Heavenly Air Fryer Bread And Butter Pudding
Bread and butter pudding is a classic comfort food, loved for its warm, sweet, and custardy goodness.
But what if we told you there’s a way to make this dessert even easier and quicker?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through an easy bread and butter pudding recipe that you can air fry in no time.
Making this recipe in the Ninja Dual 400UK? Remove the crisper tray and cook in the bottom of the basket, don’t forget to grease it well first.
Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth or a clever way to use up leftover bread, you’ll love this recipe.
This site uses affiliate links. If you buy through the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you do buy, then thank you! It really does help run this free resource.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
Serves 6
- 450g day-old bread, cubed or cut into triangles
- 475ml whole milk
- 4 large eggs
- 100g granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 50g unsalted butter, melted
- 100g sultanas or chocolate chips (optional)
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A baking dish that fits in your air fryer basket
How To Cook Bread And Butter Pudding In An Air Fryer
For the best results, use a sturdy bread like brioche or a crusty white loaf. These types of bread hold the custard well and create a good texture.
Cut the bread into 2.5cm cubes or triangles.
If your bread is fresh, you can dry it out by spreading the cubes on a baking sheet and leaving them out overnight.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
Slowly pour the melted butter into the custard mixture while whisking.
Add the bread cubes/triangles to the custard mixture and gently fold them in, ensuring all pieces are coated.
If using sultanas or chocolate chips, fold them in at this stage.
Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
Preheat your air fryer to 160C/320F for 5 minutes.
Lightly grease a baking dish that fits in your air fryer basket or use the bottom of your greased basket.
Pour the bread and custard mixture into the prepared dish.
Place the dish in the air fryer basket and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
The pudding will be cooked when a knife is inserted into the centre and comes out clean.
Check the pudding after 15 minutes.
TIP: Cover the pudding with foil during the first half of the cooking process. This prevents the top from browning too quickly while allowing the custard to set properly. After about 15 minutes, remove the foil to let the top crisp up.
Variations and Dietary Restrictions
One of the beauties of this air fryer bread pudding recipe is its versatility.
Here are some variations to suit different dietary needs:
Gluten-Free Air Fryer Bread And Butter Pudding
For a gluten-free bread pudding, simply substitute the regular bread with your favourite gluten-free bread. Keep in mind that gluten-free bread may absorb liquid differently, so you might need to adjust the amount of custard.
Vegan Air Fryer Bread And Butter Pudding
To make a vegan air fryer bread pudding:
- Replace the milk with plant-based milk (almond or oat work well)
- Use 4 tablespoons of ground flaxseed mixed with 12 tablespoons of water instead of eggs
- Substitute the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil
- Ensure your bread is vegan-friendly
Low-Sugar Air Fryer Bread And Butter Pudding
For a lower-sugar version:
- Reduce the sugar to 50g
- Use a natural sweetener like stevia or an alternative.
- Add extra flavour with spices like cinnamon or vanilla to compensate for the reduced sweetness
Air Fryer Rum and Raisin Bread Pudding
This Rum and Raisin Bread Pudding is a delicious treat, combining the warmth of rum and the sweetness of raisins.
Ingredients
Serves 2
- 4 slices of white bread, crusts removed and cut into cubes/triangles
- 100ml whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 50g brown sugar
- 50g raisins
- 2 tablespoons dark rum
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- cooking spray
How To Cook Air Fryer Rum and Raisin Bread Pudding
Remove the crusts and cut the bread into cubes or triangles.
In a small bowl, mix the raisins and dark rum. Allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes, or until the raisins are plump and infused with the rum.
Whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg in a separate bowl until well combined.
Gradually whisk the milk into the egg mixture.
Coat a suitably sized dish with cooking spray
Add the bread to the dish.
Evenly distribute the soaked raisins on the bread and any remaining rum in the bowl.
Gently pour the egg mixture over the bread.
Allow the bread mixture to soak for about 15 minutes. This allows the bread to absorb the liquid.
Preheat the air fryer to 160C/320F for 5 minutes.
Place the dish in the basket.
Air fry for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the egg mixture is set.
Allow the Rum and Raisin Bread Pudding to cool slightly before serving.
Optional Rum Glaze
For an extra touch, whisk together a simple rum glaze using icing sugar and a small amount of rum. Drizzle the glaze over the warm bread pudding before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your air fryer bread and butter pudding warm, straight from the air fryer.
Some delicious serving ideas:
- Drizzle with a homemade custard.
- Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with fresh berries
- Pour over some warm caramel or chocolate sauce
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with an easy bread pudding recipe, things can sometimes go wrong.
Here are solutions to common problems:
Soggy Pudding
If your pudding is too soggy, it may need more cooking time. Return it to the air fryer for 5-minute intervals until it reaches the desired consistency.
Dry Pudding
A dry pudding often results from too little custard or overcooking. Next time, ensure all bread pieces are well-coated with custard and check for doneness earlier in the cooking process.
Uneven Cooking
If you notice uneven cooking, try rotating the baking dish halfway through the cooking time for more even heat distribution.
Sticking or Burning
To prevent sticking or burning, make sure to grease your baking dish well before adding the pudding mixture. If the top is browning too quickly, cover with foil for the remainder of the cooking time.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place individual portions in the air fryer at 150C/300F for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through.
Air Fryer Bread And Butter Pudding FAQ’s
Can you use stale bread for air fryer bread pudding?
Yes, stale bread is actually better as it absorbs the custard better without becoming too soggy.
What are some variations of air fryer bread pudding?
Try adding chocolate chips, dried fruits, or nuts. You can also experiment with different spices or flavourings like orange zest or almond extract.
How long does it take to cook bread pudding in an air fryer?
Typically, it takes about 20-25 minutes at 160C/320F, but this may vary depending on your air fryer model.
Can you reheat bread pudding in an air fryer?
Yes, reheat individual portions at 150C/300F for 3-5 minutes.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different add-ins or try out the variations we’ve suggested.
The versatility of this dessert means you can enjoy it in countless ways.
Heavenly Air Fryer Bread And Butter Pudding
Ingredients
- 450g day-old bread, cubed or cut into triangles
- 475ml whole milk
- 4 large eggs
- 100g granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 50g unsalted butter, melted
- 100g sultanas or chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- For the best results, use a sturdy bread like brioche or a crusty white loaf. These types of bread hold the custard well and create a good texture.
- Cut the bread into 2.5cm cubes or triangles.
- If your bread is fresh, you can dry it out by spreading the cubes on a baking sheet and leaving them out overnight.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
- Slowly pour the melted butter into the custard mixture while whisking.
- Add the bread cubes/triangles to the custard mixture and gently fold them in, ensuring all pieces are coated.
- If using sultanas or chocolate chips, fold them in at this stage.
- Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
- Preheat your air fryer to 160C/320F for 5 minutes.
- Lightly grease a baking dish that fits in your air fryer basket or use the bottom of your greased basket.
- Pour the bread and custard mixture into the prepared dish.
- Place the dish in the air fryer basket and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
- The pudding will be cooked when a knife is inserted into the centre and comes out clean.
- Check the pudding after 15 minutes.
