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Rock cakes on a blue and white plate.
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5 from 11 votes

Air Fryer Rock Cakes (Rock Buns)

Looking for a delicious and easy-to-make tea-time treat? Try this air fryer rock cake recipe! Made with simple ingredients and cooked to perfection in an air fryer, these traditional rock cakes are crispy on the outside and crumbly on the inside.
Course Baking
Cuisine British
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 16 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 160kcal
Author Beth Sachs

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Equipment

Ingredients

Metric - US Customary
  • 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.

Video

Notes

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.
 
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.
 
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. 
 
Nutrition:
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
 

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg
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