Ella Walter
Air fryers are a convenient, compact, and cost-effective alternative to traditional ovens. They can be used to cook a variety of dishes, including bread. Making bread in an air fryer is a simple process that yields a soft, fluffy loaf with a golden crust. The basic ingredients for bread remain the same: flour, yeast, salt, and water. However, the air fryer method differs in terms of shaping, proofing, and cooking the dough. The dough can be shaped by hand or with a stand mixer, and the proofing time varies depending on the yeast used. The air fryer's small size and high temperature create a crispy crust and a soft interior, but adjustments may be needed based on the air fryer model.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Bread in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Flour, yeast, salt, water, sugar, butter, oil |
| Tools | Air fryer, cake/loaf pan, wire rack, bowl, knife, mixer, parchment paper, kitchen towel, plastic wrap |
| Dough Preparation | Combine ingredients, knead dough, shape into a ball, let rise |
| Cooking Temperature | 320-400°F (180-200°C) |
| Cooking Time | 15-30 minutes |
| Post-Cooking | Tap underside to check for hollow sound, cool on wire rack, store in airtight container |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients and preparation
To make bread in an air fryer, you will need the following basic ingredients: flour, yeast, salt, and water. You can also add sugar, oil, and/or butter to enhance the flavour and texture of your bread.
For the preparation, start by dissolving yeast in warm water. Then, add oil and/or butter to the mixture. In a separate bowl, combine flour and salt, creating a well in the middle. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and use your hands or a wooden spoon to combine and form a dough.
Once the dough is formed, transfer it to a floured surface and knead it until it becomes smooth and elastic. This can be done by hand or with a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. After kneading, shape the dough into a ball. At this point, you can cover the dough and let it rest for about an hour to allow it to rise.
After the dough has risen, place it in a greased pan that fits your air fryer. You can use a cake pan, a springform pan, or a bread loaf pan, typically ranging from 6 to 8 inches in diameter. If desired, score the top of the dough with a knife to create a pattern and prevent cracking. Then, brush the sides of the pan with melted butter to prevent sticking.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about five minutes. Place the pan in the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes at the same temperature. Then, lower the heat to 350°F (180°C) and continue cooking for 25-30 minutes.
Remove the pan from the air fryer and take out the bread. Place the loaf back into the air fryer for an additional 5-10 minutes to ensure even cooking. The bread is ready when the underside sounds hollow when tapped. Allow the bread to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
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Shaping the dough
Before shaping the dough, it is important to preshape it. This step is not always necessary, but it helps transform a shaggy mass of dough into a smooth, regular shape, making the final shaping easier. The dough should be strengthened through mixing, kneading, and stretching during bulk fermentation so that it is strong and smooth before dividing.
To shape the dough into a boule (round), start with a rested and preshaped round. Flip the round over onto your work surface and gently spread it out. With both hands, tuck and drag the dough down towards your body to create tension on the outside. After each drag, spin the dough and continue dragging until the dough is uniform in shape and the outside is smooth with no tears or bulges.
After shaping, place the dough into a proofing basket or bowl for its second rise.
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Preheating the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the bread-making process. It ensures that the cooking process begins immediately, helping you achieve that desirable crispy texture. Depending on the model of your air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 to 5 minutes.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your dough. Start by adding yeast to a bowl of warm water and letting it sit for around 3 to 5 minutes. This step is essential, as it activates the yeast, a key ingredient in bread-making. Once the yeast has activated, you will notice it bubbling, and you can then add the remaining ingredients: flour, sugar, milk, butter, and salt. Combine these ingredients gently until they are well incorporated. The dough will be sticky at this stage. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest on your counter or in an unheated oven for 2 to 3 hours. During this time, the dough should double in size.
After the dough has risen, transfer it to a well-floured surface and knead it until it becomes smooth. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment or opt to knead it by hand. Once the dough is smooth, shape it into a ball, also known as a "boule". Dust the dough with flour as needed during this process.
Now, it's time to prepare the dough for the air fryer. Place the shaped dough in a greased 7-inch cake pan. You can use a springform pan or a regular loaf pan, but if you choose the latter, ensure you half the dough to make two loaves, as a thicker loaf may not cook properly in the air fryer. Lightly grease the pan and loosely cover the dough, allowing it to rise for about 30 minutes.
At this point, your air fryer should be preheated, and your dough will be ready to bake. But before placing the dough in the air fryer, there are a few crucial steps to ensure your bread cooks evenly and has a beautiful finish.
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Cooking the bread
Once you've made your dough, transfer it onto a well-floured surface and knead until it's smooth. Then, shape it into a ball. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment or your hands to knead the dough. Place the shaped dough in a greased 6" to 8" cake pan, or a springform pan lined with parchment paper. You can also spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil. Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and leave the dough to rise in a warm place for about an hour until it has doubled in size.
When the dough has risen, remove the cover. Lightly brush the top of the bread loaf with an egg wash or melted butter, and score the top with a knife. This will make your bread look pretty and prevent it from cracking. Place the pan in your preheated air fryer and cook for 15-20 minutes at 380-400°F (200°C). Lower the heat to 350°F (180°C) and continue to cook for 25-30 minutes.
The bread is ready when the underside of the bread sounds hollow when tapped. If the bottom is still doughy, turn the bread over and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes. Leave the bread to cool for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.
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Storing the bread
Once the bread has cooled, you can store it in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days. If you want to keep the bread for longer, the best method is to slice it and then freeze it. You can then take out slices from the freezer as and when you need them and toast them straight from frozen.
If you do not wish to freeze your bread, you can also store it in a bread bag or wrapped in a linen or dry kitchen towel for up to three days. It is not recommended to store bread in the refrigerator as this can cause it to dry out. However, if you do choose to refrigerate your bread, it will last a few days longer than at room temperature.
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Frequently asked questions
Combine flour, yeast, salt, and sugar together. Then add warm water and oil, 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.
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.
The bread is ready when the underside of the bread sounds hollow when tapped. If the bottom is still doughy, the bread can be turned over to cook the underside. Alternatively, use an instant-read digital thermometer to check if the internal temperature at the core is about 200°F (over 95°C).
