Air-Fried Fry Bread: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to ovens, and you can even make bread in them! Air fryer bread is easy to make, requires little to no kneading, and tastes delicious. The bread comes out light, fluffy, and golden with a soft crumb—perfect for toast or sandwiches. You will need a deep cake tin that fits easily into your air fryer, and the usual bread-making ingredients: flour, yeast, salt, and water. You can also add sugar and butter to enhance the flavor. The process is simple: mix the ingredients, let the dough rise, shape it, and then place it in the air fryer. In about half an hour, you'll have freshly baked bread without having to turn on your oven!

How to make fry bread in an air fryer

Ingredients

As with all bread recipes, you need four basic ingredients: flour, yeast, salt, and water. You will also need a deep cake tin that fits easily into your air fryer.

• Bread flour (all-purpose flour can also be used)
• Rapid-rise yeast (doesn't need to be activated first)
• Melted butter or clarified butter (ghee)
• Water
• Salt
• Sugar (optional)

Method

• 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 together 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 in a warm place to rise for an hour.
• Tip the dough onto a lightly floured worktop. Gently stretch the dough into a rectangular shape. Fold the top towards the middle, then the bottom over that, as you would fold a letter to place in an envelope.
• Turn sideways and fold into a roll. Use your hands to shape the bread into a ball (also known as a "boule"), dusting with flour as needed.
• Place the shaped dough in a greased cake pan, loosely cover, and leave to rise for half an hour.
• Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for five minutes. Score the top of the bread with a knife and brush the sides with a little melted butter so it doesn't stick.
• Place the pan in your air fryer and cook for 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Lower the heat to 350°F (180°C) and continue to cook for 25-30 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the air fryer (using pot holders) and take the bread out. Place the loaf back in the air fryer to cook for a further 5-10 minutes to allow the bottom of the bread to bake evenly.
• Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Tips

• The best way to store bread is to slice it and freeze it. You can then toast slices from frozen as and when you need them. The bread can also be placed in a bread bag or wrapped in a linen towel for up to three days.
• Air fryers can vary in wattage and size, so you may need to adjust the time and temperature to suit your air fryer model.
• To check if your bread is baked, tap on the bottom of the bread. If you hear a hollow sound, then the bread is cooked through. Alternatively, use an instant-read digital thermometer to check if the internal temperature at the core is about 200°F (over 95°C).

Ingredients and measurements for fry bread in an air fryer

The ingredients for air fryer bread are the same as for any bread: flour, yeast, salt, and water. However, some recipes also include sugar, butter or oil to enhance the flavor. The measurements for these ingredients vary, but here is a list of the ingredients and some common measurements:

• 1 1/2 cups to 2 2/3 cups of all-purpose flour (bread flour can also be used)
• 1/2 to 1 1/4 teaspoons of instant yeast (or active dry yeast)
• 1/2 cup to 1 cup of lukewarm water
• 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of salt
• 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of sugar (optional)
• 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of melted butter or oil (optional)

Note that the amount of water you need may vary depending on the type of flour used. For example, if using whole wheat flour, you may need slightly more water. Additionally, the amount of yeast and water can be adjusted based on how long you want the dough to rise.

Additional Ingredients for Flavor:

• Herbs of your choice (e.g. rosemary or thyme)
• Garlic powder

Equipment:

• Air fryer-safe baking dish or pan that fits into the basket of your air fryer (a 6" to 8" round pan is commonly used)
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowl
• Stand mixer with a dough hook attachment (optional)
• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap

Step-by-step guide to making fry bread in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Flour
• Yeast
• Salt
• Water
• Sugar
• Butter or oil

Method

• Combine the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar together. Then add the warm water and oil or butter, 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 in the pan 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° 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° until golden brown for about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Flip the bread over and continue frying for an additional 5 minutes.

Tips

• If you want to make the bread in an oven-style air fryer, you can put the dough directly into the basket, but make sure to line it with parchment paper first.
• You can flavour the bread by adding herbs of your choice, such as rosemary, thyme, or garlic powder.
• 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.

Tips for making fry bread in an air fryer

Fry bread is a simple recipe that can be made in an air fryer. Here are some tips to help you make delicious fry bread:

Ingredients

Use the right ingredients in the right quantities. The basic ingredients you will need are flour, yeast, salt, and water. You can also add sugar, butter or oil to enhance the flavour and texture of the bread.

Temperature of the Water

Make sure the water is at the right temperature. It should be warm, not hot, as water that is too hot will not activate the yeast.

Yeast

Use instant yeast or active yeast. Instant yeast will help the dough rise faster. If you are using active yeast, the dough will take 15-30 minutes longer to rise.

Mixing the Dough

Mix the dry ingredients first, then pour in the water and melted butter or oil. Mix until there are no dry streaks of flour and you have a shaggy, sticky dough. You can use a spoon, a dough hook, or your hands to mix the ingredients.

Kneading the Dough

You do not need to knead the dough, but if you have time, you can do a couple of "stretch and folds" after the dough has rested for about 15 minutes. Grease your hands with a little oil, then stretch and fold the dough a few times.

Rising the Dough

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

Shaping the Dough

After the first rise, tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently stretch it into a rectangular shape. Fold the top towards the middle, then fold the bottom over that, as if folding a letter. Turn it sideways and fold it into a roll. Shape the dough into a ball, dusting with flour as needed.

Second Rise

Place the shaped dough in a greased pan, loosely cover it, and let it rise for another 30 minutes.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for five minutes.

Scoring the Dough

Before placing the dough in the air fryer, score the top of the bread with a knife. This will make your bread look pretty and help prevent it from cracking.

Brushing the Dough

Brush the sides of the dough with a little melted butter to prevent it from sticking to the pan.

Baking the Bread

Place the pan in the air fryer and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes. Then, lower the heat to 350°F (180°C) and bake for another 25-30 minutes.

Checking for Doneness

Remove the pan from the air fryer and take out the bread. Tap the bottom of the bread, and if you hear a hollow sound, it is done. Alternatively, use an instant-read digital thermometer to check if the internal temperature at the core is about 200°F (95°C).

Air Frying Without a Pan

If you are air frying the bread without a pan, be sure to line your basket with air fryer parchment paper. If you don't, the dough will sink through the holes in the basket.

Storing the Bread

The best way to store the bread is to slice it and freeze it. You can then toast slices from frozen as needed. You can also place the bread in a bread bag or wrap it in a linen towel for up to three days.

Storing and serving fry bread made in an air fryer

Fry bread made in an air fryer should be allowed to cool completely before storing. This is to prevent moisture in the bread, which can cause mould or sogginess. Once cooled, the bread can be covered or stored in an airtight container.

To preserve its freshness, the bread should be kept in an airtight container. It will taste fresh for 3-4 days when stored on the counter or in the refrigerator for a few days longer. For longer-term storage, the bread can be wrapped and frozen for up to 3 months.

When serving, the fry bread can be sliced thickly and used for avocado toast, garlic bread, or French toast. It can also be used to make air fryer eggs in a basket or air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches.

Frequently asked questions