FLUFFY Instant Pot Bread Recipes (2024)

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As the features of an Insta-pot wasn’t already amazing enough, we found out that you can use it to make instant pot bread too! Say what?

Learn the technique to convert any bread recipe, or check out our list of 16 other amazing recipes that will make your home smell like a bona fide bakery.

FLUFFY Instant Pot Bread Recipes (1)

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FLUFFY Instant Pot Bread Recipes (2)

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Jump to:
  • How to proof bread in instant pot
  • Instant pot bread recipes
  • Conclusion
  • More Recipes to Try

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Before we dive in, let’s get a quick crash course on the two main types of bread we’ll be covering: yeast bread & quick bread.

Difference between quick bread & yeast bread

When you make bread dough, you need something that'll get the dough to rise. The ingredient you use is what classifies it as yeast bread or quick bread.

What is yeast bread

Yeast bread uses, you guessed it, good 'ole yeast* to make that happen. The yeast reacts with warm water to ultimately create carbon dioxide, which helps make the bread dough rise.

It takes TONS of time for the yeast to do its thing, so traditionally you just had to be reaaaally patient while the bread “proofs” before you actually bake it. Fortunately, your insta-pot now drastically reduces the wait time.

What is quick bread

Quick bread is any bread that uses a leavening agent other than yeast, such as baking soda* or baking powder*.

The “quick” in “quick bread” refers to the fact that the batter doesn’t require proofing time or a whole lotta kneading. Because you can just pop the batter into the oven, it’s a lot...well, quicker.

Quick breads can be fully cooked using just an instant pot, no other equipment required.

With yeast bread, the instant pot is used to speed up the proofing process and cuts the overall recipe time by A LOT.

Some traditional yeast breads can take 24 hours or more to make from start to finish (nope, that's not a typo!), but the instant pot can cut that down to only a few hours!

How to proof bread in instant pot

Instead of waiting all day for your bread dough to proof, you can make the yeast put their pedal to the instant pot metal:

Step 1. Make the dough as normal according to your recipe. Stop where it begins instructing you to set it aside covered and in a warm place to proof.

Step 2. Put your dough on some parchment paper*.

Step 3. Insert the steamer rack into the inner pot of your insta-pot like normal.

Step 4. Secure the lid firmly.

Step 5. Change your valve setting to VENTING.

Step 6. Turn on the instant pot and press the YOGURT button with LOW HEAT.

Using this method, it will take less than 30 minutes to double the dough size. At this point, take out the dough (which should be a little sticky and bubbly-looking) and knead it a little.

If your recipe calls for you to re-rise the dough, repeat this process one more time. Otherwise, continue on with the rest of your recipe and get baking!

This is a general process for converting bread recipes for the instant pot, but if you want instructions that you can follow to a T, try these delicious instant pot bread recipes.

The process above is a general guideline for converting bread recipes for the instant pot, but if you want instructions that you can follow to a T, try these delicious instant pot bread recipes below.

Instant pot bread recipes

Whole wheat bread

Add extra oomph...well, crunch…to this artisan bread, which contains a variety of seeds and oats. (via Tidbits Marci)

Sourdough bread

Got leftover whey from instant pot yogurt? Then it’s perfect for this Dutch oven style, crusty sourdough bread. (via This Old Gal)

French bread

Contrary to the slow lifestyle pace of the Europeans, this bread is pretty quick to make, clocking in at only 90 minutes. (via Cooking with Karli)

Gluten-free bread

For you low-carb or specialty diet bread lovers, this one’s for you. It comes with walnuts! (via Corrie Cooks)

Cornbread

If y’all like your Southern cooking, then this recipe will have just the Southern charm you're looking for. (via The Foodie Eats)

Dinner rolls

Light, buttery, soft. What else more could you want from your dinner rolls? (via Imagelicious)

Hawaiian rolls

For a sweet spin, add some pineapple juice and coconut milk. No kneading required. Plus, these rolls are vegan! (via Imagelicous)

Artisan

A no-knead rustic bread that only requires 4 ingredients. (via Lynn's Way of Life)

Cheese bread

Brazilian style cheese bread could very well be the best bread you'll ever have. Perfect browning on top. Chewy, cheesy bread. (via Two Sleevers)

Garlic bread

This savory, pull-apart monkey bread is warm, cheesy goodness with rosemary. (via Unicorns in the Kitchen)

Ciabatta bread

This airy, chewy bread makes for fantastic sandwich bread. (via Cooking with Karli)

Pizza dough

This dough makes the perfect amount of thin crust for you to pile on your favorite toppings. (via Instapottin with Poonam)

Zucchini bread

If you’re looking for something light and healthy, try this not-too-sweet bread that’s just right for the morning or with your afternoon tea. (via Ministry of Curry)

Pressure cooker banana bread

This recipes calls for low-carb flour, which makes for a healthier treat that you can have for breakfast or dessert. (via Stay Snatched)

Cream cheese cinnamon rolls

For a more decadent dessert-type bread, try these rolls slathered with cream cheese and cinnamon. (via Lamberts Lately)

Bread pudding

This one’s got the works, with cinnamon, raisins, and a caramel pecan sauce. Mmm... (via Pressure Cooking Today)

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Conclusion

Learn how to use your instant pot to make bread, then try your hand at making these delicious instant pot bread recipes.

Use your insta-pot to proof your yeast dough in way less time, or make quick breads entirely in your insta-pot. When you see how easy it is to make bread with an instant pot, you’ll see why it’s the best thing since...sliced bread!

More Recipes to Try

  • Breads, Desserts, Treats
  • Best Instant Pot Pasta Recipes
  • Best Instant Pot Egg Recipes
  • Best Instant Pot Rice Recipes (+ Free Cheat Sheet)

See all in recipe index →

FLUFFY Instant Pot Bread Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the trick to fluffy bread? ›

Add Sugar

Adding sugar weakens the gluten structure, absorbs water, and eventually makes the bread lighter and softer. As a result, sugar improves the bread's taste, structure and texture. Yeast also eats up sugar to produce carbon dioxide, which raises the dough and makes bread fluffy.

What ingredient makes bread more fluffy? ›

Yeast. I use instant yeast for my recipes as it is super easy and doesn't require activating, and the liquids don't necessarily have to be warm (it will just take longer to rise). Milk powder. Instant milk powder makes bread dough super soft and fluffy and also helps to give it a good rise.

What makes baked bread soft and fluffy? ›

The yeast releases carbon dioxide, which fills the dough and increases its volume. Due to the heat, more gas bubbles emerge when this dough is baked. The bread rises and becomes soft and fluffy as the gas leaves.

How do you keep homemade bread fluffy? ›

Leave the bread on the counter, either in a sealed plastic bag or in one of the waxed paper bread bags you can buy from baking specialty stores. Do not put it in the fridge. Bread stales much faster in the fridge than it does on the counter at room temperature.

Does letting bread rise longer make it fluffier? ›

Does Rising Bread Affect Its Texture? For a fluffy bread texture, the key is to let the bread rise long enough.

What makes the bread puff? ›

The carbon dioxide gas released by the process of fermentation gets trapped in the sticky, elastic dough, causing it to “puff up" or rise. This can take a while, though, which is why you need patience when you're baking bread! Likewise, the ethyl alcohol produced gives the bread its unique smell and taste.

What is the best flour for soft bread? ›

AP flour can be used in the making of rich or enriched breads such as soft rolls, or brioche,” says Chef Stephen, which are meant to be softer in nature, rather than crusty.

What does adding milk to bread do? ›

The fat and lactose in milk help with tenderizing the crumb of the bread making it softer and sweeter. The crust of the bread also gets more caramelization. Be aware that bread made with milk should not be baked at too high of a temperature to prevent it from browning too much too soon.

Does baking powder make bread fluffy? ›

Baking soda changes the texture of baked goods by causing a batter or dough to spread, while baking powder produces light, fluffy texture. Some recipes may call for baking soda or baking powder on their own, while others may require both ingredients to create the ideal balance for great texture.

What do bakeries put in bread to keep it soft? ›

Hydrocolloids can retain moisture in the bread. This is important because moisture plays a crucial role in the freshness and softness of bread.

Why is my bread dense instead of light and fluffy? ›

There may be several reasons for a dense, cake like texture in bread. It may indicate the kneading wasn't enough for the gluten to develop properly, or the dough was proved for too short a time or the dough may have been too dry. It is also worth checking the flour you used.

How do I make my bread light and fluffy? ›

All it takes is a small amount of dough enhancer per loaf to create a much lighter and fluffier result. Using a dough enhancer like Vital Wheat Gluten works to improve the texture and elasticity of the dough and elongate the strands of gluten. Doing so allows more room for the gas in the dough to develop and rise.

Does sugar make bread fluffy? ›

How does sugar affect bread dough? Sugar acts as a liquefier. It absorbs water, weakens the gluten structure, and makes the dough looser. The dough expands more when baking achieving an airier and softer crumb.

Can you leave bread out overnight to rise? ›

The dough should generally be proofed for around 1 to 4 hours at a warm temperature or overnight (or more) at a cold refrigerator temperature. As the proofing temperature increases, the total fermentation time will decrease.

How do I make my bread rise more? ›

But almost as good as a proofing box is taking a Mason jar filled halfway up with water, microwaving it for two minutes, then putting your bowl of dough into the microwave with the jar to rise. The other thing you can do is place your lidded container or bowl of dough into a second, larger bowl of warm water.

Why are my bread rolls not light and fluffy? ›

Rolls that are not light and fluffy can be the result of using too much flour (not measuring the flour correctly, as we mention above), or not using the type of flour your recipe calls for. Another reason for dense tough rolls is overmixing, which will produce too much gluten.

Does kneading dough make it more fluffy? ›

If you don't knead your dough, your baked bread won't rise as high, and the overall texture and appearance will be dense. Properly kneaded dough promises a softer, fluffier, taller, and chewier bread.

What makes bread and cake fluffy? ›

Baking soda becomes activated when it's combined with both an acidic ingredient and a liquid. Baking powder is a mixture of baking soda and edible acid like tartaric acid. Baking powder on heating produces carbon dioxide gas which causes bread or cake to rise making it soft and spongy.

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