Air-Fried Bread Pudding: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to make bread pudding. It's a quick and easy way to make a delicious dessert with simple ingredients. The air fryer gives the pudding a crispy top and a soft, moist, and creamy inside. You can use a variety of breads, such as Italian, French, brioche, challah, or even gluten-free bread, and add toppings like ice cream, honey, raisins, or chocolate chips. The best part is that it's ready in less than 30 minutes!

How to make bread pudding in an air fryer

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make bread pudding in an air fryer:

• Stale bread (any type of bread will do, but it's best to use bread that is a day old)
• Eggs
• Milk (regular or vanilla almond milk)
• Sugar (white, light or dark brown, or another sweetener)
• Butter (melted)
• Chocolate chips (optional)
• Salt
• Raisins or other dried fruit (optional)
• Cinnamon (optional)
• Vanilla extract (optional)

Method

• Rip or cube the bread into small pieces.
• If using chocolate chips, dried fruit, or other mix-ins, add them to the bread at this stage.
• In a separate bowl, mix together the eggs, milk, sugar, melted butter, and any other additional ingredients such as salt, cinnamon, or vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined.
• Place the bread pieces into a greased or non-stick baking dish that fits inside your air fryer.
• Pour the liquid mixture over the bread and let it soak for about 5-10 minutes.
• Sprinkle sugar on top of the bread pudding, which will help form a crispy top.
• Place the baking dish inside the air fryer basket and cook at 325-350 degrees Fahrenheit for 11-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or your favorite toppings!

Tips:

• Bread pudding can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to one day before cooking.
• If your bread is not stale, you can cube it and let it air dry for a few hours before using it in the recipe.
• You can experiment with different types of bread, mix-ins, and toppings to create your own unique bread pudding recipe.

Ingredients and prep

Air fryer bread pudding is a quick and easy dessert to make. It is a fun twist on a classic recipe, and you can add your own twist with different ingredients. The best part is that you don't need fresh bread, and you can use up older bread to make this delicious treat.

Ingredients

The ingredients are simple and easy to source. You will need:

• Stale bread (any type will do, but a denser bread works best)
• Eggs
• Milk (regular or vanilla almond milk)
• Sugar (white, light/dark brown, or granulated)
• Butter (melted)
• Chocolate chips (optional)
• Salt
• Vanilla extract (optional)
• Cinnamon (optional)
• Raisins or other dried fruit (optional)
• Nuts (optional)

Prep

• Cut or tear the bread into small cubes or pieces.
• In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, milk, sugar, melted butter, and any additional flavourings (vanilla, cinnamon, etc.). Whisk until well combined.
• If using chocolate chips, dried fruit, or nuts, add them to the bowl with the bread cubes.
• Pour the liquid mixture over the bread cubes and stir well.
• Let the mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the liquid.
• Grease your air fryer-safe dish or ramekins with cooking spray or butter.
• Spoon the bread mixture into the dish/ramekins.
• Sprinkle the top with a little sugar to form a crispy top (optional).
• Preheat your air fryer to 325-350°F.
• Place the dish/ramekins in the air fryer basket and cook for 11-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted comes out clean.

Your air fryer bread pudding is now ready to serve! It is best served warm, but you can also chill it and enjoy it cold. This dessert is sure to impress, and you can easily customise it to your taste.

Best bread for bread pudding

The best bread for bread pudding is typically a day-old or slightly stale loaf with a dense or firm texture that can absorb the custard without falling apart.

Some good options include:

• Italian bread
• Brioche
• Challah
• French bread
• Sourdough
• Raisin or cinnamon bread
• Croissants
• Panettone

You can also use standard supermarket sandwich bread, burger buns, or hot dog buns. However, avoid very crusty breads like baguettes or seeded whole-grain breads, as they may not soften and absorb the custard properly during the short air-frying process.

Serving suggestions

Bread pudding can be served hot or cold, and it can be a dessert or a breakfast dish. It is often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but it can also be served with a sauce such as vanilla custard sauce, chocolate sauce, or rum sauce. For a comforting breakfast or brunch, try drizzling maple syrup and fresh fruit over the pudding.

You can also add toppings to your bread pudding, such as cream, custard, or vanilla sauce. If you want to add a little extra sweetness, a drizzle of honey is a great option. A light sprinkling of powdered sugar, cinnamon, or cocoa powder can also be added for a finishing touch, and garnishing with mint or fresh berries adds a pretty touch.

If you want to get creative, you can experiment with different spices like nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, or pumpkin pie spice. You can also add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts, or even replace some of the milk with coconut milk and sprinkle shredded coconut on top. For a boozy twist, a splash of alcohol such as bourbon, rum, brandy, or Grand Marnier adds depth and richness.

Bread pudding can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a day before cooking. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw the frozen pudding in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it in the microwave or air fryer.

Storing and reheating

Storing

Firstly, it's important to let your bread pudding cool to room temperature. If you plan to eat your pudding within a few hours, it can be kept at room temperature for up to four hours. However, if you're planning to store it for longer, it's best to refrigerate it.

To store your bread pudding in the fridge, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, aluminium foil, or place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to three to five days.

You can also freeze bread pudding. To do this, wrap the pudding tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Bread pudding can be stored in the freezer for up to two to three months.

Reheating

When you're ready to eat your frozen bread pudding, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. You can then reheat it in the microwave until warmed through.

If you're reheating a fresh batch of bread pudding, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the bread pudding in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminium foil. Reheat for 10 to 15 minutes for one or two portions, or 30 to 60 minutes for a full pudding.

For a crispy top, remove the foil during the last 3 to 5 minutes of heating.

You can also reheat bread pudding in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C) and place a slice of bread pudding in the basket. Reheat for 5 to 7 minutes.

If you're reheating multiple slices, make sure there's sufficient airflow around each slice to ensure even heating.

Frequently asked questions