Ingredients
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1½ cups (360 ml) warm water
- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, optional
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and yeast. Stir the honey into the warm water, then pour it into the flour mixture. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Let it rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let it rise at room temperature for 1½–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape: Lightly flour your hands and work surface. Gently shape the dough into a round loaf. Avoid overworking it.
- Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3–5 minutes.
- Air fry: Place the loaf in a lightly greased air-fryer basket or on parchment made for air fryers. Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes, turning carefully halfway through if your air fryer browns unevenly.
- Check doneness: The bread should be deeply golden and sound hollow when tapped. For best results, the center should reach about 200–205°F (93–96°C).
- Cool: Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for at least 20–30 minutes before slicing.
Tips
- If the dough is extremely sticky, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer; the loaf needs room for air circulation.
- For an extra-crusty exterior, lightly brush the dough with water before cooking.
- Letting the bread cool before slicing gives you a better crumb and prevents it from becoming gummy.
Yield: 1 small artisan loaf
Prep: 10 minutes + rising
Cook: 25–30 minutes
Temperature: 350°F (175°C)
