There’s something magical about holiday desserts that makes the season feel complete, and this Air Fryer Eggnog Bread Pudding has quickly become my favorite way to celebrate. I first stumbled upon this recipe when I was desperate to use up leftover eggnog after a Christmas party – and wow, did it turn into a happy accident! The air fryer gives it this incredible crispy top while keeping the center luxuriously soft and custardy, all in half the time of traditional oven baking. It’s like holiday comfort in every bite, with that rich, spiced eggnog flavor we all love.
My family now demands I make this every year, usually while we’re decorating the tree or wrapping presents. The scent of cinnamon and nutmeg filling the kitchen is basically the soundtrack to our December. What I love most is how simple it is – no fancy techniques, just good ingredients coming together in the most delicious way. Trust me, once you try this air fryer version, you’ll never go back to soggy, unevenly baked bread puddings again!

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Eggnog Bread Pudding
This recipe checks all the boxes for a perfect holiday dessert – here’s why it’s become my go-to:
- Lightning fast: Ready in half the time of oven baking – just 25 minutes in the air fryer versus nearly an hour traditionally
- That magical holiday taste: The eggnog gives it such rich, spiced flavor without any extra effort
- Textural perfection: Crispy golden top contrasts beautifully with the soft, custardy center – exactly how bread pudding should be!
- No mess, no stress: The air fryer basket contains all the spills, and cleanup is a breeze compared to a bulky oven
Seriously, I’ve converted so many skeptics with this recipe – even my oven-loyal aunt admitted it’s better this way!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Eggnog Bread Pudding
This recipe keeps it simple with just a handful of ingredients that work absolute magic together:
- 4 cups cubed bread – slightly stale works best (I usually use day-old French bread or brioche)
- 2 cups full-fat eggnog – the richer, the better for that creamy texture
- 2 large eggs – helps bind everything together
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar – just enough to enhance the natural sweetness
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – pure vanilla makes all the difference
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp nutmeg – because what’s eggnog without warm spices?
Ingredient Substitutions & Notes
Don’t stress if you need to make swaps! Dairy-free eggnog works surprisingly well here (I’ve used almond milk nog with great results). If your eggnog is already sweetened, you can reduce the sugar to 2 tablespoons. For bread, avoid fresh sandwich bread – it turns mushy. Challah, brioche, or even croissants make excellent alternatives with great texture.
How to Make Air Fryer Eggnog Bread Pudding
Now for the fun part – let’s turn these simple ingredients into holiday magic! I promise it’s easier than wrapping presents (and way more delicious). Just follow these steps and you’ll be enjoying warm, custardy bread pudding in no time.
Preparing the Bread Mixture
First, grab your favorite mixing bowl – I always use my grandma’s old yellow Pyrex. Whisk together the eggnog, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until it’s perfectly smooth and slightly frothy. This is where the magic starts!
Gently fold in your bread cubes, making sure every piece gets coated with that creamy eggnog mixture. Here’s my secret: let it soak for a full 10 minutes. I know it’s tempting to rush, but trust me, this patience pays off with the most luscious texture. The bread should drink up all that goodness like a sponge.
Air Frying to Perfection
While the bread soaks, preheat your air fryer to 350°F – this ensures even cooking right from the start. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish that fits in your air fryer (I use a 7-inch round pan for mine).
Air fry for 20-25 minutes until you see that gorgeous golden brown top forming. The smell will drive you crazy! Do the toothpick test – it should come out with just a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. If you have an oven-style air fryer, you might need to rotate the dish halfway for even browning. That crispy top contrasting with the soft center? Absolute perfection!
Expert Tips for the Best Air Fryer Eggnog Bread Pudding
After making this recipe a dozen times (okay, maybe two dozen), I’ve learned a few tricks that take it from good to “oh-my-goodness” amazing:
- Dry your bread if fresh: Accidentally used fresh bread? No worries! Just pat the cubes dry with paper towels first – it helps them soak up the custard better without getting mushy.
- Rotate for even browning: If your air fryer cooks unevenly (don’t they all?), give the dish a 180-degree turn halfway through. This prevents that one dark corner we all dread!
- Wait before serving: I know it’s hard, but let it rest 5 minutes after cooking. The custard sets perfectly, and you won’t burn your tongue – win-win!
These little tweaks make a huge difference in texture and flavor. Happy air frying!
Serving & Storing Air Fryer Eggnog Bread Pudding
Oh, the serving possibilities! I love topping warm slices with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg – it’s like holiday cheer on a plate. For special occasions, I’ll drizzle homemade salted caramel over the top (my husband’s favorite) or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts into all those nooks and crannies.
Leftovers keep beautifully in the fridge for 3 days – just cover tightly with plastic wrap. To reheat, I pop individual portions back in the air fryer at 300°F for 5 minutes. It comes out almost as good as fresh, with that crispy top revived to perfection!
Air Fryer Eggnog Bread Pudding Nutrition
Just so you know, these nutrition facts are estimates since ingredients can vary. Per serving (1/6 of the recipe), you’re looking at: 280 calories, 20g sugar, 35g carbs, 7g protein, and 12g fat. It’s definitely a treat, but hey – it’s the holidays!
Common Questions About Air Fryer Eggnog Bread Pudding
I get asked about this recipe all the time – here are the top questions that come up from friends and readers:
- Can I use regular milk instead of eggnog? Please don’t! The eggnog gives all that signature holiday flavor and creaminess. Regular milk makes it taste like… well, sad bread pudding. If you must substitute, at least use half-and-half with extra spices.
- Can I prep this ahead of time? You can mix the dry ingredients ahead, but wait to add the eggnog until right before cooking. Soaking longer than 15 minutes makes the bread too mushy (learned that the hard way!).
- What’s the absolute best bread to use? Stale, sturdy breads win every time! My top picks are day-old brioche, challah, or French bread. Avoid soft sandwich bread unless you enjoy pudding-flavored mush (no judgment!).
Hope this helps – now go make some holiday magic in that air fryer!
Print
“Magical 25-Minute Air Fryer Eggnog Bread Pudding Everyone Craves”
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich and creamy bread pudding made with eggnog and cooked in an air fryer for a crispy top and soft center.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed bread
- 2 cups eggnog
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
- In a bowl, whisk eggnog, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add bread cubes and let soak for 10 minutes.
- Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish that fits in the air fryer.
- Air fry for 20-25 minutes until golden and set.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use stale bread for better texture.
- Adjust sweetness based on eggnog used.
- Check doneness with a toothpick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American