Air Fryer Bread Pudding: Leftover Banana Bread Makeover!

This air fryer bread pudding makes use of that leftover banana bread to make a new dessert that’s perfectly creamy and delicious! Cubes of banana bread are paired with fresh banana slices, soaked in custard, and baked up in your air fryer for the perfect bite.

air fryer bread pudding with banana bread recipe dinners done quick

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bread pudding is a great way to use up stale bread, and sweet quick breads are no exception! If you’ve got some banana bread, pumpkin bread, or even cinnamon or chocolate chip that’s getting stale, make it into something new and delicious.

Just combine your cubed bread with a nice custard, and once it’s soaked up all that goodness, bake it up into a creamy dessert. Of course, you could also enjoy it for breakfast or brunch as well!

spoonful of banana bread pudding made in the air fryer

It only takes about 20 minutes to cook in the air fryer (or less, depending on the size of your pan)! That’s easy enough for weeknights too!

What You’ll Need: Ingredients

ingredients to make air fryer bread pudding with leftover banana bread
  • 3 cups 1” cubed banana bread (about 9 ounces)
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 banana, sliced
  • 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar
  • ⅔ cup milk or cream

Special Equipment Note: You’ll need some sort of oven safe pan that fits in your air fryer basket. This could be a cake pan, casserole dish, or about 4 ramekins. I use a mini loaf pan as that’s what fits in my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer best

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • You can swap other sweet breads, such as pumpkin, in place of the banana bread
  • Other additions besides a banana that are good options include raisins, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts
  • The dark brown sugar can be swapped for light brown sugar, or even granulated sugar
  • Using cream will make your dish more creamy, but milk is lower in calories. You can also swap in almond milk for a non-dairy option
  • My favorite topping is caramel sauce, but you can also do whipped cream, powdered sugar, maple syrup, or vanilla ice cream!

How to Make Bread Pudding in the Air Fryer

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the egg, vanilla, sugar, and milk, whisking until well combined
whisk together egg, vanilla, sugar, and milk
  1. Add the cubed banana bread and stir to coat the cubes
add leftover banana bread to mixture
  1. Let the mixture soak for about 10 minutes
let the banana bread soak in the liquid for 10 minutes
  1. While the bread is soaking, spray your pan with nonstick spray (or grease it with butter)
spray casserole dish with nonstick oil
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 330°F
  2. After the 10 minutes have passed, fold the fresh banana slices into the bread mixture
fold in fresh banana slices
  1. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish
add bread pudding mixture to casserole dish
  1. Place the filled dish into the preheated air fryer basket
place bread pudding in air fryer basket
  1. Cook on the air fry setting for 15-20 minutes at 330°F, or until the custard is set in the middle. Check to see that a toothpick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean. For ramekins, it should be 12-15 minutes due to the smaller size
  2. Scoop or turn out onto a plate and serve warm
overhead view of air fryer banana bread pudding on a plate with caramel sauce

What to Serve With Bread Pudding

  • Caramel sauce
  • Vanilla sauce
  • Rum sauce
  • Ice cream
  • Chocolate sauce
  • Whipped cream
  • Powdered sugar
  • Maple syrup
  • Honey
  • Fresh berries
  • Candied nuts
  • Coffee
  • Hot chocolate
  • Hot tea
  • Bourbon cocktails

There are many great toppings to serve with bread pudding, depending on the flavors you’ve incorporated into your dessert. You can also never go wrong with a warm drink alongside this creamy treat!

Try air fryer leftover banana bread pudding with my quick Microwave Chocolate Sauce, crunchy Air Fryer Honey Roasted Pecans, a warm Coffee Brewed in the Microwave, or a decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Martini.

Recipe FAQs

Can You Reheat Bread Pudding in an Air Fryer?

Yes, you can reheat bread pudding in an air fryer. Place it in a small oven safe bowl or ramekin and air fry for 3-5 minutes at 330°F, or until warmed through.

This method works for leftovers of both homemade and restaurant dessert varieties.

Are You Supposed to Eat Bread Pudding Hot or Cold?

Traditionally, bread pudding is served hot or warm. However, it certainly may be served cold if that is your preference.

Serving hot allows you to put ice cream on top of it and it will melt and create a sauce of sorts as it mixes in.

Is It OK to Leave Bread Pudding Out Overnight?

No, you should not leave bread pudding out overnight. It should sit out no longer than 2 hours, and be stored in the refrigerator otherwise.

However, if you’d like your bread pudding warm or room temperature, simply microwave it for 30 seconds from refrigerated to bring it back to a hotter temperature before consuming.

Can You Overcook a Bread Pudding?

You can technically overcook a bread pudding. This normally means that the top or bottom will be burnt, or that too much moisture will burn off so it becomes extremely dry.

Just make sure if you add additional cooking time near the end that you do so in small increments so you can check in more frequently to avoid overcooking.

Why Is My Bread Pudding Watery?

Your bread pudding may be watery if you add too much liquid, don’t cook it long enough, or leave it covered with foil for too long which traps moisture.

Additionally, make sure to let your bread sit and soak up the custard before baking, and use drier, staler bread for the recipe, as it absorbs liquids better.

How Do I Know Bread Pudding is Done?

Bread pudding is done when a knife or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. It should also be brown on top and not jiggle when shaken.

If you have a thermometer, you can also check the pudding for a temperature of 160°F in the middle to be sure.

Can I Freeze Leftover Bread Pudding?

Yes, you can freeze leftover bread pudding for 2-3 months.

For best results, do not add toppings to it before freezing. Add the sauce after you scoop out a portion for serving to preserve the pudding itself in case it needs freezing.

Recipe Pro Tips

  • If your bread isn’t stale enough, you can toast the cubes in the oven or air fryer until they’re lightly browned. This will help them absorb liquid better
  • Depending how deep your dish (and therefore your bread pudding) is, it may require more cooking time. Check the center for a 160°F reading with an instant read thermometer for most accurate determination if it needs more time
banana bread pudding spilling out on a plate with caramel sauce

Storage and Reheating

  • Store leftover banana bread pudding in the refrigerator in an airtight container (or covered with cling wrap) for up to 5 days. Alternatively, freeze it without toppings for up to 3 months
  • To reheat bread pudding, microwave a portion for 30-40 seconds on high, or place in the air fryer in a small oven safe dish for 3-5 minutes at 330°F, or until warmed through

More Recipes For Banana Lovers

  • Air Fryer Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich
  • Banana Oatmeal Cookies in the Air Fryer
  • Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
  • Banana Pancakes in the Air Fryer
  • Air Fryer Banana Chocolate Chip Scones
  • Pineapple Green Apple Smoothie (With Banana)

Final Thoughts

This creamy air fryer bread pudding is a great way to use up leftover banana bread (or any quick breads you like). Banana is the perfect flavor for summer, but I equally love pumpkin bread pudding in the fall.

Just a few ingredients and half the cooking time when compared to the oven nets you a delicious dessert! It’s easy to scale up or down, and reheats well so you can enjoy it for several days.

air fryer bread pudding with banana bread recipe dinners done quick featured image

Easy Air Fryer Leftover Banana Bread Pudding

This easy air fryer bread pudding makes use of leftover banana bread as the base. Add fresh fruit and custard and bake it up perfectly for a creamy dessert.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine American, Vegetarian
Servings 4
Calories 402 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 3 Cups 1" cubed stale banana bread (about 9 ounces)
  • 1 Large egg
  • ½ Tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar
  • Cup milk or cream
  • 1 Medium banana (sliced)

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the egg, vanilla, sugar, and milk, whisking until well combined
    1 Large egg, ½ Tsp vanilla extract, 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar, ⅔ Cup milk or cream
  • Add the cubed banana bread and stir to coat the cubes
    3 Cups 1" cubed stale banana bread
  • Let the mixture soak for about 10 minutes
  • While the bread is soaking, spray your pan with nonstick spray (or grease it with butter)
  • Preheat your air fryer to 330°F
  • After the 10 minutes have passed, fold the fresh banana slices into the bread mixture
    1 Medium banana
  • Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish
  • Place the filled dish into the preheated air fryer basket
  • Cook on the air fry setting for 15-20 minutes at 330°F, or until the custard is set in the middle. Check to see that a toothpick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean. For ramekins, it should be closer to 12-15 minutes due to the smaller size
  • Scoop or turn out onto a plate and serve warm

Notes

  • You can swap other sweet breads, such as pumpkin, in place of the banana bread
  • Other additions besides a banana that are good options include raisins, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts
  • The dark brown sugar can be swapped for light brown sugar, or even granulated sugar
  • Using cream will make your dish more creamy, but milk is lower in calories. You can also swap in almond milk for a non-dairy option
  • My favorite topping is caramel sauce, but you can also do whipped cream, powdered sugar, maple syrup, or vanilla ice cream!
  • If your bread isn’t stale enough, you can toast the cubes in the oven or air fryer until they’re lightly browned. This will help them absorb liquid better
  • Depending how deep your dish (and therefore your bread pudding) is, it may require more cooking time. Check the center for a 160°F reading with an instant read thermometer for most accurate determination if your bread pudding needs more time
  • Store leftover banana bread pudding in the refrigerator in an airtight container (or covered with cling wrap) for up to 5 days. Alternatively, freeze it without toppings for up to 3 months
  • To reheat bread pudding, microwave a portion for 30-40 seconds on high, or place in the air fryer in a small oven safe dish for 3-5 minutes at 330°F, or until warmed through
  • Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any swaps or sauces added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
 

Nutrition

Serving: 155gCalories: 402kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 5.8gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 189mgPotassium: 152mgFiber: 2.2gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 553IUVitamin C: 2.9mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 1.1mg
Keyword air fryer banana bread pudding, air fryer bread pudding, banana bread pudding, bread pudding, bread pudding recipe, easy air fryer bread pudding, leftover banana bread pudding, ninja air fryer bread pudding
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air fryer bread pudding with banana bread recipe dinners done quick pinterest
Katie Vine