This delicious air fryer lemon poppy seed bread redefines quick bread, with only 30 minutes of baking time needed! It’s sweet and perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack.
Pour batter into the greased loaf pan (don’t fill the pan higher than ¾ 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 325°F (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 it’s 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
½ Cup powdered confectioner's sugar, 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 Tsp lemon zest
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 aren’t 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 you’d 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