Air-Fried Sourdough: A Tasty, Crispy Treat?

Sourdough bread is a delicious, fluffy and crispy loaf with a tangy flavor that complements a rich, creamy butter spread. It is also RD-approved and loaded with tons of health benefits. Traditionally, sourdough bread is baked in a Dutch oven, but it can also be made in an air fryer. Air fryers are easy to use, take up little space, and are much cheaper to run than an oven. Baking sourdough bread in an air fryer is a great option, especially when you want fresh bread without heating up the entire kitchen.

Air fryer sourdough bread recipes

Sourdough bread is a favourite for many, and you can now make it in your air fryer! It's a quick and easy way to bake a loaf of sourdough without heating up the entire kitchen. Here are some recipes and tips to help you get started with making sourdough bread in your air fryer.

Ingredients

You will need the following basic ingredients:

• Flour (a combination of bread flour, all-purpose flour, and/or whole wheat flour)
• Sourdough starter (you can make your own or use a mix of traditional and whole wheat starter)
• Oil (preferably extra virgin olive oil)
• Salt (sea salt or any salt of your choice)
• Water (warm water is recommended)

You can also add a little sugar and some melted butter to enhance the flavour. Additionally, you will need a deep cake tin or pan that fits easily into your air fryer; a 7-inch cake pan is a good size.

Recipe

First, combine your flour, sourdough starter, oil, and salt in a stand mixer. Add water gradually until all the ingredients come together. You can use a bread machine for this process, choosing the "dough only" setting with the heat function turned off.

Next, knead the dough on low speed for about 5 minutes, then shape it into a ball and let it rise. Cover the dough and let it rise for about 4 to 5 hours or overnight. You can also use a bread machine for this step.

Once the dough has doubled in size, preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F (200°C). Score the top of the dough with a lame or sharp knife to help it rise, and place it seam-side down in a greased cake pan. You can also brush the sides of the pan with melted butter to prevent sticking.

Now, place the pan in the air fryer and bake for about 14-15 minutes at 385-400°F (200°C). Then, carefully remove the bread from the pan, flip it over, and bake for another 14-15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 330-350°F (180°C) if the bread is browning too quickly and continue to bake until the internal temperature reaches 190-200°F.

Finally, remove the bread from the air fryer and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy the delicious aroma and taste of your freshly baked sourdough bread!

Tips

• The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so adjust the time and temperature accordingly.
• To check if your bread is done, tap on the underside; it should sound hollow. You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check if the internal temperature reaches 190-200°F.
• Sourdough bread is best within 48 hours of baking. After that, slice and freeze any remaining bread.
• You can toast frozen slices straight from the freezer, or "revive" them by wrapping in a damp paper towel and reheating in the microwave for a few seconds.

Ingredients for air fryer sourdough bread

Yes, you can bake sourdough bread in an air fryer! It is much quicker than using an oven and is more energy-efficient. You need very few ingredients to make sourdough bread. Here is a list of ingredients for making sourdough bread in an air fryer:

• Active sourdough starter: You can either buy this online or make it yourself.
• Strong bread flour: This type of flour has a high protein content (12-14%) which helps give your sourdough rise and structure.
• Water: Ideally, use filtered water or tap water that has been boiled and left to cool down.
• Salt: Salt is an important ingredient that not only adds flavour but also impacts the fermentation process.
• Olive oil: Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best results.
• Other equipment: You will also need an air fryer, a 7-inch cake pan or a deep air fryer bread tin to bake the bread in, a large mixing bowl, a Danish dough whisk, an instant-read thermometer, and a rectangular Pyrex container.

Please note that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer model. To test if your bread is done, insert an instant-read thermometer into the centre of the loaf. It should read at least 190°F (88°C).

How to tell if your sourdough starter is ready

Yes, you can cook delicious, homemade sourdough bread in an air fryer. It's a convenient way to bake without heating up the whole kitchen, especially during the summer months.

Now, to answer your question about how to tell if your sourdough starter is ready. There are several signs to look out for, and the readiness of a sourdough starter can vary based on factors like temperature, feeding schedule, and the specific characteristics of your starter. Here are the key indicators that your sourdough starter is ready:

Doubling or Tripling in Size:

The most important sign of readiness is that your starter consistently doubles or even triples in volume within 4 to 6 hours of feeding. This indicates that your starter is active and healthy. If it's warm, the doubling may occur within just 2 hours.

Bubbly and Active:

Your starter should be bubbly and active. You'll notice bubbles on the surface and sides of the jar, and when it peaks, there will be a network of bubbles visible when you tip the jar on its side.

Light and Airy Texture:

When you scoop out a small amount of the starter, it should have a light and airy texture. It should be fluffy and slightly stretchy, resembling the consistency of warm peanut butter or thick pancake batter.

Float Test:

Perform a simple float test by dropping a small spoonful of your starter into a glass of water. If it floats, it indicates that the starter is ready for baking. If it sinks, it's not quite ready yet.

Aroma:

A mature and healthy sourdough starter will have a pleasant , slightly tangy aroma. It might have hints of acidity and fermentation, but it shouldn't smell unpleasant or like strong vinegar. A yeasty, slightly sour aroma is a good indicator of readiness.

Age of the Starter:

Your sourdough starter will typically need at least 14 days to mature before it's ready for baking. Some starters may take 4 to 6 weeks to fully develop, and the older the starter, the better your bread will rise.

Remember, as you continue to bake with your sourdough starter, you'll become more familiar with its behavior and unique characteristics. Adjustments may be needed based on your kitchen temperature and feeding schedule, but with patience and practice, you'll be rewarded with delicious, homemade sourdough bread straight from your air fryer!

How to store air fryer sourdough bread

Sourdough bread is best within 48 hours of baking. After two days, slice any remaining bread and store it in a freezer bag. You can "revive" frozen bread by toasting it or wrapping it in a damp paper towel and reheating it in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.

If you want to store your air fryer sourdough bread in the freezer, wait until the bread has cooled down before slicing. Then, store the slices in a bread bag and freeze them. You can toast the slices straight from frozen, and they will keep for up to three months.

It's important to note that the cooking time and temperature for air fryer sourdough bread may vary depending on the model of your air fryer. Therefore, it is recommended to use a digital thermometer to check the doneness of your bread. The internal temperature of the bread should be between 190 to 200°F.

Additionally, when baking sourdough bread in an air fryer, it is suggested to reduce the cooking temperature by about 30°F and cut the baking time in half compared to a regular oven recipe. This is because the air fryer circulates hot air with a fan, resulting in a more intense heat distribution.

Air fryer temperature and cooking time

The temperature and cooking time for your sourdough bread in an air fryer will vary depending on the model of your air fryer, the size of your loaf, and the type of crust you desire.

As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for about three minutes before placing the dough inside. The total cooking time for a standard-sized loaf is typically between 20 and 30 minutes, with some recipes suggesting a range of 28 to 30 minutes for a well-done loaf. For a mini loaf, 20 minutes at 390°F should be sufficient. It is important to note that air fryers can vary in wattage and size, which will affect how your bread bakes. You may need to adjust the time and temperature accordingly to suit your specific air fryer model.

To ensure your bread is cooked evenly, it is recommended to gently shake the air fryer or flip the dough halfway through the cooking process. This will help to prevent the bottom of the bread from being doughy while the top is perfectly baked.

To check if your bread is done, you can tap the underside; it should sound hollow. Alternatively, use an instant-read thermometer to check if the internal temperature at the core is about 200°F (95°C). If your bread is browning too quickly, you can reduce the temperature by a few degrees to prevent burning.

Once your bread is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Sourdough bread is best consumed within 48 hours of baking. After two days, it is recommended to slice any remaining bread and store it in a freezer bag.

Frequently asked questions