Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns

Prep time: 20-25 mins   
Cooking time: 25 mins + rising time
Serves: 12 

Ingredients 

• 650g Plain Flour + extra to dust
• 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 3 1/2 tsp Mix Spice
• 3 tsp Instant Yeast
• 50g Butter
• 1 1/2 Cup Milk
• 1 Egg
• 250g Sultanas
• 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup

For the Crosses

• 1/4 Cup Flour
• 3 Tbsp Water

Method 

1. Place the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, mix spice, and yeast in a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine. 

2. Warm up the milk and the butter until the butter is melted and warm to touch.  

3. Whisk the egg in a small bowl. Add the warm milk and butter to the bowl with the dry ingredients and add the egg. Mix with a fork until just combined. 

4. Dust the kitchen bench with some flour and place the mix on the bench.  

5. Knead with your hands for approx. 10-12mins until the dough is smooth and stretchy. Add some more flour if the dough still a bit wet and sticky. 

6. Add the sultanas and mix through to combine and incorporate to the dough. 

7. Place the dough on a lightly greased bowl and cover with cling film. Set aside in a warm area or inside the oven for 1 ½ hrs until doubles the size.  

8. Once the dough has double the size, punch it through to release the air and place the dough on a flour-dusted kitchen bench.  

9. Roll the dough into a cylindrical shape and cut it into 12 equal pieces, then fold each piece from the outside to the inside to form a ball, then firmly press on the bench while rolling in a circular motion and forming into a ball. 

10. Place the dough balls on the air fryer basket (if using a large machine, if not, do it in 2 batches, six at the time) with a little space in between them so they can rise.  

11. Cover with a damp towel and leave in a warm place for another 40mins. 

12. Meanwhile, mix the flour and water for the crosses until well combined into a paste. 

13. Place the mixture into a squeeze bottle, piping bag or Ziplock bag and set aside. 

14. Remove the towel from the buns and make the crosses to each bun using the paste. Place into the air fryer and set to 180°C for 20-25mins until cooked and golden brown.  

15. Remove the hot cross buns from the tray and brush them with maple syrup.  

16. Serve warm with extra butter.