These easy air fryer mini egg shortbread squares are a quick and easy Easter treat, great for parties and family get-togethers!
This recipe takes the classic buttery and crumbly shortbread and gives it a fun and unique twist with the addition of chocolate mini eggs.
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Baking the Easter shortbread in an air fryer not only cuts down on baking time, but also ensures that the shortbread is perfectly crisp on the outside and tender and crumbly on the inside.
This air fryer shortbread recipe is simple, requiring only 5 ingredients, all of which you will already have in your kitchen (because who can live without a bag of mini eggs at home?)!
You might also like my air fryer mini egg dessert pots - a cookie dough style baked dessert cooked in minutes in an air fryer!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- Utilising an air fryer for baking this mini egg shortbread significantly reduces the preparation and cooking time.
- Its festive appearance, adorned with colourful mini eggs, makes it perfect for Easter celebrations.
- The recipe is incredibly forgiving and lends itself well to customisation. Whether you want to adjust the sweetness, substitute ingredients for dietary preferences (such as gluten-free or vegan options), or experiment with different types of chocolate or Easter sweets for decoration, this recipe allows you to tweak it to your liking.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Butter - the star ingredient in shortbread and plays a crucial role in determining the texture and flavour of your biscuits. Use unsalted butter in this recipe.
Flour - plain flour is the best option as it has a low protein content, which makes the shortbread bars tender and crumbly. It is important to sift the flour before using it to ensure that there are no lumps.
Sugar - traditionally, granulated sugar is used in shortbread, but you can also use caster sugar.
Chocolate Chips - for extra flavour, texture and sweetness. Milk chocolate chips are used in this recipe, but you could also use dark or white chocolate chips instead.
Mini Eggs - a popular Easter treat that can be found in most supermarkets during the spring season. They are small, chocolate-covered eggs with a crunchy candy shell. Adding mini eggs to your shortbread can give it a nice crunch and a burst of chocolate flavour.
🔪 How to make mini egg shortbread in an air fryer
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Place the cubed butter, flour, and sugar in a mixing bowl and rub in with your hands until you get fine breadcrumbs form.
Two: Stir in the chocolate chips and mini eggs.
Three: Firmly press the shortbread dough into a lined 20 cm square baking tin (or another similar size tin that will fit in your air fryer).
Four: Air fry for 20 minutes. Allow to cool then cut into bars or squares.
Top Tips
- Just like with traditional baking, preheating your air fryer is essential.
- Air fryers can vary in their temperature and power. Start checking your shortbread a few minutes before the suggested cooking time ends to prevent over-browning. They should be lightly golden and set, but remember, they'll continue to harden as they cool.
- Allow the shortbread to cool before cutting into bars.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Serve the mini egg shortbread bars for an Easter-themed Afternoon tea with mini egg tiffin, simnel cake muffins, and Easter rocky road bars.
For a decadent dessert, serve them with a scoop of your favourite ice cream. Mini egg ice cream would be great, but plain vanilla or chocolate would work well too.
📖 Variations
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or the zest of an orange for extra flavour.
- Once cooled, dip half of each shortbread in melted chocolate-dark, milk, or white, depending on your preference. Place them on parchment paper to set.
- Add finely chopped nuts such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts to the dough for a crunchy texture and a nutty flavour.
- Drizzle salted caramel over the baked shortbread and finish with a sprinkle of sea salt.
🥡 Storage
Store - If you plan to consume the shortbread within a few days, you can store them at room temperature in an airtight container. Make sure to keep them away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Freeze - Wrap the shortbread tightly in cling film or aluminium foil and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen shortbread can last up to three months. When you are ready to eat them, defrost them at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
❓ Frequently asked questions
If you don't have mini eggs, you can substitute them with other small chocolate candies, chocolate chips, or even chopped nuts for a different texture and flavour. The recipe is versatile, so feel free to experiment with what you have on hand.
Absolutely! For a gluten-free version, use a suitable gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that your mini eggs (or alternative) are also gluten-free. For a vegan version, opt for dairy-free butter and vegan chocolate eggs. There are many plant-based alternatives available that can be used as direct substitutes in the recipe.
The shortbread should be lightly golden around the edges and set in the middle when done. Air fryer models can vary, so start checking a couple of minutes before the recipe's suggested cooking time ends. Remember, the shortbread will continue to harden as it cools, so it's better to err on the side of slightly underdone than overcooked.
Yes, these shortbread bars are perfect for making ahead of time. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container until you're ready to serve. They maintain their texture and flavour well, making them ideal for preparing in advance for events or gifts.
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Recipe
Air Fryer Mini Egg Shortbread
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 225 g Unsalted Butter cubed
- 115 g Granulated Sugar
- 315 g Plain Flour
- 100 g Chocolate Chips
- 150 g Mini Eggs halved with a sharp knife
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 170°C (340°F) and line a 20cm shallow baking tin (or use another size tin that will fit your air fryer basket) with baking paper.
- Place the cubed butter, flour, and sugar in a mixing bowl and rub in with your hands until you get fine breadcrumbs form.225 g Unsalted Butter, 115 g Granulated Sugar, 315 g Plain Flour
- Stir in the chocolate chips and mini eggs.100 g Chocolate Chips, 150 g Mini Eggs
- Firmly press the shortbread dough into the lined tin.
- Air fry for 20 minutes until lightly golden. Allow to cool then cut into bars or squares.
Notes
- Just like with traditional baking, preheating your air fryer is essential.
- Air fryers can vary in their temperature and power. Start checking your shortbread a few minutes before the suggested cooking time ends to prevent over-browning. They should be lightly golden and set, but remember, they'll continue to harden as they cool.
- Allow the shortbread to cool before cutting into bars.
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