I love making quick breads because theyโre, well, fast! Just mix everything together, pour, bake, and enjoy! Iโve even ditched the big oven for this air fryer lemon poppy seed bread. Now I donโt have to heat up the whole house in the summer to enjoy this bright, citrusy sweet bread!
Lemon poppy seed bread is a sweet bread (and really closer to a cake than the name implies) thatโs packed with lemon flavor from both lemon zest and juice.
You can use pudding mix for extra lemon flavor and moisture, just like I do in my Box Cake Hacks. However, I prefer to use sour cream here because the flavor is perfect for a citrus bread.
Thanks to your air fryer, thereโs no need to turn on the big oven! You still need a loaf pan, but you can pop it in the air fryer basket instead. It only takes around 30 minutes to bake as well, which is about half the time of a conventional oven recipe!
Ingredients List
For the Lemon Poppy Seed Bread:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs
โ cup sour cream
ยพ cup milk
โ cup olive oil
3 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp lemon zest
2 Tbsp poppy seeds
For the Lemon Glaze:
ยฝ cup powdered confectionerโs sugar
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
Equipment Note: Youโll need a loaf pan that fits in your air fryer basket for this. Any loaf pan youโd use in your oven will work, or you can opt for a disposable loaf pan if you need to grab something else to fit.
Ingredients Notes and Substitutions
The milk can be swapped for buttermilk or non-dairy milk such as almond milk if preferred
You can use other types of oil such as vegetable or sunflower, or you can swap in melted butter or applesauce as alternatives
Vanilla extract can be swapped for almond extract, or lemon extract if you prefer an even stronger lemon flavor
You can use lemon instant pudding in place of sour cream, but you should up the milk to 1 cup if you do so
How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Bread in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 325ยฐF (or the closest setting your air fryer has) and spray your loaf pan with nonstick baking spray
Beat the eggs and sugar together in a mixing bowl until well blended
Add the rest of the ingredients and stir to incorporate
Pour batter into the greased loaf pan (donโt fill the pan higher than ยพ full to allow for expansion)
Place filled loaf pan into the preheated air fryer basket
Cook on the air fry setting for 30 minutes at 325ยฐF (or 20 minutes for 2 mini loaves). Bread is done when a toothpick in the center comes out clean (a few wet crumbs but not raw batter is fine). Add additional time in 5-minute increments if needed
Allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn lemon poppy seed bread out onto a wire rack and allow it to cool completely before glazing. If itโs not releasing, run a butter knife or a silicone spatula around the edges to remove any stuck spots
Combine glaze ingredients in a small bowl
Spread the glaze over the cooled bread, using a spatula to assist if needed
Slice and serve
What to Serve With Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf Cake
Grits
Bacon
Quiche
Breakfast sausage
Ham
Fresh fruit
Fruit jam
Ice cream
Smoothies
Coffeeย
Tea
Lemon poppy seed bread is delicious on its own, but you can enjoy it for breakfast or dessert as well! There are a lot of great accompaniments for your lemon loaf cake depending on the meal.
Toasting poppy seeds before baking can help add depth of flavor to them, but you donโt have to do so if you donโt want to.
Largely, it depends if youโre using them more for taste, or for texture and appearance. For the latter, toasting is really not necessary.
Do Poppy Seeds Go Bad?
Yes, due to their high natural oil content, it is possible for poppy seeds to go bad. Storing them in the refrigerator can prolong their lifespan.
This is typically why they are sold in smaller quantities. You should plan to use whatever you purchase within a few months for best results.
How Do You Know if Poppy Seeds Have Gone Bad?
Typically, you know if poppy seeds have gone bad because they are discolored, stuck in clumps together, or have a smell reminiscent of old oil.
Even if none of those signs are present, you can always taste one before adding it to your batter just to be sure.
How Do You Store Lemon Poppy Seed Bread?
Store lemon poppy seed bread covered on the counter for up to 4 days, or store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
The cake may also be frozen for up to 3 months. However, it is recommended to freeze it prior to glazing for best results.
What Do Poppy Seeds Add to a Lemon Cake?
Poppy seeds primarily add texture and visual appeal to a lemon cake.
Toasting or grinding them helps to add a slightly nutty flavor to the mix.
How Much Poppy Seed Do You Add to a Lemon Cake?
How much poppy seed you add to a lemon cake largely depends on preference. An average amount is typically between 2 and 4 tablespoons of poppy seeds.
That said, you can add more or less to achieve your desired look for the cake. Just add a small amount at a time and mix through your batter until the density is to your liking.
Recipe Pro Tips
This recipe should fit a standard loaf pan perfectly. However, I have a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer with two smaller baskets, so I used one medium and one mini pan. If you do minis, reduce the cooking time to 20 minutes to start. Mine were perfect, but other air fryers may vary
If you arenโt used to zesting citrus, grab a little zester tool to help in stripping off the peel. Make sure to only zest the outside; if you get into the white pith underneath it will be bitter
Storage and Heating Tips
Store lemon poppy seed bread wrapped on the counter at room temperature for up to 4 days. It may also be refrigerated for up to 1 week. For longer term storage, wrap and freeze the cake for up to 3 months prior to glazing
This lemon loaf is perfect enjoyed at room temperature. However, if youโd like to warm it, place a slice on a plate in the microwave for about 15 seconds
Thanks to the air fryer, thereโs no need to turn on the big oven, making it enjoyable all summer long. Plus, it only takes about half the time to bake, so itโs even quicker than your average โquick breadโ.
I love how easy loaf cakes are to make, as they dependably come out well, even for someone whoโs not typically a great baker. Theyโre a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth with not a lot of effort!
Quick Air Fryer Lemon Poppy Seed Bread With Glaze
This delicious air fryer lemon poppy seed bread redefines quick bread, with only 30 minutes of baking time needed! Itโs sweet and perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack.
Pour batter into the greased loaf pan (donโt fill the pan higher than ยพ full to allow for expansion)
Place filled loaf pan into the preheated air fryer basket
Cook on the air fry setting for 30 minutes at 325ยฐF (or 20 minutes for 2 mini loaves). Bread is done when a toothpick in the center comes out clean (a few wet crumbs but not raw batter is fine). Add additional time in 5-minute increments if needed
Allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn lemon poppy seed bread out onto a wire rack and allow it to cool completely before glazing. If itโs not releasing, run a butter knife or a silicone spatula around the edges to remove any stuck spots
Spread the glaze over the cooled bread, using a spatula to assist if needed
Slice and serve!
Notes
The milk can be swapped for buttermilk or non-dairy milk such as almond milk if preferred
You can use other types of oil such as vegetable or sunflower, or you can swap in melted butter or applesauce as alternatives
Vanilla extract can be swapped for almond extract, or lemon extract if you prefer an even stronger lemon flavor
You can use lemon instant pudding in place of sour cream, but you should up the milk to 1 cup if you do so
This recipe is designed for a standard loaf pan. However, I have a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer with two smaller baskets, so I used one medium and one mini pan. If you do minis, reduce the cooking time to 20 minutes to start. Mine were perfect, but other air fryers may vary
If you arenโt used to zesting citrus, make sure to only zest the outside; if you get into the white pith underneath it will be bitter
Store lemon poppy seed bread wrapped on the counter at room temperature for up to 4 days. It may also be refrigerated for up to 1 week. For longer term storage, wrap and freeze the cake for up to 3 months prior to glazing
This lemon loaf is perfect enjoyed at room temperature. However, if youโd like to warm it, place a slice on a plate in the microwave for about 15 seconds
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any swaps made, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but itโs all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
