AIR-FRYER KOEKSISTERS with LEMON SYRUP

MAKES: 48 KOEKSISTERS / PREPARATION: 30 MINS / CHILLING: 2-3 HOURS RISING: 1½ HOURS / COOKING: 10-12 MINS A BATCH

For a low-fat option, we’re frying these in an air fryer instead of oil. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can also bake it in an oven at the same temperature.

SYRUP 500ml (2c) sugar 250ml (1c) water juice and grated zest of 2 lemons 5ml (1t) golden syrup 2,5ml (½t) cream of tartar a pinch of salt DOUGH 250ml (1c) lukewarm milk 15ml (1T) sugar 1 sachet (10g) instant yeast 100g butter, melted 5ml (1t) vanilla essence 1 egg, beaten 4 x 250ml (4c) cake flour 2,5ml (½t) salt TO FINISH 30ml (2T) oil lemon wedges (optional)

Keep an air fryer handy. Grease the basket or wire rack with nonstick spray. Also grease a large serving tray with nonstick spray.

1 Syrup Put all the ingredients in a pot. Heat over medium heat, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved. Simmer slowly for 10 minutes, remove from the heat and leave to cool completely. Transfer to a jug or bowl and chill in the fridge for 2-3 hours.

2 Dough Mix the milk, sugar and yeast well and leave to stand for 15 minutes until a layer of froth forms on top. Mix in the melted butter, vanilla and egg.

3 Mix the cake flour and salt and make a well in the middle. Add the yeast mixture and mix until a dough forms.

4 Transfer the dough to a clean surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Cover and leave in a warm place to rise for about an hour or until doubled in size.

5 Roll the dough out until it’s about 1cm thick and slice into triangles or shapes of your choice. Transfer to the greased tray, cover and leave to rise for another 30 minutes.

6 To finish Arrange the triangles in a single layer in the basket or on the wire rack of the air fryer (or the oven rack of your regular oven). Bake at 200°C for 5 minutes. Remove, brush with oil and bake for another 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and cooked.

7 Dunk the warm dough triangles into the cold syrup and leave to soak for 3-5 minutes. Repeat with the rest of the dough and syrup.

8 Serve with lemon wedges (if using).