This Air Fryer Bread Pudding turns stale bread into a sweet breakfast casserole, soaking up a rich vanilla-cinnamon custard with plump, juicy raisins. It’s an easy air fryer dessert that’s absolutely heavenly served warm with vanilla ice cream!
If you are looking for more air fryer desserts, then try my air fryer lava cake or the air fryer apple fritters recipe next!
Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Bread Pudding?
This air fryer bread pudding has two layers of cubed bread dotted with golden raisins, all soaked in a rich, creamy egg custard. As it cooks, the hot circulating air creates a beautifully golden, slightly crisp top while the inside stays soft, tender, and deliciously custardy.
And my favorite part? It’s the perfect small-batch dessert when you want something sweet without having to make a huge pan. This recipe makes two generous servings or four smaller portions—just right for an after-dinner treat.
It’s the perfect treat for fall baking or Christmas, whether you're enjoying it with a cup of coffee or sharing it with family.
-maria doss
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Bread Pudding?
- Best Bread for Air Fryer Bread Pudding
- Ingredients you'll need
- Tips for Success
- FAQ'S
- More Air Fryer Desserts To Try
- Air Fryer Bread Pudding
- Delicious Variations to Try
- How to make bread and butter pudding in air fryer?
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage and reheating
- More bread pudding recipes
Bread pudding is essentially cubed bread soaked in a sweet egg custard and baked until the custard sets. While I love a classic oven-baked version, like my eggnog croissant bread pudding, the air fryer gives it a completely different texture.
The circulating hot air creates a lightly crisp, golden top while the inside stays soft, creamy, and custardy—similar to the texture of my air fryer banana muffins. And because you’re making it in a small pan, it’s perfect for a warm, small-batch dessert after dinner without making an entire casserole.
Best Bread for Air Fryer Bread Pudding
The best bread for air fryer bread pudding is slightly stale or day-old bread with a soft, sturdy texture. It should be dry enough to soak up the custard but still tender enough to become soft and creamy as it cooks.
Some great choices include:
- Soft Italian bread
- Brioche
- Challah
- Croissants
- Raisin bread
- Cinnamon swirl bread
You can also use everyday sandwich bread, burger buns, or even hot dog buns. In fact, bread pudding is a great way to turn leftover bread into dessert! Let them air-dry on a baking sheet for a few hours to firm up—this helps them absorb the custard better.
I recommend avoiding very crusty breads, such as baguettes, or dense seeded whole-grain loaves. They can take longer to soften and may not absorb the custard well enough during the short air fryer cooking time.
Ingredients you'll need
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Bread: Soft breads like Italian, French, Brioche, or Challah work best for bread pudding in air fryer because they absorb the custard quickly and bake evenly; avoid crusty baguettes, which don’t soften enough during the short air frying time.
- Milk and Cream: A mix of whole milk and a bit of heavy cream adds richness to the vanilla custard, but you can also use just whole milk or half-and-half depending on your preference and how indulgent you want it—especially great for a festive Christmas breakfast or brunch.
- Eggs: Two large eggs are essential to help the vanilla custard set properly and give the pudding its classic creamy texture.
- Butter: Just two tablespoons of melted butter adds extra richness and depth of flavor to the pudding without making it greasy.
- Raisins: As the pudding cooks in the air fryer, the raisins soften and plump up, adding natural sweetness and a pleasant chewy contrast to the creamy custard.
Tips for Success
- Best bread to use: Soft Italian or French loaves, brioche, or challah work beautifully as they soak up the vanilla custard well without falling apart.
- Using soft breads: If you're using softer options like sandwich bread, burger buns, hot dog buns, or dinner rolls, cube them and let them air-dry on a baking sheet for a few hours to firm up—this helps them absorb the custard better.
- Keep raisins from burning: Raisins on the surface can brown too quickly in the air fryer. If too many are exposed, gently press them down into the pudding before cooking.
- Make-ahead option: Assemble the pudding in the pan, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before air frying as directed.
FAQ'S
Not necessarily. Unlike traditional oven-baked bread pudding, you don’t need very stale or dried-out bread for an air fryer version. Since the air fryer cooks the pudding quickly, the bread doesn’t have as much time to soften and absorb the custard, so a tender, sturdy bread works best.
I love using soft Italian or French bread, brioche, or challah. If you’re using very soft bread, such as burger buns or soft sandwich bread, cut it into cubes and let it air-dry uncovered for a few hours. This removes some of the excess moisture and helps the bread absorb the custard without turning mushy.
You can also use day-old or stale bread, but avoid bread that has become extremely hard or dry. You want it dry enough to absorb the custard, but still soft enough to become tender and creamy as it cooks.
Yes! Fresh bread works beautifully for air fryer bread pudding. Unlike a traditional oven-baked version, you don’t need very stale or dried-out bread. Since the air fryer cooks the pudding quickly, fresh, tender bread can soften and absorb the custard without becoming overly dry.
Soft Italian or French bread, brioche, and challah are all great choices. If you’re using extra-soft bread, such as burger buns or sandwich bread, cut it into cubes and let it air-dry uncovered for a few hours first. This removes some of the excess moisture and helps the bread soak up the custard evenly without turning mushy.
The goal is bread that is slightly dry on the outside but still soft inside—perfect for creating a creamy, custardy pudding.
The easiest way to tell if your bread pudding is done is to check the center. The top should be deep golden brown, while the middle should have a slight, bouncy jiggle without any visible liquid custard.
You can also insert a skewer or butter knife into the center. It should come out without wet, runny batter. Another simple test is to gently press the center with your finger—it should feel set and spring back slightly rather than sinking into a soft, mushy spot.
If you have an instant-read thermometer, the center should register around 160°F to 175°F. Keep in mind that the pudding will continue to set slightly as it rests, so you don't want to overcook it just to eliminate every bit of jiggle.
Absolutely! You can leave out the raisins without changing the recipe or cooking time. They add sweetness and a little chew, but they aren’t essential to the custard or structure of the pudding.
Want to swap them for something else? Use the same amount of another dried fruit, such as dried cranberries, chopped dried apples, chopped dried figs or currants. Or make it a little more indulgent with chocolate chips, toasted pecans or walnuts, or shredded coconut. You can even mix and match your favorite add-ins to make the pudding your own.
More Air Fryer Desserts To Try
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Air Fryer Bread Pudding
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 5 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¼ cup heavy cream or use whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons melted butter hot
- 4 cups cubed white bread cut into ¾-inch cubes, refer notes for bread choices
- ⅓ cup golden raisins
Instructions
- Mix custard. Add 2 eggs to a bowl and whisk to combine. Then, add 5 tablespoon sugar, 1 cup milk, ¼ cup cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved. Next, mix in 2 tablespoon hot melted butter. 👉 Hot melted butter prevents it from clumping when mixed with the cold milk.
- Assemble. Grease a 6-inch round cake pan with cooking spray. Arrange half of the bread cubes in the pan, then sprinkle with half of the raisins.Pour about half of the egg custard evenly over the bread. Add the remaining bread and raisins, then pour the rest of the custard over the top. Using the back of a spoon, gently press the bread down so it absorbs the custard.
- Air fry. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Once hot, carefully place the baking pan in the air fryer basket and cook for 11–13 minutes, or until the top is deep golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Serve. Let the bread pudding rest for a few minutes, then dust the top with powdered sugar. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
Delicious Variations to Try
- Chocolate twist: Skip the raisins and stir in some semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Warm spices: Add a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, or pumpkin pie spice to deepen the cozy fall flavor.
- Nutty crunch: Mix in some chopped, toasted pecans or walnuts for added texture and richness.
- Tropical flair: Swap some of the milk with coconut milk and sprinkle in shredded coconut along with raisins.
- Boozy boost: A splash of bourbon, rum, brandy, or Grand Marnier adds beautiful depth and warmth—perfect for holiday gatherings.
How to make bread and butter pudding in air fryer?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
1.Add the eggs to a bowl and whisk to combine. Then, add the sugar, milk, cream, cinnamon, and vanilla, and whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved. Next, stir in the hot melted butter. This prevents the butter from clumping when mixed with the cold milk.
5.Layer half of the bread cubes in the cake pan, then sprinkle half of the raisins.
6. Pour approximately half of the egg mixture evenly over this layer.
7. Add the remaining bread and raisins, then pour the remaining custard evenly over the top.
8. Use the back of a spoon, gently press the bread into the liquid.
9. Cook for 11 to 13 minutes in a preheated 350 degree air fryer or the top gets a deep golden color.
Serving Suggestions
Air fried bread pudding is best enjoyed warm, fresh from the air fryer, when the custard is soft and comforting—especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for a truly irresistible treat. For a simple finishing touch, dust the top with powdered sugar, cinnamon, or cocoa powder. Garnish with fresh berries or a sprig of mint to add color and elegance.
It also pairs beautifully with sauces like vanilla custard, the vanilla tres leches sauce served with the croissant bread pudding, chocolate sauce, or even rum sauce for a richer dessert. In a pinch, a quick "cheat" custard sauce can be made by gently melting good-quality vanilla ice cream—since it's essentially frozen custard. it works surprisingly well!
That said, bread pudding can also be served at room temperature or chilled. When cold, it sets more firmly and offers a slightly denser, sliceable texture.
If you prefer, you can create individual portions of the bread pudding like the French toast muffins, resembling those individual bread puddings served at upscale bistros, opt for four six-ounce ramekins, similar to the ones used in the air fryer lava cake recipe.
Storage and reheating
- Fridge - Cool the bread and butter pudding to room temperature, then tightly cover or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Yes, you can freeze your bread pudding. Transfer the cooled pudding to a air tight container and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thawing and Reheating: When ready to eat, thaw frozen bread pudding in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in microwave until warmed through.
Love air fryer desserts? Try our air fryer baked apples or air fryer banana cake.
More bread pudding recipes
- This Hawaiian roll French toast casserole is an irresistible combination of soft, custardy Hawaiian sweet rolls infused with fragrant cardamom and fresh raspberries, all topped with a sweet, crunchy almond crust.
- This eggnog croissant bread pudding is the ultimate holiday breakfast or brunch dish, especially for Christmas morning!
- The best croissant bread pudding is inspired by the classic tiramisu! It is heavenly when served with vanilla tres leches sauce with optional booze, making it one of the best breakfast desserts you’ve ever had and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- French toast muffins are an easy twist on classic baked French toast! Topped with a cinnamon sugar pecan topping,
MADE THIS RECIPE AND LOVED IT? 💚 Please leave a ⭐️STAR rating and COMMENT below- I love to hear your feedback! Tag me with your creations on Instagram and find me on Facebook.
Hi, I’m Maria! I share easy, flavor-packed dinners, high-protein meals, and irresistible baking ideas. If you’ve ever asked, “Don’t know what to cook tonight?” you’re in the right place. And yes—there’s plenty here for breakfast, snacks, and dessert too. More about maria ->
Creese
That's Bread & Butter Pudding. Quite different from Bread Pudding
Maria Doss
Hi Creese, Thank you for the info, Maria
Josephine B
Hi Maria, there's a bit of confusion between this being a "Bread and Butter Pudding" or a "Bread Pudding". American's seem to use this style of cubing the bread and "pouring" the butter with milk in the custard process, but English style is where the BREAD SLICES ARE BUTTERED and quartered then laid into the dish prior to pouring the milk mixture (custard) over the bread and sultanas before baking.
NO MATTER HOW it's made (American or English) it's still a DAMN GOOD DESSERT and I'm an Australian with English, Irish, Swedish, French and German ancestors, I don't care which way it's made so long as it's with ice cream. YEAH!
Maria Doss
Thank you for the detailed explanation hun, have a great day - Maria
Ryan
Bravo, Josephine! Nicely said. I’m sure you’ll agree that some people, such as Creese, cannot appreciate a free recipe. Shame on them.
Thank you, Maria, I appreciate your recipes.
Donna
Couldn't this recipe be doubled (baked in a larger pan of course) and baked in a convection oven, which is just a larger air fryer?
Maria Doss
Totally!
Collette Seders
I changed a few things. I used 6 eggs. I also used brown bread. (I never buy or make white bread) I added a shot of good rum to the egg mixture.
I should have baked it in 2 batches, as the centre was not done, but the top was burning. It is still cooling. I will bet it is delicious!! I will pour a hard sauce on top.
Maria Doss
Yes, the use of 6 eggs would have altered the recipe's proportions, and that's why the center didn't cook properly. Hope it helps - Maria
Di
Nice recipe but I am not sure what happened to the butter in the video, it was not added or spread in the bread. Excellent pudding though.
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it. The butter is mixed with the custard in step 2 - Maria
Reham
Hello, thank you for the great recipe. If I prepared it in advance and wrapped it in cling film without cooking in the air fryer what is the maximum amount of days I keep it in the fridge please?
Thank you
Maria Doss
Hi Reham, It can be stored for 8 hours or up to one day before cooking in the air fryer. Wishing you happy holidays - Maria