This crispy air fryer bread is quick, simple, and golden on the outside with a tender crumb inside. It has a light, toasty aroma while baking and a satisfying crunch when you bite in. You can make it with just a few pantry staples and your air fryer for a fresh loaf any day of the week.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 8 slices
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
- Calories per serving: 150 kcal (approx.)
- Protein: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fat: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
Why Make This Crispy Air Fryer Bread
This recipe uses simple ingredients and gives you fast results. The air fryer creates a crispy crust without heating your whole oven. The bread smells warm and toasty while it cooks. It’s great for last-minute sandwiches, dunking in soup, or serving with olive oil. It’s also forgiving for beginners and easy to customize.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Bread
You’ll mix the dry ingredients, add warm water and oil, knead briefly, shape into a loaf, and air fry until golden. The exterior becomes crunchy, and the inside stays soft. Work on a lightly floured surface and watch the loaf in the last minutes to prevent over-browning.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir them well to evenly distribute the baking powder and salt. This gives the loaf a uniform rise and flavor.
Step 2: Mixing
Create a well in the center of the dry mix. Pour in the warm water and the olive oil. Use a spoon to stir until a rough dough forms. If the dough seems too sticky, add a little flour, one tablespoon at a time. If it is too dry, add a splash of water.
Step 3: Cooking
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a small loaf that fits your air fryer basket. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the shaped loaf in the air fryer basket. Cook for 25–30 minutes, checking toward the end. The crust should be golden brown and crisp. An internal temperature of about 190–200°F (88–93°C) means it’s done.
Step 4: Finishing
Carefully remove the loaf from the air fryer. Let it cool on a rack for at least 10–15 minutes before slicing. Cooling helps the crumb set so slices hold together and the texture is best.
How to Serve Crispy Air Fryer Bread
- Slice warm and serve with butter or olive oil and herbs. The crust is crunchy and the inside is soft.
- Use slices for sandwiches with cheese, tomatoes, or roasted vegetables.
- Toast slices and rub with garlic for a quick garlic bread side.
- Serve alongside soups, stews, or salads to soak up broth and sauces.
How to Store Crispy Air Fryer Bread
- At room temperature: Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap or place in a bread bag. Keep for up to 2 days.
- In the fridge: Store wrapped for up to 5 days. Refrigeration can dry bread; reheat to restore texture.
- In the freezer: Slice and freeze in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Reheat slices in the toaster or air fryer to crisp them.
Expert Tips for Perfect Crispy Air Fryer Bread
- Measure flour by spooning into the cup and leveling. Too much flour makes dense bread.
- Warm water should be about 100–110°F (38–43°C) — comfortable to the touch but not hot.
- Don’t over-knead. About 5 minutes gives structure without toughening the crumb.
- If your air fryer browns too fast, lower temp by 10–15°F and add a few minutes to cooking time.
- For extra crust, brush the top with a little olive oil before cooking.
- Use a probe thermometer to check doneness for reliable results.
Delicious Variations
- Herb and garlic: Mix 1 tsp garlic powder and 1 tbsp chopped fresh herbs into the dough.
- Cheesy: Fold in 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Parmesan into the dough before shaping.
- Seeded loaf: Sprinkle sesame, poppy, or sunflower seeds on top after brushing with oil.
- Olive and rosemary: Fold chopped olives and 1 tbsp chopped rosemary into the dough for a savory twist.
- Sweet twist: Replace olive oil with melted butter and add 1 tsp cinnamon and 2 tbsp honey for a lightly sweet loaf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use whole wheat flour?
A: Yes. Replace up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat. The bread will be denser and may need a bit more water. Let the dough rest 10 minutes before shaping to hydrate the whole wheat.
Q: My bread is doughy inside but brown outside. What went wrong?
A: Likely undercooked inside. Reduce temperature slightly and cook a bit longer, or check internal temperature (190–200°F). Also shape a slightly smaller loaf to allow heat to reach the center.
Q: Can I double the recipe for a larger loaf?
A: Yes if it fits your air fryer. You may need to cook a larger loaf longer or divide into two smaller loaves that cook evenly. Avoid overcrowding the basket.
Q: Do I need to grease the air fryer basket?
A: A light spray or brush of oil helps prevent sticking. If your basket is nonstick and the loaf is well-oiled, you may skip extra oil.
Q: How do I get a crispier crust?
A: Brush the loaf with olive oil before cooking and cook until deeply golden. Increase the last 2–3 minutes of cook time by 10–15°F or turn on the air fryer’s crisp function if available.
Q: Can I make rolls instead of a loaf?
A: Yes. Divide the dough into small balls, place them in the basket with space between, and reduce cooking time to about 12–18 minutes depending on size.
Q: Is baking powder okay instead of yeast?
A: This recipe uses baking powder to keep it quick and simple. The texture differs from yeast bread — it’s quicker and slightly cake-like but still crisp and tasty.
Conclusion
This Crispy Air Fryer Bread is an easy, rewarding recipe that gives you a warm, crunchy loaf with minimal fuss. It pairs beautifully with soups, salads, or melted butter and is simple to tweak with herbs, cheese, or seeds. For an idea on using air fryer bread for a garlicky side, check out Air Fryer Garlic Bread [So Crispy!] This Healthy Kitchen. Give this loaf a try — it’s a quick way to enjoy fresh bread at home.
Print
Crispy Air Fryer Bread
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and simple recipe for crispy air fryer bread with a golden crust and tender crumb, perfect for sandwiches or dipping.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir until evenly distributed.
- Create a well in the center of the dry mix. Pour in the warm water and olive oil, stirring until a rough dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth. Shape into a small loaf.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the loaf in the air fryer basket and cook for 25–30 minutes, checking towards the end for doneness.
- Remove the loaf and let it cool on a rack for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
For extra crust, brush loaf with olive oil before cooking. Adjust cooking time and temperature if browning too fast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
