Air Fryer Bread So Good You May Stop Buying Loaves: 18 Soft Rolls, Bagels and Buns That Bake Without the Oven

Air fryer bread is the kitchen trick that has home bakers rethinking the weekly loaf from the store. One home baker’s video about giving up store bread after buying an air fryer passed 2.8 million views on YouTube, and the comments were full of people who tried it the same night. The secret is simple: a small basket heats up in minutes, circulates hot air all around the dough and turns out a golden crust without warming up the whole kitchen. It is also a lifesaver in November, when the big oven is packed with turkey and casseroles. Here are 18 breads, rolls and buns that bake beautifully in the basket, from a soft sandwich loaf and pull-apart dinner rolls to bagels, soft pretzels, focaccia, naan and a cozy zucchini loaf, plus the tips that make every batch rise..

Soft Sandwich Loaf, the Air Fryer Bread That Started It All

This is the loaf that convinces people to stop buying bread. A simple enriched dough with milk, butter and a spoon of sugar rises in a small loaf pan that fits right inside the basket, then bakes into a tall, golden dome with a pillowy white crumb. It slices cleanly for sandwiches and toast, and it costs a fraction of a bakery loaf. Cover the top loosely with foil for the last few minutes if it browns too fast, and let it cool before slicing so the crumb sets..

You will need: 2 1/2 cups bread flour, 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup warm milk, 1/4 cup warm water, 2 tablespoons soft butter, extra butter for brushing.

How to make it: 1. Mix flour, yeast, sugar and salt, add milk, water and butter and knead 8 minutes until smooth. 2. Let rise covered 1 hour, shape into a log and place in a greased small loaf pan that fits your basket. 3. Let rise 40 minutes until domed above the pan. 4. Bake at 320°F for 22 to 26 minutes until deep golden and the inside reaches 190°F. 5. Brush with butter and cool 30 minutes before slicing.

Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls, the Thanksgiving Air Fryer Bread

When the oven is full of turkey, stuffing and pie, the air fryer quietly takes over the bread basket. Twelve small balls of soft dough are tucked into a round cake pan, left to puff until they touch, then baked until the tops are glossy and golden. Brush them with melted butter and a pinch of flaky salt the moment they come out. They pull apart in feathery pieces and stay soft for a day, so you can bake them the morning of the big dinner.

You will need: 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 packet instant yeast, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup warm milk, 1 egg, 4 tablespoons melted butter plus extra for brushing, flaky salt, chopped parsley.

How to make it: 1. Mix all dough ingredients and knead until soft and smooth, then let rise 1 hour. 2. Divide into 12 balls and arrange snugly in a greased 7 inch round pan. 3. Let rise 30 to 40 minutes until puffy and touching. 4. Bake at 330°F for 14 to 16 minutes until golden. 5. Brush with butter, sprinkle with salt and parsley and serve warm.

Pull-Apart Cheese Bread Everyone Fights Over

This is the party bread that disappears first. A small round loaf is sliced in a deep crosshatch without cutting through the base, then stuffed with mozzarella, sharp cheddar, garlic butter and chives. A few minutes in the basket melts everything into long, stretchy strings while the crust turns crisp. Set it in the middle of the table with no knife and watch everyone tear off a piece. A store-bought round works, but a homemade boule makes it even better. Think of it as air fryer bread at its most indulgent.

You will need: 1 small round loaf (about 1 lb), 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, 4 tablespoons melted butter, 2 garlic cloves minced, 2 tablespoons chopped chives, pinch of salt.

How to make it: 1. Cut the loaf in a 1 inch crosshatch pattern, stopping just above the bottom crust. 2. Mix butter, garlic and salt and drizzle into the cuts. 3. Stuff the cheese deep into every opening. 4. Wrap the base in foil and air fry at 350°F for 7 to 9 minutes until the cheese is fully melted. 5. Scatter chives on top and serve right away.

Chewy Sesame Bagels Without a Bakery Line

Bagels sound intimidating, but the air fryer version is a weekend project anyone can master. The dough is stiff and plain, shaped into rings, then given a quick boil in water with a spoon of honey. That short bath is what creates the shiny, chewy crust. A brush of egg wash and a heavy coat of sesame seeds finish them, and the basket bakes two or three at a time to a deep golden brown. Split, toasted and spread with cream cheese, they beat the bakery. It is the air fryer bread project that impresses brunch guests most.

You will need: 3 cups bread flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 cup warm water, 2 tablespoons honey for the water bath, 1 egg beaten, sesame seeds.

How to make it: 1. Knead flour, yeast, sugar, salt and water into a firm dough and let rise 1 hour. 2. Divide into 8 pieces, roll into ropes and pinch into rings. 3. Boil each ring 30 seconds per side in water with honey. 4. Brush with egg and dip in sesame seeds. 5. Air fry at 350°F for 12 to 14 minutes in batches until deep golden.

Soft Pretzels With a Real Pretzel Crust

Those mall-style soft pretzels are easier than you think, and the basket gives them the same dark mahogany shine. The trick is a quick dip in a hot baking soda bath before baking, which creates the classic chewy skin and that unmistakable pretzel flavor. Sprinkle them with coarse salt for game day, or skip the salt and brush them with cinnamon sugar butter for a sweet snack. Serve them warm with mustard or a quick cheese sauce for dipping. Twisting the ropes is the most fun part of any air fryer bread session.

You will need: 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 packet instant yeast, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup warm water, 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup baking soda for the bath, 1 egg yolk, coarse salt.

How to make it: 1. Knead flour, yeast, sugar, salt, water and butter until smooth and let rest 30 minutes. 2. Roll into 8 long ropes and twist into pretzel shapes. 3. Dip each pretzel 20 seconds in simmering water with the baking soda. 4. Brush with egg yolk and sprinkle with coarse salt. 5. Air fry at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes until deep brown.

Buttery Garlic Knots, an Air Fryer Bread Shortcut

Garlic knots are the snack that makes any pasta night feel like a pizzeria. Strips of soft dough are tied into simple knots, air fried until golden, then tossed while hot in garlic butter with parsley and parmesan. Store-bought pizza dough works perfectly here, which makes this one of the fastest air fryer bread wins on the list. They are best right out of the basket with a bowl of warm marinara for dunking, and the leftovers reheat in two minutes flat.

You will need: 1 lb pizza dough, 4 tablespoons butter, 3 garlic cloves minced, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, 1/4 cup grated parmesan, pinch of salt, warm marinara for dipping.

How to make it: 1. Cut the dough into 12 strips and tie each into a loose knot. 2. Arrange in the basket with space between them. 3. Air fry at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes until golden. 4. Melt butter with garlic and salt for 1 minute. 5. Toss the hot knots in garlic butter, then parsley and parmesan, and serve with marinara.

Two-Ingredient Flatbread in Minutes

If yeast makes you nervous, start here. Self-rising flour and thick Greek yogurt come together into a soft dough with no rising time at all. Roll it thin, lay it in the basket and in a few minutes it puffs and blisters with golden spots, just like a griddle flatbread. Use it to scoop up hummus, wrap around grilled chicken or top with a little olive oil and za’atar. Busy parents love it because dinner bread is ready before the rest of the meal. This is air fryer bread with zero waiting.

You will need: 1 cup self-rising flour, 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, pinch of salt, extra flour for rolling, 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter, optional garlic or herbs.

How to make it: 1. Stir flour, yogurt and salt into a shaggy dough, then knead 1 minute until smooth. 2. Divide into 4 pieces and roll each very thin. 3. Brush lightly with oil. 4. Air fry one at a time at 380°F for 4 to 6 minutes, flipping halfway, until puffed and spotted. 5. Brush with butter or herbs and serve warm.

No-Knead Focaccia, the Easiest Air Fryer Bread to Start With

Focaccia might be the easiest yeast bread of all, and a small pan in the air fryer gives it a crackly, olive-oil-fried bottom that rivals any bakery. The wet dough is simply stirred together and left to rise, then dimpled with your fingertips, drizzled with more oil and scattered with rosemary and flaky salt. Cut it into squares for sandwiches or serve it alongside soup. It is a great way to try air fryer bread if you have never made bread before.

You will need: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon instant yeast, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup warm water, 4 tablespoons olive oil, 1 sprig fresh rosemary, flaky sea salt.

How to make it: 1. Stir flour, yeast, salt and water into a sticky dough, cover and let rise 2 hours. 2. Pour 2 tablespoons oil into a pan that fits your basket and spread the dough in it. 3. Let rise 30 minutes, then dimple deeply and drizzle with remaining oil. 4. Top with rosemary and flaky salt. 5. Bake at 340°F for 18 to 22 minutes until golden on top and crisp underneath.

Fluffy Air Fryer Naan for Curry Night

Restaurant naan gets its blistered, pillowy texture from a blazing tandoor, and the air fryer comes surprisingly close. A soft yogurt dough enriched with a little milk is rested, stretched into teardrops and cooked one at a time until it puffs and spots. Brush it with garlic butter and chopped cilantro straight away. It is the perfect partner for butter chicken, dal or a quick chickpea curry, and it costs pennies compared to takeout. Make a double batch, because the first one never survives. Few air fryer bread recipes deliver this much flavor for so little work.

You will need: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon instant yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1/3 cup warm milk, 2 tablespoons melted butter, garlic and cilantro for topping.

How to make it: 1. Mix all dough ingredients and knead until soft, then let rise 1 hour. 2. Divide into 6 balls and stretch each into a teardrop shape. 3. Air fry at 400°F for 4 to 5 minutes until puffed and spotted. 4. Brush with garlic butter and sprinkle with cilantro. 5. Keep warm in a towel while you cook the rest.

Homemade English Muffins With Nooks and Crannies

English muffins are usually cooked on a griddle, but the basket makes them hands-off. The soft, slightly sticky dough is rolled thick, cut into rounds and coated in cornmeal, then left to puff before baking until lightly golden on both sides. Split them with a fork, never a knife, to get those famous nooks and crannies that catch melted butter and jam. They freeze beautifully, so bake a batch on Sunday and toast them all week for egg sandwiches. Homemade air fryer bread for breakfast never felt so easy.

You will need: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon instant yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup warm milk, 2 tablespoons soft butter, 1 egg, cornmeal for dusting.

How to make it: 1. Mix all ingredients into a soft dough and let rise 1 hour. 2. Roll 3/4 inch thick and cut into 3 inch rounds. 3. Coat both sides in cornmeal and let rise 30 minutes. 4. Air fry at 330°F for 6 minutes, flip and cook 5 to 6 minutes more. 5. Cool slightly and split with a fork before toasting.

Puffy Pita Pockets, the Magic Air Fryer Bread Trick

Watching pita puff into a balloon is pure kitchen magic, and the air fryer does it in about four minutes. Very hot circulating air turns the moisture in the thin dough into steam, which inflates the round and creates the pocket. Roll the dough evenly so it puffs all the way, and do not open the basket too early. Stuff the pockets with falafel, chicken salad or scrambled eggs, or cut them into wedges and toast them for chips. Once you see it inflate, you will be hooked on air fryer bread.

You will need: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon instant yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon olive oil.

How to make it: 1. Knead all ingredients into a smooth dough and let rise 1 hour. 2. Divide into 6 balls and rest 10 minutes. 3. Roll each into an even 6 inch round about 1/4 inch thick. 4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook one round at a time for 4 to 5 minutes until puffed. 5. Wrap in a towel to keep them soft.

Golden Brioche Buns With a Sugar Crunch

Brioche is rich with eggs and butter, which gives these buns a tender, almost cake-like crumb and a deep golden color. In the air fryer they bake fast and evenly, so you get bakery-shiny tops without heating the big oven. Sprinkle them with pearl or coarse sugar before baking for a sweet breakfast bun, or leave them plain for burgers and pulled pork sliders. The dough is soft and sticky at first, so trust the long knead. It is the most elegant air fryer bread on this list.

You will need: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 packet instant yeast, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup warm milk, 3 eggs plus 1 for brushing, 1/2 cup soft butter, pearl or coarse sugar.

How to make it: 1. Mix flour, yeast, sugar, salt, milk and eggs, then knead in the butter a little at a time for 10 minutes. 2. Let rise 1 1/2 hours, then shape into 8 smooth balls. 3. Let rise 45 minutes in the basket or on parchment. 4. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar. 5. Bake at 320°F for 12 to 14 minutes until deep golden.

Stuffed Bread Rolls With a Surprise Inside

These soft rolls hide a filling in every bite, which makes them a lunchbox and after-school favorite. Wrap the dough around cubes of ham and cheese, pizza sauce and pepperoni, or spinach and feta, pinch the seams tight and let them puff. The basket bakes them golden all around, and the filling turns melty inside. They reheat perfectly, so make a dozen on the weekend and freeze half. Kids can even help with the stuffing. Every air fryer bread fan needs this one in the freezer.

You will need: 1 lb homemade or store-bought roll dough, 1 cup diced ham, 1 cup cheddar cubes, or your favorite filling, 1 egg beaten, sesame or everything seasoning for topping.

How to make it: 1. Divide the dough into 10 pieces and flatten each into a disc. 2. Place a spoonful of filling in the center and pinch the dough tightly around it. 3. Set seam side down on parchment and let rise 25 minutes. 4. Brush with egg and sprinkle with seasoning. 5. Air fry at 330°F for 12 to 14 minutes until golden.

Cinnamon Swirl Mini Loaf for Cozy Mornings

A swirl of cinnamon sugar rolled into soft sweet dough makes the most beautiful slices, and a mini loaf is perfectly sized for the basket. Roll the dough tightly so the spiral stays snug, brush it with butter and let it rise until puffy. Toast thick slices with butter, turn leftovers into the best French toast of your life, or drizzle a quick vanilla glaze over the top while it is still warm. The whole house will smell like a bakery. It is the coziest air fryer bread for a slow weekend.

You will need: 1/2 batch soft sandwich loaf dough, 3 tablespoons soft butter, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, optional raisins, optional powdered sugar glaze.

How to make it: 1. Roll the risen dough into an 8 by 12 inch rectangle. 2. Spread with butter and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. 3. Roll up tightly from the short side and place seam down in a small greased loaf pan. 4. Let rise 40 minutes until puffed. 5. Bake at 320°F for 22 to 25 minutes, tenting with foil if it browns quickly.

Rustic Cranberry Walnut Loaf for the Holiday Table

This hearty loaf is studded with dried cranberries and toasted walnuts, and it looks right at home on a holiday cheese board. A little whole wheat flour adds a nutty flavor and a rustic crust that crackles as it cools. Slice it thin and serve it with brie, turn it into turkey sandwiches the day after Thanksgiving, or toast it with honey butter for breakfast. Walnuts bring omega-3 fats, which have been linked to heart health, a nice bonus for a bread this delicious.

You will need: 2 cups bread flour, 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon instant yeast, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 cup warm water, 2/3 cup dried cranberries, 2/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts.

How to make it: 1. Mix flours, yeast, salt, honey and water and knead 6 minutes. 2. Knead in cranberries and walnuts and let rise 1 1/2 hours. 3. Shape into a small oval and let rise 40 minutes on parchment. 4. Slash the top and bake at 330°F for 25 to 30 minutes. 5. Cool completely before slicing.

Golden Cornmeal Muffins for Chili and Soup

Cornmeal muffins are the quick bread that goes with everything from chili to fried chicken. Silicone muffin cups fit neatly in the basket, and the circulating heat gives every muffin a crisp golden top with a tender, slightly sweet crumb inside. No yeast and no waiting, just stir and bake. Add a handful of corn kernels, shredded cheddar or chopped jalapeno to change it up, and serve them warm with honey butter. It is the easiest air fryer bread for absolute beginners.

You will need: 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup milk, 1 egg, 1/3 cup melted butter, optional corn kernels or cheddar.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the dry ingredients in a bowl. 2. Whisk milk, egg and butter and stir into the dry ingredients just until combined. 3. Spoon into greased silicone muffin cups, filling them two thirds full. 4. Air fry at 320°F for 10 to 13 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. 5. Cool 5 minutes before unmolding.

Zucchini Walnut Loaf, a Sweet Air Fryer Bread for Fall

Zucchini bread is the perfect way to sneak vegetables into a sweet treat, and a small loaf pan bakes it evenly in the basket. Shredded zucchini keeps the crumb incredibly moist, while cinnamon and walnuts make it taste like fall. It is a quick bread, so there is no yeast or rising, just a bowl and a whisk. Slice it for breakfast, pack it in lunchboxes or serve it warm with a smear of soft butter. It tastes even better on day two.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini squeezed dry, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts.

How to make it: 1. Whisk flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. 2. Whisk eggs, sugars, oil and vanilla, then stir in the zucchini. 3. Fold in the dry ingredients and walnuts. 4. Pour into a greased small loaf pan and bake at 310°F for 35 to 40 minutes, tenting with foil after 20 minutes. 5. Cool 15 minutes before turning out.

Air Fryer Bread Tips: Pan Size, Temperature and Doneness

A few simple rules make every air fryer bread turn out right. Choose a pan that leaves at least an inch of space around it so the hot air can circulate. Bake lower than you would in an oven, usually 300 to 340°F, because the heating element sits close to the top. Tent with foil once the crust is deep golden, and check the center with a thermometer: 190°F for soft loaves and 200°F for crusty ones. For tested formulas and baker’s percentages, King Arthur Baking’s recipe library is a fantastic resource, and you can find more ways to free up your oven in our air fryer holiday recipes.

You will need: A small metal loaf pan or 7 inch round pan that fits your basket, parchment paper, foil for tenting, an instant-read thermometer, a cooling rack.

How to make it: 1. Preheat the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes before the dough goes in. 2. Bake 20 to 30°F lower than the oven version of the recipe. 3. Check color at the halfway point and tent with foil if needed. 4. Test the center temperature instead of guessing. 5. Cool breads on a rack so the bottoms do not steam and turn soggy.