Who doesn’t love the smell of fresh, homemade bread in the kitchen? But for some people, the thought of firing up the oven just for a single loaf might put off would-be bakers. This is where the handy air fryer proves its worth.
With air fryers, you can create delicious bread in minutes with minimal fuss. Many air fryers don’t require pre-heating and some even have programs that let you prove your dough too (try Ninja air fryers for that). And not only is air fryer bread easy to make, you might well be amazed by the loaf you get - crispy and golden crust with a light and fluffy inside. So here’s how to make air fryer bread, our guide should have everything you knead!
Essential ingredients and tools for making air fryer bread
Our guide is really only the start of your baking journey, with so may loaves you can make. But for your first loaf of air fryer bread, there are a few essential ingredients and tools you should get ready before you start baking, including:
An air fryer with a non-stick basket
A little oil or cooking spray for greasing the air fryer basket
Either all-purpose or bread flour
Active dry yeast
Salt
Sugar
Warm water
A mixing bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
A silicone spatula
Parchment paper
Butter (optional)
How to make air fryer bread: step-by-step
We’ll give you the measurements for one medium sized loaf. You can adjust the ingredients for more or less.
In a mixing bowl, combine 360g flour, 1 packet of active dry yeast (or 2.5 teaspoons), 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 tablespoon of sugar. If you’re using butter, add in 2 tablespoons of butter at this point. Mix well.
Gradually add 1 cup (240ml) of warm water to the mixture and stir with a spatula until a dough forms.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for around 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can also do this in a kitchen machine/ stand mixer if it has a dough hook.
Grease the air fryer basket with oil or cooking spray.
Place the dough in the greased basket and let it rest for about an hour to rise. If your air fryer has a prove function, you can use that.
While it’s not strictly necessary to preheat an air fryer, it can be advisable to put it on for a few minutes at 200°C. This will make sure that you get a nice even bake.
Place the basket with the dough inside the air fryer and cook for around 15 minutes. After that, lower the temperature to 180°C and bake for 25 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.
Remove the bread from the basket and let it cool on a wire rack.
Tips for the fluffiest air fryer bread
Use warm water, not hot, when mixing your ingredients. Hot water can kill the yeast and prevent the bread from rising.
Make sure to knead the dough thoroughly. Kneading activates the gluten in the flour, which is what gives bread its structure.
Let the dough rest in a warm area for up to 30 minutes before cooking. This allows the yeast to do its job and helps the bread rise properly.
Signs your air fryer bread is baked to perfection
Check that your air fryer bread is cooked through by tapping the bottom of the loaf - it should sound hollow when fully baked.
You can also insert a food thermometer into the center of the bread; if it reads 88°C or higher, your bread is ready. If you don’t have a thermometer, there’s a much easier trick. You can tell if your bread has baked properly by taking a skewer and poking the bread. If the skewer comes out clean, it’s ready!
How long to bake bread in an air fryer
Cooking time for air fryer bread can vary depending on the size of your loaf and what temperature you set your air fryer. For a medium-sized loaf, we’d recommend 200°C for around 15 minutes and then 180°C for 25 minutes.
Keep a close eye on your bread, check it frequently and adjust cooking time as necessary. If your bread is golden and gives a clear, hollow sound when knocked, your bread is most likely ready. If you’re not sure, use the skewer trick or a food thermometer. If your bread is doughy, just pop it back in the air fryer for longer.
In truth, baking bread is more of an art than a science. Keep experimenting and adjusting and you’ll soon get your perfect loaf every time.
Keep bread fresh for longer
Fresh bread is lovely, but it can go stale quickly. To prolong the freshness of your air fryer bread, wait for it to cool completely, then try these hacks:
Freeze it! Keeping loaves of bread in the freezer is great for toast (especially when you slice it up), but it’s a short term win too. By freezing bread, you’ll preserve it and stop the growth of mold. Just store it in an air tight freezer bag. You can then defrost simply by popping it back in the air fryer at 160°C for 20 minutes.
Paper bag trick. Always store your fresh bread in a paper bag or a dry cloth, as it will help control humidity and stave off mold. If you have a bread bin, so much the better. Plastic bags are good for stopping bread going stale, but they tend to trap moisture too - which will encourage mold to grow.
FAQs
Is baking in an air fryer faster than an oven?
On the whole, yes. Air fryers are more efficient and circulate heat more rapidly, meaning your bread will cook faster than it would in an oven.
Can you bake bread in a Ninja air fryer?
Absolutely! Ninja air fryers work great for baking bread. Many of them have a setting for proving dough too. Air fryers like the Ninja Flexidrawer have enough room for a large loaf or a panini.
Can you prove bread in an air fryer?
Yes, you can! Pop it on its lowest setting or use the Prove function if your air fryer has one.
Whether you’re new to air fryers or can’t get enough of them, find out what an air fryer is and how it works. Or if you’re shopping for an air fryer, check out our top picks below…
