Air Fryer Oven: Bake Bread Like A Pro

Yes, you can make bread in an air fryer oven! It's a quick, convenient, and energy-efficient way to bake a loaf with a crispy crust and a soft, fluffy interior. The process is similar to traditional bread-making: mix a simple dough, let it rise, shape it, and then bake it in the air fryer. The air fryer's rapid air technology circulates hot air to create a golden-brown crust while keeping the inside moist and tender.

The key to successful air fryer bread is to use fresh, good-quality yeast and allow the dough to rise properly. You can also experiment with different seeds, herbs, or cheeses in the dough for added flavour.

Air fryer bread vs. oven-baked bread

Air fryer bread and oven-baked bread differ in a few key ways. Here are some of the most notable differences:

Taste and Texture

Air fryer bread is known for its light and fluffy texture, with a golden, crispy crust. The bread is perfect for toast or sandwiches, as it has a soft crumb. It is also easy to make and requires no kneading, making it a convenient option for those who want fresh bread without the hassle of traditional baking.

Oven-baked bread, on the other hand, can offer a wider range of textures depending on the baking method. It can result in a crusty exterior with a soft and airy interior, similar to air fryer bread, but it may take longer to achieve this texture.

Cooking Time and Convenience

One of the biggest advantages of air fryer bread is the reduced cooking time compared to traditional oven baking. Air fryer bread recipes often take around 10-15 minutes to cook, whereas oven-baked bread can take 30 minutes or more, depending on the recipe and oven temperature.

Air fryers are also more energy-efficient and take up less space than a conventional oven, making them a convenient option for those with limited kitchen space or looking to reduce their energy consumption.

Customization

Both air fryer and oven-baked bread can be customized with various ingredients to change the flavor and texture. For example, you can add garlic and herbs or shredded cheese to the dough for unique twists.

Drawbacks

While air fryer bread is convenient and tasty, it may not always cook evenly. Some people have reported issues with the bottom of the bread being doughy while the top is perfectly baked. This can be mitigated by flipping the bread over or cooking it directly in the air fryer basket for a few minutes.

Oven-baked bread, on the other hand, may take longer to bake and requires preheating the oven, but it allows for more even cooking and a more consistent crust.

In conclusion, both air fryer bread and oven-baked bread have their advantages and disadvantages. Air fryer bread is ideal for those seeking convenience, shorter cooking times, and a fluffy texture, while oven-baked bread offers more traditional baking methods and a wider range of possible textures. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on personal preferences and the specific requirements of the baker.

How to make air fryer bread

Ingredients:

• Flour
• Yeast
• Salt
• Water
• Sugar
• Butter or oil
• Egg (whisked with a tablespoon of water)

Method:

• Combine the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl. Then add the warm water and butter or oil, stirring well until combined. The dough will be very sticky.
• Let the dough rise for 1 hour, then turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
• To shape the roll, place the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pull the edges of the dough up and to the middle, creating a round loaf. Turn the loaf upside down so the smooth side is on top.
• Cut 2 to 3 slices on the top of the dough. Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper that will easily fit into a 6” to 8” round pan.
• Place the parchment paper with the dough into the pan and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour.
• Preheat the air fryer at 400°F for 10 minutes.
• Place the pan with the bread dough in the air fryer. Add a few pieces of ice to the outside of the round pan, but inside the air fryer basket.
• Place the air fryer basket back into the air fryer and bake at 400°F until golden brown for about 20 to 25 minutes. Flip the bread over and continue frying for an additional 5 minutes.

Tips:

• To get a nice crispy texture on the outside of the bread, place some ice cubes around the outside of the bread pan. The steam will help form a chewy, crispy crust.
• The dough will be sticky and shaggy. You don't have to knead this dough, but if you have time, you can do a couple of "stretch and folds". Grease your hands with a little oil and stretch one corner of the bread from the underside over to the middle. Turn the bowl and repeat this action a few times.
• To check if your bread is baked, tap on the bottom of the loaf. If you hear a hollow sound, then the bread is cooked all the way through. Alternatively, use an instant-read digital thermometer to check if the internal temperature at the core is about 200°F (over 95°C).
• The best way to store bread is to slice it and freeze it. You can then toast slices straight from frozen as and when you need them. The bread can also be placed in a bread bag or wrapped in a linen towel and stored at room temperature for up to three days.

Air fryer bread recipes

Air fryers are perfect for making bread, and it's incredibly easy. You can make a simple loaf of soft white bread, and it's much faster than baking in the oven. Here are some recipes to try:

No-Knead Air Fryer Bread

This recipe requires just four ingredients and no kneading, making it perfect for sandwiches, toast, or anything you'd want to eat bread with.

Ingredients:

• Flour
• Yeast
• Salt
• Water

Instructions:

• In a big bowl, mix the flour, salt, instant yeast, and water until well incorporated. The dough will be sticky and shaggy.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit on your counter or inside your unheated oven for 2 to 3 hours. During this time, the dough should double in size.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 20 minutes with a 6-inch round pan inside (you can use a larger pan if your air fryer permits).
• Flour your hands and sprinkle a bit of flour over the dough. Gently remove the dough from the bowl and shape it into a ball. Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper and cover it with a dry, clean kitchen towel.
• Remove the pan from the air fryer basket and drop the dough with the parchment paper into the pan. Score the top of the dough with a sharp knife to make it pretty and prevent cracking.
• Cover the pan with aluminum foil, seal the edges, and place it back into the air fryer basket.
• Bake the bread for 20 minutes. Open the basket and remove the foil. Bake for another 10 minutes or until golden brown. The bread is cooked when it sounds hollow when tapped.

Air Fryer Bread

This recipe will give you a light and fluffy bread that is the perfect accompaniment to all your delicious culinary creations.

Ingredients:

• All-purpose flour
• Instant yeast
• Granulated sugar
• Warm water
• Oil

Instructions:

• Combine the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar, then add the warm water and oil, stirring well until combined. The dough will be very sticky.
• Let the dough rise for 1 hour, then turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
• To shape the roll, place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Gently pull the edges of the dough up and to the middle, creating a round loaf. Turn the loaf upside down so the smooth side is on top.
• Cut 2 to 3 slices on the top of the dough. Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper that will fit into a 6- to 8-inch round pan.
• Place the parchment paper with the dough into the pan and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 10 minutes.
• Place the pan with the bread dough into the air fryer. Add a few pieces of ice to the outside of the round pan but inside the air fryer basket.
• Place the air fryer basket back into the air fryer and bake at 400°F until golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. Flip the bread over and continue frying for an additional 5 minutes.

Air Fryer Sourdough Bread

This recipe will give you a delicious loaf with a golden crust and soft crumb, perfect for toast or sandwiches.

Ingredients:

• Bread flour (all-purpose flour can also be used)
• Rapid-rise yeast
• Melted butter or clarified butter (ghee)

Instructions:

• Measure the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast into a mixing bowl. Stir to combine the dry ingredients.
• Pour in the water and melted butter. Mix with a spoon or a dough hook until there are no dry streaks of flour, and you have a shaggy, sticky dough.
• Cover with a clean towel and place it in a warm spot to rise for an hour.
• Tip the dough onto a lightly floured worktop. Gently stretch the dough to a rectangular shape. Fold the top towards the middle, then fold the bottom over that, as you would fold a letter.
• Turn sideways and fold into a roll. Shape the bread into a ball (also known as a "boule"), dusting with flour as needed.
• Place the shaped dough in a greased 7-inch cake pan and loosely cover it. Let it rise for half an hour.
• Preheat the Air Fryer to 400°F for five minutes. Score the top of the bread with a knife and brush the sides with melted butter to prevent sticking.
• Place the pan in the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes at 400°F. Lower the heat to 350°F and continue cooking for 30 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the air fryer and take out the bread. Place the loaf back in the air fryer and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes to ensure even baking.
• Cool the bread on a wire rack before slicing.

Air Fryer Bread

This recipe makes a perfect loaf of bread that is light and fluffy on the inside, with a golden crust.

Ingredients:

• Instant yeast or active yeast
• Warm water
• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar

Air fryer bread-making tips

Ingredients

Firstly, you'll need to gather your ingredients. The basic ingredients for air fryer bread are flour, yeast, salt, and water. You can also add sugar, butter or oil, eggs, and milk to enhance the flavour and texture.

Mixing the Dough

Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Then, add the wet ingredients and mix until a sticky dough forms. You can do this with a spoon, a dough hook, or your hands. If the dough is too sticky, gradually add more flour until you reach the desired consistency.

Kneading the Dough

Kneading the dough is optional, but if you choose to do it, grease your hands with a little oil first. Stretch one corner of the dough from the underside over to the middle, then turn the bowl and repeat this action a few times.

First Rise

Cover the dough with a clean towel and place it in a warm spot to rise for about an hour. You can put it in a turned-off microwave or oven to prove.

Shaping the Dough

After the first rise, gently stretch the dough into a rectangular shape. Fold the top towards the middle, then fold the bottom over that, as you would fold a letter. Turn the dough sideways and fold it into a roll. Finally, shape it into a ball, or "boule", dusting with flour as needed.

Second Rise

Place the shaped dough in a greased pan that fits your air fryer. Cover it and let it rise for about 30 minutes.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 320-400°F (160-200°C) for about 5-10 minutes.

Baking the Bread

Place the pan with the dough into the air fryer. If desired, add a few ice cubes around the outside of the pan to create a crispy texture. Bake for about 20-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. You may need to flip the bread over halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Cooling and Storing the Bread

Remove the bread from the air fryer and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing. Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Storing and reheating air fryer bread

Storing Air Fryer Bread

Before storing, it's important to let the bread cool completely. This will prevent moisture from building up inside the bread, which can cause mould or sogginess.

The best way to store bread is to slice it and freeze it. You can then toast slices straight from frozen as you need them. Alternatively, the bread can be stored in a bread bag or wrapped in a linen towel and kept at room temperature for up to three days.

Reheating Air Fryer Bread

There are several ways to reheat bread in an air fryer, oven, or microwave.

Air Fryer

• Set the air fryer to a low temperature of around 300°F (150°C).
• Place the bread in the air fryer basket for about 2-3 minutes.
• Check the bread regularly to ensure it doesn't burn.
• For added moisture and crispiness, you can also wrap the bread in aluminium foil before placing it in the air fryer.
• If the bread is frozen, increase the cooking time to 12 minutes at 350°F (180°C).

Oven

• Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
• Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil and place the slices of bread on top.
• Brush the bread with olive oil or butter for a crispier texture, or spritz with water for softer bread.
• Bake for 5-10 minutes, until the bread is warm and slightly crispy.

Microwave

• Wrap the bread in a damp paper towel and place it on a microwave-safe plate.
• Heat for 20-30 seconds, checking regularly to avoid overheating.
• For frozen bread, allow it to reach room temperature first to prevent sogginess.

No matter which method you choose, reheating bread is a great way to revive stale slices and avoid food waste.

Frequently asked questions