Air Fryer Bread Drying: Is It Possible?

Air fryers can be used for a variety of cooking methods, including drying bread. While it may seem unconventional to use an air fryer for baking, it is possible to make delicious, fluffy bread with a golden crust using this method. Air fryers offer a quicker and more economical alternative to traditional ovens, and they can produce equally impressive results.

Air fryer bread recipes

Yes, you can dry bread in an air fryer. In fact, you can make a variety of bread recipes in an air fryer, from no-knead bread to sourdough, and even banana bread.

No-Knead Bread

This is a simple recipe that requires just four ingredients: flour, yeast, salt, and water. The bread can be made in a few hours and is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or anything you'd want to eat with bread.

Ingredients:

• Flour
• Instant yeast
• Salt
• Water

Steps:

• Mix the ingredients in a large bowl until well incorporated. The dough will be sticky.
• Cover the bowl and let the dough rise on the counter or in an unheated oven for 2-3 hours, until it doubles in size.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F with an air fryer-safe baking dish inside.
• Shape the dough into a ball, place it on parchment paper, and cover it with a towel until the pan is preheated.
• Place the dough with the parchment paper into the preheated pan, cover with aluminum foil, and place it back into the air fryer.
• Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

Air Fryer White Bread

This recipe is perfect for making soft white bread in your air fryer, which can then be used for avocado toast, garlic bread, or French toast.

Ingredients:

• Instant yeast
• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter, softened
• Warm water
• Egg (for egg wash)

Steps:

• Add yeast and warm water to a bowl and let the yeast bloom for 3-5 minutes.
• Once the yeast is activated, add in the flour, sugar, milk, butter, and salt. Gently fold the ingredients until well combined.
• Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth, then shape it into a ball.
• Place the dough into a springform pan lined with parchment paper or greased with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil.
• Cover the pan and let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.
• Brush the top of the dough with an egg wash.
• Place the pan in the air fryer basket and air fry at 320°F for 8-10 minutes, until the bread is golden brown.
• Remove from the pan and let it cool on a rack before storing.

Air Fryer Bread

This recipe creates a light and fluffy loaf with a golden crust.

Ingredients:

• Bread flour or all-purpose flour
• Rapid-rise yeast
• Melted butter or clarified butter (ghee)
• Water
• Sugar
• Salt

Steps:

• Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.
• Add water and melted butter, and mix until a sticky dough forms.
• Cover the dough and let it rest for 15 minutes.
• Stretch and fold the dough a few times, then let it rise in a warm place for an hour.
• Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased 7-inch cake pan.
• Score the top of the dough and brush the sides with melted butter.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
• Place the pan in the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes, then lower the heat to 350°F and cook for another 30 minutes.
• Remove the bread from the pan and place it back in the air fryer for 5-10 minutes to cook the bottom evenly.
• Cool the bread on a wire rack before slicing.

Tips for Air Frying Bread:

• Air fryer bread can sometimes be doughy on the bottom while the top looks done. To avoid this, flip the bread over or cook it directly in the air fryer basket for a few minutes.
• To check if your bread is baked, tap on the bottom; it should sound hollow. Alternatively, use a digital thermometer to check if the internal temperature reaches 190-200°F.
• The best way to store bread is to slice it and freeze it. You can then toast the slices straight from frozen as needed.

How to make air fryer bread

Making bread in an air fryer is a simple process, and it's much faster than baking in the oven. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make air fryer bread:

Ingredients:

• Instant yeast or active yeast
• Warm water (not hot)
• Egg (whisked with a tablespoon of water for egg wash)
• Flour (all-purpose, whole wheat, or bread flour)
• Sugar
• Milk
• Butter (softened)
• Salt

Optional Ingredients:

• Garlic and herbs or shredded cheese for unique flavours
• Nuts
• Cheese

Utensils:

• Air fryer
• Springform pan
• Mixing bowl
• Stand mixer with a dough hook attachment (optional)

Method:

Step 1: Prepare the Yeast

Add the yeast to a medium bowl of warm water and let it sit for about 3 to 5 minutes to bloom. You will know it is ready when it becomes bubbly.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

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. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment or mix by hand.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Transfer the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead until it is smooth. Then, shape it into a ball. If you are using active yeast, it will take about 15-30 minutes longer for the dough to rise than if you are using instant yeast.

Step 4: Prepare the Pan

Place a piece of parchment paper in a springform pan, or lightly spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil. You can also use a regular loaf pan, but you will need to make two smaller loaves instead of one large one, as the air fryer cooks differently than a traditional oven.

Step 5: Let the Dough Rise

Place the ball of dough into the prepared pan and cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, which should take about 30 minutes.

Step 6: Prepare the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 320-400°F, depending on the recipe you are following. Place the pan with the dough into the air fryer and cook until the bread is golden brown. This should take around 8 to 20 minutes, depending on the air fryer temperature and the size of your loaf.

Step 7: Check for Doneness

Remove the bread from the pan and tap the bottom. If it sounds hollow, it is done. You can also use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the bread; it should be between 190-200°F when done.

Step 8: Cool and Store

Allow the bread to cool completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup, which can cause mould or sogginess. Store the bread in an airtight container to preserve freshness. It will stay fresh on the counter for 3-4 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Air fryer bread cooking times

The cooking time for air fryer bread depends on the type of bread you are making, the size of the loaf, and the specific model of your air fryer.

For a simple, soft, and fluffy white bread with a golden crust, the cooking time is around 8 to 10 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit or until the bread is golden brown. This recipe uses a basic mixture of instant yeast, warm water, flour, sugar, milk, butter, and salt.

For a denser, crustier no-knead bread, the cooking time is a bit longer, around 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown. This recipe uses only four ingredients: flour, instant yeast, salt, and water.

If you're making a heartier loaf of bread, such as a sourdough or whole wheat bread, the cooking time will be longer to ensure the interior is fully cooked. A good indicator that your bread is done is when the internal temperature reaches between 190 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

It's important to note that air fryer models vary, so you may need to adjust the temperature and timing accordingly. Keep an eye on your bread as it cooks, and don't be afraid to experiment to find the perfect settings for your air fryer.

Additionally, if you're just toasting bread in the air fryer, it should take around 3 to 5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Air fryer bread storage

Air fryer bread can be stored at room temperature for a day or two, but it is best to keep it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly to preserve its freshness. If you want to extend its shelf life, you can store it in the refrigerator, which will make it last a few days longer. For even longer storage, you can freeze the bread for up to three months.

Storing Freshly Baked Air Fryer Bread

Allow the bread to cool completely before storing it. This is important to prevent moisture buildup inside the container, which can cause the bread to become mouldy or soggy. Once the bread is cooled, you can store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.

Storing Air Fryer Bread in the Refrigerator

If you want to keep your air fryer bread fresh for longer, you can store it in the refrigerator. It will last a few days longer than at room temperature. However, make sure to use an airtight container or wrap the bread tightly to prevent it from drying out.

Freezing Air Fryer Bread

For the longest storage option, you can freeze your air fryer bread. First, let the bread cool completely, then wrap it tightly or place it in an airtight container before putting it in the freezer. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months.

Reheating Air Fryer Bread

To restore the crispiness of your air fryer bread, the best option is to use the air fryer again. Preheat the air fryer and cook the leftover bread for a few minutes until heated through. Alternatively, you can use a toaster or a skillet over low heat to reheat the bread. Avoid using the microwave, as it may make the bread soggy.

Air fryer bread troubleshooting

Dense Bread

If your bread is too dense, you may have added too much flour. The dough should be sticky, so don't add more flour than the recipe specifies. Other factors that can cause density are humidity and the age of the flour. Little yeast, a long rise time, and sticky dough are keys to a good, light loaf. Also, do not overmix the dough at the beginning—there really is no kneading required.

Doughy Bottom

The bottom of your bread may be doughy because the heat of the air fryer is too concentrated at the top. Try flipping the bread over and cooking for a few more minutes. You can also try lowering the temperature and cooking for longer.

Overcooked Top

If the top of your bread is burning, try covering it with aluminium foil. This will stop it from burning and allow the inside to cook.

Dry Bread

Air fryer bread can dry out a little easily, so it's best to store it tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container to preserve its freshness.

Bread Not Rising

If your bread isn't rising, you may have forgotten to add the yeast or used old yeast. Always check the expiration date on your yeast and make sure it hasn't expired.

Dough Sticking to Air Fryer

If you don't use something to line the basket, the bread dough will sink through the holes in the basket. Using a springform pan or lining the basket with air fryer parchment paper can prevent this.

Frequently asked questions