Equipment You Will Need
- An air fryer (basket or oven style both work)
- A small to medium baking dish that fits inside your air fryer
(ceramic, glass, or metal all work as long as they are oven-safe) - A large mixing bowl
- A whisk or fork
- A cutting board
- A knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Aluminum foil (optional but helpful)
Ingredients
For the Bread Pudding Base
- 4 cups bread, cut into small cubes
(Day-old bread works best. Brioche, challah, French bread, or sandwich bread are all great options.) - 2 tablespoons butter, melted
(Plus a little extra for greasing the dish)
For the Custard Mixture
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
(Whole milk gives the richest texture, but any milk works.) - 1/3 cup heavy cream
(Optional, but highly recommended for a creamy result) - 1/2 cup brown sugar
(Packed lightly) - 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Add-Ins (Choose Any You Like)
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup chopped dates
- 1/4 cup chopped apples
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans work well)
Step 1: Prepare the Bread
Start by cutting your bread into cubes about 1 inch in size. They do not need to be perfect. Slightly uneven pieces are fine and even help create texture.
If your bread is very fresh and soft, spread the cubes out on a plate and let them sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Slightly dry bread absorbs the custard better and gives you a richer pudding.
Place the bread cubes into a large mixing bowl.
Drizzle the melted butter over the bread and gently toss so the pieces are lightly coated. This step helps the bread brown and adds flavor.
Step 2: Make the Custard
In a separate bowl, crack in the eggs. Whisk them gently until the yolks and whites are fully combined.
Add the milk and heavy cream to the eggs. Whisk again until smooth.
Now add:
- Brown sugar
- White sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Salt
Whisk slowly and thoroughly. Make sure the sugar dissolves and the spices are evenly mixed. The mixture should look smooth and light brown.
Take a moment to smell the custard. It should smell warm and sweet, with a strong vanilla and cinnamon aroma.
Step 3: Combine Bread and Custard
Pour the custard mixture over the bowl of bread cubes.
Using a spoon or spatula, gently fold everything together. Make sure every piece of bread gets soaked.
Do not rush this step. Let the bread sit in the custard for at least 10 minutes.
For a very soft and creamy bread pudding, let it rest for up to 30 minutes.
If you are adding raisins, fruit, chocolate chips, or nuts, fold them in now.
Step 4: Prepare the Baking Dish
Lightly grease your air fryer-safe baking dish with butter.
Spoon the soaked bread mixture into the dish. Spread it out evenly, but do not press it down too firmly. You want some air spaces so the pudding cooks evenly.
If you like a crisp top, you can sprinkle a tiny bit of brown sugar over the surface.
Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 160°C / 320°F for about 3 to 5 minutes.
Preheating helps the pudding cook evenly from the start.
Step 6: Cook the Bread Pudding
Place the baking dish carefully into the air fryer basket.
Cook at 160°C / 320°F for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, check the top:
- If it is browning too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil.
- If it looks pale, continue cooking uncovered.
Continue cooking for another 10 to 15 minutes.
The bread pudding is done when:
- The top is golden brown
- The center is set but still slightly soft
- A knife inserted in the middle comes out mostly clean, with a little moisture
Total cooking time is usually 30 to 35 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the depth of your dish.
Step 7: Rest Before Serving
Once cooked, carefully remove the dish from the air fryer.
Let the bread pudding rest for 10 minutes.
This step is important because the custard continues to set as it cools slightly.
Optional Toppings and Sauces
You can serve bread pudding plain, or add one of the following:
- Powdered sugar sprinkled lightly on top
- Warm maple syrup
- Honey
- Vanilla custard sauce
- Whipped cream
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
