If you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make tea-time treat, then look no further than my air fryer rock cakes recipe (also known as rock buns)!
Adapted from my Mum's recipe that she used in her Home Economics class, these rock cakes are baked to perfection in an air fryer, giving them a crispy exterior and a soft, crumbly interior.
Rock cakes are small, rustic-looking cakes that are studded with dried fruit and have a crumbly texture. They are typically made with flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and dried fruit such as currants or raisins.
The stiff dough is scooped into small mounds and baked until golden brown on the outside and soft on the inside. Rock cakes are a classic British recipe that has been enjoyed for generations and are a popular choice for afternoon tea with a cup of tea or coffee.
👩🍳 Love simple air fryer bakes? Try my air fryer scones or air fryer muffins next!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- Easy to make: This recipe is simple and easy to follow, making it perfect for beginner bakers and children.
- Delicious taste: The combination of dried fruit and sweet crumbly cake make these rock buns a delicious treat that pairs perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee.
- Adaptable: This recipe can be easily adapted to suit your preferences by adding different types of dried fruit or nuts.
- Modern twist: By using an air fryer instead of a traditional oven, this recipe gives a modern twist to a classic British tea-time treat.
- Faster cooking time: Air fryers cook food faster than traditional ovens, which means you can have your rock cakes ready in no time.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Self-raising flour - This type of flour contains baking powder, which helps the rock cakes rise and gives them a light texture.
Pinch of salt - Salt is added to enhance the flavour of the rock cakes.
Sugar - Caster sugar gives the rock buns a lovely subtle sweetness.
Butter - Cold cubed butter is rubbed into the dry ingredients to create a crumbly texture in the rock cakes. You could also use block margarine (not spreadable).
Dried fruit: - Dried fruit, such as raisins or currants, are added to the mixture to give the rock cakes a fruity flavour and added texture.
Egg - The egg acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the mixture together.
Milk - Mixed with egg to create a soft and moist texture in the rock cakes. Whole milk or semi-skimmed milk can be used.
🔪 Instructions
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Preheat the air fryer to 180C (350F) and either spray the air fryer basket with an oil spray, or line it with baking paper to prevent the rock buns from sticking. I like to cook them directly on the air fryer basket which helps the air circulate around them.
Two: Place the self-raising flour, salt, sugar in a large mixing bowl and give it a mix. Rub the cold cubed butter into the flour mix until it resembles breadcrumbs.
Three: Stir in the dried fruit until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Four: Beat the egg in a small bowl then mix it into the dough. Add the milk a tablespoon at a time (you may not need all of it) until you get a stiff dough (a fork should be able to stand up on its own).
Five: Place mounds of dough directly into your air fryer basket and air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown. This recipe makes 12 small rock cakes so you may need to air-fry them in two batches.
Six: Allow the rock cakes to cool for a few minutes before removing them to a wire rack.
💡Bake the rock buns in your oven instead at 190C (170 fan/ Gas 5/ 375F) for 15 minutes.
💭 Expert tips
- Cold butter is crucial for creating a crumbly texture in the rock cakes. Make sure to cube the butter before adding it to the mixture.
- Overmixing the dough can result in tough, dense rock cakes. Mix the ingredients until just combined.
- When shaping the dough into mounds, use a light touch to avoid compressing the mixture. This will help the rock cakes to rise and have a light texture.
- Make sure to preheat the air fryer before adding the rock cakes. This will ensure that they cook evenly and have a crispy exterior.
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent the rock cakes from sticking and make clean-up easier. Personally, I like to cook them directly on the air fryer basket but it's definitely a bigger clean-up afterwards!
- Allow the rock cakes to cool for a few minutes in the air fryer basket before removing them. This will help them to set and maintain their shape.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Rock cakes are a classic British tea-time treat and are perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee.
For a more indulgent treat, serve the rock cakes with clotted cream and jam, similar to how you would serve scones.
📖 Variations
- Add chocolate chips to the mixture for a delicious twist on the classic recipe.
- Add some orange zest or orange extract to the mixture for a citrusy flavour. You could also use vanilla extract.
- Add some chopped almonds to the mixture for a nutty flavour and crunch.
- Replace the raisins with dried cranberries and add some white chocolate chips for a festive twist.
- Add some lemon zest and poppy seeds to the mixture for a tangy and crunchy texture.
- Bake them in the oven instead (190C/ 170 fan) for 15 minutes.
🥡 Storage
Store - Once the rock cakes have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
Freeze - To freeze the rock cakes, allow them to cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw the frozen rock cakes, remove them from the freezer and let them come to room temperature for about 1-2 hours.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Yes, but you'll need to add 2 and a half teaspoons of baking powder in order for the rock buns to rise.
It's best to use dried fruits as fresh fruits may release water and make the dough soggy.
Yes, you can use any type of dried fruit you prefer, such as currants, cranberries, or chopped apricots.
Yes, you can substitute the butter with vegan margarine, the milk with a plant-based milk, and the egg with a flax egg.
Yes, you can bake the rock cakes in a preheated oven at 190°C/375°F for 15 minutes, or until golden brown on the outside and cooked through.
😋More easy bakes to try!
More air fryer recipes
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Recipe
Air Fryer Rock Cakes (Rock Buns)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 225 g Self Raising Flour
- Pinch of Salt
- 85 g Caster Sugar
- 85 g Butter cold and cubed
- 85 g Dried Fruit
- 1 Egg
- 2-3 tablespoon Milk
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and either spray the air fryer basket with an oil spray, or line it with baking paper to prevent the rock buns from sticking. I like to cook them directly on the air fryer basket which helps the air circulate around them.
- Place the self-raising flour, salt, sugar in a large mixing bowl and give it a mix. Rub the cold cubed butter into the flour mix until it resembles breadcrumbs.225 g Self Raising Flour, Pinch of Salt, 85 g Caster Sugar, 85 g Butter
- Stir in the dried fruit until evenly distributed throughout the dough.85 g Dried Fruit
- Beat the egg in a small bowl then mix it into the dough with a wooden spoon. Add the milk a tablespoon at a time (you may not need all of it) until you get a stiff dough (a fork should be able to stand up on its own).1 Egg, 2-3 tablespoon Milk
- Place mounds of dough directly into your air fryer basket and air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown. This recipe makes 12 small rock cakes so you may need to air-fry them in two batches.💡Bake the rock buns in your oven instead at 190C (170 fan/ Gas 5/ 375F) for 15 minutes.
- Allow the rock cakes to cool for a few minutes before removing them to a wire rack.
Notes
- Cold butter is crucial for creating a crumbly texture in the rock cakes. Make sure to cube the butter before adding it to the mixture.
- Overmixing the dough can result in tough, dense rock cakes. Mix the ingredients until just combined.
- When shaping the dough into mounds, use a light touch to avoid compressing the mixture. This will help the rock cakes to rise and have a light texture.
- Make sure to preheat the air fryer before adding the rock cakes. This will ensure that they cook evenly and have a crispy exterior.
- Add chocolate chips to the mixture for a delicious twist on the classic recipe.
- Add some orange zest or orange extract to the mixture for a citrusy flavour. You could also use vanilla extract.
- Add some chopped almonds to the mixture for a nutty flavour and crunch.
- Replace the raisins with dried cranberries and add some white chocolate chips for a festive twist.
- Add some lemon zest and poppy seeds to the mixture for a tangy and crunchy texture.
Sarah Caldwell
Would like to makes these. I have a Ninja AF400, when you say cook directly in basket, does that mean directly in the drawer or on the crisper plate insert. Thank you
Beth Sachs
Hi Sarah. I would bake them on the crisper plate insert (brushed with a little oil).
Gina
Another win for the air fryer! Love to have a little bite with my tea and this recipe is right up my alley! LOVE
Tara
Oh yum! Such a delicious teatime treat. I love how you made these rock cakes in the air fryer.
SW
You can't go wrong with a rock cake - especially those cooked in an air fryer. What a winner!
Holley
Absolutely delicious little cakes! Easy-to-make and goes perfectly with my morning tea!
TAYLER ROSS
This was my first time trying to make rock cakes, and now I wish I would've started sooner! They were delicious and I'll definitely be making them again!