Air Fryer Soda Bread Rolls
Equipment
- baking paper
- Large bowl
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 225 ml buttermilk or natural yoghurt
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1ยผ cups plain flour plus extra for dusting
- Pinch sea salt
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats
- ยฝ cup wholemeal flour
Instructions
- Mix both flours, bicarbonate of soda and sea salt in a bowl using a fork.
- Pour in the buttermilk or yoghurt and honey.
- Use a butter knife to mix until the mixture comes together as a soft dough. The dough should be slightly sticky but not wet.
- Add a little extra flour if needed.
- Lightly flour your hands and divide the dough into six even pieces, about 80 g each.
- Shape into rough rounds and flatten slightly.
- Cut a deep cross into the top of each roll, brush with milk and sprinkle with rolled oats.
- Preheat the air fryer to 180ยฐC.
- Line the basket with baking paper trimmed to fit.
- Air fry the rolls in batches for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden and firm to the touch.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Warm in the air fryer at 180ยฐC for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.
Notes & Wine Advice
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soda bread rolls warm with butter, cheese, soup or alongside a main meal. They also work well for Breakfast with jam or honey.Recipe Notes
Keep the dough slightly sticky and avoid adding more flour than necessary. Too much flour can produce dense rolls. Mix only until the ingredients come together and handle the dough gently when shaping. The recipe makes six rolls of approximately 80 g each. Cutting a deep cross into each roll helps them cook evenly and gives them their traditional soda bread appearance.Cooking Advice
Cook the rolls in batches if they cannot fit comfortably in the air fryer basket. Leave enough space between them for the hot air to circulate. They are ready when golden and firm to the touch.Storage Advice
Store the cooled rolls in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the Airfryer at 180ยฐC for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.Wine Advice
Wine is not normally needed with these simple soda bread rolls. When they are served alongside cheese or a savoury meal, choose a suitable wine from Renรฉ’s Wijnbeleving to match the accompanying dish.Nutrition values
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About Air Fryer Soda Bread Rolls
Air Fryer Soda Bread Rolls are small individual versions of traditional soda bread, prepared without yeast and cooked quickly in the Airfryer. Plain and wholemeal flour provide the base, while bicarbonate of soda supplies the raising power. Buttermilk or natural yoghurt provides the acidity needed to activate the bicarbonate of soda.
Why Soda Bread Does Not Need Yeast
Unlike conventional bread, soda bread relies on a chemical reaction rather than yeast fermentation. Bicarbonate of soda reacts with the acidity in buttermilk or yoghurt and releases carbon dioxide into the dough.
This means there is no lengthy proving period. Once the dough is mixed and shaped, the rolls can go almost immediately into the air fryer.
Using Two Types of Flour
Plain flour keeps the rolls relatively light, while wholemeal flour contributes additional flavour and a slightly more substantial texture. Combining the two provides a useful balance between softness and the rustic character associated with soda bread.
A little extra plain flour is useful for dusting your hands and work surface, but avoid incorporating too much additional flour into the dough.
Buttermilk or Natural Yoghurt
The recipe allows either buttermilk or natural yoghurt. Both provide the acidity required for the bicarbonate of soda to work effectively.
They also contribute moisture and a gentle tang to the finished rolls. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky rather than dry or stiff.
Adding Honey
Only a teaspoon of honey is used, so these remain savoury bread rolls rather than sweet ones. The honey provides a subtle sweetness that balances the tanginess of the cultured dairy ingredients.
It also contributes gently to the colour and flavour of the finished crust.
Handling the Dough
Soda bread benefits from minimal handling. Mix the ingredients only until they form a soft dough, then divide it into six approximately equal pieces.
Lightly flour your hands rather than repeatedly adding flour to the dough. Shape each portion into a rough round and flatten it slightly.
The Traditional Cross
A deep cross is cut into the top of each roll before cooking. Apart from giving the rolls their familiar appearance, the cuts allow the centre to expand more easily during cooking.
A light brushing of milk and scattering of rolled oats gives the surface additional texture and helps create an attractive golden finish.
Cooking in the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 180ยฐC and line the basket with baking paper trimmed to fit. Arrange the rolls with enough space around them for the circulating air to reach their sides.
Depending on the size of the air fryer, cooking in batches may be necessary. Each batch requires approximately 12 to 15 minutes.
Checking the Rolls
The finished rolls should be golden and feel firm when gently pressed. Transfer them to a wire rack after cooking so air can circulate underneath while they cool.
Avoid leaving freshly cooked rolls sitting on a solid surface because trapped steam can soften the bottom crust.
Serving Ideas
These rolls are versatile enough to accompany soups, salads and savoury main dishes. They can also be served warm with butter or used as a simple alternative to conventional Bread.
For breakfast, split a warm roll and serve it with butter, jam or honey. Their compact size also makes them convenient for serving individually at the table.
Storing and Reheating
Soda bread is generally at its best on the day it is baked because it does not contain yeast or preservatives that help commercial breads remain soft for longer periods.
The rolls can nevertheless be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. A short reheating at 180ยฐC in the air fryer restores warmth and improves the texture of the crust.
Air Fryer Soda Bread Rolls provide a fast route to freshly baked bread without kneading, yeast or proving. The combination of plain and wholemeal flour, tangy buttermilk and rolled oats produces rustic individual rolls that can move easily from breakfast to the dinner table.