🍞 Air Fryer Bread Pudding
Warm, custardy center with a golden, slightly crisp top
⏱ Time
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Prep: 10 minutes
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Cook: 18–22 minutes
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Total: ~30 minutes
🍽 Serves
4–6 (or about 6–8 squares)
🧾 Ingredients
Bread Pudding
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3 cups day-old bread, cubed
(white, brioche, challah, or raisin bread work best) -
2 large eggs
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¾ cup milk (or half-and-half for richer)
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¼ cup sugar
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2 tbsp melted butter
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½ tsp cinnamon
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¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
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½ tsp vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
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½ cup raisins or chopped dates (optional)
Topping (Optional)
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Powdered sugar, for dusting
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Caramel or vanilla sauce (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions (Air Fryer)
1. Prep the Pan
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Lightly grease a small air-fryer-safe dish (6–7 inch round or square).
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Add bread cubes evenly.
2. Make the Custard
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In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt.
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Pour mixture evenly over the bread.
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Press bread down gently so it absorbs the custard.
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Rest 5 minutes for best texture.
3. Air Fry
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Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
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Place dish in basket.
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Air fry 18–22 minutes, until:
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Top is golden
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Center is set but slightly soft
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(If top browns too fast, loosely cover with foil.)
4. Cool & Serve
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Let rest 5 minutes before cutting.
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Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with sauce.
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Serve warm.
🔥 Texture Notes
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Inside: soft, custardy, moist
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Top: lightly crisp, caramelized edges
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Flavor: warm cinnamon, buttery, comforting
❓ Q & A
Q: What bread works best?
Best options:
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Brioche
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Challah
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White sandwich bread
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Raisin bread
Avoid very fresh bread — slightly stale absorbs better.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes.
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Use almond, oat, or coconut milk
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Swap butter for plant-based butter
Q: Can I make it without eggs?
You can, but texture changes. Try:
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¾ cup milk + 1 tbsp cornstarch per egg (custardy but softer)
Q: Why is my bread pudding soggy?
Common reasons:
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Too much liquid
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Bread too fresh
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Not cooked long enough
Use day-old bread and don’t oversoak.
Q: Can I add other mix-ins?
Absolutely.
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Chocolate chips
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Apple chunks
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Nuts
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Coconut flakes
Q: Can I make this ahead?
Yes.
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Store cooked pudding in fridge up to 3 days
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Reheat in air fryer at 320°F for 4–5 minutes
Q: Can I freeze bread pudding?
Yes.
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Freeze cooked and cooled portions
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Reheat straight from frozen at 325°F for 8–10 minutes
Q: How do I know it’s done?
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Knife inserted comes out mostly clean
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Center jiggles slightly but isn’t wet
🍯 Serving Ideas
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Vanilla ice cream
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Custard or cream
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Warm caramel sauce
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Fresh berries.