Air Fryer Bread: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for a variety of cooking tasks, including making toast. Air fryer toast is a convenient and quick way to make perfectly golden and crispy toast without the need for a traditional toaster. It offers several advantages, such as faster cooking, more even browning, and the ability to cook thicker slices of bread. Additionally, air fryers can be used to melt toppings onto the bread, such as cheese, creating a delicious and indulgent treat.

Air fryer toast

How to Make Air Fryer Toast

The process is simple. First, select your favourite type of bread and decide how many slices you want to toast. You can use any type of bread, from sourdough to gluten-free bread.

Next, set your air fryer to 390-400°F. While the air fryer heats up, you can add butter to your bread. This step is optional, but it is recommended as it adds flavour and gives the toast a golden-brown colour.

Place the bread in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you are making more than one slice, the slices can overlap slightly.

Cook the bread for around 3-6 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your toast. Flip the bread halfway through for even cooking.

Tips and Tricks

• Keep an eye on the toast as it cooks, especially if you are toasting for the first time in your air fryer, to ensure it doesn't burn.
• If you are concerned about the bread flying around in the air fryer, you can use toothpicks or a small baking rack to weigh it down.
• You can add toppings like cinnamon and sugar, or nut butter and jam, after toasting the bread.
• For a softer toast, reduce the temperature to between 375-390°F.
• If you are making a sandwich, try buttering only one side of the bread and not flipping it during cooking. This will give you crispy toast on the outside and softer bread on the inside.

Serving Suggestions

• Avocado toast: Top with smashed avocado, salt, pepper, sliced cherry tomatoes, and sautéed greens.
• Nut butter: Try peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter.
• Jam: Any fruity jam or preserve will work.
• Cinnamon and sugar: Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over buttered toast.
• Cream cheese: Use a sweet or savoury cream cheese and top with sliced fruit or veggies.
• Garlic toast: Spread butter and sprinkle garlic powder or minced garlic on the bread before air frying.

Storing Leftovers

Toasted bread is best served fresh, but if you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days. To serve again, air fry for 1-2 minutes to warm.

Air fryer bread

Ingredients:

• Instant yeast or active yeast
• Warm water
• Flour
• Sugar
• Milk
• Softened butter
• Salt
• Egg

Steps:

• Add yeast and warm water to a medium bowl. Let the yeast sit for about 3 to 5 minutes to bloom.
• Once the yeast has activated, add in the flour, sugar, milk, butter, and salt. Gently fold the ingredients together until they are well combined and slightly flaky.
• Transfer the bread dough onto a well-floured surface and knead the dough until it is smooth, then shape it into a ball.
• Place the dough in a springform pan lined with parchment paper or lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil.
• Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and place it in a warm place until the dough doubles in size.
• Remove the plastic wrap or towel and lightly brush the top of the bread with an egg wash.
• Place the pan in the air fryer basket and air fry at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown.
• Remove the bread from the pan and transfer it to a cooling rack. Once cooled, cover or store in an airtight container.

Tips:

If you don't have a springform pan, you can place the dough directly into the air fryer basket, but be sure to line it with air fryer parchment paper or a small baking sheet to prevent the dough from sinking through the holes.

Storing:

Allow the bread to cool completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup, which can cause mold or sogginess. Keep the bread in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. You can also wrap and freeze the bread for later use.

Air fryer French toast

Yes, you can cook bread in an air fryer. In fact, you can make French toast in an air fryer. Here is a recipe for air fryer French toast:

Ingredients:

• 4 slices of bread (brioche, sourdough, or Texas toast are recommended)
• 2 eggs
• Milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• Butter or cooking spray
• Salt (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F/180°C.
• Grease the air fryer basket with butter or cooking spray.
• In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
• Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, ensuring both sides are coated.
• Place the slices of bread into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. You may need to work in batches.
• Cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the French toast is golden brown.
• Serve with your choice of toppings, such as butter, jam, maple syrup, or fresh berries.

Tips:

• Don't oversoak the bread in the egg mixture, as it may start to fall apart while cooking.
• If using thinner slices of bread, insert a toothpick to hold everything in place while cooking.
• For extra crispy French toast, spray the exterior of the bread with oil and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before cooking.
• If making a large batch, cook the French toast in batches to ensure even cooking.
• For a casserole-style French toast, bake everything in a dish instead of cooking individual slices. Stale bread or challah bread works well for this variation.

Air fryer cinnamon toast

A delicious breakfast or dessert, Air Fryer Cinnamon Toast is a quick and easy treat that can be made in a few simple steps.

Ingredients:

• Bread — thick slices of brioche or Texas Toast work well.
• Butter — softened, salted or unsalted.
• Cinnamon.
• Brown sugar — dark or light.
• Vanilla extract.

Method:

• Mix the butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract and cinnamon in a bowl.
• Spread the cinnamon butter on the bread.
• Place the buttered bread in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry at between 330-390°F for 4-5 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your toast.
• Enjoy!

Tips:

• If you don't have brown sugar, you can use honey instead.
• If your butter isn't softened, you can microwave it in short bursts to soften it.
• If the cinnamon and sugar fly off the bread in the air fryer, try making a paste with the butter, cinnamon and sugar, and spread that on the bread.
• If you like your cinnamon toast extra crispy, air fry for a little longer, but be careful not to burn it.

Air fryer garlic bread

Ingredients:

• Bread: French bread, Italian bread, or a baguette.
• Butter: Softened, unsalted butter.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic or garlic powder.
• Cheese: Parmesan, mozzarella, or a combination of both.
• Herbs: Italian seasoning, dried parsley, red pepper flakes, or dried basil.

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F.
• Slice the bread in half or into pieces that will fit easily into the air fryer.
• In a small bowl, mix softened butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (optional). You can also add Parmesan cheese to this mixture for extra flavour.
• Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the bread.
• Place the bread into the air fryer basket in a single layer, with some space between the pieces for air circulation.
• Air fry for 5-7 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. If using cheese, add it during the last minute or two of cooking.
• Remove from the air fryer, slice, and serve warm.

Tips:

• Preheat the air fryer for even cooking and crispiness.
• Leave space between the bread pieces to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Avoid stacking the bread in the air fryer to ensure even toasting.
• Adjust the cooking time based on your air fryer and your preferred level of crispiness.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a few days and reheat in the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions