Nothing quite compares to the smell and taste of a freshly baked homemade loaf. At least, that's what I'd been told - I had never tackled bread-making myself, put off by all that endless kneading and lengthy proving times that most recipes require.
That's why I was immediately interested when I came across a bread tutorial on Instagram with just two essential ingredients. Foodie Emily Scott, better known as What I Ate For Breakfast, shared this recipe promising a delicious loaf with barely any fuss. Even more appealing was the fact you could whip it up in an air fryer.
Emily's quick video demonstrated her foolproof bread method using only Greek yoghurt and self-raising flour. No yeast required, no pricey baking equipment necessary - and most importantly, no hanging about for hours whilst dough rises.
She explained in her post: "The texture isn't quite as light and fluffy as a loaf made with yeast (more similar to soda bread), but it's soft with a delicious, crunchy crust and perfect for toasting or enjoyed warm from the oven slathered with butter."
This sounded perfectly fine to me, so I set about creating my own loaf.
I wasn't expecting anything amazing for my first time, but the final result was absolutely stunning and I'm shocked by how straightforward - and tasty - it turned out.
Here's your step-by-step guide.
Air fryer bread recipe
Ingredients
For the dough:
For the topping:
Method
Begin by measuring your flour and yoghurt into two separate bowls. To the flour-filled bowl, add a pinch of salt and give it a quick mix.
Next, add the yoghurt, using your hands, a spoon or a mixer to create a smooth dough, adding a dash of water if needed.
In the meantime, prepare your egg wash by beating an egg with a splash of milk - this will provide that beautiful golden glow on your freshly baked bread.
Next, line your air fryer basket with baking paper and place your dough inside. Brush the egg wash over the top, and sprinkle with sesame seeds or any other toppings you fancy.
Using the bake function on your air fryer, let the bread cook for 40 minutes at 160C.
You'll know it's done when a tap on the bottom of the loaf produces a hollow sound. Mine required a bit more time, so I gave it another 15 minutes, but covered it with aluminium foil to prevent over-browning.
I won't lie, I was apprehensive that the dough would rise too much, leaving me with a cleaning nightmare in the air fryer.
However, the result was spot-on, and I could hardly wait for it to cool before diving in.
The crust had a satisfying crunch as I sliced the bread, revealing a chewy interior similar to sourdough but maybe even better. My family were full of praise for the delicious bread, and were surprised to learn it was made with just two ingredients.
It's even more delicious when toasted, accompanied by butter or your preferred spread. This may have been my first attempt at baking bread, but when these kinds of recipes exist, it won't be my last.
