Air-Fried Bread: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Making bread in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a perfect loaf with a golden crust and a soft, fluffy interior. It's also a great way to save on energy bills compared to using a conventional oven. The process is simple: mix your ingredients, let the dough rise, shape it, and then bake it in the air fryer. You can also add ice cubes to the outside of the bread pan for a nice crispy texture.

Choosing the right flour

• All-Purpose Flour: This is the most commonly used flour for air fryer bread. It has a medium gluten content, which gives the bread a soft and fluffy texture. All-purpose flour is versatile and can be used in various bread recipes, including white bread, whole grain bread, and even some sourdough recipes.
• Bread Flour: Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, resulting in a chewier and denser loaf of bread. It is ideal for recipes that require more structure, such as crusty artisan loaves or bread with added mix-ins like nuts or seeds. If you decide to use bread flour, remember to increase the amount of water in your recipe by 2 teaspoons per cup of flour.
• Whole Wheat Flour: If you prefer a nuttier flavour and a denser texture, whole wheat flour is a great option. It is made from ground whole wheat grains and contains more fibre than all-purpose flour. When substituting whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour, it is recommended to use half whole wheat and half all-purpose to maintain a lighter texture.
• Gluten-Free Flour: For those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease, gluten-free flour can be used as a substitute. However, keep in mind that gluten-free flour blends may vary, and you may need to adjust the amount of liquid in your recipe to achieve the desired dough consistency.
• Flour Amount: The amount of flour used will depend on the size of your air fryer and the desired yield. Most recipes call for around 2 to 3 cups of flour, but you can adjust this based on your needs.

Remember to store your flour in a cool, dry place to maintain its freshness and quality. Using fresh, high-quality flour will ensure your air fryer bread turns out perfectly every time!

Yeast: active, instant or rapid-rise?

When making bread in an air fryer, you can use active, instant, or rapid-rise yeast. However, each type of yeast has unique properties that will affect the bread-making process and the final product. Here are the key differences between these three types of yeast and how they apply to making bread in an air fryer:

Active Yeast

Active dry yeast is the most common variety sold in grocery stores and often comes in individual packets or small glass jars. It is a granular, dormant organism that needs to be "activated" or "proofed" by dissolving it in lukewarm water (around 110°F) before incorporating it into the other ingredients. This process kick-starts the yeast's activity and helps the dough rise. Active yeast gives you more control over the rise time, which is useful for recipes with long fermentation times. When using active yeast in an air fryer bread recipe, keep in mind that it may take 15-30 minutes longer for the dough to rise compared to instant or rapid-rise yeast.

Instant Yeast

Instant yeast, also known as quick-rising or fast-rising yeast, was introduced after active dry yeast and has some key differences. It is dried more quickly and milled into finer particles, which makes it dissolve and activate faster. Instant yeast does not require proofing and can be mixed directly into the dry ingredients, making it simpler and faster to use. It also provides two separate rises for your dough. When substituting instant yeast for active yeast in a recipe, use a 1:1 ratio, but consider adding 10-15 minutes to the rise time.

Rapid-Rise Yeast

Rapid-rise yeast, also known as quick-rise yeast, is a type of instant yeast that has been milled into smaller particles. It does not need to be dissolved in water and includes additives to make the dough rise faster. With rapid-rise yeast, you can skip the first rise and shape the loaves right after kneading, making it ideal for quick baking projects. It is important to note that rapid-rise yeast may cause the top of your bread to brown quickly, so you might need to adjust the temperature or cover the bread with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

In summary, all three types of yeast can be used for making bread in an air fryer, but each has distinct characteristics. Active yeast requires proofing and provides more control over rise time, instant yeast simplifies the process by eliminating the need for proofing, and rapid-rise yeast speeds up the rising and baking process. Choose the type of yeast that best suits your preferences, the recipe you are following, and the characteristics you desire in your air-fried bread.

Other ingredients

The ingredients you will need to make air fryer bread are:

• Flour – you can use all-purpose flour, bread flour, or whole wheat flour.
• Yeast – you can use instant yeast, active dry yeast, or rapid-rise yeast.
• Water – this should be lukewarm or room temperature, not hot, as hot water will not activate the yeast.
• Salt – this is essential for flavour and can be adjusted to taste.
• Sugar – this is optional but will enhance the flavour.
• Butter – this is also optional but will make the bread softer and enhance the flavour. You can use melted butter, clarified butter (ghee), or oil.

You can also add:

• Eggs – whisked with a tablespoon of water to make an egg wash to brush on top of the bread to help it turn golden brown.
• Ice cubes – placing these around the outside of the bread pan will create steam, helping to form a nice chewy, crispy crust.

Additionally, you can flavour the bread by adding herbs of your choice, such as rosemary, thyme, or garlic powder.

Preparing the dough

Ingredients

You'll need a few basic ingredients to make the dough:

• Flour (all-purpose or bread flour)
• Yeast (active dry yeast), instant yeast, or rapid-rise yeast
• Salt
• Water (lukewarm or room temperature)
• Sugar (optional, but helps with flavour and browning)
• Oil or butter (optional, for a softer texture)

Mixing the Dough

Combine the dry ingredients, including flour, yeast, salt, and sugar (if using) in a large mixing bowl. Stir them together until well combined. Then, add the water and melted butter or oil (if using). Mix everything together with a spoon, a wooden spoon, or a dough hook until a shaggy, sticky dough forms. Make sure there are no dry streaks of flour in the dough.

Allowing the Dough to Rise

Cover the bowl of dough with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let it sit at room temperature or in an unheated oven for about 1 to 3 hours. This duration will allow the dough to double in size due to the activation of yeast.

Shaping the Dough

Once the dough has risen, it's time to shape it. Lightly flour your hands and work surface. Then, gently remove the dough from the bowl and shape it into a rough ball. You can stretch and fold the dough a few times to develop its structure further, but kneading is not necessary. Place the ball of dough on a piece of parchment paper, which will make it easier to transfer later. Cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest until the pan is preheated.

Second Rise

Place the shaped dough in a greased pan that fits your air fryer, such as a 6-inch to 8-inch round or cake pan. Lightly grease the pan with butter or oil to prevent sticking. Cover the pan loosely and let the dough rise for about 30 minutes to an hour. This second rise will give your bread a lighter texture.

Scoring and Final Preparations

Before baking, you can score the top of the dough with a sharp knife. This step is optional but helps the bread rise evenly and creates a decorative pattern. You can also brush the sides of the dough with melted butter to prevent sticking and enhance browning.

Now, your dough is ready for baking in the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 400°F (200°C), and follow the baking instructions specific to your air fryer model.

Baking the bread

Now that you've prepared your dough, it's time to bake your bread.

Place your shaped dough in a greased 6-8" cake pan. You can use a springform pan, or a cake pan, but be sure to line your basket with air fryer parchment paper if you aren't using a pan, as the dough will sink through the holes in the basket without it. You can also use a circle of parchment paper to line the springform pan for easy removal.

Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and place it in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size. This should take about an hour, but the time will vary depending on your air fryer model.

Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. If you're using a pan, place it in the air fryer while it preheats. If not, place the dough directly into the air fryer basket.

For the first half of the baking process, cover the pan with aluminium foil. This will trap the steam inside, creating a hot and steamy environment for the bread to rise. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the top of the bread is golden brown.

To check if the bread is done, tap the bottom of the loaf. If it sounds hollow, it's ready. You can also use a thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be between 190-200°F.

If the top of the bread is browning too quickly, you can cover it with parchment paper to prevent burning. If the bottom of the bread is doughy, try flipping the loaf over and cooking for a few extra minutes.

Once the bread is done, remove it from the pan and transfer it to a cooling rack. Allow it to cool completely before storing to prevent moisture in the bread, which can cause mould or sogginess.

Storing Your Bread

Store your bread in an airtight container to preserve its freshness. It will last for 3-4 days at room temperature, or you can store it in the refrigerator to help it last longer. You can also wrap it and freeze it for later use.

Frequently asked questions