Air Fryer Baguettes
Air fryer baguettes are the quickest way to turn a packet of part-baked bread into warm, crusty loaves. Cut in half to fit the basket, they take about 9 minutes at 180°C and come out with a crackly crust and a soft, fluffy middle, without heating a full oven. This page covers the timings, an oven alternative and what to do with frozen packs.
- Total
- 16 min
- Prep
- 2 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 370kcal
Before you start: air fryer baguettes
Part-baked baguettes, sold in most supermarkets as bake-at-home bread, are already cooked through and only need finishing. The air fryer does this quickly, because the hot air crisps the crust while the middle warms through and puffs up. Check the pack: if it says the bread is fully baked or frozen, cook it for a shorter or longer time, as described below.
Most standard 4–5.5 litre baskets take baguettes of about 20cm, so cut each loaf in half. A single layer with a little space between the pieces is all you need, so you can cook both baguettes in one batch.
Air fryer baguettes: the method
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 180°C for .
- Prepare Cut each baguette in half so the pieces lie flat in the basket without touching the top or the sides. Brush the crust very lightly with water.
- Cook Lay the pieces in a single layer in the basket, leaving a little space between them. Cook at 180°C for , until deep golden and the crust sounds crisp when tapped. Check after , as air fryers vary.
- Rest Lift them out with tongs and leave them on a wire rack or board for . The crust crisps further as the steam escapes. Serve warm with butter.
Serving ideas
Warm air fryer baguettes are ideal with butter and a bowl of soup, split for sandwiches or filled with cheese and ham. To turn them into garlic bread, see air fryer garlic baguettes, and if you would rather bake from scratch, try these French baguettes.
The same timings apply to other small part-baked rolls and ciabatta, although smaller rolls usually need just 5–7 minutes.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Baguettes
- The crust is too pale or soft.
- The baguettes need a minute or two longer. Keep them in a single layer so the hot air reaches every side, and add 1–2 minutes at a time.
- The tips are dark but the middle is still doughy.
- The bread is too close to the element. Lower the temperature to 160°C, cut the baguettes into shorter pieces and add 2–3 minutes.
- The baguettes are pale from frozen.
- Part-baked bread from the freezer needs about 10–12 minutes at 180°C. Cook it straight from frozen, without thawing, and check the colour after 9 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Baguettes
How long do you cook baguettes in an air fryer?
Cook part-baked baguettes at 180°C for 8–10 minutes. Frozen packs need about 10–12 minutes.
Can you cook a whole baguette in the air fryer?
Only if it fits flat in the basket. Most baskets suit a baguette of about 20cm, so a full-length loaf is best cut in half.
Can you cook baguettes in the oven instead?
Yes. Bake them at 200°C (180°C fan), gas 6, for 8–10 minutes on a baking tray, or follow the pack instructions.
How do you store leftover baguettes?
Eat them the same day, as baguettes dry out quickly. If you have a spare piece, wrap it in a tea towel and refresh it in the air fryer at 160°C for 2–3 minutes the next day.
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