Air Fryer Bread

Today I will show you how to make air fryer bread from scratch. It’s soft, golden, and honestly easier than you might think.

You don’t need a full-size oven for this one. Your air fryer does all the work, and the bread comes out with a beautiful crust every single time.

The ingredient list is short and simple – just basic pantry staples you probably already have at home.

I love making this on weekends when I want fresh bread without heating up the whole kitchen. It takes about an hour and a half from start to finish, and most of that is just waiting for the dough to rise.

Once you try homemade air fryer bread, store-bought just won’t feel the same.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredibly Soft and Fluffy Inside – This bread comes out with a pillowy soft center that feels like it came straight from a bakery.

Golden Crispy Crust – The air fryer gives the outside a beautiful golden crunch that you rarely get from a regular oven.

Ready So Much Faster Than Oven Bread – From start to finish this bread takes a fraction of the time traditional homemade bread needs.

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 tbsp Granulated Sugar
• 2 tsp Instant Yeast
• 3/4 tsp Salt
• 3/4 cup Warm Water (about 110 degrees F)
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil, plus more for brushing
• 1 tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted, for topping
• Flaky Sea Salt, optional for topping

How To Make

Step 1

In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Pour in the warm water and olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 2

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 6 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a tiny bit more flour a teaspoon at a time.

Step 3

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 45 to 60 minutes, until it has doubled in size.

Step 4

Gently punch down the risen dough and shape it into a round loaf that will fit inside your air fryer basket. If you have a 6-inch round air fryer-safe pan, lightly grease it and place the dough inside. Otherwise, shape the dough and place it on a piece of parchment paper. Let it rest for 15 minutes while it puffs up slightly.

Step 5

Preheat the air fryer to 330 degrees F. Brush the top of the loaf lightly with olive oil. Place the bread in the air fryer basket.

Step 6

Air fry at 330 degrees F for 18 to 22 minutes, until the loaf is deeply golden brown on top and sounds hollow when you tap the bottom. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with a small piece of foil for the last few minutes.

Step 7

Remove the bread from the air fryer. Brush the top immediately with melted unsalted butter and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired. Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Tips

Check Your Water Temperature

The warm water needs to be around 110 degrees F, which feels warm but not hot when you touch it. If it’s too hot, it will kill the yeast and your bread won’t rise at all.

If you don’t have a thermometer, run the tap until it feels like comfortable bath water. It should feel warm on the inside of your wrist but not uncomfortable.

This is the single biggest thing that can make or break this recipe, so take an extra few seconds to get it right.

Use a Pan Instead of Just Parchment

If you have a small 6-inch round cake pan that fits your air fryer, use it. The pan holds the dough in place so it rises upward instead of spreading out flat.

Without a pan, the dough tends to spread sideways in the air fryer basket and you end up with a flat disc instead of a nice tall loaf. A small oven-safe ramekin or even a mini springform pan works great too.

Just make sure to grease it well with olive oil or cooking spray so the bread slides right out.

Don’t Skip the Second Rest

After you shape the dough and place it in the pan or on parchment, that 15-minute rest before air frying matters more than you’d think. It gives the dough time to relax and puff up slightly, which helps you get a lighter, softer bread.

If you skip it and put the dough straight into the air fryer, the bread will be denser and tighter inside. Just cover it loosely with a towel and let it sit while you preheat.

Related Recipes

• Air Fryer Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
• Air Fryer Flatbread
• Air Fryer Honey Butter Biscuits
• Air Fryer Everything Bagels
• Air Fryer Pizza Dough Knots with Garlic Butter

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes, you can use active dry yeast, but you will need to activate it first. Dissolve it in the 3/4 cup of warm water with the tablespoon of sugar and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it gets foamy on top.

Once it is bubbly, add it to the flour and salt along with the olive oil and continue with the recipe as written. The rise time should be about the same.