly between batches.
- Optimal Storage and Reheating: If you happen to have any cronuts left over (a rare occurrence!), store them in an airtight container or a resealable gallon-sized bag at room temperature. They will remain fresh and delicious for a few days. To refresh them and bring back some of that initial warmth and softness, a quick reheat in the microwave is recommended. However, be cautious: use a lower power setting and microwave in short bursts (e.g., 10-15 seconds). This prevents the cronuts from becoming tough or rubbery and ensures the delicate glaze doesn’t melt away instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I bake these in a regular oven? Yes, you can! If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake these in a conventional oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the shaped cronuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they have space between them. Bake for about 8-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep an eye on them as oven temperatures can vary.
- Can I deep fry them? While this recipe is designed for the air fryer to be WW-friendly, you could deep fry them for a more traditional donut experience. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry for 1-2 minutes per side until golden. Be aware that deep frying will significantly increase the fat content and Weight Watchers points.
- Can I make the dough ahead of time? The beauty of this recipe is using pre-made crescent roll dough, which is already “made ahead.” Once you open the can and shape the cronuts, it’s best to cook them immediately for the freshest taste and best texture.
- What if my cronuts don’t puff up? Ensure your air fryer is clean, and you’re not overcrowding the basket, as proper airflow is key. Also, make sure you’re following the initial low-temperature “proofing” step (180°F for 5 minutes) which is crucial for rising.
Serving Suggestions
These versatile cronuts are fantastic on their own, but pairing them with a few accompaniments can elevate your breakfast or snack experience:
- Classic Pairing: Enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk.
- Fruity Freshness: Serve alongside a bowl of fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) or sliced bananas for a balanced meal.
- Protein Boost: For a more substantial breakfast, pair a cronut with a Greek yogurt parfait, layered with fruit and a sprinkle of granola.
- Brunch Star: Add them to your brunch spread, perhaps alongside scrambled eggs or turkey bacon, for a sweet counterpoint to savory dishes.
More Delightful Donut Recipes to Explore
If you loved these Weight Watchers Crescent Cronuts, be sure to check out these other fantastic donut recipes:
Strawberry Donuts
Sour Cream Donuts
Apple Cinnamon Donuts
Weight Watchers Cronuts
Equipment
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Air fryer
Ingredients
- 8 oz Reduced-fat crescent rolls
- ¾ cup Powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp Water
- ½ tsp Vanilla extract
Instructions
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Make the glaze by mixing the water, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth. If preferred, thin with more water. Set aside.
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Remove the Crescent dough log from the can and keep it in the log shape. Gently roll the log to make it 1-2 inches longer. Cut the log into ten even pieces.
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With each piece, find the center of the spiral in the dough and poke your finger through to open it up. A small hole will form, and from here, you can work the dough to stretch it and make it into a large circle with a bigger diameter. The holes will close up a lot when you cook them; I suggest making a test donut to give you a better idea, or you can refer to the images. They don’t look like traditional donuts at first, but more like thin rings.
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Working in batches as needed, put a few of the cronuts into a sprayed (with non-aerosol spray) air fryer basket with plenty of space around them. Coat them with cooking spray and air fry at 180F for 5 minutes. (I didn’t preheat mine).
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Open the basket and use a knife or spoon to manipulate any cronuts that need to be reshaped or adjusted. Sometimes, the air can cause them to go a little sideways.
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Turn the heat up to 340F. Air fry for 2 minutes (optionally spray again for color), and then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until thoroughly baked.
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Glaze the cronuts while they are still hot. You can either use a spoon to do so, or you can dunk just the top part in the glaze and let it run down the sides. There is just enough glaze for the 10 cronuts, so make sure to work over the bowl so you can reuse any drippings that fall back into it.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.