Air Fryer Povitica Bread is a beautifully swirled, sweet bread filled with a rich nutty filling and cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer. This easy version delivers soft, tender layers and classic flavor without the long baking time.
Air Fryer Povitica Bread is a delicious twist on the traditional Eastern European sweet bread, known for its beautifully swirled nut filling and soft, tender layers.
Using the air fryer makes this classic recipe easier and faster while still delivering a golden crust and rich, comforting flavor, perfect for holidays, special occasions, or anytime you’re craving a homemade sweet bread.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Classic Flavor Made Easy: Enjoy traditional povitica without long oven baking times.
- Beautiful Swirls: The nut filling creates stunning layers in every slice.
- Soft and Tender Texture: Perfectly fluffy inside with a golden crust.
- Great for Special Occasions: Ideal for holidays, brunches, or gifting.
- Air Fryer Convenience: Faster baking with less heat and easy cleanup.
Ingredients Needed
- Water, warmed: Activates yeast and helps start the dough.
- Active dry yeast: Leavens the dough for light, airy bread.
- Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds gentle sweetness.
- Flour: Forms the structure and base of the bread.
- Egg, beaten: Adds richness and helps bind the dough.
- Sugar: Sweetens dough and enhances overall flavor.
- Butter, melted: Adds moisture and rich buttery taste.
- Vanilla: Adds subtle sweetness and warm aroma.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances bread flavor.
- Whole milk: Creates soft, tender texture in the dough.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Walnuts: Provide rich, nutty flavor and texture.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances sweetness in the nut filling.
- Cinnamon: Adds warm spice to the filling.
- Sugar: Sweetens the walnut filling evenly.
- Egg yolk: Creates creamy, rich filling consistency.
- Butter, melted: Adds richness and smooth texture.
- Whole milk: Helps blend filling into smooth spread.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances nutty flavor.
How To Make Air Fryer Povitica Bread
Step One: Begin by making your starter. Warm the water in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. The temperature should be slightly around 100 degrees F. Add the sugar to the warm water and stir. Add the active yeast on top of the water. Do not stir. Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes. The starter will be foamy when it is ready.
Step Two: While the starter is sitting, prepare the dough. Add the milk and melted butter and beat until pale with a whisk. Next, add in the other dough ingredients, except the flour. Pour the yeast mixture in as well. Add the flour to the metal bowl of the stand mixer. Pour the egg and yeast mixture into the flour. Mix with a hook attachment for 3-4 minutes at a medium speed. The dough will pull off the sides of the bowl and form around the hook.
Step Three: Lightly flour your hands to remove the dough from the hook after it has become a smooth ball of dough. Add to a large bowl that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Cover the bowl with saran wrap or a dish towel and allow the dough to rise in a warm area for two hours. While it is rising, make the walnut filling in a food processor. Once the dough has finished rising, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle. Spread the walnut mixture out and roll tightly into a log.
Step Four: Because we are making this bread for an air fryer, how you cut the rope will depend on the air fryer you use and the pan you choose. For a larger air fryer, you may not need to cut it at all. Cut the log as needed and lay it in a zig-zag ‘S’ shape in the pan.
Step Five: Cover and allow to rise for an additional 20 minutes. After the bread has risen, brush with egg wash if desired (1 egg, 1 tbsp of water). Set air fryer temperature to 325 degrees F, for 8 minutes. Reduce heat to 300F for 30 minutes. The bread is done when it is golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped with a spoon. Allow to cool before cutting and serving.
Air Fryer Povitica Bread Recipe Tips
- Activate yeast properly: Use warm water (~100°F/38°C) and let it bloom until foamy.
- Roll dough evenly: Ensures uniform walnut swirls and consistent baking.
- Grease or line the basket: Prevent sticking in the air fryer.
- Tightly roll the log: Keeps the swirl pattern intact.
- Monitor air fryer baking: Check around 25–30 min; cover with foil if browning too fast.
- Cool before slicing: Sets the filling and prevents crumbling.
Storing Instructions
- Room Temperature: Wrap the cooled bread tightly in foil or place in an airtight container. It will stay soft and fresh for 2–3 days.
- Freezing: Slice or leave whole, wrap in foil, and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Tips for Best Texture: Avoid leaving bread uncovered, as it will dry out. For a slightly crisp crust after freezing, warm slices in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–10 minutes.
Air Fryer Povitica Bread Recipe Faqs
Can I make Povitica bread in an air fryer? Yes! The air fryer allows for even baking and a slightly faster cooking time than a traditional oven. Make sure to grease the basket or use parchment paper.
How do I know when the bread is done? The bread should be golden brown, firm to the touch, and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes! You can prepare the dough and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Bring it to room temperature before rolling and adding the filling.
How do I store leftover Povitica bread? Wrap cooled bread in foil or an airtight container. It stays soft for 2–3 days at room temperature or can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Can I use a different filling? Absolutely! While the classic filling is walnut, you can experiment with chocolate, poppy seed, or almond fillings.
More Air Fryer Recipes
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- AIR FRYER M&M MUG COOKIE
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Air Fryer Povitica Bread
Description
Ingredients
For Starter:
- 2 tbsp water, warmed
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- ½ tsp sugar
For Dough:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
- ½ tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup whole milk
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
For Filling:
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- ½ cup whole milk
- ⅛ tsp salt
Instructions
- Begin by making your starter. Warm the 2 tbsp water in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. The temperature should be slightly around 100F.
- Add the ½ tsp sugar to the warm water and stir. Add the 2 tsp active dry yeast on top of the water. Do not stir. Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes. The starter will be foamy when it is ready.
- While the starter is sitting, prepare the dough. Add the ½ cup whole milk and melted 1 tbsp butter together and beat until pale with a whisk. Next add in the 1 large egg. ½ tsp vanilla, 4 tbsp sugar, and½ tsp salt, except the flour. Pour the yeast mixture in as well.
- Add the 2 cups flour to the metal bowl of the stand mixer.
- Pour the egg and yeast mixture into the flour. Mix with a hook attachment for 3-4 minutes at a medium speed. The dough will pull off the sides of the bowl and form around the hook.
- Lightly flour your hands to remove the dough from the hook after it has become a smooth ball of dough. Add to a large bowl that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
- Cover the bowl with saran wrap or a dish towel and allow the dough to rise for two hours in a warm area. While it is rising, make the walnut filling in a food processor.
- Once the dough has finished rising, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle. Spread the walnut mixture out and roll tightly into a log.
- Because we are making this bread for an air fryer,how you cut the rope will depend on the air fryer you use and the pan you choose. For larger air fryer’s you may not need to cut at all.
- Cut the log as needed and lay in the pan in zig-zag ‘S’ shape. Cover and allow to rise for an additional 20 minutes.
- After the bread has risen, brush with egg wash if desired (1 egg, 1 tbsp of water).
- Air fry at 325F for 8 minutes. Then, reduce heat to 300F for 30 minutes. The bread is done when it is golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped with a spoon.
- Allow to cool before cutting and serving. Enjoy!
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper
Nutrition
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