Air-Frying Bread: How Long Does It Take?

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens for baking bread. They are easy to use, take up little space, and are cheaper to run. The cooking time for bread in an air fryer varies depending on the model and wattage, but it typically takes around 20-30 minutes. The bread is done when it is golden brown and has an internal temperature of 200°F. To ensure even cooking, it is recommended to flip the bread halfway through the cooking process. Air fryer bread is often soft and fluffy on the inside with a golden, crusty exterior. It can be used for various dishes, including avocado toast, garlic bread, and French toast.

Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Bread in an Air Fryer

Air fryer bread recipes

Air fryer bread is incredibly easy to make and can be used for many fun recipes. It is also much faster than baking bread in the oven. You can make a simple loaf of soft white bread, or get creative with breadsticks, garlic bread, or rolls.

Ingredients

All bread recipes require four basic ingredients: flour, yeast, salt, and water. You can add sugar and a little melted butter to enhance the flavor. For a white bread variation, add garlic and herbs or shredded cheese for a unique twist.

Method

First, combine the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar together. Then add the 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. To shape the roll, gently pull the edges of the dough up and to the middle, creating a round loaf. Place the dough in a springform pan, lined with parchment paper or lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil. Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and place it in a warm place until the dough rises to be about double in size.

When the dough has doubled, remove the cover and lightly brush the top of the bread loaf with an egg wash. Place the pan in the air fryer basket and air fry at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes until the bread is golden brown. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on it to prevent burning.

Once the bread is done, carefully remove it from the air fryer and place it on a cooling rack. Allow the bread to cool completely before storing to prevent moisture in the bread. This can cause mold or sogginess. Keep the bread in an airtight container to help preserve its freshness. Store the bread in the refrigerator to help it last longer.

Tips

• The key to getting your bread to rise is to use a fresh leavening agent and allow the dough to rest for at least an hour.
• To prevent the bread from cracking, score the top of the dough with a sharp knife before placing it in the air fryer.
• To prevent the bread from burning, cover the pan with aluminum foil and tightly seal the edges. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the bread to turn golden brown.
• To check if the bread is cooked on the inside, tap the bottom of the loaf. If it sounds hollow, it is done. The bottom of the bread should not feel doughy.
• To ensure even cooking, turn the bread upside down during the cooking process.
• Leftover air fryer bread can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, wrapped in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. It can also be frozen for up to 3-8 months.

Air fryer bread cooking times

Air fryer bread-cooking times vary depending on the type of bread, the size of the loaf, and the model of the air fryer. However, on average, you can expect to cook a loaf of bread in an air fryer for around 20-30 minutes.

For example, one source recommends baking a 7-inch loaf of bread in an air fryer for 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C), then lowering the heat to 350°F (180°C) and baking for an additional 30 minutes. This source also suggests placing the loaf back in the air fryer for a final 5-10 minutes to ensure the bottom of the bread cooks evenly.

Another source provides a similar timeframe, suggesting a total cooking time of 31-32 minutes for a loaf of bread. This includes an initial bake of 20 minutes, followed by the removal of the foil and a further 10-11 minutes of baking. This source also recommends turning the bread upside down during the final 10-11 minutes to ensure even browning.

It is important to note that air fryer models can vary significantly in terms of wattage and size, which will affect the cooking time. Therefore, it is essential to keep a close eye on your bread during the cooking process and adjust the time and temperature as needed.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the dough preparation time will also impact the overall cooking time. Most recipes recommend allowing the dough to rest for at least an hour before baking to ensure it rises properly.

Air fryer bread storage

Air fryer bread can be stored in a few different ways to keep it fresh and delicious. Firstly, it's important to let the bread cool completely before storing it. This is to prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to mould or sogginess. Once cooled, you can then slice the bread and store it in an airtight container or bread bag. Wrapping the bread tightly in plastic wrap or a linen towel will also help preserve its freshness.

You can store the bread on your kitchen counter or in the refrigerator. Counter storage will keep the bread fresh for about 3 to 4 days, while refrigeration will extend its life by a few days. If you want to keep the bread for even longer, freezing is a great option. Sliced or unsliced, the bread can be frozen for up to 3 to 8 months and toasted straight from frozen as needed.

It's worth noting that air fryer bread can dry out a little easily, so it's best to consume it within the first few days of baking for the best taste and texture. Additionally, if you're planning to use the bread for sandwiches or toast, slicing and freezing is a convenient way to ensure you always have fresh bread on hand.

Air fryer bread dough preparation

Air fryer bread is easy to make and requires minimal preparation. The process is very similar to that of traditional bread-making, with a few key differences. Firstly, the dough will be stickier than usual, so it's important not to add more flour than specified in the recipe. The type of yeast you use will also impact the dough's rise time. Instant yeast will cause the dough to rise faster and doesn't require proving, whereas active yeast will take 15-30 minutes longer and may require proving.

To prepare the dough, start by mixing your dry ingredients (flour, sugar, salt, and yeast) in a large bowl. Then, add your wet ingredients (water, milk, butter, and/or oil) and mix until you have a sticky dough. You can do this with a wooden spoon, a plastic spatula, or a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. If using a stand mixer, mix on low speed and add the flour gradually, allowing each addition to fully incorporate before adding more.

Once your dough is mixed, you can choose to knead it or not. Kneading can be done by hand on a floured surface or in the stand mixer on medium speed for 8 minutes. After kneading, shape the dough into a ball. If you choose not to knead the dough, simply stretch and fold it a few times in the bowl before shaping it into a ball.

Place the ball of dough in a greased or parchment paper-lined pan, or directly into the air fryer basket. If using a pan, cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. If the dough is in the basket, you can wrap the basket with plastic or a towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, which can take about an hour.

Once the dough has risen, brush the top with an egg wash or melted butter. Scoring the top of the dough with a knife is optional but will make your bread look prettier and can prevent cracking. Now, your dough is ready to be placed in the air fryer!

Air fryer bread troubleshooting

Air fryer bread is easy to make and requires no kneading, but you may run into some issues. Here is a troubleshooting guide to help you out:

Dense Bread

If your bread is too dense, it may be due to too much flour. The dough will be sticky, but do not add more flour than the recipe specifies. Other factors that can cause dense bread are humidity and the age of the flour. For a good, light loaf, use a little yeast, allow the dough to rise for a long time, and do not overmix the dough at the beginning.

Doughy Bottom

The bottom of the bread may be doughy while the top looks baked. To fix this, flip the bread over or cook it directly in the air fryer basket for a few minutes. The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. You can also use an instant-read digital thermometer to check if the internal temperature is about 200°F (over 95°C).

Smoking

If your air fryer is smoking, it may be due to breadcrumbs or food particles blowing around and burning. Try cooking less in a small basket or get a larger one. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket with food. You can also add water to the bottom of the air fryer pan, as this will help minimise splattering.

Storage

Air fryer bread can dry out easily, so it is best to store it tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container. It will stay fresh like this for about 3-4 days. You can also slice and freeze the bread and then toast slices as needed.

Loaf Size

If you use a loaf pan, you may need to half the bread dough and make two loaves. This is because the air fryer cooks differently from a traditional oven, and if the loaf is too thick, it won't cook properly.

Frequently asked questions