Perfectly soft and delicious Air Fryer Spotted Dick with sweet dried currant. This classic British pudding is so easy to make in the air fryer. Perfect served with a drizzle of creamy custard!
This Air Fryer Spotted Dick is a delightful twist on the traditional British dessert. It’s a delicious cake-like dessert (or as the Brits call it, pudding) with nostalgic flavors of currants and warm spices.
Spotted Dick is a beloved British steamed pudding known for its soft, moist texture and rich flavor, especially when served warm with a drizzle of creamy custard.
I love making Spotted Dick in the air fryer because it makes the cooking process much faster and easier! The air fryer gives the pudding a perfect texture without the need for traditional steaming. Enjoy it as a cozy treat any time of the year, especially when topped with warm custard!
If you love quick air fryer dessert recipes, try my recipe for Air Fryer Homemade Cherry Pie, Air Fryer Boston Cream Pie, Air Fryer Smores Pie Recipe, or Air Fryer Smores Hand Pies.
Why you’ll love this Air Fryer Spotted Dick
- Classic British Flavor: This Air Fryer Spotted Dick is packed with fruity, spiced flavor and a soft, cake-like texture. Perfect for the festive season!
- Quick and Easy: Preparing the batter only needs one bowl and a spatula! The air fryer makes it simple to cook this classic British dessert in half the time of the traditional method.
- Perfect for Custard Lovers: Serve with warm custard drizzled over the top for a truly authentic experience.
- Moist and Delicious: Adding a ramekin of hot water to the air fryer helps replicate the steamed texture of the traditional recipe.
Ingredient round-up
- Self-raising flour: Forms the base of the pudding, helping it rise as it cooks.
- Shredded suet: A traditional ingredient for British puddings, adding richness and a classic texture. Vegetable shortening can be used as an alternative.
- Sugar: White sugar is needed, but you can also use brown sugar for a deeper caramel flavor.
- Dried fruit: Currants or raisins provide the “spots” in Spotted Dick, giving a fruity sweetness and chewy texture. You can use any type of small, dried fruit.
- Milk: Full fat milk is recommended, but you can also use plant-based alternatives.
How to Make Spotted Dick Pudding in the Air Fryer
Prepare the batter: In a mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour, shredded suet, sugar and dried fruit. Stir in the milk, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until just combined, forming a thick batter. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
Fill the pudding basin: Grease a pudding basin or heatproof dish that fits your air fryer. Pour the batter into the basin, filling it only halfway to allow room for rising. Cover tightly with foil to keep moisture out.
Create steam: To replicate the traditional steaming method, place a small ramekin of boiling water in the air fryer basket alongside the pudding basin.
Air fry: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Place the covered pudding basin in the air fryer and cook for 30-35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Cooking time varies based on the size of your dish.
Serve: Carefully remove the pudding from the air fryer and let it cool slightly. Serve warm with custard sauce drizzled over the top.
Flavor Variations
- Orange Zest: Add a hint of fresh orange zest to the mincemeat filling for a citrusy twist.
- Rum or Brandy: Replace some of the milk with rum or brandy for a warm, rich flavor.
- Other Dried Fruits: Try adding sultanas, dried cherries, or mixed dried fruit for a different flavor profile. Make sure they’re roughly the size of raisins or smaller for the best texture.
- Nuts: Add a handful of chopped walnuts or almonds for added texture and a nutty taste.
Tips & Tricks
- Don’t overmix the batter: Mix until just combined to keep the cake soft and tender.
- Avoid overfilling: Only fill the pudding basin halfway to give the batter room to rise.
- Cover with foil: Tightly cover the basin with foil to prevent moisture from entering during cooking.
- Adjust cooking time: For small individual-sized basins, reduce the cooking time. If using a larger basin, increase the time and check with a skewer for doneness.
- Add a ramekin of hot water: Placing a small ramekin of boiling water in the air fryer basket creates a steamy environment, helping the pudding stay moist. This replicated the traditional cooking method of spotted dick pudding.
FAQ’s
Can I make Spotted Dick without suet? Yes, you can substitute suet with vegetable shortening or cold butter. However, suet gives the pudding its traditional texture and flavor.
How do I store leftovers? Store any leftover Spotted Dick in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or microwave before serving.
What size dish should I use? Use a pudding basin or heatproof dish that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket. Individual basins can also be used, just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Do I need to add water to the air fryer? Adding a small ramekin of hot water to the air fryer basket helps create steam, mimicking the traditional steaming method and keeping the pudding moist. However, you can also cook it without the water, but it might be slightly denser in texture.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Pumpkin Bread Pudding
- Air Fryer Blueberry Bread Pudding
- Air Fryer Old Fashioned Bread Pudding
- Coconut Milk Banana Pudding
- Air Fryer Whole Wheat Bread
Don’t Forget To Pin!
Air Fryer Spotted Dick
Description
Ingredients
- 1 cup self-raising flour
- 1/2 cup shredded suet, or vegetable shortening
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup dried fruit, e.g., currants or raisins
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 zested lemon, optional
- 1/2 cup Custard sauce, store-bought or homemade, for serving
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour, shredded suet, sugar, and dried fruit. Mix well.
- Stir in the milk, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until just combined. The mixture should form a thick batter.
- Grease a pudding basin or a heatproof dish that fits in your air fryer. Pour the batter into the basin, filling it about halfway.
- Cover the basin tightly with foil to prevent water from entering. Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Place the pudding basin in the air fryer and cook for about 30-35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Carefully remove the pudding from the air fryer and let it cool slightly. Serve warm with custard sauce drizzled over the top.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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