Fatebrød with rum glaze in the air fryer. There is something truly special about gathering around a table full of home-baked treats, especially when it comes to traditional Danish cookies. I have always had a special place in my heart for Fatebrød. The crisp texture combined with the sweet taste of rum glaze brings back memories of cosy moments with family and friends. By baking Fatebrød in an air fryer, I have found a modern way to enjoy this classic that saves both time and energy. It is an easy and quick way to bring a little extra hygge into everyday life.

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Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Table of Contents
Why Fatebrød in the air fryer?
You might be wondering why you would use an air fryer to bake Fatebrød in the first place. For me, it is about convenience and efficiency without compromising on flavour. The air fryer heats up quickly and bakes the cookies evenly, which saves time and energy. It is perfect for those days when you crave something sweet but time is short. It is also a fantastic way to involve the children in the baking, as the air fryer is easy to use and safe compared with a traditional oven.
Another advantage is that the Fatebrød get a lovely golden surface and are crisp all the way through. It is like rediscovering an old favourite in a new and exciting way. And to be honest, in an age when everything moves fast, it is lovely to be able to hold on to Danish baking traditions while adapting to a modern lifestyle.
Where does Fatebrød come from?
Fatebrød is a true classic of Danish baking. Originally, it was a simple cookie made from basic ingredients such as flour, sugar and butter – things that most people had in their pantry. The name, which literally means “fat bread”, may sound a little funny today, but it reflects a time when nothing was allowed to go to waste and fat was an important source of energy in the diet.
Historically, Fatebrød was often served on special occasions such as Christmas and birthdays. It was a treat that brought people together and created hygge – a concept deeply rooted in Danish culture. I remember my grandmother telling me how, as a child, she helped out in the kitchen baking Fatebrød for the whole family. It was not just a treat but a tradition that was passed down from generation to generation.
What variations can you make?
Although the classic version of Fatebrød is fantastic in itself, there are plenty of ways to adapt the recipe and create new flavour experiences. I love experimenting in the kitchen and adding my own personal touch.
A popular variation is to add a little grated lemon zest to the dough. This gives the cookies a freshness that suits the spring and summer months perfectly. Chocolate lovers can work small pieces of chocolate into the dough, which adds a rich and decadent flavour.
If you like nuts, chopped almonds or hazelnuts can give a lovely crunchy texture. Another idea is to use spices such as cinnamon or cardamom to add warmth and depth – especially suitable for cold winter evenings when you could do with some extra cosiness.
Try adding a little grated marzipan to the dough. Mixing around 50 g of grated marzipan into the dough gives the cookies extra moistness and a deep almond flavour that complements the coconut flour and the rum glaze perfectly.
Tips and tricks from the author: Morten Jensen
Which types of glaze go well with Fatebrød?
The glaze is the finishing touch on good Fatebrød, and the possibilities here are almost endless. The traditional rum glaze is a favourite with many people, myself included. It adds a sweetness and aroma that perfectly complement the simple flavour of the cookies.
But why not try something new? A lemon glaze made with freshly squeezed lemon juice and icing sugar gives a tangy contrast that lifts the cookies to new heights. For a more grown-up flavour experience, you can make a coffee glaze by mixing strong coffee with icing sugar. It adds a bitterness and depth that go fantastically well with the sweet cookies.
For families with children, a fruit-coloured glaze flavoured with raspberry or strawberry can make the cookies extra festive and inviting. It is a fun way to involve the children in the baking and let them get creative with decorations and colours.
Conclusion on Fatebrød in the air fryer
Baking Fatebrød in the air fryer has been a real revolution in my kitchen. It has made it easier and quicker to bring a beloved Danish tradition into everyday life. But most importantly, it has given me the chance to share cosy moments with the people I care about.
I encourage you to try it for yourself. Whether you follow the classic approach or experiment with new variations and glazes, it is a fantastic way to create hygge and good memories. Because in the end, it is not just about the cookies, but about the moments shared when people gather around the table with something homemade and delicious.
FAQ
Yes, you can easily make the glaze without rum. Use a few drops of rum essence if you want to keep the flavour without the alcohol, or replace the rum with a little extra water or lemon juice. Add the liquid a little at a time so the glaze does not become too thin.
This typically happens if the butter gets too warm while you are working with the dough. Use cold butter, bring the dough together quickly, and chill it briefly before you cut it out. Also leave a little space between the pieces on the baking paper, and bake them at 160 °C so they keep their shape.
In an airtight container at room temperature, the Fatebrød keep for up to 1 week. Let the glaze set completely before you put them in the container so they do not stick together. If you want to store them for longer, they can be frozen for up to 3 months and thawed at room temperature.
Recipe

Fatebrød with rum glaze in the Air Fryer
Cooking Guide
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Ingredients
How to make it
- Mix 100 g plain flour and 75 g sugar in a bowl.
- Cut 75 g cold butter into cubes and rub it into the flour mixture until it has a sandy texture.
- Add 50 g coconut flour and bring the dough together quickly.
- Wrap the dough in cling film and chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes, so it is firm enough to roll out and cut.
- Roll the dough out into a rectangle about 1 cm thick.
- Cut the dough into 4 long strips about 2 cm wide, and cut each strip into 3 pieces, so you get 12 pieces of about 2×8 cm.
- Preheat the air fryer to 160 °C. Place the pieces on a sheet of baking paper that is slightly smaller than the bottom of the basket, leaving a little space between them, and lift the paper with the cookies down into the basket.
- Bake at 160 °C for 12-15 minutes, until golden.Start the online kitchen timer here
- Let the Fatebrød cool in the basket for a few minutes – they are soft when warm – and then cool them completely on a wire rack.
- Stir 100 g icing sugar, 1 tbsp water and ½ tbsp rum together to make a glaze.
- Spread the rum glaze over the cooled Fatebrød and leave it to set.
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Nutrition per serving (Guideline)
Important about shelf life and nutrition
Nutrition per serving (guideline): Calculations are based on data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Shelf life (guideline): Shelf life data is provided, as far as possible, by public institutions, including national food authorities. Our information is therefore only indicative, and it is your responsibility to obtain and calculate accurate information about shelf life and nutrition for all recipes on airfryerkogebogen.dk
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