Air Fryer Sourdough Bread

Learn how to make perfectly crusty and flavorful Air Fryer Sourdough Bread at home! This easy recipe delivers a golden, chewy loaf with a tender interior—perfect for sandwiches, toast, or dipping.

Air Fryer Sourdough Bread is a game-changer for bread lovers looking to achieve a golden, crispy crust and a soft, airy interior without the hassle of traditional baking. The air fryer offers a quick and efficient way to make homemade sourdough bread with a perfectly browned crust that rivals any oven-baked loaf.

With just a few simple ingredients, this recipe provides a deliciously tangy bread with a chewy texture that’s ideal for slicing, toasting, or enjoying with soups and spreads. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this method delivers perfect sourdough bread every time.

If you love making homemade bread in the air fryer, try my recipe for Air Fryer Popovers, Air Fryer Cloud Bread, or even Jiffy Cornbread In The Air Fryer.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• This air fryer sourdough bread has a perfectly crispy crust and soft, airy inside that’s simply irresistible.
• It’s quick and easy to make, so you can enjoy fresh homemade bread in a fraction of the time it takes in a traditional oven.
• The tangy flavor of the sourdough will elevate any meal, making it a versatile addition to your bread collection.
• This recipe is ideal for those who love sourdough but want a simpler method to bake it.

Ingredients Needed

• Sourdough starter, prepared in advance: Purchase or make your own from scratch.
• Lukewarm water: Helps to activate the yeast for the perfect rise.
• All-purpose flour: Creates the perfect texture for your sourdough bread.
• Salt: Enhances the flavor of the bread.
• Olive oil, optional: Adds richness and a slight softness to the texture.

How To Make Air Fryer Sourdough Bread

Step One: In a glass cup or small mason jar, add the sourdough starter, then add the lukewarm water.  Use a spoon to mix the starter so it is a homogenous mixture. Add the all purpose flour and continue mixing to a homogenous paste.  Place an elastic around the outside of the jar approximately at the top height of the paste.

Step Two: Loosely cover with the lid or saran wrap and allow it to sit in a warm place to become active (about 5-12 hours).  As the yeast eats the flour it will produce gas and you will see bubbles forming on the sides of the jar. 

Step Three: When the sourdough starter is ready to use it will have doubled in size (check to see where the top of the starter is compared to where it started -as marked by the elastic band).  If the starter has begun to deflate then the activity has reached it’s peak and is now decreasing.  You can still use it, but your bread may not rise as much.  The sourdough starter should have a window of a few hours where it has reached its peak and is still very active.

Step Four: In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour and salt. Add lukewarm water, the prepared active sourdough starter, and olive oil (if using). Mix until a dough forms.

Step Five: If using a mixer and dough hook, continue mixing with the dough hook for about 8-10 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

Step Six: If kneading by hand Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 10-15 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Sourdough dough is very sticky and you want to add the least amount of flour to it as possible while you are kneading.  You may need to add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky.

Step Seven: Place the kneaded dough into a clean and lightly greased (olive oil) mixing bowl and cover it loosely with saran wrap the dough dried out when I used a kitchen towel. Allow it to rise at room temperature for 4-8 hours, or until it has doubled in size.  This can take even 12 hours depending on temperature and the activity of your sourdough starter.  Best to look for doubling of size as your indicator and not to worry if it takes a long time.

Step Eight: After the dough has risen, gently place dough onto a lightly floured surface or a silicone mat.  You don’t want to press out too much of the air you created in your first rise.  If you find the dough too sticky to work with you can add a little water to your hands and it prevents the dough from sticking to you. 

Step Nine: Once you have the shape of the loaf, invert the loaf onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet or pan so the “good side” is facing up.  Cover loosely with saran wrap and allow it rise in a warm place for another 2-8 hours (it may not quite double in size, but it should get bigger)

Step Ten: Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F (190°C) for a few minutes, for 3-5 minutes. You can shape the dough into a round, oval, or baguette shaped loaf.  I’ve shown how to do an oval loaf.  Press loaf gently into a square shape, then starting at the top pull the left and right side away from the loaf to create tension and then fold those edges into the middle.  Grab the left and right edges a little further down the loaf and again pull outwards to create tension on the loaf and bring the edges into the middle.  Continue doing this as you go down the loaf of the bread.  Because the dough is quite sticky it should be easy to incorporate the folds back into the main loaf (may require you to pinch the dough together).  If you are having trouble you can add a little water to your fingers to help the dough stick together.

Step Eleven: Carefully place the parchment paper with the shaped sourdough bread into the preheated air fryer basket. Air fry the bread at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 20 minutes then flip upside down and continue air frying for another 10 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Air Fryer Sourdough Bread Recipe Tips

• Use a well-fed starter: For the best results, make sure your sourdough starter is active and has been fed within the last 6-12 hours before you begin. This will help your dough rise properly and create a light, airy texture.
• Monitor dough consistency: Sourdough dough can be sticky, so be careful not to add too much flour while kneading. If needed, wet your hands with a little water to help manage the stickiness.
• Preheat the air fryer: Don’t skip the preheating step! This ensures your air fryer reaches the optimal temperature for baking, giving the sourdough bread a nice, even crust.
• Use parchment paper: For easy transfer and to avoid sticking, place your shaped dough onto parchment paper before placing it in the air fryer basket.
• Check for doneness: To ensure your bread is fully baked, tap the bottom of the loaf after air frying. If it sounds hollow, it’s done! If not, give it a little more time in the air fryer.
• Let it cool before slicing: Allow your bread to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing. This helps set the structure and ensures the texture is just right.

Storing

• Storing: To store your air fryer sourdough bread, place it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in a kitchen towel and plastic wrap. Keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days for the best flavor and texture.
• Freezing: If you have extra bread, slice it before freezing for easy portions. Wrap the slices in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: To reheat sourdough bread, place slices in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes to restore the crispness of the crust. For a softer texture, you can wrap the bread in a damp towel and microwave it for about 15-20 seconds.

Air Fryer Sourdough Bread Recipe Faqs

Can I use store-bought sourdough starter for this recipe? Yes, you can use a store-bought sourdough starter, but make sure it is active and bubbly before using it.

How can I make my sourdough bread rise faster? To speed up the rising process, try placing your dough in a warm, draft-free area. You can also use a proofing box or oven with a low heat setting.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour? Yes, you can substitute some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, but the texture may be slightly denser.

How can I make my sourdough bread crust crunchier? For a crispier crust, lightly mist the dough with water before air frying, or place a small dish of water in the air fryer basket while baking.

How do I know when my sourdough bread is done? The bread is done when it has a golden brown crust and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. You can also check the internal temperature; it should read around 190°F (88°C).

Can I make this bread without a sourdough starter? This recipe specifically calls for sourdough starter to achieve the signature tangy flavor. However, you can use regular yeast if you prefer a quicker option, though it will have a different taste.

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