Air Fryer Toast has completely changed my morning routine! What used to be a mundane breakfast staple has transformed into something special perfectly golden and crispy on the outside while staying just the right amount of soft on the inside. It’s the breakfast upgrade I never knew I needed!
Last weekend, my 11 year old Jake (who typically turns his nose up at anything not covered in chocolate) actually requested “mom’s special toast” for breakfast. That’s when I knew this simple technique was something worth sharing with other busy parents.
The beauty of toast bread in air fryer is that it’s both foolproof and customizable for everyone in the family. Plus, cleanup is virtually non existent compared to my toaster oven that somehow catches every crumb imaginable. My top tip? Don’t overcrowd the basket allowing air circulation is key to that perfect golden finish.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
For this incredibly simple recipe, you’ll only need bread and whatever toppings your family enjoys. I prefer using a hearty white or whole grain bread, but any kind works beautifully in the air fryer. Even day-old bread transforms into perfect Air Fryer Toast with this method! The complete ingredients list and detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
How to Make Air Fryer Toast
Making toasted bread air fryer style couldn’t be simpler! Just arrange your bread slices in a single layer in your air fryer basket, set the temperature to 400°F, and cook for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through if desired. The result is perfectly golden, crispy toast with minimal effort and no need to stand around waiting for the toaster to pop.
Air Fryer Toast – Simple Breakfast Made Better
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Notes
Prepare Your Air Fryer
Before getting started, preheat your air fryer for about 2 minutes at 400°F. This ensures you’ll get even toasting from the moment you put your bread in.
Arrange the Bread Properly
Place your bread slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd them – air needs to circulate freely around each slice for that perfect crispness.
Watch the Cooking Time
Start checking your toast at around 3 minutes. Depending on your bread type and thickness, total cooking time will be between 3-5 minutes. For thicker artisanal bread, you might need the full 5 minutes.
Flip for Even Toasting (Optional)
If you want super even toasting on both sides, flip the bread halfway through cooking. However, I often skip this step when I’m in a rush, and the toast still comes out great!
Pro Tips for Making This Air Fryer Toast
If you’re new to making toast in air fryer, these tips will help you achieve perfect results every time. After making Air Fryer Toast for my family nearly every weekend, I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference.
My Secret Trick: Lightly spritz or brush the bread with a tiny amount of olive oil or butter before air frying for extra crispy, golden results. This works especially well for artisanal bread or when making garlic toast!
For perfectly even toasting, arrange bread slices in a single layer without overlapping. I’ve learned the hard way that stacking or crowding leads to uneven results and longer cooking times.
Different breads require different cooking times. Thick, dense breads like sourdough may need an extra minute, while lighter white bread toasts quickly. Start checking at 3 minutes to avoid burning.
Keep in mind that every air fryer model heats slightly differently. The first few times you make toast, stay close and check frequently until you learn your air fryer’s personality. My Ninja runs hotter than my previous model, so I reduced my cooking time by about 30 seconds.
Fun Variations for Air Fryer Toast
Once you’ve mastered basic Air Fryer Toast, it’s time to get creative! My family never gets bored because we’re constantly trying new variations that transform simple toast into exciting breakfasts and snacks.
Sweet Variations
For those morning sweet cravings, try cinnamon sugar toast. Simply brush your bread with melted butter before air frying, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar immediately after cooking. Lily asks for this nearly every weekend! You can also try toast in air fryer with a thin spread of Nutella or peanut butter added during the last minute of cooking for a melty treat.
Savory Variations
For a quick lunch or dinner side, transform your toast with savory toppings. David’s favorite is cheese toast – add a slice of cheese during the last minute of cooking until it gets perfectly melty. I also love making avocado toast by air frying the bread first, then topping with mashed avocado, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Garlic Bread Upgrade
For the easiest-ever garlic bread, mix softened butter with minced garlic, parsley, and a pinch of salt. Spread on bread before air frying for 3-4 minutes. This pairs perfectly with pasta night and takes half the time of oven-baked garlic bread!
French Toast Sticks
Cut your bread into strips, dip in a mixture of beaten egg, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon, then air fry at 370°F for about 7 minutes, flipping halfway. Jake, my pickiest eater, actually requests these regularly!
What to Serve With Air Fryer Toast
Air Fryer Toast makes the perfect companion to so many breakfast favorites in our home. On weekday mornings, we keep it simple with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit. The crispy toasted bread air fryer creates is perfect for soaking up runny egg yolks if you prefer yours over-easy!
For weekend brunches, I serve a stack of Air Fryer Toast with my homemade berry compote and a side of yogurt. Emma, my teenager, loves creating a breakfast bar where everyone can customize their toast with different toppings like avocado, peanut butter, or cream cheese.
When we’re feeling indulgent, we serve our toast alongside a Denver omelet or breakfast casserole. David insists the crispy texture of air fryer toast holds up better to heartier breakfast dishes than regular toaster toast.
For a complete breakfast for dinner option, pair your toast with a frittata or breakfast burrito. The whole meal comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for those hectic weeknights when I’m shuttling kids between after-school activities!
How to Store Air Fryer Toast
While Air Fryer Toast is best enjoyed fresh and warm, sometimes we have leftovers, especially when I make a big batch on weekend mornings. Here’s how I handle storage and reheating:
For short-term storage (1-2 days), allow the toast to cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid the refrigerator, as it will make your toast soggy faster.
To freeze extra toast, cool completely and place in a freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between slices to prevent sticking. It keeps well for up to 3 months. This is perfect for busy mornings!
To reheat, simply pop the toast back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 350°F. This revives the crispness beautifully, unlike the microwave which leaves it soggy. I discovered this trick by accident one morning when rushing to get the kids ready for school!
For any toast topped with ingredients like avocado or eggs, I recommend only storing the plain toast and adding fresh toppings when reheating.
Nutritional Benefits
Air Fryer Toast offers several nutritional advantages over traditional toast. It requires little to no added oil, reducing unnecessary fat and calories. When using whole grain bread, you’ll get a good dose of fiber and B vitamins to start your day. Plus, unlike some toaster models, the air fryer method doesn’t scorch the bread, avoiding potential acrylamide formation that can occur with burnt toast.
FAQs
How long to toast bread in air fryer?
Toast bread in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 400°F. Thinner, white bread needs closer to 3 minutes, while thicker slices or denser breads like sourdough require about 5 minutes. Always check at the 3-minute mark to prevent burning.
Can you make toast in an air fryer?
Absolutely! You can make excellent toast in an air fryer with consistently crispy results. The circulating hot air creates evenly browned toast that’s often more uniformly crisp than traditional toaster toast, and you can easily monitor the browning level.
Is it better to toast in the air fryer or toaster?
Air fryer toast often turns out more evenly crisp than toaster toast, with better browning across the entire surface. While toasters are faster (2-3 minutes versus 3-5), air fryers offer more versatility for toppings and allow you to make multiple slices at once.
Can you put aluminum foil in air fryer to toast?
Yes, you can put aluminum foil in the air fryer when making toast, but ensure it doesn’t block airflow. Place it only under the bread, never covering the entire basket, and weigh it down with the bread to prevent it from flying into the heating element.
Conclusion
Air Fryer Toast may seem simple, but it’s revolutionized breakfast time in our busy household. The consistently perfect, golde brown results make even the most ordinary morning feel special. Plus, the versatility means everyone from picky Jake to adventurous Lily finds a version they love. Whether you’re rushing through a weekday morning or enjoying a leisurely weekend brunch, give this method a try I promise you’ll never look at toast the same way again!