Air-Fried Fry Bread: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Fry bread is a delicious deep-fried dough that can be served as a side dish, appetiser, or snack. It is usually cooked in oil, but an air fryer can be used to make it lighter and healthier. This introduction will cover how to make fry bread in an air fryer, including the ingredients, method, and serving suggestions.

Dough preparation

To make fry bread in an air fryer, you will first need to prepare the dough. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing the dough:

Ingredients:

• 1 package of active dry yeast
• 2 pinches of granulated sugar
• 1-1/2 tablespoons of butter or butter-flavoured shortening
• 4 cups of all-purpose flour or bread flour (more if needed)
• 1 egg
• Olive oil, for brushing

Instructions:

• In a small bowl, combine the yeast, sugar and a pinch of salt.
• In a saucepan, heat milk and butter-flavoured shortening over medium heat until the shortening just melts and bubbles form around the edges. Do not boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool until warm to the touch.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the yeast mixture and milk mixture. Allow this to proof for about 10 minutes.
• Add the egg and gradually add 1-1/2 cups of flour. Use a dough hook attachment and mix on a low setting until combined.
• Continue adding flour until the dough forms a ball and no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl. You may need to add more flour if the dough is too sticky.
• Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a towel. Let the dough rest for 1 to 2 hours, depending on the temperature of your environment, until it has doubled in size.

Once the dough is ready, you can move on to the next steps of shaping and air-frying the bread.

Air fryer settings

The ideal air fryer temperature for making fry bread is between 350–380 °F. Fry bread is usually cooked for 3–9 minutes, depending on the recipe. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the amount of dough and the size of your air fryer.

Before cooking, ensure that your air fryer is preheated. This can be done by setting the air fryer to the desired temperature and allowing it to heat up for about 3 minutes.

When placing the dough in the air fryer, make sure that the pieces do not overlap and are placed in batches of 2–3 at a time. This ensures even cooking and prevents overcrowding.

For best results, brush the top of the dough with olive oil before placing it in the air fryer. This will help achieve a golden-brown colour and a crispy texture.

Once the dough is cooked, it should be puffy and browned. Repeat the process with the remaining dough until all the fry bread is cooked.

Cooking time

The cooking time for fry bread in an air fryer varies depending on the recipe and the desired level of browning. Here is a detailed breakdown of the cooking times mentioned in the recipes:

Air Fryer Navajo Indian Fry Bread:

Set your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the bread for 5 minutes. It is important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket and cook the bread in batches, as they expand significantly.

Air Fried Fry Bread:

Set your air fryer to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a golf ball-sized piece of dough into the air fryer basket and cook for 9 minutes, until the bread is puffy and browned. Repeat this process with the remaining dough.

Indian Fry Bread in the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3 minutes. Place 2 or 3 pieces of dough into the air fryer basket and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the dough and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, until puffy and browned. Repeat this process with the remaining dough.

Air Fryer Bread:

Set your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook until the bread is dark brown and the internal temperature reaches 200 degrees Fahrenheit, which should take about 20 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the model and size of your air fryer, so keep an eye on your bread to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn. Additionally, some recipes require preheating the air fryer, while others do not, so be sure to follow the specific instructions for your chosen recipe.

Oil usage

When preparing the air fryer basket, spray or brush a light coating of olive oil onto the basket to prevent sticking. This is an important step as it will ensure your fry bread doesn't stick to the basket and tear when you try to remove it.

Additionally, you can brush the top of the rolled-out dough with olive oil before placing it in the air fryer. This will help to give the fry bread a golden, crispy exterior. You don't need to use a lot of oil for this step; a light coating will do the trick.

It's worth noting that some recipes may call for vegetable oil or butter-flavoured shortening in the dough itself, but this is not directly related to the air frying process. The amount of oil used in the dough is typically small compared to the amount used in traditional deep frying, contributing to the healthier nature of air-fried fry bread.

In summary, when using an air fryer to make fry bread, focus on using a light coating of oil on the air fryer basket and the dough to ensure non-stick cooking and achieve the desired crispy texture without using excessive amounts of oil.

Serving suggestions

Air Fryer Fry Bread is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways, both sweet and savoury. Here are some serving suggestions:

Savoury Options:

• Indian Taco or Navajo Taco: Top the fry bread with meat, cheese, lettuce, beans, and/or tomatoes. You can use ground beef, lamb, pork, or chorizo sausage as the base.
• Side Dish: Serve the fry bread as a side to soak up extra sauce and juice from curries or soups.

Sweet Options:

• Powdered Sugar and Butter: Sprinkle powdered sugar on the fry bread and serve it with a side of melted butter.
• Honey, Jam, or Fruit Preserves: Top the fry bread with honey, your favourite jam, or fruit preserves for a sweet treat.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Instead of garlic and chilli powder, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the fry bread for a sweet alternative.

Frequently asked questions