Make Crispy Bread In Your Air Fryer: Quick, Easy Steps

Making crispy bread in an air fryer is a simple, tasty, and healthier alternative to traditional frying. With just a few basic ingredients and a couple of hours, you can have a delicious loaf of bread with a golden, crispy crust and a soft, fluffy interior. This bread is perfect for toast, sandwiches, or as a side to your meal.

Choosing the right flour

Type of Flour

The type of flour you use will impact the texture and flavour of your bread. The most common types of flour used for air fryer bread are all-purpose flour and bread flour:

• All-purpose flour: This flour is readily available and versatile. It has a moderate protein content, typically between 9-12%, which will give your bread a soft and fluffy texture. All-purpose flour is perfect for everyday bread and will yield a light and airy loaf with a delicate crumb.
• Bread flour: Bread flour has a higher protein content, usually around 12-14%. This higher protein content means more gluten is formed, resulting in a chewier and denser loaf with a thicker crust. If you want a more substantial and hearty bread, bread flour is a good option.

Whole Wheat Flour

If you prefer a nuttier flavour and a denser texture, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all or part of the all-purpose flour in your recipe. Whole wheat flour will add a deeper flavour and a chewier texture to your bread. However, keep in mind that whole wheat flour absorbs more liquid than all-purpose flour, so you may need to adjust the amount of liquid in your recipe.

Gluten-Free Options

If you're gluten intolerant or prefer a gluten-free diet, you can use gluten-free flour to make air fryer bread. Gluten-free flour blends typically include a combination of rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch, and xanthan gum. The texture and flavour of gluten-free bread may differ from traditional wheat-based bread, but you can still achieve a delicious and crispy loaf in your air fryer.

Freshness and Storage

To ensure the best results, always use fresh flour and store it properly. Check the expiration date on the flour package, and make sure it hasn't expired. Store your flour in a cool, dry place, such as a sealed container in your pantry. This will help maintain its freshness and prevent moisture absorption, which can affect the texture of your bread.

Preparing the dough

To make crispy bread in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients: flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and water. You can also add melted butter or oil to enhance the flavour.

Step 1: Combine the ingredients

Measure the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast into a mixing bowl. Stir to combine the dry ingredients. Then, add the water and (if using) melted butter or oil. Mix together with a spoon or a dough hook until there are no dry streaks of flour and you have a shaggy, sticky dough.

Step 2: Let the dough rise

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour. The dough should double in size.

Step 3: Shape the dough (optional)

You can shape the dough into a ball (also known as a "boule") by gently stretching and folding the dough. Grease or flour your hands to prevent sticking. This step is optional and can be done after the dough has risen.

Step 4: Second rise (optional)

If you shaped the dough, place it in a greased pan, cover it, and let it rise for another 30 minutes to an hour.

Tips for preparing the dough:

• If you are using instant yeast, you can add it directly to the dry ingredients. If you are using active dry yeast, you may need to activate it first by adding it to warm water and letting it sit for a few minutes until it becomes frothy.
• The water should be at room temperature or lukewarm. If it is too hot, it can affect the yeast.
• The dough will be very sticky, so it is helpful to grease your hands or use a little flour when handling it.
• You can flavour the bread by adding herbs like rosemary or thyme, or garlic powder.

Shaping the dough

Firstly, ensure that your work surface is lightly floured. This will prevent the dough from sticking and make it easier to handle. Turn the dough out onto the floured surface.

To create a round loaf, gently pull the edges of the dough up and towards the middle. Keep gathering and pulling the dough until you have a nice, round shape. You can use your hands to gently tuck the dough underneath and create a smooth surface on top.

Once you're happy with the shape, it's time to place the dough into your baking pan. Turn the loaf upside down in the pan so that the smooth side is facing up. This will ensure that you have a nice, even surface on top of your bread.

At this point, you can also make a few cuts or slices on the top of the dough. This step is optional but can help the bread rise evenly and create a pattern on the crust.

Place the shaped dough back on a piece of parchment paper that fits your pan. You can also grease the pan or line it with parchment paper before placing the dough in it. This will prevent the dough from sticking to the pan and make it easier to remove the bread once it's baked.

Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise again in a warm place. This second rise will give your bread a lighter texture and ensure it rises properly during baking.

After the dough has risen for the recommended time, it's ready to be baked in the air fryer!

Remember, shaping the dough is a crucial step that will impact the final shape and texture of your bread. Take your time and handle the dough gently to achieve the best results.

Scoring the dough

Before you start scoring, it is crucial to ensure that your hands and the work surface are lightly floured. This will prevent the dough from sticking and make it easier to handle.

Now, let's move on to shaping the dough into a ball. Gently stretch the dough into a rectangular shape. Imagine you are folding a letter to place in an envelope—fold the top towards the middle, and then bring the bottom over that. Turn the dough sideways and fold it into a roll. Use your hands to shape it into a ball, also known as a "boule," dusting it with flour as needed.

Once you have shaped the dough into a smooth ball, it's time to place it in a greased pan. For this recipe, a 7-inch cake pan is recommended. Lightly grease the pan with butter or cooking spray to prevent the dough from sticking.

After placing the dough in the pan, it's time to let it rise again. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rest in a warm, draft-free place for about 30 minutes to an hour. This second rise is crucial as it allows the dough to expand further and develop a lighter texture.

Now, we get to the scoring part. Once the dough has risen, uncover it and use a sharp knife or a lame (a tool specifically designed for scoring dough) to make cuts on the top surface. There are various patterns you can create, such as a simple slash down the centre or a criss-cross pattern. Be careful not to deflate the dough or press down too hard when scoring. The depth of the cuts should be approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch.

After scoring, your dough is almost ready for baking. If desired, you can brush the sides of the dough with a little melted butter or oil to prevent it from sticking to the pan during baking. This step is optional but can help ensure a smooth release from the pan.

Now, your dough is ready to be baked! Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, carefully place the pan inside, and follow the baking instructions provided in the full recipe.

Remember, scoring the dough is an art, and you can get creative with the patterns you make. Just ensure that you don't cut too deeply, as this can affect the structure of the bread. Happy baking!

Storing the bread

Storing your bread properly is essential to keeping it fresh and crispy. Here are some tips to ensure your air-fried bread stays delicious:

Allow the Bread to Cool Completely:

Before storing your bread, it's crucial to let it cool down to room temperature. Storing warm bread can lead to moisture buildup, which can result in mould or sogginess. Give it enough time to cool down, and you'll be rewarded with a crisp loaf.

Storing at Room Temperature:

The best way to store your air-fried bread at room temperature is to use a bread box. A bread box helps maintain a stable environment and keeps the bread fresh. If you don't have a bread box, a bread bag or a linen towel will also work. Your bread will stay fresh for up to three days using this method.

Storing in the Refrigerator:

While it may seem like a good idea to store bread in the fridge, it's actually not recommended. The refrigerator can accelerate staling, making your bread dry and hard faster than if it were kept at room temperature.

Freezing Your Bread:

If you want your bread to last longer, consider freezing it. Slice the bread and place the slices in a freezer bag, or wrap the whole loaf in plastic and then put it in a freezer bag. When you're ready to enjoy your frozen bread, simply thaw it overnight at room temperature, and it will taste as good as fresh!

Wrapping Your Bread:

When storing your bread, you can use reusable wraps like Bee's Wrap to keep it fresh. These wraps are great for longer loaves and help maintain softness without making them too soft. You can also use paper bags, kitchen towels, or plastic bags, depending on your climate and humidity levels.

Frequently asked questions