Air Fryer Short Cakes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making shortcakes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious dessert without heating up your kitchen. This guide will show you how to make shortcakes in your air fryer, with a variety of customisation options to make the recipe your own.

Preparing the strawberries

Step 1: Cleaning the Strawberries

Start by cleaning your strawberries to remove any dirt or grime. Fill a large bowl with a mixture of four parts water to one part white vinegar. Completely submerge the strawberries in this mixture and let them soak for about 20 minutes. This will help to remove any dirt and ensure your strawberries are nice and clean.

Step 2: Rinsing and Draining

After soaking, use a colander to rinse the strawberries thoroughly under cool water. Make sure to remove any remaining vinegar solution. Allow the strawberries to drain in the colander for a few minutes.

Step 3: Removing Stems and Slicing

Once your strawberries are clean and dry, it's time to prepare them for your shortcake. Remove the stems from the strawberries and slice them into even pieces. You can slice them into halves or quarters, depending on your preferred size.

Step 4: Making the Strawberry Syrup

In a bowl, combine the sliced strawberries with sugar. The amount of sugar you use can vary depending on your taste preferences. For every cup of strawberries, you can use about a tablespoon or two of sugar. Gently toss the strawberries with the sugar until they are evenly coated. The sugar will help draw out the natural juices of the strawberries, creating a delicious syrup.

Step 5: Chilling the Strawberries

Place the bowl of strawberries in the refrigerator to chill. This will allow the flavours to meld and the juices to develop. You can chill the strawberries for at least 20 minutes or even longer if you have the time. This step will result in juicy, flavourful strawberries and a delicious syrup.

Step 6: Assembling the Shortcakes

Once your strawberries are chilled and your shortcakes are baked, it's time to assemble your dessert. You can either layer the shortcakes with whipped cream and strawberries, or create a more traditional shortcake by cutting the shortcakes in half and spreading the whipped cream and strawberries between the layers. Enjoy your freshly prepared strawberry shortcake!

Making the shortcakes

Next, grease your air fryer basket or tray with oil or non-stick spray. Place the biscuits in the basket, making sure they are not touching. If you are using homemade dough, drop 1/4 cup portions into the basket. Leave space between each biscuit or portion of dough.

Air-fry the biscuits at 320-330°F for 6-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown. If you are making larger biscuits, you may need to increase the cooking time to 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, remove the biscuits from the air fryer and allow them to cool.

Once the biscuits have cooled, cut them in half horizontally to create a top and bottom for your shortcakes. You can now assemble your shortcakes. Place a generous amount of macerated strawberries and their syrup on the bottom half of each biscuit, followed by a layer of whipped cream. Place the top half of the biscuit on top of the cream, and add another layer of cream and strawberries. Your shortcakes are now ready to serve!

Air-frying the biscuits

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Grease the air fryer basket with oil or non-stick spray to prevent the biscuits from sticking. If using parchment paper, line the air fryer basket with perforated parchment paper.

Step 2: Place the Biscuits in the Basket

Open the can of refrigerated biscuits and separate them. Place the biscuits in the basket, making sure they are not touching. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to fit four or six biscuits at a time. Leave at least 1/2 inch of space between each biscuit to allow for even cooking.

Step 3: Air-Fry the Biscuits

Set the air fryer temperature to between 320°F and 330°F. Air fry the biscuits for 6 to 7 minutes, or until golden brown. For larger biscuits, such as Grands, you may need to cook them for 8 to 10 minutes. If desired, gently loosen the biscuits and flip them over halfway through the cooking time.

Step 4: Cool the Biscuits

Once the biscuits are done, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before assembling the shortcakes. You can also let them cool completely if you prefer to serve the shortcakes at room temperature.

Step 5: Assemble the Shortcakes

Cut the biscuits in half horizontally to create a top and bottom layer. On the bottom layer, add a generous amount of whipped topping or homemade whipped cream, followed by a layer of strawberry syrup or fresh strawberries. Place the top half of the biscuit on top, and add more whipped cream and strawberries, if desired.

Tips for Air-Frying Biscuits:

• If you are making your own biscuit dough, roll it out on a floured surface and use a biscuit cutter to cut out the biscuits. Place them directly onto the greased air fryer tray or basket.
• To prevent the shortcakes from becoming too dry, avoid overcooking the biscuits. Start with a lower temperature and the lower end of the cooking time range, and increase in small increments as needed.
• You can brush the biscuits with a light layer of melted butter or sugar syrup before air frying to help retain moisture.
• The ideal air fryer temperature for baking biscuits is around 325°F to 330°F. However, you can go as low as 300°F or up to 350°F if your air fryer allows.
• If you are making a large batch of biscuits, you may need to cook them in batches. Cool the cooked biscuits on a wire rack while you cook the remaining biscuits.

Whipping the cream

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make whipped cream:

• Heavy whipping cream: This forms the base of your whipped cream.
• Powdered sugar: Also known as confectioner's sugar, it will sweeten your cream.
• Vanilla extract: Adding a small amount of vanilla extract enhances the flavour and aroma of the cream.

Chilling the Bowl and Beaters

For the best results, it is recommended to chill the mixing bowl and beaters before you start whipping the cream. Place them in the freezer for about 10 to 15 minutes to ensure they are sufficiently chilled.

Mixing the Cream

Once your equipment is chilled, you can begin mixing. Add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to the chilled mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat the ingredients together. Start at a slower speed and then increase as the cream starts to thicken.

Achieving Stiff Peaks

Continue mixing until the cream forms stiff peaks. This means that when you lift the beaters out of the cream, the peaks that form hold their shape and do not melt back into the cream. This is the ideal consistency for your whipped cream.

Adding Final Touches

Once you have achieved the desired consistency, you can add any final touches. For a more decorative look, you can add a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top of the whipped cream. Additionally, you can add a fresh mint leaf as a garnish for a pop of colour and extra flavour.

Storing and Serving

It is best to use the whipped cream immediately after preparing it. However, if you need to store it, place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. When serving your shortcakes, assemble them just before serving to prevent the cream from melting or the shortcakes from becoming soggy.

By following these steps, you will have delicious, fluffy whipped cream to top off your air-fried shortcakes!

Assembling the shortcakes

Once your shortcakes are baked, it's time to assemble your strawberry shortcake. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries

Combine your sliced strawberries with sugar in a bowl. You can use a fork to mash them slightly to create a strawberry syrup. The longer you let the strawberries sit, the more syrup they will produce. If you want to get fancy, you can also add lemon zest to your strawberry mixture for a citrus twist.

Step 2: Cut the Shortcakes

Allow your shortcakes to cool slightly before cutting them in half. You can cut them into two layers, creating a top and a bottom for each shortcake.

Step 3: Add the Whipped Cream and Strawberries

On the bottom layer of the shortcake, add a generous amount of whipped topping or homemade whipped cream. You can also add a dollop of whipped cream on top of the shortcake, after assembling. Then, add your strawberry mixture on top of the cream.

Step 4: Assemble the Shortcakes

Place the top half of the shortcake on the strawberry and cream mixture. If desired, you can add more whipped cream and strawberries on top of the assembled shortcake.

Your strawberry shortcakes are now ready to be served! You can also add a final garnish of powdered sugar or a fresh mint leaf on top of each shortcake. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions