Air Fryer Baking: What You Can Make

Air fryers are a great way to bake a wide range of foods, from desserts to savoury dishes. They are particularly good for foods that require a contrast between exterior and interior textures, such as chocolate chip cookies, Basque-style cheesecake, brownies, and breads. You can even use an air fryer to make crumbed foods like chicken Parmesan cutlets, coconut shrimp, and air-fried pickles. However, it's worth noting that air fryers may not be the best option for recipes that expand massively in height or size, such as croissants and yeast bread, unless you have a taller air fryer basket.

Breads and pastries

Air fryers are great for baking a wide range of breads and pastries. They are particularly well-suited for making breads and pastries that are best with a contrast between exterior and interior textures: a fully baked exterior and, when applicable, a plush, soft-bellied interior. For example, chocolate chip cookies, Basque-style cheesecake, brownies, and everyday breads like Peasant Bread.

When it comes to doughnuts, however, air fryers may not be the best option. While you can technically make doughnuts in an air fryer, they may not achieve the same crunchy exterior as traditional fried doughnuts.

Another tricky category of recipes for air fryers is anything that expands massively in height or size as it bakes, including croissants and yeast bread. These recipes are only conducive to taller air fryer baskets where the dough has more room to rise.

Despite these challenges, air fryers can still produce consistent, evenly baked treats. They are a great appliance for baking both sweet and savoury recipes, and their high-powered fan allows them to cook and bake in a fraction of the time needed to achieve the same outcome in a traditional oven.

Cheesecake

Air fryers are great for baking a wide range of recipes, from desserts to savoury dishes. They are particularly well-suited for making breads and pastries with a contrast between exterior and interior textures, such as chocolate chip cookies, Basque-style cheesecake, brownies, and regular bread.

Basque-style cheesecake is a perfect example of a dessert that can be made in an air fryer to achieve its signature creamy texture. The air fryer's rapid circulation of hot air can help create a fully baked exterior with a soft, plush interior.

When it comes to baking in an air fryer, it's important to note that consistent and evenly baked treats can be more challenging to achieve. Recipes with a high liquid-to-dry ratio, such as classic oil or butter-based cakes, may develop a brown exterior too quickly, giving the appearance of being done before the interior is fully cooked.

Additionally, while you can technically make doughnuts in an air fryer, they may not replicate the crunchy exterior of traditional fried doughnuts. For recipes that expand massively in height or size, like croissants and yeast bread, a taller air fryer basket is recommended to allow the dough to rise adequately.

Despite these considerations, the air fryer's ability to cook and bake quickly makes it a convenient option for many baked goods. You can create golden brown and crispy crumbed foods like chicken Parmesan cutlets, coconut shrimp, and air-fryer pickles.

Savoury baked recipes

Air fryers are great for baking savoury recipes, too Crumbed foods like chicken Parmesan cutlets, coconut shrimp and air-fried pickles come out golden brown and crispy all over. You can also make croissants and yeast bread in an air fryer, but you'll need a taller basket for the dough to rise. For smaller air fryers, you can make everyday breads like Peasant Bread.

The air fryer is particularly well-suited for making breads and pastries that are best with a contrast between exterior and interior textures: a fully baked exterior and, when applicable, a plush, soft-bellied interior (think chocolate chip cookies, Basque-style cheesecake, and brownies).

Yeast bread

Air fryers are great for baking a wide range of recipes, including both sweet and savoury dishes. You can use an air fryer to make yeast bread, but this is a little tricky. Yeast bread is one of those recipes that expands massively in size as it bakes, so it's only really suitable for taller air fryer baskets where the dough has more room to rise. If you have a small air fryer, you can still make everyday breads like Peasant Bread, which is a forgiving recipe that results in a loaf with a soft, hearty crumb and a mega-crunchy crust.

To make yeast bread in an air fryer, you'll need to use a metal cake pan instead of a glass bowl or pan. This is because the air fryer's high-powered fan sits on top and rapidly circulates hot air throughout its compact chamber, so you need a pan that can withstand the heat.

When it comes to doughnuts, the air fryer is probably not the best option. While you can technically make yeast-raised doughnuts in an air fryer, they won't have the same crunchy exterior as traditional fried doughnuts.

Overall, the air fryer is a versatile appliance that can be used to bake a variety of recipes, including yeast bread. Just be aware of the size of your air fryer basket and the type of pan you use, and you'll be able to achieve great results.

Doughnuts

You can bake a wide range of recipes in an air fryer, from savoury to sweet. Doughnuts are one such example. While you can technically make doughnuts in an air fryer, they may not be the best option for this appliance.

Contributor PJ Hamel tested both Yeast-Raised Doughnuts and Mashed Potato Doughnuts in the air fryer and compared them to traditional fried versions. While the air-fried doughnuts were tasty, they lacked the crunchy exterior that makes fried doughnuts so enticing.

If you're looking for a doughnut recipe to try in your air fryer, Hamel's Mashed Potato Doughnuts might be a good option. The recipe calls for mashed potatoes, flour, sugar, and other typical doughnut ingredients. You can also try Yeast-Raised Doughnuts, which are a more traditional option.

To get the best results when making doughnuts in an air fryer, it's important to use a metal cake pan instead of a glass bowl or pan. This will help to ensure even cooking and browning. Additionally, taller air fryer baskets are better suited for recipes that expand massively in height or size, like croissants and yeast bread.

While air fryers can be used for baking doughnuts, they may not produce the same crunchy exterior as traditional frying methods. However, if you're looking for a healthier alternative or simply want to try something new, air-fried doughnuts can be a tasty treat.

Frequently asked questions