Air Fryer Bread: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are not just for frying food, they can also be used to bake bread. In fact, there are several recipes for making bread in an air fryer, including white bread, banana bread, Irish soda bread, and sourdough bread. The process is similar to baking bread in an oven, but with a few adjustments. The result is a crusty exterior and a soft, warm interior.

Air fryer bread recipes

Yes, you can make bread in an air fryer. The result is a lovely, crusty exterior and a soft, warm interior. The thought of baking bread in an air fryer might not seem right, but this is an amazingly fast method for making fresh bread.

Air Fryer White Bread

This recipe is similar to baking bread in an oven. You will need:

• 500g strong white bread flour
• 1 tbsp virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp dried yeast (7g sachet)
• 300ml of warm water

Step 1: Add the yeast to the warm water in a bowl or jug.

Step 2: When it has dissolved, add the virgin olive oil.

Step 3: Add the flour and salt to a separate bowl and make a well in the middle.

Step 4: Pour the water, yeast and oil mixture into the centre of the flour well.

Step 5: Using your hands, combine the mixture to form a dough.

Step 6: Transfer the dough onto a floured countertop and knead for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 7: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with cling film or a clean, damp tea towel. Leave the dough to rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 8: Once the dough has doubled in size, return it to a floured worktop and knock it back to its original size. Shape the dough into a ball, put it on greaseproof paper, and cover with a damp tea towel or an upturned mixing bowl.

Step 9: Using a sharp knife, slice the very top layer of the dough (less than 1cm deep). You can either slice it as a cross, or in two or three lines.

Step 10: Carefully transfer the dough to the air fryer.

Step 11: Air fry at 200°C for 5 minutes, then turn the temperature down to 180°C and air fry for a further 15 minutes. The bread is ready when the underside sounds hollow when tapped.

Step 12: Leave the bread for around 15 minutes before cutting. The longer you leave it, the easier it will be to slice.

Air Fryer No-Knead Bread

This bread requires just four ingredients and no kneading. You will need:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• ¾ cup water (room temperature)

Form the dough: In a big bowl, mix the flour, salt, instant yeast and water into the bowl. Use a spatula or a wooden spoon to mix until well incorporated. The dough will be sticky and shaggy.

Allow it to rise: 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 the air fryer: Place a 6-inch round pan into the basket of your air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 20 minutes with the pan in it.

Shape the dough: 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 ball of dough over a piece of parchment paper. Transfer the dough with the parchment paper into a bowl and cover with a dry, clean kitchen towel until the pan has been preheated.

Bake the bread: Carefully remove the pan from the air fryer basket, then lift the parchment paper and drop it into the pot, with the parchment paper still underneath. You can also score the top of the dough with a sharp knife to make it look pretty and prevent it from cracking. Carefully cover the pan with aluminium foil, tightly seal the edges, and place the pan back into the air fryer basket. Bake the bread for 20 minutes, then open the basket and carefully remove the foil. Close the basket and bake for another 10 minutes or until golden brown. The bread is cooked when it sounds hollow when tapped.

Air Fryer Bread

This recipe is easy to make, requires no kneading and tastes delicious. You will need:

• 3 cups (360g) white bread flour or see notes
• 2 ¼ tsp rapid-rise yeast (one packet)
• 1 cup (240ml) water, lukewarm
• 2 tbsp melted butter or ghee, plus extra for greasing

Mix the ingredients: 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.

Let the dough rest: You do not have to knead this dough but, if you have time, 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. Cover with a clean towel and place in a warm place to rise for an hour.

Shape the dough: Tip the dough onto a lightly floured worktop. Gently stretch the dough to a rectangular shape. Fold the top towards the middle, then the bottom over that, as you would fold a letter. 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.

Let the dough rise: Place the shaped dough in a greased 7-inch cake pan, loosely cover and leave to rise for half an hour.

Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the Air Fryer to 400°F (200°C) for five minutes.

Bake the bread: 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 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the air fryer and take the bread out. Place the bread back in the air fryer to cook for a further 5 minutes to allow the bottom to bake evenly. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Air fryer bread ingredients

Air fryer bread is easy to make and only requires a few staple ingredients. Here is a list of the ingredients you will need to make air fryer bread:

Basic Ingredients:

• Flour – You can use all-purpose flour or bread flour for this recipe. If you opt for bread flour, the crust will be a bit thicker, and you will need to increase the amount of water.
• Yeast – You can use instant yeast or active dry yeast. Instant yeast will help the dough rise faster, while active dry yeast may require a different technique and more time.
• Salt – This ingredient is essential for adding flavour to the bread.
• Water – It is important to use lukewarm or room temperature water to activate the yeast properly.

Additional Ingredients for Enhanced Flavour:

• Sugar – You can add a small amount of granulated sugar to enhance the flavour and add a hint of sweetness to the bread.
• Butter – Including some softened or melted butter can make the bread softer and more flavourful.

With these ingredients and an air fryer, you can make a delicious, fluffy loaf of bread with a golden crust.

Air fryer bread preparation

Ingredients

You will need the following basic ingredients:

• Flour (all-purpose or bread flour)
• Yeast (active dry or instant)
• Salt
• Water (warm)
• Sugar
• Butter or oil (optional)

Step 1: Mixing the Dough

In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, yeast, and water together. You can also add sugar and butter or oil to enhance the flavour and texture. Mix until a sticky dough forms. The dough should be slightly tacky but not too dry or sticky.

Step 2: Kneading the Dough

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it until it is smooth and elastic. This should take about 8-10 minutes. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment or knead the dough by hand.

Step 3: First Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it has doubled in size. This step is crucial for developing the bread's structure and flavour.

Step 4: Shaping and Second Rise

Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf that will fit your air fryer basket. You can use a springform pan, a cake pan, or place the dough directly into the basket. If using a pan, line it with parchment paper or grease it to prevent sticking. Let the dough rise again for about 30 minutes or until it becomes puffy.

Step 5: Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 350°F (175°C) to 400°F (200°C). Place an air fryer-safe baking dish or pan into the basket during preheating if needed.

Step 6: Baking the Bread

Place the dough in the air fryer basket and bake for about 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of your loaf and your air fryer model. The bread is done when it has a golden-brown crust and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be around 190°F to 200°F (88°C to 93°C).

Step 7: Cooling and Storing

Remove the bread from the air fryer and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing. This step is important to ensure the interior finishes cooking and sets properly. Store leftover bread in an airtight container or bread bag at room temperature for 2-3 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Air fryer bread cooking times and temperatures

Air fryer bread is a quick and easy way to make a delicious loaf of bread with a soft crumb and a golden crust.

Ingredients:

• Flour
• Yeast
• Salt
• Water
• Sugar (optional)
• Butter (optional)

Method:

• Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.
• Add water and (if using) butter to the mixture.
• Combine until you have a sticky dough.
• Cover the bowl and leave the dough to rise for 1-3 hours.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) with a pan inside.
• Shape the dough into a ball and place it in the pan.
• Cook for 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
• Lower the temperature to 350°F (180°C) and cook for a further 25-30 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the air fryer and take out the bread.
• Place the loaf back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes to ensure the bottom is cooked.

Tips:

• You can use instant or active yeast. Instant yeast will make the dough rise faster.
• The bread is cooked when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
• You can also use a digital thermometer to check if the internal temperature is 190°F-200°F.
• The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model.

Storing:

• The best way to store the bread is to slice it and freeze it.
• You can then toast slices straight from the freezer as needed.
• Alternatively, the bread can be stored in a bread bag or wrapped in a linen towel for up to three days.

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 can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. It may also be frozen for up to three months.

If you are storing the bread at room temperature, cover it in cling wrap to preserve its freshness and prevent it from drying out.

Frequently asked questions