Crossword Genius

Insubstantial brownies? First piece dispatched (4-5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

airy-fairy

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'piece dispatched' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'insubstantial brownies?' is the wordplay.
'insubstantial' becomes 'airy' (similar in meaning).
'brownies?' becomes 'fairy' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'airy'+'fairy'='AIRY-FAIRY'

'first' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for airy-fairy that I've seen before include "Fanciful or impractical for breezy elf" , "Lightweight" , "Fanciful and impractical like breezy sprite" , "Fanciful, not based on reality" , "Unrealistic - fanciful" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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