Air-Fryer Fried Bread: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to deep frying, and they can be used to make a variety of dishes, including fried bread dough. Air-fried bread dough can be made sweet or savoury, and can be served as a snack or as a side dish. The dough can be made from scratch or store-bought, and the cooking process is relatively quick and easy.

Air fryer Indian fry bread

Indian Fry Bread is a traditional American Indian flatbread that is often deep-fried in oil, shortening, or lard. However, this recipe uses an air fryer to make it healthier and less greasy. This fry bread can be served as a savory dish with traditional taco toppings or as a sweet treat with honey and powdered sugar.

Ingredients:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Warm water
• Vegetable oil
• Taco meat
• Shredded cheese
• Chopped lettuce
• Diced onion
• Diced tomato

Method:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Add the wet ingredients: Mix in warm water and vegetable oil using a bread hook.
• Knead the dough on medium-slow speed for 5-10 minutes until it forms a ball and no longer sticks to the bowl. Be careful not to over-knead.
• Let the dough rest: Place the dough ball in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rest for 2 hours.
• Form dough balls: Cut the dough into golf-ball-sized pieces.
• Flatten the dough: Use your hands to compress the dough balls into flat discs about 1/4" thick. You can also use a rolling pin.
• Air fry: Place the flattened dough in the air fryer basket, spray with oil, and cook at 330°F for 7 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 3 minutes until golden brown.
• Top with taco ingredients: Once the fry bread is cooked, top it with taco meat, shredded cheese, chopped lettuce, diced onions, and diced tomatoes.

Tips:

• Avoid over-kneading the dough. Stop mixing once a firm ball of dough forms.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave enough space for the dough to rise properly. You may need to work in batches.
• To prevent the bread from curling up, cut a small slit down the middle of each piece of dough before air frying.
• Fry bread is best served fresh, but you can warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds if needed.

Air fryer bread dough prep

Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. The basic ingredients you will need are flour, yeast, salt, and water. You can also add sugar, butter or oil, and milk to enhance the flavour and texture of your dough.

Mixing the Dough

In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, yeast, sugar (if using), and salt. Give them a quick stir to mix evenly. Then, pour in the water and melted butter (if using) and mix until you form a sticky dough. You can use a spoon or a dough hook for this process.

Kneading the Dough (Optional)

If you have time, you can perform a couple of "stretch and folds" on your dough after it has rested for about 15 minutes. Grease your hands with a little oil, then stretch one corner of the dough from the underside over to the middle. Turn the bowl and repeat this action a few times. This step is optional, but it can help develop the gluten in the dough and improve the texture of your final product.

First Proofing

Cover your mixing bowl with a clean towel and place it in a warm spot to let the dough rise. This process usually takes around an hour, but the time may vary depending on the temperature of your environment.

Shaping the Dough

Once your dough has risen, it's time to shape it. Lightly flour a work surface and tip your dough onto it. Gently stretch the dough into a rectangular shape, then fold it towards the middle as you would fold a letter. Turn the dough sideways and fold it into a roll. Finally, shape it into a ball, also known as a "boule," dusting with flour as needed.

Second Proofing

Place your shaped dough into a greased pan or bowl. You can use a springform pan, a cake pan, or a simple bowl, depending on what you have available. Cover it again with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes to an hour. This second proofing helps the dough develop even more flavour and airiness.

Preheating the Air Fryer

While your dough is proofing, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually between 320-400°F (160-200°C). This step ensures that your air fryer is ready to go as soon as your dough is prepared, helping to create a consistent cooking environment.

Preparing the Dough for Cooking

After your dough has completed its second rise, it's time to prepare it for cooking. If using a pan or bowl, lightly grease it and place your dough inside. If using parchment paper, cut a square that fits your air fryer basket and poke holes in it for circulation. You can also spray your dough with cooking spray or brush it with melted butter to help achieve a golden colour during cooking.

Cooking the Dough in the Air Fryer

Place your dough, in its pan or on parchment paper, into the air fryer basket. Set the timer according to your recipe, usually around 15-20 minutes, and let it cook. If your air fryer doesn't have a window, avoid the temptation to open it to check on your dough, as this will release the hot air and affect the cooking process. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to flip the dough halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

Checking for Doneness

After the recommended cooking time has passed, check your dough to see if it's done. Tap on the bottom of the bread, and if it sounds hollow, it's likely cooked through. You can also use an instant-read digital thermometer to check if the internal temperature reaches about 200°F (95°C). If the bread still seems doughy, return it to the air fryer and cook in short intervals until done.

Cooling and Storing

Once your bread dough is cooked to perfection, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool on a wire rack. Bread is best enjoyed fresh, but you can also store it in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. For longer storage, slice the bread and freeze it, then toast the slices straight from frozen as needed.

Air fryer bread toppings

There are endless possibilities when it comes to air fryer bread toppings. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Savoury Toppings

• Olive oil and garlic salt
• Grated cheese, like Parmesan or cheddar
• Cream cheese, plain or flavoured
• Pesto or marinara sauce
• Shredded chicken or pulled pork
• Chopped herbs, like parsley or cilantro
• Sliced olives or jalapeños

Sweet Toppings

• Cinnamon and sugar
• Honey or maple syrup
• Nutella or other chocolate-hazelnut spreads
• Fruit jams or preserves
• Whipped cream and fresh berries
• Powdered sugar glaze
• Peanut butter and sliced bananas
• Apple slices with caramel sauce
• Bacon bits with maple syrup
• Goat cheese and honey
• Smoked salmon and cream cheese

Air fryer bread storage

Air fryer bread should be cooled completely before storing to prevent moisture in the bread, which can cause mould or sogginess. The bread should be stored in an airtight container to keep it fresh and avoid humidity. At room temperature, it will stay soft and flavoursome for up to 2 days. For longer storage, it can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.

For storage beyond that, the bread should be frozen. Wrap the whole loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap, followed by aluminium foil. Place the wrapped bread in a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To defrost, the bread can be removed from the freezer and left to thaw at room temperature. Alternatively, it can be placed straight into an air fryer and warmed up for a few minutes.

Air fryer bread troubleshooting

Dough is too sticky

The dough for air fryer bread should be sticky, but if it is too sticky to handle, you can add a little more flour. However, be careful not to add too much, as this can result in dense bread.

Bread is too dense

Dense bread can be caused by a number of factors, including too much flour, humidity, and the age of the flour. It is important to follow the recipe measurements accurately and to use fresh flour.

Bread is not cooked on the inside

If your bread is browning too quickly on the outside but is still doughy on the inside, try covering the top with foil to prevent burning and continue cooking until the centre is done. You may also need to adjust the temperature or cooking time for your particular air fryer model.

Bread is burning

If your bread is burning, try reducing the temperature by a few degrees. You can also try using a larger cake tin so that the bread doesn't rise too tall and burn on the heating element.

Bread is too sweet

Some air fryer bread recipes call for granulated sugar, but you can decrease the amount or omit it altogether if you prefer your bread less sweet.

Bread dough is sinking through the air fryer basket

If you are placing the dough directly into the air fryer basket without a pan, it is important to line the basket with air fryer parchment paper or a small baking sheet to prevent the dough from sinking through the holes.

Frequently asked questions