Oh my gosh, you have to try this air fryer bread pudding—it’s my go-to when I need something warm and comforting FAST. I discovered it one rainy Sunday when I had stale bread and zero patience for turning on the oven. The air fryer works magic here, giving you that crispy golden top and custardy center in half the time. My kids now beg for it as an after-school treat (especially when I sneak in some chocolate chips). It’s crazy how something so simple—just bread, eggs, and milk—can transform into pure comfort. And that cinnamon smell filling your kitchen? Absolute happiness.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Bread Pudding
Trust me, this recipe is about to become your new best friend. Here’s why:
- Crazy fast: Done in under 30 minutes—no oven preheating marathon!
- Leftover hero: Turns stale bread into something magical (no food waste here).
- Customizable: Add chocolate chips, berries, or nuts—make it yours!
- Perfect texture: Crispy top, soft custardy middle—every single time.
- Breakfast or dessert: Just switch up the toppings and boom—whole new meal.
Seriously, once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Bread Pudding
Gather these simple ingredients – I promise you probably have most already! Here’s what makes this magic happen:
- 4 cups bread cubes (stale works BEST – trust me on this!)
- 2 large eggs (room temp blends smoother)
- 1 cup milk (whole milk makes it extra rich)
- 1/4 cup sugar (pack it in there – brown sugar works too!)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (the good stuff makes a difference)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (my secret – I usually add extra)
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg (just a pinch makes it special)
- 1 tbsp butter (melted – for greasing your dish)
See? Nothing fancy – just pantry staples ready to become something amazing!
How to Make Air Fryer Bread Pudding
Okay, friend – let’s get to the good part! Making this air fryer bread pudding is seriously foolproof. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be in warm, cinnamon-spiced heaven in no time.
Step 1: Prep the Bread Mixture
First, grab a big bowl and crack those eggs in there. Whisk them up real good until they’re nice and smooth – no streaks! Then pour in your milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Give it all a vigorous whisk – you want everything completely combined and slightly frothy.
Now the fun part – dump in your bread cubes! Gently fold them into the egg mixture using a spatula. Don’t stir too hard – we’re not making bread soup here. You want every single cube soaked through with that custardy goodness. Let it sit for about 5 minutes while your air fryer preheats – this helps the bread drink up all that liquid.
Step 2: Air Fry to Perfection
While the bread soaks, preheat your air fryer to 350°F – this is crucial for even cooking! Take your melted butter and grease your air fryer-safe dish really well (I’ve learned this the hard way). Pour in your bread mixture and spread it out evenly.
Slide that dish into the air fryer basket and let the magic happen for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and the center springs back when lightly pressed. Oh, and your kitchen will smell like a cinnamon roll factory – best part!
Let it cool for just a couple minutes (if you can wait) before digging in. The anticipation makes it taste even better, I swear.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Bread Pudding
After making this dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds), I’ve picked up some tricks that take it from good to “oh-my-gosh-give-me-the-whole-pan” amazing:
- Stale bread is your friend – fresh bread turns mushy, but day-old soaks up custard perfectly
- Don’t skimp on soaking time – let that bread drink up the mixture for at least 5 minutes
- Spice it your way – I always add extra cinnamon, but cardamom or pumpkin spice works too
- Check early – air fryers vary, so peek at 15 minutes to prevent over-browning
- Grease well – that melted butter coating prevents sticking disasters (learned this the messy way!)
Follow these, and you’ll get perfect bread pudding every single time.
Variations for Air Fryer Bread Pudding
Oh, the fun part! This recipe is like a blank canvas just waiting for your personal touch. My kids beg for chocolate chips (I sneak in dark chocolate), but here are my favorite ways to mix it up:
- Fruit lovers: Toss in raisins, dried cranberries, or fresh berries (frozen work too!)
- Crunch crew: Walnuts or pecans add the best texture – toast them first for extra flavor
- Chocoholics: Chocolate chips or chunks turn this into dessert heaven
- Spice it up: A pinch of cardamom or orange zest makes it feel fancy
- Creamy dream: Swirl in peanut butter or Nutella before air frying – trust me on this one
The possibilities are endless – make it different every time!
Serving Suggestions
Oh, the joy of dressing up warm bread pudding! My absolute favorite way is with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top – the hot-cold combo is magical. But don’t stop there:
- Drizzle with warm caramel or chocolate sauce (I keep store-bought in my fridge for emergencies)
- Top with freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon
- For breakfast? Try maple syrup and crispy bacon crumbles – sweet and salty perfection
Honestly? It’s amazing plain too – just grab a fork and dig in!
Storage & Reheating
Here’s the best part – this air fryer bread pudding tastes just as amazing the next day! Store any leftovers (if you have any) covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. When that craving hits again, pop it back in the air fryer at 300°F for about 5 minutes – it’ll come out warm and crispy like it’s fresh. I sometimes sneak bites straight from the fridge too – no judgment!
Air Fryer Bread Pudding FAQs
I get asked these questions all the time – here’s everything you need to know to make perfect bread pudding every time!
Can I use gluten-free bread?
Absolutely! Just make sure it’s stale like regular bread. Gluten-free bread tends to be drier, so you might need to add an extra splash of milk to the mixture.
Why is my pudding soggy?
Oh honey, we’ve all been there! Usually it’s from using fresh bread or not letting it soak long enough. Next time, use stale bread and let it sit for a good 10 minutes before air frying.
Can I make this ahead?
You bet! Assemble everything the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Just add 2-3 extra minutes to the cooking time since it’ll be cold going into the air fryer.
What if I don’t have an air fryer-safe dish?
No worries! Shape the mixture into little mounds directly in the air fryer basket. They’ll cook faster – check at 12 minutes.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes! Freeze individual portions for up to a month. Reheat straight from frozen at 300°F for 8-10 minutes – perfect for sudden cravings!
Nutritional Information
Just so you know – these numbers can change based on your ingredients. But for a general idea, each serving of this air fryer bread pudding has about 250 calories and 8g fat. Not bad for something that tastes this indulgent! For more general information on bread pudding nutrition, you can check out resources on standard bread pudding nutrition.
Did You Make This Recipe?
I’d love to hear how your air fryer bread pudding turned out! Leave a comment below or tag me on social – seeing your creations makes my day!
Print
Magical Air Fryer Bread Pudding Ready in Just 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and quick air fryer bread pudding recipe that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
- 4 cups bread cubes
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp butter (melted)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add bread cubes and mix until coated.
- Grease an air fryer-safe dish with melted butter.
- Pour the mixture into the dish.
- Air fry for 15-20 minutes until golden and set.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use stale bread for better texture.
- Adjust sugar to taste.
- Add raisins or nuts if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: air fryer bread pudding, easy dessert, quick breakfast