Air Fryer Date and Walnut Bread is a rich, lightly sweet loaf packed with tender dates and crunchy walnuts, baked to perfection right in the air fryer. It’s quick to make and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon snack.

Air Fryer Date and Walnut Bread sliced on a wooden cutting board with walnuts scattered around
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This Air Fryer Date and Walnut Bread brings a classic, comforting tea loaf directly to your table with the incredible convenience and speed of the air fryer. The result is a wonderfully moist, tender loaf packed with sweet, chewy dates and crunchy walnuts, featuring a perfectly browned crust that traditional baking achieves, but in a fraction of the time. It’s the perfect simple treat for breakfast, a coffee break, or a quick, cozy dessert.

If you are looking for even more Air Fryer Quick Bread Recipes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER CRANBERRY WALNUT BREAD, AIR FRYER BLUEBERRY ZUCCHINI BREAD, AIR FRYER, RASPBERRY BREAD, and AIR FRYER BANANA BREAD.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Speed and Convenience: The air fryer dramatically reduces the baking time compared to a traditional oven, allowing you to enjoy a fresh, warm loaf much faster.

  • Perfect Texture: The air fryer circulates heat efficiently, resulting in a beautifully moist interior and a perfect, golden, slightly crisp crust.

  • Cozy, Comforting Flavor: It delivers the classic, nostalgic taste of a tea loaf, packed with the sweetness of chewy dates and the satisfying crunch of walnuts.

  • Simple and Straightforward: The recipe itself is easy to mix and requires no complicated techniques, making it a low-stress option for beginner bakers.

  • Perfectly Portioned: Baking in the air fryer often means baking smaller, more manageable loaves, ensuring you always have a fresh treat without overwhelming leftovers.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients needed for Air Fryer Date and Walnut Bread on kitchen table.

  • Dates: Sweet, chewy fruit adding natural flavor and moisture

  • Butter: Rich, creamy fat for tender, flavorful bread

  • Hot Water: Softens dates and helps blend ingredients smoothly

  • Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and deep caramel-like flavor

  • Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides structure to bread

  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base and structure of the loaf

  • Baking Soda: Helps the bread rise and stay fluffy

  • Baking Powder: Provides additional lift and light texture

  • Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness

How To Make Air Fryer Date and Walnut Bread

Add the dates and water into a large mixing bowl.

Step One: Start by adding the chopped dates, butter and then pour the hot water over the dates to rehydrate them. Leave them soaking for about 5 minutes.

Mixing brown sugar, egg, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl

Step Two:  Then mix in the brown sugar, egg, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Then spray an air fryer stick pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Make sure the pan fits in the air fryer first. Pour the batter into the pan.

Step Three: Set the air fryer temperature to 340 degrees F, air fryer setting, set the cook time for 12 minutes. After 12 minutes, check on the bread, then set it for another 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, you should have fully cooked bread, or you might need an additional 2-3 minutes. It will depend on various factors, including the wattage of your air fryer, the pan you used, and the air fryer you used.

Place baking pan into the air fryer basket.Air Fryer Date and Walnut Bread Recipe Tips

  • Use soft, pitted dates: Chop them finely for even distribution throughout the bread.

  • Room temperature butter and eggs: Ensures smoother batter and better texture.

  • Do not overmix: Overmixing can make the bread dense instead of tender.

  • Check doneness with a toothpick: Insert in the center; it should come out clean.

  • Let it cool slightly: Makes slicing easier and prevents crumbling.

Storing Instructions

Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Close up of Air Fryer Date and Walnut Bread on kitchen table.Air Fryer Date and Walnut Bread Recipe Faqs

Do I need a special pan for the air fryer? Yes, you will need a small, heat-safe baking pan or loaf pan that fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket or tray. Ensure there is still room for air to circulate around the sides.

Why should I soak the dates before using them? Soaking the dates (usually in hot water or tea) helps soften them, making them easier to chop and blend into the batter. This also prevents them from drawing moisture out of the batter during the air frying process.

How do I prevent the top from burning? Air fryers can cook the top quickly. If the top is browning too fast before the center is cooked, loosely cover the top of the pan with a piece of aluminum foil for the remainder of the cooking time.

Can I substitute the walnuts? Absolutely. You can easily substitute walnuts with other nuts like pecans or almonds, or leave them out entirely for a simpler date bread.

How do I know when the bread is done? The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, and the crust is firm and deeply golden brown. Cooking time varies greatly depending on your air fryer model and pan size.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

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Air Fryer Date and Walnut Bread

Air Fryer Date and Walnut Bread

3.80 from 5 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
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Description

This is such an easy bread to make. It takes very little time with the help of the air fryer. And as with most baked goods made in the air fryer, they come out almost as good as a bakery.

Ingredients 

  • 2 1/2 cups dates, chopped
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 cup water, hot
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, diced

Instructions

  • Start by adding the chopped 2 1/2 cups dates, 1/4 cup butter and then pour the hot 1 cup water over the dates to rehydrate them.
  • Leave for about 5 minutes.
  • Then mix in the 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 large egg, 1 1/2 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 cup walnuts and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix well.
  • Then spray an air fryer stick pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Make sure the pan fits in the air fryer first.
  • Then pour the batter into the pan.
  • Set the air fryer temperature to 340 degrees F. Set the cook time for 12-15 minutes.

Equipment

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 6gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 396mgPotassium: 387mgFiber: 5gSugar: 43gVitamin A: 217IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 2mg

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