Experience the joy of homemade bread with this Soft and Luscious Milk Bread, perfectly baked in an air fryer for a golden, tender crust with a beautifully soft inside. This recipe uses simple ingredients to create two loaves of bread that are enriched with milk for a mild, sweet flavor and a delightfully fluffy texture. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned bakers, this milk bread is versatile enough to pair with your favorite spreads, whether they’re sweet or savory.
Why You’ll Love This: You’ll adore this milk bread for its incredibly soft texture and subtle sweetness. The use of an air fryer speeds up the baking process and ensures a perfectly cooked loaf every time, with a beautifully browned crust and a soft, airy center. It’s a hassle-free recipe that brings the delightful aroma and taste of freshly baked bread into your kitchen without the need for complicated steps or equipment.
Perfect Occasion: This milk bread is fantastic for breakfast, as a side at dinner, or as a base for sandwiches. Serve it during family gatherings, potlucks, or use it to make special weekend brunches even more memorable. It’s also great for packing in picnics due to its softness and versatility.
Decoration Tips:
- Sesame or Poppy Seeds: Before baking, brush the top with egg wash and sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds for an extra crunch and visual appeal.
- Herb Butter: Serve the bread with homemade herb butter for a flavorful touch.
- Simple Syrup Glaze: For a sweeter finish, brush the freshly baked loaves with simple syrup to give them a shiny, slightly sweet crust.
Ingredients:
- Dough:
- 500g medium-strength flour
- 320g milk
- 7g milk powder
- 15g fresh yeast
- 30g sugar
- 6g salt
- 1 large egg (half for the dough, half for brushing)
- 60g soft butter
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- In the bowl of a mixer, combine flour, milk, milk powder, yeast, sugar, salt, and half an egg. Mix until just combined and let it rest covered for 30 minutes.
- Knead the dough again and gradually incorporate the soft butter. Continue kneading until the gluten develops fully.
- Let the dough rest covered for about 90 minutes, or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the Bread:
- Deflate the dough and divide it into two equal parts. Divide each part into three equal pieces.
- On a floured surface, roll each piece into a ball, then stretch and braid them. Place each braid into a disposable 1-liter baking mold. Cover and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Baking:
- Brush the top with the remaining beaten egg.
- Place the molds in the basket of the air fryer (no preheating is needed if using a model like the Cosori Dual Blaze).
- Set the air fryer to 150°C (302°F) and bake for 20 minutes.
- Cooling:
- Remove the bread from the molds and let cool on a wire rack.
Enjoy this delightful Air Fryer Soft and Luscious Milk Bread, perfect for any occasion, and versatile enough to accompany both your sweet and savory dishes!
