Air Fryer White Bread
Air fryer white bread gives you a small, golden loaf with a soft crumb, without heating a full-size oven. The dough is made from 300g of strong white flour, kneaded, risen and shaped into a 13cm round that fits the basket comfortably. It bakes at 180°C for 25 minutes and cuts into eight slices, enough for a few sandwiches or a round of toast. Allow about 2 hours 45 minutes, most of it rising.
- Total
- 2 h 43 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 28 min
- Serves
- 1 small loaf (8 slices)
- Per 1 slice
- 145kcal
Choosing the ingredients for air fryer white bread
Strong white bread flour is worth buying, because its higher protein content gives the stretch and rise a basket loaf needs. This recipe uses 300g of flour rather than the usual 500g, so the loaf fits in the basket and bakes through. Fast-action yeast can go straight into the flour, and the teaspoon of sugar helps it get going. Use lukewarm water, about hand-hot: cold water slows the rise and very hot water damages the yeast.
How to cook air fryer white bread
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mix Stir the flour, yeast, salt and sugar together in a large bowl. Add the water and oil and mix with your hand or a wooden spoon to a rough dough.
- Knead Knead on a lightly floured surface for , until the dough is smooth and elastic and springs back slowly when pressed.
- First rise Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean tea towel and leave in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
- Shape Knock the air out of the dough and shape it into a tight ball about 13cm across. Set it on a piece of baking paper cut a little larger than the loaf, cover it loosely and leave for , until puffy.
- Preheat and slash Heat the air fryer to 180°C for while the dough finishes proving. Cut a shallow slash about 1cm deep across the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.
- Bake Lift the loaf on its paper into the hot basket and bake at 180°C for , until deep golden and hollow-sounding when you tap the base. If the top is dark after , cover it loosely with a small piece of foil tucked under the paper.
- Cool Slide the loaf on to a wire rack and leave for at least before slicing.
Baking a bigger loaf, and what to serve
For a full-size loaf in a tin, use classic white bread, which bakes at 220°C (200°C fan), gas 7, for 30 minutes. If you would like smaller portions from the basket, make air fryer bread rolls with a similar dough. A slice of this loaf is best with butter while it is still just warm, and it holds together well for sandwiches the next day.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer White Bread
- The top is dark but the middle is doughy.
- The air fryer heats from above. Cover the top with foil after 15 minutes as in step 6, and if your machine runs hot, bake at 170°C for 28 minutes.
- The loaf is small and dense.
- The yeast may be old, or the water was too hot. Use hand-warm water, as yeast dies at about 55°C, and give the dough its full 1 hour first rise.
- The baking paper lifts up in the basket.
- Never preheat with loose paper. Add the loaf on its paper only once the basket is hot, and trim the paper close to the loaf so it stays weighed down.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer White Bread
What size of air fryer do you need to bake bread?
A basket of 4.5 litres or larger holds a 13cm loaf. Leave at least 3cm between the top of the loaf and the heating element, because the dough rises further while it bakes.
How do you know when the loaf is done?
It should be deep golden and sound hollow when you tap the base. A thermometer pushed into the middle should read about 93°C.
Can I use plain flour instead of strong flour?
Yes, but the loaf will be softer and flatter, because plain flour has less protein to build gluten.
How do I store the bread?
Keep it in a bread bin or paper bag for up to 2 days. For longer, slice it and freeze for up to 3 months, then toast the slices from frozen.
How did you like the recipe?
4.9 / 5 · 51 ratings
