Air Fryer Chocolate Brioche

Air Fryer Chocolate Brioche — Do you love chocolate? How about brioche? You’re in for a real treat if you answered yes to both questions.

Today, we will show you how to make an air fryer chocolate brioche. Believe it or not, this delicious pastry is surprisingly easy to make. Plus, the air fryer ensures that it comes out perfectly every time. So what are you waiting for? Start cooking!

If you’re looking for an indulgent dessert to make in your air fryer, look no further than this chocolate brioche recipe. This rich, chocolatey bread is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth and is easy to make! Mix the ingredients, shape the dough into a loaf, and bake in your air fryer. Trust us – you’ll love this delicious dessert!

Easy Air Fryer Brioche Bread

Easy Air Fryer Brioche Bread is a game-changer for home bakers seeking classic brioche’s luxurious taste and texture without the complexity and time traditionally required. This recipe harnesses the convenience and efficiency of the air fryer to produce a loaf that is beautifully golden on the outside with a tender, buttery crumb on the inside. The air fryer speeds up the baking process and ensures even cooking and a perfect crust, making it ideal for those who want to enjoy freshly baked brioche without heating their kitchen or spending hours on the task.

Making brioche in the air fryer begins with a simple dough rich with eggs and butter, giving the bread its characteristic richness and soft texture. The dough undergoes a double rise, first to allow the yeast to develop the dough’s structure and flavor and a second time to ensure the loaf puffs up to its full potential before baking. The result is a delectably soft bread that pulls apart effortlessly, perfect for breakfast spreads, sandwiches, or as a sumptuous snack on its own. This Easy Air Fryer Brioche Bread recipe promises a delightful culinary experience, offering a shortcut to one of France’s most beloved pastries with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.

Check Out How To Make This Chocolate Brioche Recipe!

Why You Will Love Air Fryer Brioche

Air Fryer Brioche is a delightful twist on the traditional French pastry that bread lovers will find irresistible for several compelling reasons:

• Quick and Convenient Baking: The air fryer significantly reduces the cooking time compared to a conventional oven, making it possible to enjoy freshly baked brioche in a fraction of the time. This convenience means you can whip up a batch of brioche for breakfast or as a last-minute dessert without much planning.
• Perfect Texture: The air fryer produces a brioche with a beautifully browned and crisp exterior while maintaining a tender, fluffy interior. This cooking method ensures the brioche has the characteristic lightness and richness without being overly greasy.
• Energy Efficiency: Using an air fryer for baking brioche is more energy-efficient than heating a full-sized oven, especially for small batches. This can be particularly appealing for those looking to save on energy costs or minimize their environmental footprint.
• Less Heat in the Kitchen: Unlike baking in a traditional oven, which can heat your entire kitchen, the air fryer contains the heat, keeping your kitchen cooler. This is especially beneficial when you want to avoid turning on the oven during warmer months.
• Versatility: While traditional brioche is known for its rich, buttery flavor, air frying allows for experimentation with various ingredients and mix-ins. You can quickly adapt the basic recipe to include flavors like chocolate, citrus zest, or cinnamon for a personalized touch.
• Ease of Cleanup: Air fryers are generally easy to clean, with non-stick surfaces that require less scrubbing than baking pans and ovens. This makes the post-baking cleanup quicker, allowing you more time to enjoy your delicious creation.
• Ideal for Small Batches: The compact size of the air fryer makes it perfect for baking small batches of brioche, ensuring you always have fresh bread without leftovers going stale. This is particularly advantageous for small households or those looking to manage portion sizes.
• Year-Round Baking Comfort: The air fryer’s ability to bake without overheating your kitchen means you can comfortably make brioche at any time of the year, even on the hottest days.

In summary, Air Fryer Brioche combines the classic elegance of French pastry with the modern convenience and efficiency of air frying, resulting in a delicious, easy-to-make treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to the joys of homemade bread, this method offers a quick, satisfying way to enjoy freshly baked brioche with minimal effort.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Chocolate Brioche

Dive into the indulgent world of Air Fryer Chocolate Brioche, where the classic, buttery softness of traditional brioche meets the rich, comforting embrace of chocolate. This recipe offers a luxurious twist on the beloved French pastry, making it a perfect treat for chocolate lovers and a delightful surprise for breakfast, brunch, or as a sumptuous snack. The air fryer method brings a modern touch to this classic recipe, ensuring a faster cooking time and a perfectly crisp exterior without compromising the tender crumb inside.

Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.

• Yeast: There are two types of yeast. Instant (dry) and Active Dry Yeast. Today, we used active dry yeast., which needs to be added to milk to get the yeast to bloom.
• Milk: Any milk will work in this recipe. You can use whole milk, Lactaid-free milk, oat milk, low-fat milk, or even cream. You must ensure that the milk is between 105 to 110 degrees F.
• Sugar: Use granulated sugar or refined sugar.
• All-Purpose Flour: This is an easy recipe if you want to change it for gluten-free all-purpose flour. You can use either bread flour if that’s all you have.
• Eggs: Make sure that your eggs are at room temperature. If you have an egg allergy, you can use an egg substitute. Just make sure that the egg amount is the same as the recipe.
• Butter: Use unsalted butter; otherwise, your dough will become too salty. If you use salted butter, skip the salt you add to the recipe.
• Chocolate: You can get a fantastic filling that will melt in your mouth with the right chocolate. Make sure to use 70%-80% Cooking Dark Chocolate for this recipe, and baking chocolate will turn out better than other types of chocolate.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Make sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder. I love using Ghiradelli Chocolate.
• Powdered Sugar: Make sure you sift it before adding it; you get a smooth filling.

How To Make Brioche In Air Fryer

Making brioche in an air fryer is a delightful and efficient way to enjoy this classic buttery bread with a modern twist.

Here’s a straightforward guide to creating a delicious brioche in your air fryer, perfect for those who crave the richness of this French pastry but want a quicker, less conventional method.

Begin by warming all the milk to around 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, add the warm milk to a bowl with 1 tsp of sugar. Add the yeast on top of the milk and sugar mixture. Let sit for 10-15 minutes or until it develops foam. 

Add the flour, remaining sugar, and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the egg, yeast, and sugar mixture and mix well with the mixer on a low to medium speed.

Keeping the mixer on, slowly add butter 1 tablespoon at a time. Add flour as needed to keep the dough off the sides. Increase the mixer speed slightly for 10-12 minutes as the dough becomes smooth.

Transfer the brioche dough to a large bowl that has been greased. Brush the dough lightly with oil and cover the bowl with plastic wrap.  Preheat the oven to 170 degrees F, then turn off the stove. Place the bowl of brioche dough in the oven for one hour to rise. 

Allow the dough to rest for 3-4 hours in therefrigerator or overnight. Punch out any accumulated air before using.

Chocolate Filling

To melt the chocolate using the double boiler method. The double boiler method places your ingredients in a bowl over a hot and simmering water pot.

In a bowl set onto a pan of hot water, slowly add the butter and chocolate. Stir continuously until melted completely. Then, remove from the pan (carefully!) and add in the final two ingredients of confectioner’s sugar and cocoa powder.

Assembling The Chocolate Brioche

After the dough is ready, take it out of the fridge and press out any air. Cut into four equal sections.  Take one section of dough and roll it out into a flat rectangle shape. Add some of the chocolate fillings and spread them out. Avoid spreading the chocolate to the longest side of the rectangle. 

Using a pastry brush, lightly brush water on the bare section. Roll the brioche dough into a log, starting from the blank side. Cut the log in half.

Take the log and cut it half lengthwise, leaving a section uncut at the top and holding the log together. Braid the cut sides by twisting one over the other.  Pull the dough into a circle and tie it into a knot, with the bottom layer folding over the top and ending in the center. Pinch to seal.

Place the prepared chocolate brioche onto parchment paper. Repeat until you have used all the dough and chocolate.  Cover the prepared brioche with a dish towel and allow to rise for at least 1-2 hours.

When they have finished rising for the last time, brush with egg wash. Place in an air fryer, not touching. Depending on your air fryer basket size, this can mean 2-4 brioche rolls at a time. Do not overcrowd.

Air fry at 300 degrees F for 15-18 minutes.  Allow to cool and serve!

Recipe Variations

Brioche made in an air fryer can be easily adapted to suit various tastes and occasions, offering a plethora of delightful variations to the classic recipe. Here are some creative twists to try:

• Savory Brioche: Incorporate finely chopped fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or chives into the dough for a spicy version. Delicious brioche can be an excellent companion to cheese platters or as a sandwich base.
• Brioche Rolls with Fillings: Divide the dough into portions before the second rise and flatten each piece. Place a dollop of your favorite filling in the center—think chocolate spread, fruit preserves, or even cream cheese—then fold and seal the dough around the filling. Air fry as directed for sweet or savory stuffed brioche rolls.
• Cinnamon Sugar Brioche: Mix cinnamon into the dough for a warm, spiced flavor, and after baking, brush the brioche with melted butter and roll in a mix of cinnamon and sugar. This variation is perfect for a sweet breakfast treat or an afternoon snack.
• Lemon and Blueberry Brioche: Add lemon zest to the dough for a citrusy aroma, and gently fold in fresh or frozen blueberries before the first rise. The combination of lemon and blueberries offers a refreshing twist on the classic brioche.
• Chocolate Chip Brioche: Fold chocolate chips into the dough just before the first rise for a simple yet irresistible variation. The chips will melt slightly as the brioche bakes, creating gooey pockets of chocolate throughout the bread.
• Braided Brioche Loaf: After the first rise, divide the dough into three equal parts, roll each into a long strand, and braid them together before placing them into a loaf pan for the second rise. This technique results in an elegantly shaped loaf that is as beautiful as delicious.
• Nutty Brioche: Incorporate chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds into the dough for added texture and a nutty flavor. This variation pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea for a satisfying snack.
• Cheese Brioche: Add grated cheese, such as Gruyère or cheddar, into the dough for a cheesy twist. You can also top the brioche with more cheese for a crispy, cheesy crust before the final rise.
• Herb and Garlic Brioche: Mix minced garlic and finely chopped herbs into the dough for a garlic bread alternative. This savory brioche can be an excellent side for pasta dishes or soups.
• Mini Brioche Buns: Divide the dough into smaller portions before the second rise to make mini brioche buns, perfect for sliders or dinner accompaniment. You can customize each bun with different fillings or toppings for a variety.

These variations on air fryer brioche invite experimentation and creativity, allowing you to tailor the classic recipe to fit any taste preference or dining occasion. A brioche variation will surely delight you whether you’re in the mood for something sweet, savory, or somewhere in between.

Recipe Notes

• Yeast: It’s unnecessary to “bloom” the yeast when using instant yeast, but I recommend you do. This will ensure your dough is good and your dough will rise. If you do not get a chemical reaction with the yeast, you must start again.
• Crowding: For best results, do not crowd the air fryer basket; otherwise, the hot air will not be able to circulate the dough, which will lead to poorly baked brioche bread.
• Flipping: Depending on your air fryer, you will either need to flip the brioche or not. This will depend on the heating element on your air fryer.
• Baking In An Air Fryer Oven: Over the years, I have found that baking in an air fryer oven, for most models, requires you to put the rack on the bottom so that the outside and inside cook simultaneously.

Pro Tips

Crafting the perfect brioche in an air fryer can be a delightful experience with results that rival traditional baking methods. Here are some pro tips to help you achieve the best possible outcome:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your ingredients, especially eggs and butter, are at room temperature before starting. This helps the dough mix more uniformly, resulting in a smoother texture.
• Proofing the Yeast: Take the time to properly proof your yeast with warm milk and a pinch of sugar. This step is crucial for activating the yeast and ensuring your brioche rises beautifully.
• Kneading the Dough: Brioche dough requires thorough kneading to develop the gluten structure for that signature tender crumb. Using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
• Butter Incorporation: Add the softened butter in small increments, fully incorporating each addition before adding more. This method ensures the dough achieves the desired consistency and richness.
• First Rise: Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles. The time needed can vary, so it’s best to go by the dough’s appearance rather than the clock.
• Shaping with Precision: When shaping your brioche, gently maintain the air bubbles contributing to its lightness. If making a loaf, ensure it fits comfortably in your air fryer basket or use a compatible baking pan.
• Preventing Over-Browning: Brioche can brown quickly in an air fryer. If you notice the top getting too dark before it’s fully baked, loosely cover it with foil for the remainder of the cooking time.
• Testing for Doneness: Check if your brioche is done by inserting a skewer or toothpick into the thickest part. It should come out clean or with a few crumbs attached but no wet dough.
• Cooling Before Slicing: Allow your brioche to cool on a wire rack before slicing to let the structure appropriately set. Cutting too soon can cause the bread to be gummy or collapse.
• Storing Your Brioche: Brioche is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. For more extended storage, wrap well and freeze.

These tips will help you navigate the nuances of making brioche in an air fryer, ensuring a deliciously rich and tender loaf every time. Whether enjoyed independently or as part of a decadent dish, air fryer brioche will impress.

Faq’s

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast for air fryer brioche? Yes, instant yeast as a substitute for active dry yeast. The main difference is that instant yeast doesn’t need to be proofed in warm liquid before use and can be mixed directly with dry ingredients. The amount used remains the same.

How do I know when the brioche dough has risen enough? The dough should approximately double in size during the first rise. A good indication is if you gently press the dough with your finger, and the indentation slowly bounces back but still leaves a visible impression.

My air fryer doesn’t have a bake function. Can I still make brioche in it? You can still make brioche in an air fryer without a specific bake function. Set your air fryer to the recommended temperature (usually around 320°F/160°C) and monitor the cooking process closely, as times may vary depending on the model.

Can I make the brioche dough ahead of time? Yes, after the dough has been kneaded, you can refrigerate it during the first rise. Slowly rising in the fridge overnight can even enhance the flavor. Let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping and proceeding with the second rise.

The top of my brioche is browning too quickly. What can I do? If the brioche starts to brown too soon, you can loosely place a piece of aluminum foil over the top. This will shield the dough from direct heat and prevent excessive browning.

How can I ensure my brioche is cooked through without drying it out? Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of your brioche. It should reach about 190°F (88°C) when fully baked. This ensures it’s cooked through without overbaking.

Can I add fillings to my brioche? Absolutely! Brioche dough can be filled with various ingredients, such as chocolate chips, fruit jams, or cream cheese. Just add wet fillings sparingly to avoid making the dough too soggy.

How long does air fryer brioche stay fresh? Brioche is best enjoyed fresh, ideally within 24 hours of baking. It can be stored wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for more extended storage.

Can I use whole wheat flour to make brioche? While you can incorporate whole wheat flour into your brioche dough, replacing all-purpose flour with whole wheat will significantly alter the texture and flavor. Limit whole wheat flour to one-third of the total flour called for in the recipe for best results.

Is it possible to make a vegan version of brioche in the air fryer? Making vegan brioche is challenging due to the high content of eggs and butter in traditional recipes. However, some vegan brioche recipes use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and egg substitutes. The texture and flavor will be different but still delicious.

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