Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns are delicious sweet, and spicy bread rolls speckled with juicy dried fruit with the traditional cross on top. They are easy to make in your air fryer and the perfect Easter treat.
What are Hot Cross Buns?
Hot Cross Buns are a type of sweet bread bun, spiced with spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg and speckled with dried fruit and candied peel.
The origin of the Hot Cross Bun may go back to the 12th Century when it is said that they were baked by monks and marked with a cross to honour Good Friday. However, there is an alternative theory that the baking of cross buns may go back even further to Pagan times. When these buns were baked at the beginning of Spring to celebrate the goddess Eostre.
Whatever their origins Hot Cross Buns are so good that we are still eating them centuries later. The tradition is to eat these sweet yeasted buns on Good Friday. In the UK we love Hot Cross Buns so much that they are available to buy all year round.
Why make Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns?
I make Hot Cross Buns in my air fryer because I can easily make a small batch of fresh buns. Commercially manufactured buns contain preservatives to keep them fresh and soft for longer, but home-baked bread and buns are better eaten within a day or so of baking. Further down this article, I’ll tell you how you can make a bigger batch to bake or freeze.
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a bit like a mini oven. However, the element is only at the top of the air fryer and it uses a powerful fan to circulate the heat. This combination of intense heat and circulation means that food crisps up quickly.
Air fryers were originally sold for their ability to create ‘fried’ food with less fat. However, the air fryer has developed and more people are recognising the potential to cook and bake all kinds of foods in this way.
What kind of Air Fryer can I use to bake Hot Cross Buns?
You will need the kind of air fryer that has temperature control as well as a timer and no paddle. Otherwise, any air fryer brand should do the job very well.
I have two air fryers, one is the type with a pull-out square drawer and the other an oven type. Both need to be pre-heated before use and Hot Cross Buns bake well in both air fryers. If you have a different kind of air fryer you may need to adjust the timing or temperature by a minute or two either way.
What ingredients do I need to make Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns?
Although some of the ingredients you will need are specifically for bread making, most are things you will already have in your larder or fridge. Here is what you will need:
- Strong White Flour (Bread Flour)
- Fast Action Yeast
- Sugar
- Salt
- Mixed Spice
- Egg
- Milk
- Butter
- Mixed Dried Fruit
A full list of the ingredients and the required quantities is found in the recipe card at the end of this article.
What is strong white flour?
Strong white flour (bread flour) has more protein than other flour, and this is in the form of gluten. The amount of gluten in strong flour helps to produce more chewy, light, and structured baked goods.
Strong white flour ensures the bread will rise, as the protein; gluten, absorbs the water in the dough and becomes stretchy, trapping the carbon dioxide created by the fermenting yeast.
In the USA you can use all-purpose flour to bake bread as it has a high gluten level.
What is fast action yeast?
Yeast has been used in cooking for thousands of years in cooking to make bread rise, make alcohol and even to provide a nutritional supplement.
Fast Action Yeast is also known as Instant Yeast, ‘Bread-maker yeast’ or ‘Easy bake yeast’. This yeast has very small granules and it requires no pre-activating before working with it. You can also use it in a bread maker, unlike dried active yeast which will not rise properly.
Fast Action Yeast is also useful for baking when you have less time available, as it takes less time to rise. It also keeps well.
I don’t have fast action yeast, can I use other types of yeast?
Yes, you can use other types of yeast. Use this Yeast Conversion Table to get the correct amount for your baking.
What kind of sugar should I use in Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns?
I use caster or superfine white sugar for this recipe. The fine granules of sugar mean that they melt quickly into the mixture and there is no grittiness. You can also use granulated white sugar.
Can I use brown sugar?
If you prefer to use brown sugar then you certainly can substitute it for the caster sugar in this recipe. I suggest that you use soft light brown sugar rather than dark muscovado sugar. Dark Muscovado sugar has a strong molasses flavour and will overpower the fruit and spices.
What is mixed dried fruit?
Mixed dried fruit combines dried vine fruits such as raisins, sultanas (golden raisins) and currants (zante currants) with chopped candied citrus peel. You can buy bags of this mix in most supermarkets in the UK.
I can’t find mixed dried fruit, what can I substitute?
You can use about 80% raisins and/or sultanas to 20% chopped candied peel. If you can’t source candied peel then you can add the grated zest of half an orange to the mix to give the citrus flavour to the Hot Cross Buns.
What is mixed spice?
Mixed Spice is a spice blend readily available in UK supermarkets and baking suppliers. It is a combination of the following ground spices:
- allspice
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- mace
- cloves
- coriander
- ginger
If you can’t source ready-made mixed spice you can make your own. Or you can use cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg or cloves.
What equipment do I need to make Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns?
You will need an air fryer for this recipe but you can make your dough by hand, in a stand mixer with a dough hook or in a bread maker. Although it looks like a lot of items these are mostly standard kitchen items. Here is the equipment you will need:
- Air Fryer
- Medium bowl
- Weighing Scales
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Jug
- Stand Mixer with a dough hook (optional)
- Bread Maker Machine (optional)
- Tea towel or plastic wrap to cover while rising
- Baking parchment
- Piping bag or medium plastic bag
- Small baking tray or plate
- Large plastic bag
- Small bowl
- Pastry brush
How should I store Hot Cross Buns?
Hot Cross Buns are best eaten on the day they are baked. However, once cooled, you can store the hot cross buns in a plastic bag or wrap them in a tea towel. Eat them fresh and still slightly warm on the same day as they are made, or split and toast them on the following day.
Can I make a larger quantity of Hot Cross Buns?
Making bread dough is a simple process but does take a bit of time. So you might want to double the quantities of ingredients to make 8 Hot Cross Buns or make three times the quantities to make 12 buns.
Note: You only need to use one egg for double the quantities but increase the milk. However, use two eggs if you are making 12 buns.
Can I freeze Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns?
You can freeze baked Hot Cross Buns, but the even better news is that you can freeze Hot Cross Bun dough!
How do I freeze the dough?
You must freeze the dough after they have had their first rise. Take care not to overproof the dough during the first rise. Form the dough into buns and open freeze them on a baking tray lined with baking parchment or a non-stick reusable mat. Once frozen protect the dough from freezer burn by storing it in an airtight bag or container.
How do I bake the frozen Hot Cross Bun dough?
The dough must thaw out before you bake it, here are the steps to successfully baking the buns from frozen:
- Remove the number of dough pieces you want to bake and place on a small baking tray (sheet) lined with baking parchment. Cover with plastic wrap or place the tray or plate in a large oiled plastic bag.
- Let the dough defrost overnight in the fridge.
- Bring the thawed dough out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for its second rise.
- Once the dough has risen you can treat it the same as if it had not been frozen.
- Follow the remaining steps of the recipe.
Vegetarian
Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns are suitable for vegetarians.
Gluten Free
This recipe for Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns contains wheat flour and is not suitable for a gluten free diet. Try this recipe for Gluten Free Hot Cross Buns from the Gluten Free Alchemist
For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.
How should I serve Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns?
You can eat the Hot Cross Buns just as they are without any additions, especially if you eat them when they are just baked and still warm. However, they are delicious spread with butter or butter and jam.
I recommend that you try Rhubarb and Strawberry Jam or my Seville Orange Curd which really brings out the citrus notes in the Hot Cross buns.
My favourite way to serve Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns is to split and toast the buns. Then serve them with lots of butter which will melt in a most satisfying and delicious way.
Why not try my recipe for Air Fryer Hot Cross Bun French Toast? It is perfect to serve for a special breakfast or brunch.
Follow the link if you want to find more Hot Cross Bun and related recipes.
Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- weighing scales
- Measuring spoons
- medium bowl
- measuring jug
- baking parchment
- small baking tray or plate
- Large plastic bag
- Piping bag or small plastic bag
- small bowl
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 150 g (1⅛ cups) strong white flour
- 1 tsp fast action yeast
- 30 g (2 tbsp) sugar
- 1/2 tsp mixed spice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 medium egg
- 25 ml (2 tbsp) milk or enough to make up to 85ml liquid with egg
- 15 g (1 tbsp) butter
- 50 g (⅓ cups) mixed dried fruit
Crosses
- 50 g (¼ cups) plain flour
- water
Glaze
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 25 ml (2 tbsp) milk
Instructions
- Weigh out 150g (1 ⅛ cups/5 oz) with strong white flour into a medium bowl and add 1 tsp fast action yeast, 30 g (2 tbsp) caster (superfine) sugar, ½ tsp mixed spice and ¼ tsp salt. Keep the salt away from the yeast.
- Break 1 medium egg into a measuring jug and add approx 25 ml (2 tbsp) milk until you have 85 ml (⅓ cup) liquid. Beat the egg and milk together.
To make in a stand mixer with dough hook
- Put the dry ingredients and the egg and milk into the stand mixer with 50 g (⅓ cup) mixed dried fruit.
- Knead the dough with the dough hook on the stand mixer for 5 minutes.
To make by hand
- Put the dry ingredients and dried fruit in a bowl and add the liquid. Mix together with a knife or your hands. Then knead on an oiled surface for 10 minutes until smooth and no longer sticky.
To make in a bread machine
- Put the dry ingredients and wet ingredients in your bread machine. Put it on a setting for dough. If it has a dried fruit dispenser then you can put the mixed dried fruit in that and it will be dispensed at the right time. If not then knead the fruit into the dough once it has been made.
- Your bread machine will have proved (risen) your dough so you can go straight to knocking back the dough, making the buns and the second rise.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover and leave for 1-1½ hours.
- The dough should have doubled in size.
All methods
- While the dough is rising, cut a piece of baking parchment to fit the base of your air fryer.
- Place the dough on an oiled surface and knead it for 1-2 minutes to 'knock it back'.
- Divide the dough into four even pieces.
- Roll the dough between your hands to make round buns. Put the parchment onto a small baking tin or plate and lay the buns on top. Rub a little oil inside a plastic bag large enough to contain the buns and leave for a further 30 minutes to rise.
- The Hot Cross Buns should double in size.
For the crosses
- Mix 50g (4 tbsp) of flour with enough water to make a paste that is thick enough to pipe. Fill a piping bag or a small plastic bag with the paste.
- Preheat your air fryer (if your model requires it). Lift the baking parchment with the buns into your air fryer.
- Cut the corner of the bag or the tip off the piping bag, and pipe a cross on each bun.
- Bake the Hot Cross Buns at 160c (325F) for 15 minutes. Check the buns are cooked by tapping the base. They should sound hollow.
- If they need a little more baking then turn them over and bake for a further 2 minutes at the same temperature.
For the Glaze
- Warm the 25ml (2 tbsp) milk (in the microwave) and stir in 1 tbsp caster sugar until it is dissolved. Brush the Hot Cross Buns with the glaze and leave them to cool on a cooling tray.
- Serve the Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns with butter and jam for breakfast or as a snack. They are also delicious toasted.
Notes
To make a larger batch
Double the quantities of ingredients in the recipe to make 8 Hot Cross Buns or triple them to make 12.Note: You only need to use one egg for double the quantity, but increase the milk so the total liquid is 170 ml (3/4 cup). However, use two eggs if you are making 12 buns.To freeze the dough
You must freeze the dough after the first rise and have formed the dough into buns. Take care not to overproof the dough during the first rise. Open freeze the buns on a baking tray covered with baking parchment or a non-stick reusable mat. Once frozen protect the dough from freezer burn by storing it in an airtight container.To bake the frozen dough
-
- Remove the number of dough pieces you want to bake and place on a small baking tray (sheet) lined with baking parchment. Cover with plastic wrap or place the tray or plate in a large oiled plastic bag.
-
- Let the dough defrost overnight in the fridge.
-
- Bring the thawed dough out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for its second rise.
-
- Once the dough has risen you can treat it the same as if it had not been frozen. And follow the rest of the recipe.
Lesley says
I loved baking a smaller batch recipe and these had the perfect amount of spice. So easy in my air fryer, they came out perfect.
Janice Pattie says
That’s so good to hear, Lesley. Thank you.
Cat says
What a genius idea! They tasted fantastic and I love that it is a smaller batch recipe, I can’t be trusted around hot cross buns and can eat all of them so this was perfect.
Chloe says
Going to me making more of these from now until Easter and probably beyond. I’ve actually never made hot cross buns before but now I’m taking orders from family and friends. I shouldn’t have shared the first lot!
Janice Pattie says
Homemade Hot Cross Buns are hard to beat!