20-Minute Quick Bread

Equipment

• Air fryer (3.5 L / 3.7 qt or larger recommended)
• 6-inch round cake pan, small loaf pan, or silicone baking mold that fits your air fryer basket
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk or fork
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula
• Toothpick or skewer for testing

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar (add 1 tbsp more for a sweeter loaf)

• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ¾ cup (180 ml) milk (whole milk or 2% work best; plant milk works too)
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or melted coconut oil)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ cup chocolate chips
• ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries (toss in 1 tsp flour first)
• ½ cup chopped nuts or raisins
• Zest of 1 lemon or orange

Instructions

Step 1 — Preheat the air fryer

1. Set your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) and preheat for 3 minutes . Preheating is important — it helps the loaf rise evenly and prevents a dense center.

Step 2 — Prepare the pan

1. Lightly grease your 6-inch pan or silicone mold with oil or nonstick spray. If using a springform or loose-bottom pan, line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 3 — Mix the dry ingredients

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until evenly combined. This prevents clumps and distributes the leavening agent.

Step 4 — Combine the wet ingredients

1. In a separate bowl or measuring jug, whisk the egg, milk, oil, and vanilla until smooth and slightly frothy, about 30 seconds .

Step 5 — Bring the batter together

1. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until just combined — about 15–20 strokes . A few small lumps are fine. Do not overmix, or the bread will turn tough. Fold in any optional add-ins now.

Step 6 — Fill the pan

1. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Tap the pan gently on the counter 2–3 times to release air bubbles.

Step 7 — Air fry

1. Place the pan into the air fryer basket. Set to 320°F (160°C) and bake for 18–20 minutes .
2. Intensity/temperature guide:
3. Low intensity: 310°F (155°C) for 22–24 minutes — for a pale, extra-moist loaf
4. Medium intensity (recommended): 320°F (160°C) for 18–20 minutes — golden crust, even rise
5. High intensity: 330°F (165°C) for 15–17 minutes — darker crust; check early to avoid burning
6. Note: If your air fryer runs hot, tent the top loosely with foil after 12 minutes to prevent over-browning.

Step 8 — Test for doneness

1. Insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out with a few moist crumbs , not wet batter. If it’s wet, air fry for 2–3 more minutes and test again.

Step 9 — Rest in the pan

1. Remove the pan from the air fryer and let the bread rest for 2 minutes . This allows the structure to set before removing it.

Step 10 — Cool and slice

1. Turn the loaf out onto a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Cutting too early can make the bread gummy.

Nutrition

Calories: 215 kcal · Protein: 4 g · Fat: 10 g · Carbohydrates: 27 g Dietary · Saturated Fat: 1.5 g · Fiber: 0.8 g · Sugar: . Values are approximate and will vary with substitutions. Nutrient Amount per slice · Sodium: 220 mg