Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns

These hot cross buns baked in the air fryer are so light and fluffy, perfect scented with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The perfect, easy addition to your Easter brunch.

- Alida Ryder

Ingredients
180 ml (¾ cup) warm water
60 g (1/4cup) butter
180 ml (¾ cup) milk
150 g (¾ cup) sugar
10 g (2 tsp) instant yeast
480 g (4 cups) flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp ground cardamom
½ tsp all spice
1 tsp salt
1 cup raisins

For the crosses
4 tbsp flour
3 tbsp water

For the glaze
100 g (½ cup) sugar
125 ml (½ cup) water
For the honey butter
1 cup butter softened
3-4 tbsp honey
flaky salt to taste

Instructions:
Make the dough by combining the milk, warm water, melted butter, sugar and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the dry ingredients to the yeast mixture then knead with the dough hook for a few minutes until a soft, sticky dough forms. Knead in the chopped raisins then allow to knead for another 1-2 minutes.Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight or allow to rise on the counter for 1 hour. Allowing the dough to rise overnight will improve both the flavor and texture of the finished buns.

Remove the dough an hour before you want to form the buns and allow to come to room temperature. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and cut the dough into 12-16 even pieces with a sharp knife. Form each piece of dough into a ball and place into a greased casserole dish or baking dish suitable to your air fryer basket size. Cover with a damp tea towel and allow to proof in a warm place for 30 minutes while you preheat the air fryer to 180°C/350°F.

In a small bowl, stir together the flour and water for the crosses and transfer to a piping bag then pipe over the top of the proofed buns. Place in the air fryer and allow to bake for 20-25 minutes until the buns are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.

While the buns are baking, make the syrup by bringing the sugar and water to a simmer in a small saucepan and allow to cook for 5 minutes then set aside.

Brush the glaze over the buns the moment they come out of the oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes before serving with honey butter.

Freshly baked hot cross buns.