Air-Fryer Buns: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

Air fryers are incredibly versatile, and you can use them to make a variety of dishes, including buns. They are a quick and easy way to make delicious buns at home. All you need is some flour, water, salt, olive oil, yeast, and an air fryer. You can make the dough, let it rise, and then bake it in the air fryer. The buns turn out light and fluffy, with a soft inside and a crispy outside. You can also experiment with different types of buns, such as garlic rolls or whole wheat buns.

Ingredients and preparation

Air fryer buns are a quick and easy way to make delicious buns at home. They are light and fluffy, with a great texture—soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. You can make these buns with a few simple ingredients, and they taste so good. Here is a step-by-step guide on the ingredients and preparation for making air fryer buns:

Ingredients:

• Flour: All-purpose flour or self-raising flour can be used. Sifting the flour is recommended as it makes the flour light and lump-free, which helps it mix well with other ingredients.
• Liquid: Warm water or milk is required. Warm liquids help activate the yeast.
• Yeast: Active dry yeast or instant yeast can be used.
• Sugar and Salt: These balance each other out and add flavour to the dough.
• Fat: Butter or olive oil can be used.

Preparation:

• Combine the liquid, yeast, sugar, and fat in a mixing bowl. Mix well.
• Add the flour to the liquid mixture in a large mixing bowl. You can also add salt to this mixture if using instant yeast.
• Knead the dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it by hand, incorporating more flour if needed. The dough should be slightly sticky but not too wet. Knead for about 5 minutes.
• First Proofing: Cover the dough and let it proof in a warm place. You can use an oven with a proof setting or an Instant Pot with a 'yogurt' setting. Let the dough rise until it doubles in size.
• Shaping: Once the dough has proofed, punch out the air and knead it a few times. Divide the dough into smaller pieces, about 25-30 grams each, and form tight dough balls.
• Second Proofing: Cover the dough balls and let them stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Baking: Place a piece of parchment paper in the air fryer basket and arrange the dough balls with some space around each bun. Bake at 160°C (320°F) for 10-25 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the size of your buns. Keep an eye on the buns, as air fryers can vary in cooking intensity. Adjust the temperature and timing as needed.
• Cooling and Storage: Once baked, brush the buns with butter while still warm. Let the buns cool completely on a cooling rack before storing them in an airtight container. They should stay soft for 2-3 days at room temperature.

You can also get creative and make different types of buns, such as raspberry buns, hamburger buns, or even gluten-free buns, by adjusting the ingredients and adding your choice of fillings or toppings.

Air fryer settings

To cook buns in an air fryer, you need to preheat the appliance to the right temperature and then cook the buns for a few minutes. The specific settings you use will depend on the type of bun you are cooking.

Preheating

Before you put your buns in the air fryer, it's important to preheat the appliance. This will ensure that your buns cook evenly and come out perfectly toasted. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer to is 350°F, although this may vary slightly depending on the model of your air fryer and the type of bun you are cooking. Check your manual for specific instructions.

Cooking Time and Temperature

Once your air fryer is preheated, place your buns inside and cook for 2-5 minutes, depending on the type of bun and your desired level of toastiness. Keep a close eye on your buns as they cook, as they can go from perfectly toasted to burnt very quickly. If you are cooking a dough-based bun, you will need to cook it for longer, typically around 25 minutes at 320°F.

Adjusting the Settings

Air fryers can vary in their cooking intensity, so it's important to keep an eye on your buns during the cooking process. If you notice that your buns are browning too quickly, reduce the temperature by 20°F and increase the cooking time by 5 minutes. If they seem too pale, increase the temperature slightly for the last few minutes of cooking.

Other Settings

If you are cooking dough-based buns, you will need to place a piece of parchment paper in the air fryer basket before adding the buns. You should also make three cuts on each dough ball and sprinkle them with flour before cooking. For store-bought buns, you can brush them with butter or oil before placing them in the air fryer to enhance browning and add flavour.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for buns in an air fryer depend on the type of bun, the air fryer model, and personal preferences for texture and browning. Here are some general guidelines and tips for achieving the desired results:

When making buns in an air fryer, it is important to note that the cooking time and temperature can vary depending on the model of the air fryer and the desired level of browning. As such, it is recommended to keep a close eye on the buns during the first few attempts to get a sense of the specific air fryer's cooking intensity. If the buns are browning too quickly, it is advisable to reduce the temperature by 20°F (10°C) and extend the cooking time by a few minutes. Conversely, if the buns appear pale, a slight increase in temperature for the final few minutes can help achieve a golden hue.

For classic sandwich buns or hot dog buns, a baking time of 10 minutes in the air fryer is often sufficient. However, rotating the racks halfway through the baking cycle, especially if using an air fryer oven, is recommended for even browning. Additionally, using a foil "boat" or a pan can help achieve the desired shape for hot dog buns.

When making dinner rolls or pull-apart buns, the short baking time of around 10 minutes or less means that the rolls can quickly go from perfectly baked to too dark. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the colour starting at the 5-minute mark and make adjustments as needed. To slow down browning, one can cover the rolls partway through the baking process using aluminium foil or a heat tamer/burner plate. The ideal temperature for baking these types of buns is around 320°F (160°C), but this may vary depending on the air fryer model.

For hamburger buns, a common issue is the tops browning too quickly while the bottoms remain undercooked. To address this, it is recommended to cover the buns loosely with aluminium foil once the tops start to brown. This will increase the baking time but help ensure even cooking. The total baking time for hamburger buns can range from 12 to 20 minutes, depending on the air fryer.

Lastly, when making buns from scratch, the dough preparation and proofing process can impact the cooking time and temperature. It is essential to allow the dough to rest and proof adequately, typically for about 30 to 40 minutes or until it has doubled in size. Additionally, creating a moist environment by using a piece of parchment paper or covering the dough during proofing can help ensure a soft and fluffy texture.

Browning and crisping

Firstly, it is important to note that air fryers vary in their cooking intensity, so you may need to adjust the temperature and timing accordingly. If your buns are browning too quickly, reduce the temperature and extend the cooking time. Conversely, if they seem pale, increase the temperature slightly towards the end of the cooking process to achieve that desirable golden hue.

To ensure even browning, it is recommended to use a smaller recipe that calls for two 8-inch or 9-inch round pans or a 9" x 13" pan. This ensures that the heat circulates effectively and prevents overcrowding in the air fryer. Additionally, when placing the dough balls in the air fryer, leave some space around each bun.

During the baking process, keep a close eye on your buns, especially after the first 5 minutes, as they can quickly go from perfectly browned to too dark. If you notice the tops browning too fast, you can loosely tent them with aluminum foil. However, be cautious, as the foil may fly around due to the fan in the air fryer. Alternatively, you can cover the pan with foil, but this will increase the baking time.

For a more pronounced browning and crisping effect, brush the tops of the buns with an egg wash before air frying. This simple step will enhance the colour and texture of your buns.

Finally, if you're aiming for a more intense browning, consider making smaller buns. Smaller buns have a greater surface area relative to their volume, which allows for more even browning and crisping.

Storing and reheating

To reheat the buns, you can use the air fryer or a conventional oven. If you're short on time, you can also pop them in the microwave for 15-30 seconds. If you want to add a little extra flavour, brush the buns with melted butter and sprinkle them with garlic. Then, air fry at 300°F for another 1-2 minutes.

It's worth noting that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer model. Some sources suggest baking at 320°F (160°C) for 10-15 minutes, while others recommend 25 minutes at the same temperature. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on your buns during the first few bakes to get a sense of how your air fryer cooks them. If the tops are browning too quickly, you can reduce the temperature and extend the cooking time. On the other hand, if they seem pale, increase the temperature slightly towards the end to achieve that golden hue.

If you're making a large batch, you might need to bake the buns in several batches to ensure even cooking. Additionally, you can experiment with different types of flour, such as whole wheat flour, to customise the texture and flavour of your buns.

Frequently asked questions