Air-Fryer Shortbread: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Shortbread is a traditional Scottish biscuit or cookie that is renowned for its simplicity, both in terms of the ingredients required and the method of preparation. With its melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich, buttery flavour, it's no wonder that shortbread is a beloved staple in cookie jars worldwide. The good news is that you can easily make shortbread in an air fryer, and it only takes a few simple steps. So, get your aprons on and let's dive into the world of air-fried shortbread!

Ingredients and measurements

Making shortbread in an air fryer is a simple process that requires just a few basic ingredients. Here is a detailed list of the ingredients and their measurements for making delicious air-fried shortbread:

Ingredients:

• Butter: Use unsalted or salted butter according to your preference. For a richer flavour, opt for European-style butters like Kerrygold, which have a higher butterfat content. You will need 150 grams of butter at room temperature.
• Sugar: Granulated white sugar is the best option for shortbread. Avoid brown sugar as it can make the shortbread taste bland. You will need 60 grams of sugar, plus extra for sprinkling on top.
• Flour: All-purpose or plain flour is ideal for this recipe. Using a quality flour like Bero will make your shortbread taste better and have a lighter texture. You will need 250 grams of flour.
• Vanilla Extract (optional): A small amount of vanilla extract can enhance the overall flavour and add a warm, aromatic touch to your shortbread.
• Salt (optional): A pinch of salt can bring out the sweetness of the other ingredients and add a subtle contrast to the overall flavour.

Additional Ingredients for Variations:

If you want to get creative, you can add various ingredients to your shortbread dough to create different flavours:

• Chocolate chips
• Lemon zest
• Almond extract and finely chopped almonds
• Ground cinnamon
• Orange zest and dried cranberries
• Finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves
• Rice flour (for extra crispiness)
• White chocolate chips
• Matcha (green tea powder)
• Caramel sauce and sea salt
• Chocolate powder
• Vanilla essence
• Chocolate chunks or chips

Measuring and Preparation:

• Cut the butter into small chunks or slices to make it easier to cream with the sugar.
• If your butter is not at room temperature, you can microwave it at 50% power for about 5 seconds to soften it.
• When mixing the dry ingredients, use your hands to rub the butter into the flour and sugar until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• Form the mixture into a soft dough ball and sprinkle your work surface with flour before rolling out the dough.
• Use a cookie cutter or a knife to cut the dough into your desired shapes, such as traditional rounds or festive shapes like angels or Christmas trees.

Mixing the dough

To make shortbread in an air fryer, you'll need a few simple ingredients: butter, sugar, and flour. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour. The key to good shortbread is using a lot of quality butter, which gives it that rich, creamy texture and melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Now, let's get into the mixing process:

First, you'll want to cream the butter and sugar together. This step is important as it introduces air into the dough, making the cookies tender. Use a wooden spoon, an electric mixer, or your fingertips to mix the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take around 5-7 minutes.

Next, you'll add in the flour. For this step, it's best to sift the flour into the bowl to avoid lumps. Mix everything together until a soft dough starts to form. You may need to use your hands to fully combine the ingredients and form a cohesive dough. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can affect the texture of your cookies.

At this point, your dough might feel a bit soft and difficult to handle. If that's the case, you can wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes. This step is optional but can make the dough easier to work with and enhance the final texture of your cookies.

Once your dough is mixed and chilled (if you chose to do so), you're ready to roll it out and cut it into your desired shapes. Sprinkle your work surface with flour to prevent sticking, and use a rolling pin to roll the dough to your desired thickness (about 1/4-1/2 inch is typical). Then, use cookie cutters or a knife to cut the dough into shapes such as classic rounds, festive angels or trees, or even unique shapes like "fries."

And that's it! You've now successfully mixed and prepared your shortbread dough for air frying. Remember, the mixing process is crucial to achieving that perfect shortbread texture, so take your time and don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. Now, go ahead and preheat your air fryer, and you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, homemade shortbread!

Shaping the shortbread

First, sprinkle your worktop with flour and roll out your shortbread dough. The dough should be about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick. You can use a rolling pin to achieve the desired thickness.

Next, use cookie cutters to cut the dough into your desired shapes. You can create classic shapes like fingers, rounds, or triangles. For festive occasions, consider using cookie cutters in the shape of angels, trees, pumpkins, or other seasonal icons. You can also use a knife to cut the dough into your preferred shape if you don't have cookie cutters.

If you're making traditional shortbread cookies, cut the dough into 3x1-inch strips. You can also create festive shortbread by using a cookie cutter to make individual shortbread rounds. This is a good option if you have a smaller air fryer that can't accommodate a large batch.

For a creative twist, you can even shape the shortbread dough into balls. Simply roll the dough into small spheres and place them in the air fryer.

Once you've cut out your shapes or created your balls, it's time to add some extras. You can sprinkle the tops of the cookies with coarse sugar or extra caster sugar for a sweet touch. You can also add chocolate chips, dried fruit, or nuts to the dough for a personalised flavour.

Finally, use a fork to prick holes in the surface of the shortbread. This step is important as it allows steam to escape during baking, ensuring even cooking and preventing the shortbread from puffing up too much.

Air fryer settings

The cooking temperature and time will depend on the type of shortbread you are making. For traditional shortbread, a temperature of 150°C to 180°C is common, with a cooking time of about 12 to 20 minutes. However, if you are making shortbread cookies or "fries," a higher temperature of around 350°F (190°C) is used, and the cooking time is reduced to 3 to 4 minutes. It's important to keep an eye on your shortbread as air fryers can vary in cooking times, and you don't want it to overbake.

The size and model of your air fryer may also impact the temperature and cooking time. For example, if you are using a smaller air fryer, you might need to adjust the temperature and cook in batches. Additionally, if your air fryer doesn't have precise temperature control, set it to the nearest setting and monitor the shortbread closely to prevent over-baking.

Some recipes also recommend increasing the temperature towards the end of the cooking time. For instance, starting at 150°C for 20 minutes and then increasing to 180°C for the final 15 minutes. This two-stage approach helps achieve the desired golden colour and texture.

It's worth noting that you usually don't need to preheat the air fryer for the full duration. Simply allow it to reach the desired temperature, and then place your shortbread inside. This saves energy and time.

Lastly, don't forget to let your shortbread cool down before removing it from the air fryer basket and serving. This helps it firm up and prevents crumbling.

Decorating and serving

Once your shortbread is cooked and cooled, it's time to decorate and serve. You can keep it simple and traditional by sprinkling the shortbread with a little extra caster or granulated sugar, or get creative with decorations and toppings such as icing or chocolate.

For a festive twist, you can add some Christmas cheer with cookie cutters in the shape of angels, trees, or pumpkins. You can also add chocolate chips to the centre of the shortbread balls, or dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate. For a nutty flavour and added crunch, mix in some finely chopped almonds. If you're a fan of citrus, add the zest of a lemon or orange to the dough for a bright, fruity kick. You can even get creative with shapes and sizes, making shortbread balls or cutting the dough into festive shapes.

Shortbread is incredibly versatile and can be served as a standalone treat, paired with tea or coffee, or used as a base for desserts like shortbread tarts. It's the perfect dessert for any occasion, from last-minute gatherings to holiday baking.

If you're feeling extra adventurous, you can even serve your shortbread with a unique dip. One idea is to make "strawberry ketchup" by pressing strawberry jam through a fine-mesh sieve and mixing in ground chipotle pepper. For a "mustard" dip, simply whip some lemon curd to a dippable consistency. Your guests will be impressed by your creativity!

With its buttery flavour and crumbly texture, shortbread is sure to be a hit with family and friends. So, feel free to experiment with decorations and serving options to make it your own.

Frequently asked questions