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Fresh bread without turning on the oven? Yes, please. This Air Fryer Bread is one of those simple recipes that feels a little magical the first time you make it. With just a few basic pantry ingredients and minimal hands-on time, you can bake a soft, fluffy loaf right in your air fryer.
For more delicous ways to bake with your air fryer, try these air fryer garlic knots next!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
“This was so simple and easy to make. It tastes so good. Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe. I will never be without bread again.”
-Betty
Quick Look At This Air Fryer Bread Recipe
- ✨ Flavor: Soft and fluffy with a lightly golden crust and mild buttery flavor that makes it perfect for toast, sandwiches, or warm with butter.
- ⏱️ Prep time: 10 minutes + 30 minutes to proof
- 🔥 Cook time: 10 minutes
- ⏲️ Total time: about 50 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 8
- 🥄 Tools: Air fryer, springform pan, mixing bowl, and optional stand mixer
- ❄️ Freezer-friendly: Yes, you can freeze it for up to two months.
- 👩🏻🍳 Tip: If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely tent the bread with foil so the center can finish baking without over-darkening the crust.
SUMMARIZE AND SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
This Air Fryer Bread recipe keeps things simple. After mixing and shaping the dough, the air fryer does most of the work. The circulating heat creates a lightly golden crust while the inside stays tender and airy—perfect for slicing for sandwiches, toasting for breakfast, or enjoying warm with a generous swipe of butter. My kids love it when I use fresh bread to make air fryer eggs in a basket or air-fried grilled cheese sandwiches.
I’ve tested this recipe many times in my Cosori 5.6-quart basket-style air fryer, adjusting the rise time and temperature to make sure the loaf bakes up consistently soft and fluffy. If you’re using a different model, don’t worry—I’ve included helpful tips below for both basket-style and oven-style air fryers so you can get great results no matter what you have on your counter.
Why Bake Bread in the Air Fryer?
- Faster baking: Air fryers heat quickly, so you can skip the long oven preheat and have fresh bread sooner.
- Golden crust, soft inside: The circulating hot air creates a lightly crisp crust while keeping the inside tender and fluffy. Just like when making my air fryer Irish soda bread!
- Energy-efficient: It uses less energy than a full-size oven and won’t heat up your whole kitchen.
Table of Contents
- Quick Look At This Air Fryer Bread Recipe
- Why Bake Bread in the Air Fryer?
- Ingredients You Will Need
- Air Fryer Bread Variations
- How To Cook Bread in Air Fryer
- Tips for Different Air Fryer Models
- Air-Fried Bread Troubleshooting Tips
- Easy Air Fryer Bread FAQs
- Serving Suggestions
- More Air Fryer Bread Recipes
- Air Fryer Bread Recipe
Ingredients You Will Need
- All-purpose flour: Regular white flour gives this bread its soft, fluffy texture.
- Instant yeast: Helps the dough rise quickly and evenly. If using active dry yeast instead, dissolve it first in the warm water with a pinch of sugar and let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until foamy before mixing it into the dough.
- Granulated sugar: Just a little to feed the yeast and add a touch of flavor.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the bread and balances the mild sweetness in the dough. It also helps strengthen the gluten structure and keeps the yeast from rising too quickly, which improves the texture of the finished loaf.
- Unsalted butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a softer, more tender crumb in the finished bread.
Pro Tip: This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which most people have on hand. Bread flour also works — just add 1–2 extra tablespoons of water, as it absorbs more liquid. Bread flour gives a slightly chewier crumb; all-purpose keeps it soft and tender.
A full list of ingredients is included in the recipe card below.
Air Fryer Bread Variations
- Whole wheat version: Swap half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat. You may need to add an extra splash of milk if the dough feels a bit dry. Whole wheat flour tends to absorb more of the liquid.
- Cheesy bread: Mix in ½ cup of shredded cheddar or Parmesan.
- Garlic herb: Add 1 teaspoon of dried Italian herbs and 1 clove of minced garlic to the dough for flavors similar to my air fryer garlic bread.
If you love making this loaf, try my air fryer Yorkshire pudding and air fryer ranch breadsticks next.
How To Cook Bread in Air Fryer
- Combine the warm water and yeast in a bowl. (Warm means about 105°F–110°F — it should feel warm on your wrist but not hot.) Water above 115°F can kill the yeast Let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes until bubbly.
- Add the flour, sugar, salt, milk, and softened butter. Stir until a shaggy dough forms. Knead the dough by hand on a floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes, or use a stand mixer with a dough hook until the dough is smooth and stretchy.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes. Punch down the dough and shape it into a ball. Line a small springform pan or oven-safe dish with parchment paper and place the dough inside. Cover and let the dough rise again for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 320° F. Brush the top of the bread with a whisked egg, then bake the bread for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Let the bread cool slightly before removing it from the pan. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Use it to make an air fryer turkey melt or your favorite sandwich!
How do you know your bread is done? Your bread is done when: the top is deep golden brown, it sounds hollow when you tap the bottom, and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center reads 190°F to 200°F (88–93°C). This is the most reliable doneness test, especially for first-time bread bakers.
Tips for Different Air Fryer Models
Basket-Style Air Fryers (like the Cosori 5.6-quart)
This recipe was developed and tested in a basket-style air fryer at 320°F. The basket design circulates heat evenly around the pan, which is why you get that consistent golden crust. Follow the recipe as written.
Oven-Style Air Fryers
- Place the pan on the middle rack. The heating element sits at the top in most oven-style models, so the middle rack gives you even heat without over-browning the crust.
- Start checking at 6 minutes rather than waiting the full 8–10, as oven-style models often run hotter and can brown the top faster. If the top is browning faster than the center is cooking, loosely tent with foil and continue baking.
- Pan size: A 7-inch springform pan works well, given the larger interior space of most oven-style fryers.
Air-Fried Bread Troubleshooting Tips
- The top is browning too quickly: Loosely tent the bread with foil partway through cooking. This prevents the top from over-browning while the center continues baking.
- The dough didn’t rise: Check that your yeast is fresh and that the water is warm, not hot. Water that’s too hot can kill the yeast, while cold water may not activate it properly.
- The dough is too sticky to handle: Sprinkle in a little flour while kneading, about one tablespoon at a time, just until the dough becomes smooth and workable.
- The crust is too dark or hard: Some air fryers run hotter than others. Try lowering the temperature to 300°F and adding a few extra minutes of cook time so the bread bakes more gently.
Easy Air Fryer Bread FAQs
Yes! The main difference is that active dry yeast needs to be activated before adding it to the dough. To do this, dissolve the yeast in the warm water from the recipe (about 100–110°F) with a small pinch of sugar and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy. Once it’s activated, mix it into the dough as directed. The bread will bake the same, though the rise time may take longer than with instant yeast.
A 6-inch or 7-inch springform pan fits most standard basket-style air fryers. Make sure there’s at least an inch of clearance around the pan for proper air circulation.
Store cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze slices for up to 2 months. Avoid storing it in the refrigerator, which may dry it out.
320°F (160°C) works well for most basket-style air fryers. If your model runs hot or the crust is browning too fast, reduce the temperature to 300°F and add a few extra minutes to adjust for the difference.
The most accurate method is to check the internal temperature using a thermometer. It should reach 190°F to 200°F (88–93°C) in the center. You can also tap the bottom of the loaf: a hollow sound means it’s done. The crust should be deep golden, not pale
Serving Suggestions
This air fryer bread is incredibly versatile and works for everything from breakfast to dinner. Slice it warm and serve with butter or jam alongside your favorite air fryer breakfast recipes, or toast it and use it to make a hearty air fryer breakfast sandwich.
It’s also a great addition to savory meals. Serve slices with soups, salads, or your favorite air fryer side dishes for an easy homemade bread option. During the holidays, this loaf pairs especially well with air fryer turkey breast, making it a simple way to add fresh bread to your Thanksgiving or holiday table.
More Air Fryer Bread Recipes
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Air Fryer Bread Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast, 1 packet
- ¼ cup warm water, Warm means about 105°F–110°F. It should feel warm on your wrist but not hot. Water above 115°F can kill the yeast
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg, whisked
Instructions
- Add yeast to a bowl with water that is warm. Let the yeast sit in the warm water for about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Once the yeast has activated, add in the flour, sugar, milk, butter, and salt. Gently fold the ingredients together until they were well combined and it becomes slightly flaky.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead the dough until it is smooth, then shape it into a ball.
- Place the ball of dough into the air fryer basket, and then wrap with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rest until it doubles in size, about 30 minutes.
- Brush the top of the loaf with an egg wash. and air fry at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes, until the top of the bread is golden brown.
Notes
- If your dough didn’t rise, check that the yeast is fresh and the water is warm but not hot, since hot water can kill the yeast and cold water may not activate it.
- If the dough is too sticky to handle, add flour one tablespoon at a time while kneading until it becomes smooth and workable.
- If the crust turns out too dark or hard, your air fryer may run hot, so try lowering the temperature to 300°F and extending the cooking time slightly.
- If the top is browned but the center is still doughy, loosely tent the bread with foil partway through cooking to prevent over-browning while the middle finishes baking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I use 100% whole wheat flour instead of all purpose flour?
Hi Sanju. I wouldn’t substitute whole wheat flour for white flour 1:1 because the bread would be very dense. You could try 1/2 wheat and 1/2 all purpose, or another type of flour.
This bread is delicious, however it doesn’t cook through, even after adding a few more minutes. I tried it 3 times. I even turned it around but it still didn’t cook through. Do u have any recommendations?
Hi Monique- sorry to hear this. I’m wondering how thick you made the bread? Although even if it was turning golden on the outside, I would think you cover the top in foil so it doesn’t burn and then keep air frying until the center cooks. Hope that helps!
Hi can I use gluten flour instead of all purpose? And do I add xanthum gum as well? Many thanks for an ace recipe
My AirFryer has the racks, it’s like a microwave oven with 2 levels to put the racks in. Would it work in this type of airfryer? I’ve baked tart shells, cupcakes etc. and they turned out fine. I used the Airfryer control but my Airfryer also is a toaster, bakes, convection oven, broils and Airfryer…..I use it a lot, pretty much something every day.
I might give this recipe a try….I do have a spring form pan, now not sure if I should use the top or bottom rack….
I find with the rack air fryers, sometimes it can cook them differently because the heating element is up top. I would try and put it in the center of the air fryer so it can get that heat to bake. Cooking time may be a tad longer too. Let me know if you try it!
What size Air Fryer is this recipe for?
Hi Jeanette. I use a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer.
What can I substitute for milk ?
Water ?
Usually it’s safe to substitute water for milk when making bread, but you may need to add a teaspoon or two of butter to help keep the bread moist. Sometimes using water instead of milk, the bread is dry.
Can any kind of parchment paper be used as I don’t have air fryer parchment paper?
Yes! You can just cut a square of parchment paper that will fit in your basket, and then poke holes in it for circulation.
Have you tried this recipe with GF flour?
I have not tried it with Gluten Free flour.
Just to be sure, it is all purpose flour and not bread flour? It looks great!
Hi, I just made it and 2 cups of all Purpose gluten free flower was not enough, was super pasty and I had to add more, It’s because os gluten free?? Smells awesome and I put sun flower seeds on the top.
Thanks
So easy! I did find this quite sweet? Is adding the granulated sugar essential?
You can decrease the amount of sugar at your preference. 🙂
When placing the dough ball into the air fryer to rise, how warm should the air fryer be?
I don’t place it in the air fryer to rise. I usually place it in the warmest spot in my kitchen, so it stays warm, but not too hot.
Is it necessary to use a springform pan or can you put the dough ball right into the air fryer basket?
I think it would be fine to put it in the air fryer basket, if you have air fryer parchment paper or a small baking sheet, otherwise the dough could sink through the holes in the basket.
The recipe says to put it in the air fryer basket?
Hi Chris. I put the dough in a spring form pan, or a cake pan first. Otherwise it will go through the holes in the basket.
Air fryers are different, still doughy on the bottom after 14 minutes. Top looked great! It had good flavor. Will try again.
Hi Denise. Yes, air fryers are different. If you still have a slightly doughy bottom, you could flip the loaf over and add a few extra minutes cook time. Thank you! Glad you liked it! There is nothing better than a kitchen smelling like freshly baked bread!