Air-Fryer Strawberry Shortcakes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Strawberry shortcake is a classic dessert that can be made in an air fryer with just a few simple steps. This recipe is perfect for those who want to enjoy a delicious treat without heating up their entire home, as air fryers cook faster and produce less heat than conventional ovens. The key to this recipe is preparing the strawberries and making the shortcakes, which can be done in an air fryer for a fluffy and tender texture. The shortcakes are then filled with creamy whipped cream and sweet strawberries for a mouth-watering treat that your family will love!

Preparing the strawberries

Cleaning the Strawberries:

• Fill a large bowl with four parts water and one part white vinegar. For example, use 4 cups of water and 1 cup of white vinegar.
• Fully submerge the strawberries in the vinegar-water mixture and let them soak for about 20 minutes.
• After soaking, use a colander to rinse the strawberries thoroughly under cool running water.
• Allow the strawberries to drain and proceed to make the strawberry syrup.

Making the Strawberry Syrup:

• Remove the stems from the strawberries and slice them into even pieces.
• Place the sliced strawberries in a bowl and add sugar. The amount of sugar can vary according to taste, but a good starting point is 1 tablespoon of sugar for every cup of strawberries. Gently toss the strawberries to coat them evenly.
• Using a fork, gently smash some of the strawberries to release their juices and create a syrup. You can adjust the consistency by smashing more or fewer strawberries.
• Place the bowl of strawberries in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the shortcakes. This will allow the flavours to meld and the syrup to develop.

The strawberries are now ready to be used as a delicious topping for your air-fried shortcakes!

Making the biscuit dough

Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You can use a pre-made mix such as Bisquick, or make your own with flour, butter, and baking powder/bicarbonate of soda. You will also need milk, and, if you like, a little sugar. For a low-carb option, you can use CarbQuick instead of Bisquick, and a confectioner's sugar substitute.

Mixing

In a large mixing bowl, add your chosen biscuit mix and milk. Mix well until the ingredients are fully combined. You can also add in a little sugar at this stage if you have a sweet tooth!

Rolling and Cutting

Next, roll out the dough on a floured surface with a rolling pin. Then, use a biscuit cutter to cut out the biscuits. Keep going until you've used all the dough.

Air Frying

Place the biscuits onto a greased air fryer tray or basket. Set the temperature to around 320-330°F and cook for 6-7 minutes. After this time, flip the biscuits and air fry for another 2-5 minutes until they are fully cooked.

Assembling

Allow the biscuits to cool for a few minutes before cutting them in half and spreading on your whipped cream and diced strawberries. You can also add a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat!

Tips

For a light and fluffy texture, it's best to leave the dough on the thicker side—around 1/2 to 1 inch. This will also ensure your shortcakes are nice and filling.

So there you have it! Homemade, fluffy, golden shortcakes made in an air fryer. Now you can impress your friends and family with this delicious dessert, perfect for a summer's day.

Air-frying the biscuits

After 6 minutes, gently loosen the biscuits and flip them over. Place them back in the air fryer and continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are evenly browned and cooked through. If you are making smaller biscuits, you may only need to cook them for an additional 2 minutes.

Once the biscuits are done, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before assembling your shortcakes. You can also follow a similar process if you are using a pre-made biscuit dough or cake mix. Simply place the dough or cake mix into the air fryer and cook until golden brown.

Making the strawberry syrup

Next, remove the stems from the strawberries and slice them into even pieces. Place the strawberries in a bowl and add sugar. The amount of sugar you use can vary depending on your preference, but a good starting point is 1 tablespoon of sugar for every 2 cups of strawberries. You can also adjust the sweetness by tasting as you go. Toss the strawberries gently to coat them evenly in the sugar. Place the bowl of strawberries in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the rest of the dessert.

To turn the sugared strawberries into a syrup, simply mash them with a fork. This will release their juices, creating a syrup that will soak into the shortcakes. You can also add a splash of water if you want a thinner consistency.

Assembling the shortcakes

Once you have prepared your strawberries, biscuits, and whipped cream, you can start assembling your strawberry shortcakes.

Firstly, gently pull each biscuit apart into two halves, creating a top and a bottom. Place the bottom half of the biscuit on a plate. Next, add a layer of whipped cream, followed by a layer of strawberry syrup. Place the top half of the biscuit on top, and add more whipped cream and strawberries. You can also add another layer of biscuit, whipped cream, and strawberries if you want to create a taller shortcake.

If you want to get creative, you can also add some powdered sugar or vanilla ice cream on top. Additionally, you can garnish your shortcake with a fresh mint leaf or dust it with powdered sugar.

Frequently asked questions