Marianne Martinez
Hot cross buns are a traditional Easter treat, but you can enjoy them any time of the year. They are typically baked in an oven, but you can also cook them in an air fryer. Air fryers are compact, convenient, and easy to clean, making them ideal for small kitchens or when you don't want to heat up your oven. Cooking hot cross buns in an air fryer is a quick and efficient method that locks in moisture and enhances the flavour, resulting in buns that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. You can cook hot cross buns from scratch in an air fryer, or simply toast pre-made buns for a quick snack or breakfast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 160°C (320°F) to 390°F (200°C) |
| Timing | 3 minutes to 20 minutes |
| Customisation | Easy to adjust size, fillings and toppings |
| Batch size | Small batches |
| Preparation | Proofing, kneading, shaping, piping, baking, glazing |
| Storage | Cool in a kitchen cupboard for up to 3 days or freeze |
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What You'll Learn
How to make hot cross bun dough
Hot cross buns are a delightful treat, especially around Easter. You can make the dough for hot cross buns using a stand mixer, food processor, or by hand. Here is a step-by-step guide to making the perfect hot cross bun dough:
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Ensure you have all the necessary ingredients, including flour, yeast, sugar, spices (such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice), butter, eggs, milk, and raisins. You can also add some orange zest or candied orange peel for a unique flavour.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, spices, and a pinch of salt. Mix these ingredients briefly using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or a food processor with a dough blade. If you don't have either of these appliances, you can simply mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.
Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, and slightly beaten eggs. You can adjust the proportions of milk and butter to control the density of your buns—more butter and less milk will result in denser buns.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. You can use a wooden spoon or a silicone spatula for this step. If you're using yeast, make sure to activate it by mixing it with warm milk and allowing it to become foamy before adding the remaining wet ingredients.
Step 5: Knead the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it until it becomes soft and elastic. You can do this by hand, which will take some arm strength, or you can use an electric mixer or bread machine. If you're adding raisins, knead them into the dough at this stage.
Step 6: Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it. Allow the dough to rise until it has doubled in size. This usually takes about an hour. After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air, then divide it into equal portions (10-15 pieces) and shape them into smooth balls.
Step 7: Second Rise
Cover the shaped dough balls and let them rise for an additional hour. This will give the buns their final shape and allow them to become fluffy and light.
Once your dough is ready, you can proceed to shape the buns, add the crosses, and bake them. Remember, you can also use your air fryer to bake or reheat your hot cross buns for a quick and convenient treat!
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How to prove the dough
Proving the dough is a crucial step in achieving fluffy and light hot cross buns. Here is a detailed guide on how to prove the dough when making hot cross buns in an air fryer:
- Start by making the dough for your hot cross buns. In a mixing bowl, rub sugar and flour into fat along with your desired seasonings until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Then, slowly add warm milk and oil to the dry mixture while mixing until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough well. This step helps to develop the gluten in the dough, giving it a chewy texture. As you knead, incorporate raisins or any other desired mix-ins into the dough.
- Once the dough is smooth and elastic, it's time to shape it. Divide the dough into 8-12 equal-sized portions, depending on your desired batch size. Roll each portion into a ball and place them side by side in a silicone cake pan or on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cover the dough balls and let them rest in a warm environment. This warm setting will activate the yeast, causing the dough to rise and double in size. The time it takes for the dough to double in size can vary depending on the temperature and humidity of your environment.
- While the dough is proofing, avoid the temptation to rush the process by placing it in a very hot environment. Proper proofing takes time, and rushing this step may affect the texture of your buns.
- Check the dough periodically to ensure it is proofing properly. The dough should feel airy and soft when gently poked. If the indentation fills in slowly, the dough is ready for the next step.
- Once the dough has doubled in size, gently press down on the balls to release some of the air. Be careful not to deflate the dough completely; just gently press to even out the surface and remove any large air pockets.
Remember, the proofing process is essential for light and fluffy hot cross buns. By following these steps, you'll be on your way to creating delicious, airy treats that are perfect for Easter or any time you crave a spiced sweet treat.
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How to apply the cross
To apply the cross on your hot cross buns, you can use a piping bag or a plastic bag with a corner snipped off to pipe the flour paste. Be careful to ensure clean, distinct lines. You can also cut the corner of the bag or the tip off the piping bag, and pipe a cross on each bun.
The crosses on the hot cross buns can be made by mixing flour and water and loading the paste into a piping bag. Then, carefully pipe the crosses on each bun, ensuring that the lines are clean and distinct. You can also use a knife or a toothpick to create the crosses, but this method may be more difficult and time-consuming.
If you are using a piping bag, be sure to cut the tip to the appropriate size before filling it with the flour paste. This will ensure that the lines are the desired thickness. If you are using a plastic bag, cut a small corner off the bag and use that as your piping tip.
When applying the crosses, hold the bag perpendicular to the bun and apply even pressure to create a steady stream of paste. Start at the top of the bun and pipe a straight line down the center to the bottom. Then, pipe a straight line across the first line to create a cross.
If you make a mistake, you can use a toothpick or a small brush to gently remove the excess paste. Allow the crosses to dry completely before handling or glazing the buns.
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How to glaze the buns
To glaze the buns, first, warm 25ml (2 tbsp) of milk in the microwave and stir in 1 tbsp of caster sugar until dissolved. Then, brush the hot cross buns with the glaze and leave them to cool on a cooling tray. You can also glaze the buns with a simple syrup or apricot jam while they're still warm to give them a shiny, sticky finish and an extra layer of sweetness.
If you're looking to make a bigger batch, you can bake or freeze your buns. To store hot cross buns, place them into a zip-lock bag and keep them in a cool kitchen cupboard for up to 3 days or until you can eat them. Alternatively, you can freeze any leftover buns for later.
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How to reheat hot cross buns
Hot cross buns are a sweetened bread that is famous in many countries, especially during Easter. They can be eaten plain or with butter, jam, or honey, and are often served with a cup of tea or coffee.
If you have leftover hot cross buns, you can use an air fryer to reheat and toast them. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reheat hot cross buns in an air fryer:
- Optional: Cut your hot cross buns in half and butter them.
- Place them into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Some models may not require preheating, but it can help to warm the buns more evenly.
- Heat the buns for 2-3 minutes until they are heated through and slightly crispy on the outside. Check them after a minute to ensure they are not burning, and turn down the heat if they are charring.
- Once heated, remove the buns from the air fryer and serve.
It is important to note that this method works best with fresh buns. If your hot cross buns are stale, the air fryer may dry them out further. Additionally, if you plan to store your hot cross buns, it is recommended to let them cool to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag to maintain freshness.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 3 minutes to toast hot cross buns in an air fryer. If you are baking the buns from scratch, it takes about 20 minutes in total to cook them.
Set your air fryer to 180°C or 360°F for the initial cooking, then finish with 5 minutes at 150°C or 300°F. If you are simply toasting the buns, set the temperature to 200°C or 390°F.
Mix flour and water to make a paste, then carefully pipe the crosses onto the buns before cooking.
Once the buns have cooled, place them in a zip lock bag and store in a cool kitchen cupboard for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the buns for later.
