Part-Baked Rolls in the Air Fryer
Part-baked bread is meant to finish in the oven, but heating a full oven for four rolls is wasteful and the timing is easy to get wrong. Part baked rolls in air fryer baskets finish in 6–8 minutes at 180 °C, straight from the freezer or fridge, with a crackly crust and a soft, steamy middle. You can do the same with part-baked baguettes cut to fit.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 11min
- Prep
- 2min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 160kcal
Why the air fryer works for part-baked rolls
Cooking part baked rolls in air fryer baskets is faster and cheaper than heating a full-sized oven for a few rolls. The bread has already been baked most of the way through, so it only needs a hot blast to finish the crust and cook the centre. The fan does this very well, and the rolls come out with a thin, crisp shell and a soft, steamy middle.
It is also easy to control. Because you can open the drawer and check the rolls, you can time them for the moment you want them, such as ready for soup or a bacon sandwich. The limit is size: a standard basket fits four small rolls, or six if they are tiny, and part-baked baguettes must be cut to fit. Large batches for a party are better in the oven.
How to cook part-baked rolls in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Check the packet Part-baked products differ, so read the oven instructions on the pack and use them as a guide. Air fryer timings are usually shorter and a little lower than the oven. Do not defrost the rolls.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for . A hot basket sets the crust quickly and helps the rolls rise a little.
- Arrange the rolls Place the rolls in the basket in a single layer, leaving a gap of 2 cm between them, as they expand as they bake. Spritz lightly with water if you like a crackly crust.
- Cook Cook for for chilled rolls and for frozen rolls, turning them over halfway if the tops are browning faster than the bases. They are done when deep golden and they sound hollow when tapped underneath.
- Rest and serve Leave the rolls for on a wire rack, so the steam escapes and the crust stays crisp. Serve warm with butter or fill them.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Part-Baked Rolls | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chilled part-baked rollsTurn halfway | 180 °C | 6–8 min |
| Frozen part-baked rollsDo not defrost | 180 °C | 8–10 min |
| Large crusty rolls, 100 gLower heat so the middle bakes | 170 °C | 10–12 min |
| Part-baked baguette piecesCut to fit the basket | 180 °C | 7–9 min |
| Ciabatta rollsFlatter, so they colour quickly | 180 °C | 7–9 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Follow the packet, then trim. Take the oven time on the pack and shorten it by about a third for the air fryer. Check the first batch carefully, since brands differ.
- Space them out. Part-baked dough expands as it finishes baking, so rolls that touch will join and steam each other.
- Use a little steam. A light spritz of water on the surface before baking gives a thin, crackly crust, much like a bakery roll.
Serving
Serve the rolls warm with butter and soup, or split them for bacon or sausage sandwiches. They are also good as burger buns for a hamburger. Part baked rolls in air fryer baskets pair well with other frozen items too, so see the frozen food guide for more ideas.
Storing and reheating
Baked rolls are best on the day. Keep leftovers in a paper bag or bread bin for 1 day, or freeze them once cooled. To refresh a stale roll, put it in the air fryer at 160 °C for 2–3 minutes, until warm and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). Unbaked part-baked rolls should stay in the freezer until you cook them.
Variations
- Cheese-topped rolls: Slice the top of each roll, add 20 g grated cheddar, and cook for the final 2 minutes until melted.
- Garlic butter rolls: Brush the baked rolls with melted butter mixed with crushed garlic and parsley, and return them for 1 minute.
- Seeded rolls: Brush with a little water, sprinkle with sesame, poppy or sunflower seeds, and bake as normal.
Troubleshooting
- The rolls are pale on top
- The air fryer was not hot enough, or the rolls were too crowded. Preheat properly, leave space between the rolls and add 1–2 minutes at a time.
- The crust is dark but the middle is doughy
- The heat is too high for your machine. Lower to 160 °C and cook for 2–3 minutes longer, so the middle can finish baking.
- The rolls blow around the basket
- Light rolls can lift in a strong fan. Put a small metal rack on top, or cook them in a loaf tin lined with baking paper.
Frequently asked questions
How long do part-baked rolls take in an air fryer?
Chilled part-baked rolls take 6–8 minutes at 180 °C, and frozen ones take 8–10 minutes. Large rolls may need up to 12 minutes, so check the packet.
Can you cook part-baked baguettes in an air fryer?
Yes. Cut the baguette into pieces that fit the basket, then bake at 180 °C for 7–9 minutes, turning once. A full-length baguette will not fit in most baskets.
Do you need to defrost part-baked rolls first?
No. Cook them straight from frozen, adding a couple of minutes. Defrosting makes the dough soft and floppy and can spoil the rise.
What does par baked mean?
Part-baked, or par-baked, means the bread has been baked about three-quarters of the way and then chilled or frozen. It needs a final bake to finish it.
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