Air Fryer Shortbread Round – Petticoat Tails is a traditional Scottish bake that I have updated to make in your air fryer. This buttery, crumbly biscuit (cookie) is baked in a large round and then divided into individual triangular wedges. Once you’ve tasted homemade shortbread you’ll never want to buy it again.
What is shortbread?
The history of shortbread goes back to Medieval times and it has evolved from a hard-baked bread to the crumbly, buttery bake we know today. It is said that Mary Queen of Scots enjoyed shortbread and that her French court influenced the cuisine of Scotland.
Why make Air Fryer Shortbread Round – Petticoat Tails?
This is a really easy recipe to make, there are only three ingredients and the method is simple. It bakes perfectly in the air fryer and makes an impressive and delicious biscuit (cookie) that everyone will love.
Why are these shortbread rounds called Petticoat Tails?
The name Petticoat Tails comes from the scalloped decoration around the edge of the shortbread which looks a bit like the edge of a petticoat.
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. But the air fryer has developed and more people are recognising the potential to cook and bake all kinds of foods in this way.
Why should I bake shortbread in my air fryer?
I find that my air fryer is really convenient for cooking and baking in small quantities. Compared to your oven, an air fryer will heat up quickly due to the smaller size and the fan. And cooking in an air fryer is about half the cost of cooking in a standard oven.
What kind of air fryer can I use to make Shortbread Petticoat Tails?
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 kind with a pull-out square drawer and it needs to be pre-heated before use. The other is an oven-style air fryer and both are suitable for this recipe. 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 for Air Fryer Shortbread – Round Petticoat Tails?
There are only three ingredients in this shortbread recipe, they are:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Butter
A full list of the ingredients and the required quantities is found in the recipe card at the end of this article.
What kind of flour do I need to make Air Fryer Shortbread?
Use plain (all-purpose) flour to make the Air Fryer Shortbread Round. You don’t need any any raising agent so good quality plain white flour is all that is needed.
Can I use wholemeal flour to make shortbread?
You can make shortbread with wholemeal flour but it won’t be as crisp. I haven’t tested this recipe with wholemeal flour so the bake time may also be slightly altered.
What kind of sugar should I use?
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.
What kind of butter should I use?
I use standard salted butter because that is what I have in the fridge. If you prefer you can use unsalted butter however, you may then need to add a pinch of salt to the flour. Take the butter out of the fridge for a few hours to soften as this will make it easier to work into the flour.
Can I substitute a plant-based spread for butter in the shortbread recipe?
This recipe has been made with butter and has not been tested with a plant-based spread. Butter is the main flavour in shortbread so any change will change the flavour of the finished bake. If you do use an alternative spread please ensure it is full fat not a lower fat spread will not produce the required results.
What equipment do I need to make Air Fryer Shortbread Round – Petticoat Tails?
Everything you need is standard baking or kitchen equipment. Here is what you need:
- Air Fryer
- 18 cm (7 inch) round sandwich cake tin
- Weighing scales (or measuring cups)
- Dessert spoon
- Knife
- Fork
- Cooling Tray
- Clean tea towel
Check your cake tin
This recipe has been tested with an 18cm (7 in) round, shallow sandwich cake tin (pan). Please check that this size of cake tin fits into your air fryer. If you use a smaller cake tin the shortbread layer will be thicker and may not bake in the time given in the recipe.
Is it difficult to make shortbread dough?
It’s really very simple and it only takes a few minutes of kneading the butter into the flour. Then suddenly you will find that the dough has come together. All the butter will have merged with the flour, sugar and you will have a pliable dough.
Can I increase the quantity of the shortbread recipe?
You can make double the recipe and make two shortbread rounds. I don’t recommend making more than double in one batch as it is more difficult to handle the dough. If you plan to bake both rounds in your air fryer then you will need to cover and set one of the shortbread rounds aside. Put in a cool place (but not the fridge) until the first has baked. Or bake both at the same time in your oven (see below).
Can I bake the Air Fryer Shortbread Round – Petticoat Tails in the oven?
Before I had an air fryer I would bake shortbread in the oven and would recommend using your oven for larger quantities. I have included the temperature and time for oven baking in the recipe card at the end of this article.
How do I store shortbread?
Shortbread will keep fresh in an airtight tin or plastic box for 2 or 3 weeks.
Can I freeze Air Fryer Shortbread Round – Petticoat Tails?
You can freeze the shortbread biscuits for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature on a wire rack then refresh the shortbread in a preheated air fryer for 5 minutes at 140C (275F).
Vegetarian
There are only three ingredients in this recipe: flour, butter and sugar, therefore they are suitable for a vegetarian diet. As the shortbread contains butter it is not suitable for a dairy-free or vegan diet.
Gluten Free
This recipe contains wheat flour and therefore it is not suitable for a gluten-free diet. As an alternative, try this Gluten Free Almond Shortbread 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 Shortbread Round – Petticoat Tails?
You can serve shortbread at any time that you would eat a cookie or a cake. It works well with a mid-morning coffee or as part of an afternoon tea with some Air Fryer Scones.
In Scotland, shortbread is particularly associated with Christmas and Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve). And it is usual to serve it to guests with a glass of Scotch whisky or a glass of sherry. Shortbread is also often brought as a gift for ‘first footing’ a traditional activity in Scotland at New Year.
More Shortbread Recipes
More Air Fryer Bakes
PIN FOR LATER
Air Fryer Shortbread Round – Petticoat Tails
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- medium bowl
- weighing scales
- dessert spoon
- knife
- fork
- baking parchment
- 18 cm (7 in ) round sandwich tin
Ingredients
- 150 g (1 cups) plain (all purpose) flour
- 50 g (¼ cups) caster sugar
- 100 g (4 oz) butter
Instructions
- Put 150g (1 cup) plain (all purpose) flour with 50 g (¼ cup) caster sugar and mix together.
- Keep the 100 g (4 oz) in one piece and gradually work it into the flour and sugar with your fingertips until it comes together into a dough. Knead well.
- Grease the 18 cm (7 in) sandwich tin (pan) with butter and line with a circle of baking parchment.
- Press the dough into the sandwich tin.
- Use a dessert spoon to smooth the top of the shortbread dough until it is smooth and even.
- Use the end of the spoon and press into the dough to mark the 'petticoat tails' around the edge.
- Use a knife to mark the dough into eight triangular sections. Press right through to the tin, the shortbread will bake as one but it will make it easier to break once cooled.
- Use a fork to prick the shortbread in a regular pattern.
- Pre heat your air fryer if required. Place the shortbread into the air fryer and bake at 140C (275 F) for 35 minutes.
- Once baked, remove the tin from the air fryer.
- To turn out the shortbread round. Place a clean tea towel over the tin, then top it with a baking sheet. Flip the tray and sandwich tin over so that the underside of the shortbread is uppermost.
- Place a cooling tray over the base of the shortbread and flip it over so it is right sides up again.
- Serve the Shortbread Round – Petticoat Tails with tea, coffee or Scotch Whisky.
Lesley says
I use your shortbread recipe all the time and am glad to say this air fryer shortbread recipe is just as reliable. Easy to cook and absolutely delicious.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Lesley.
Chloe says
You know I adore your shortbread and I know how much testing went into getting this air fryer version just right, I’m grateful and will be making it at least once a week!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, it really is rather addictive.
Patricia Mellor says
Hi Janice,
I am going to try your Scottish shortbread recipe in my Tower airfryer, the one like a little oven.
Which shelf do I place it on please, plus it’s going on a shortbread mould to bake.
Thank you,
I have tried many of your recipes, keep them coming please!!
Janice Pattie says
Hi Patricia, thanks for your kind comments. I’d put the shortbread on the middle shelf in the Tower and bake at 140c for 40 minutes. Check it after 30 minutes and if it looks like it’s browning a bit too much then put some foil over the top of the tin.
Sisley says
This recipe was so easy to make. I love shortbread and in the air fryer made it even easier.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Sisley, it works so well in the air fryer.
Cat says
I make your shortbread all the time so as soon as I saw this air fryer version I had to give it a go. I wasn’t disappointed, absolutely perfect as always.
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, Cat. That’s so good to hear.
Maurice Littlewood says
Hmmm, I’m trying to picture what a ‘clean team towel’ might look like! Good recipe though. ATB.
Janice Pattie says
At least it is clean ?
Thanks for pointing out that typo, it’s easy to miss them.