Bread pudding lovers, rejoice! This easy air fryer bread pudding recipe delivers a sweet and comforting dessert with far less effort and time than the traditional oven method.
Each mouthwatering spoonful features fluffy bread soaked in a lightly spiced, vanilla-infused custard with bursts of plump raisins throughout. Best yet, the air fryer evenly crisps and caramelizes the top in just 15 minutes, skipping the hour-long bake time.
With a rich yet simple base recipe and endless flavor variations to explore, you’ll want to keep your air pantry stocked with bread just to make this silky smooth pudding. I know this recipe will quickly become your new favorite comfort food fix. So, let’s get started!
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
A Unique Take on a Classic Dessert: There are many air fryer bread pudding recipes out there- but this one is so much better! Making it in an air fryer gives it a unique texture and flavor that you won’t find in traditional oven-baked versions.
The air fryer gives the bread pudding a crispy top and a soft and moist interior, which is an amazing contrast of textures that will leave your taste buds wanting more.
Quick and Easy to Make: Making bread pudding in an air fryer is a breeze! With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious dessert ready in no time.
Plus, the air fryer cooks the pudding much faster than an oven would, so you can have it on the table in a matter of minutes.
Perfect For Any Occasion: Whether you’re looking to impress your guests at a dinner party or simply want to indulge in a delicious dessert, this air fryer bread pudding is perfect for any occasion.
It’s a great dessert to make when you’re short on time but still want something that’s impressive and satisfying.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
For this bread pudding air fryer recipe you will need:
- 1/3 cup Raisins
- 4 cups White Bread (cut into less than 1-inch cubes)
For The Egg Mixture:
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
- 2 Eggs (large)
- 4 tablespoons Sugar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Melted Butter
- 3/4 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
I top the air fryer bread pudding with ice cream. Use store-bought vanilla ice cream, or make it at home.
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this easy air fryer bread pudding recipe:
Step 1
Start by adding the eggs to a bowl. Whisk them until combined. Then, add all the remaining egg mixture ingredients, except the butter, and whisk them together.
Step 2
Place the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted and very hot. Pour it into the egg mixture and mix.
Step 3
Grease a 6 or 7-inch round cake pan with cooking spray. Spread about half of the bread cubes and add the raisins on top. Then, pour half of the egg mixture evenly.
Add the remaining bread on top, and top with the mixture and raisins.
Step 4
Preheat your air fryer to 350F (175C). Once it’s hot- place the baking pan inside the basket and bake for 12-15 minutes. Once the top turns golden brown- it’s ready.
Step 5
Allow it to rest for at least 20 minutes. Then, add powdered sugar on top or ice cream (I really like vanilla ice cream on top of this). Enjoy!
💡Tips
These tips will help you make the best air fryer bread pudding ever:
1. Choosing Bread
Bread is the foundation of your pudding, so its quality and preparation are crucial. While white bread is suggested, consider experimenting with different types like brioche or challah for a richer flavor. Slightly dried bread absorbs the egg mixture better, enhancing texture.
2. Cube Size
I suggest cutting the bread into cubes that are less than 1 inch in size for the best results.
You can change the texture and look of your bread pudding by cutting the cubes into different sizes. Keep in mind that the air frying time may need to be adjusted for larger cubes.
3. Let It Rest Before Serving
Allowing the baked pudding to sit for at least 15-20 minutes makes it much easier to get clean slices and the texture improves as it cools slightly. The custard will also thicken up.
4. Add Ice Cream on Top
Adding ice cream on top of your air fryer bread pudding transforms a delightful dessert into an extraordinary indulgence.
Vanilla ice cream is a classic choice that pairs excellently with the cinnamon and raisins in your bread pudding. However, don’t limit yourself. Experiment with flavors like caramel, rum raisin, or cinnamon
Variations
1. The Chocolate Twist – For this variation, swap the raisins with 1/3 cup of chocolate chips and add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the egg mixture.
As the pudding bakes, the chocolate chips melt, creating pockets of gooey chocolate in every bite. Top it with a scoop of chocolate ice cream, and you’ve got a dessert that’s a chocolate lover’s dream!
2. Tropical Breeze -Replace raisins with the same amount of chopped dried pineapple and mango. Mix in a teaspoon of coconut extract into the egg mixture.
After baking, sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the top. This variation offers a delightful twist that’s reminiscent of a tropical paradise.
3. Apple Cinnamon Delight – Imagine the comforting aroma of cinnamon and baked apples. Add 1/2 cup of finely chopped apples to the bread cubes. Increase the ground cinnamon in the egg mixture to 1 teaspoon and add a pinch of nutmeg.
The apples soften as they bake, infusing the pudding with a warm, comforting flavor that’s perfect for a cozy night in.
4. Pumpkin Spice Magic – Add 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice mix to the egg mixture. This variation brings the classic flavors of autumn to your table, making it a perfect treat for those crisp fall days.
5. Berry Burst Sensation – Replace raisins with a mix of fresh or frozen berries like blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Add a tablespoon of lemon zest to the egg mixture to brighten the flavors.
The berries burst as they bake, creating a colorful and tangy variation that’s both delightful and visually appealing.
Keto / Low Carb Version
To make a keto and low carb version of this air fryer bread pudding recipe, there are a few simple substitutions you can make:
Instead of white bread, use a low carb bread like almond flour bread cut into cubes. This removes most of the carbs.
Replace the sugar with a keto-friendly granulated sweetener like monk fruit sweetener erythritol, or stevia in the amount needed to achieve the desired level of sweetness. This significantly reduces the carb count.
Use full fat dairy products like heavy whipping cream or full fat coconut milk instead of milk and half and half. This cuts back on lactose sugar.
Skip adding raisins, since all dried fruit is high in natural sugar. Instead add keto-friendly mix-ins like chopped nuts, cacao nibs, or low carb chocolate chips.
By making these simple swaps to low carb and no sugar added ingredients, you can easily turn this bread pudding recipe into a keto-friendly dessert the whole family will love.
Gluten Free Version
To make a gluten free version of this air fryer bread pudding recipe, simply use gluten free bread in place of the white bread called for. Any gluten free bread cubed into 1-inch pieces or smaller would work well.
The raisins, eggs, heavy cream, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and cinnamon are all naturally gluten free. So no other ingredient swaps are necessary.
Storage
This air fryer bread pudding can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving, as serving it cold will affect the texture.
You can also individually wrap slices in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, unwrap and place in a 350°F air fryer for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What type of bread should I use for this bread pudding recipe?
Any type of white bread works well, like sandwich bread or French bread. The texture will depend on the type of bread, but all breads make delicious puddings!
I prefer a soft, airy white bread like brioche for the best texture. Avoid breads with nuts, seeds or fruit since those textures don’t work as well in bread puddings.
2. Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, greasing is a necessary step. Even if a dish says nonstick, the high heat of the air fryer can cause puddings or custards to stick. Just a light spray with cooking spray is perfect
3. What’s the difference between baking this in the oven vs. the air fryer?
Baking this bread pudding in the air fryer gives you similar golden, crispy top texture as the oven but in a fraction of the time! In the oven, bread puddings take close to an hour but the air fryer makes quick work of cooking thanks to the rapid circulating heat. You also avoid heating up your whole kitchen just to make one dish.
4. Why does my bread pudding sink in the middle?
A sunken center happens if the pudding is underbaked and the custard didn’t have enough time to set fully. Be sure to bake the full time recommended based on your air fryer model.
Overloading the pan can also lead to uneven cooking and a dip in the center so don’t overstuff. Finally, allow to rest at least 20 minutes before serving so the custard continues to set.
I hope you enjoy this easy, delicious air fryer bread pudding recipe! With its crispy, caramelized top and soft, creamy custard, it’s truly a unique and comforting dessert. Be sure to check out the variations for different flavor ideas.
You can also find many more air fryer recipes for breakfasts, sides, mains, and desserts on my website.
If you make this bread pudding, I’d love to hear how it turns out! Feel free to leave a comment below with your feedback or any other questions you may have. I try to respond to all comments and am happy to provide tips if you run into any issues whipping up this recipe. Thanks for reading, and happy air frying!
Air Fryer Bread Pudding
- 1/3 cup Raisins
- 4 cups White Bread (cut into less than 1-inch cubes)
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
- 2 Eggs (large)
- 4 tablespoons Sugar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Melted Butter
- 3/4 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- Add the eggs to a bowl. Whisk them until combined. Then, add all the remaining egg mixture ingredients, except the butter, and whisk them together.
- Place the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted and very hot. Pour it into the egg mixture and mix.
- Grease a 6 or 7-inch round cake pan with cooking spray. Spread half of the bread cubes and add the raisins on top. Then, pour half of the egg mixture evenly.Add the remaining bread on top, and top with the mixture and raisins.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350F (or 175C). Once it’s hot- place the baking pan inside the basket and bake for 12-15 minutes. Once the top turns golden brown- it’s ready.
- Allow it to rest for at least 20 minutes. Then, add powdered sugar on top or ice cream (I really like vanilla ice cream on topof this). Enjoy!
