What is the Prove or Proof setting on an air fryer?

Your air fryer can do much more than crisp up chips. Check the control panel and you’re likely to see settings you’re not using, which can be handy for all sorts of food preparation.

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In this article, we’re going to explain what the Prove or Proof setting is and how to use it.

What is the Prove or Proof setting?

It’s one of several cooking modes – alongside air fry, roast, bake and reheat – that you’re likely to see on an air fryer. It’s a very low heat setting. On the model I use at home, the Ninja FlexDrawer, you can choose a temperature of either 35°C or 75°C, and the default programme time is 45 minutes.

It’s there to help you speed up the bread-making process, if you bake at home. But you can also use it to make yoghurt.

When would you use the Prove or Proof setting?

If you’ve ever made your own bread from scratch, you’ll know that a key stage is proving (or proofing) the dough. Once you’ve measured your ingredients, mixed them together, and kneaded the dough, it takes time for the yeast and bacteria in the bread to get to work and make the dough rise.

To make most types of bread, apart from flatbread, pitta and and similar types of bread, you’ll need to do this twice. Some people prove their dough in a bowl covered with a damp cloth on their kitchen counter. Others use a dedicated appliance called a proofing box. But you can also use your air fryer.

Put your dough in the air fryer on the Prove setting and you’ll significantly cut down the amount of time it needs to rise, especially if your kitchen tends to be cool.

How do you use the Prove or Proof setting?

1. When your dough is ready to prove, put it on a sheet of greaseproof paper in the air fryer.
2. Choose the ‘Prove’ or ‘Proof’ setting.
3. Set the temperature. Until you find out what works best for you, we’d suggest using the lowest temperature possible, likely 35°C/95°F.
4. Set the time. The dough will take from 30 to 60 minutes to rise. While you’re finding the process that works for you, set it for 30 minutes in the first instance.

To find out how to use the Prove/Proof setting to make yoghurt, see our guide on 5 new things to try in your air fryer.