Soft, homemade apple buns with grated apple and warm cinnamon — baked crisp and golden in the air fryer in a fraction of the time compared to a regular oven.
Gently warm 250 ml lukewarm milk to body temperature. Crumble 25 g yeast into the milk and stir until completely dissolved.
Add 50 g sugar, 1 pcs egg, 75 g butter, 1 tsp cinnamon and 0.5 tsp salt. Stir together into a smooth mixture.
Gradually add 450 g plain flour and knead the dough for 7-8 minutes, until it is smooth and comes away from the sides of the bowl.
Cover the bowl with a tea towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for 45 minutes, until doubled in size.
Apple filling
Coarsely grate 2 pcs apples. Gently press the excess liquid out of the grated apples with a fork so the filling doesn't get too wet.
Mix the grated apples with 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon.
Shaping
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knock out the air. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
Press each piece flat, spoon a generous tablespoon of the apple mixture into the centre, and close the dough around the filling. Shape into round buns with the seam facing down.
Place the buns on a piece of baking paper cut to fit the air fryer basket, and let them prove for 15 minutes while the air fryer preheats.
Cooking in the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 160 °C.
Brush the buns with 1 pcs egg and sprinkle with 1 tbsp pearl sugar.
Bake the buns at 160 °C for 12-14 minutes, until golden and they sound hollow when you tap lightly on the underside. Move the buns around halfway through baking so they colour evenly.
Let the buns cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
Tips for the perfect result:
Use an apple that isn't too watery — a firm variety such as Cox, Braeburn or Elstar gives the best texture. Always press a little of the liquid out of the grated apple, otherwise the buns risk turning soggy at the bottom.Variation:
Add a handful of raisins, chopped walnuts or marzipan to the filling for extra bite and flavour. You can also swap half the plain flour for wholemeal flour for a coarser version.Serving:
Serve warm with butter, a dollop of quark or homemade apple sauce. Perfect for weekend brunch, the afternoon coffee or the lunchbox.Portion size:
If your air fryer is smaller, you can bake the buns in two batches — keep the first batch warm under a tea towel in the meantime.