How To Make Toast In An Air Fryer

Have you ever wondered if you can replace your toaster with an air fryer? I have, as our toaster is one of those appliances with a permanent place on the countertop, but is rarely used and only ever makes toast.

With the arrival of our air fryer, I wanted to know if air fried toast would be better than toast from our toaster.

In summary, the air fryer did a really good job, but I will be keeping the toaster.

Why make toast in an air fryer?

Easy: Air frying toast is as simple as putting toast in a toaster. It is a simple recipe. I would question if you can even call it a recipe, it’s that easy to do.

Quick: As well as being simple to make, air fried toast is quick to make, which is essential for those busy mornings. Perfect toast in a matter of minutes.

Warm: The air fryer keeps the toast warm for longer than a traditional toaster. This is great if you like your butter melted, but you become distracted by other elements of your morning routine.

Right every time: When the bread is toasted in an air fryer every single time the toast is golden and has an even crisp. There is a need for some experimentation to perfect. The type of bread and the thickness of the bread will determine how long it will take for the bread to toast. The model of the air fryer will also play a role

No flipping: If you use a toaster oven you have to flip the slide of bread. There is no need to flip the slices of bread with an air fryer. The hot air circulated by the air fryer toasts the bread evenly on both sides. Saving you time and effort.

No crumbs: Unlike a toaster, you can take the air fryer basket out and wipe out any crumbs. There is no trail of crumbs across your floor or worktop.

Type of bread

The type of bread, the thickness of the bread, and your personal preference on how toasted you want the bread are the key variables. These variables will determine how long to toast your bread in the air fryer.

The first time I toasted bread in the air fryer I had to keep putting it back in to get it toasted perfectly. To help give you a head start, I have experimented with a range of bread types. I hope this provides a guide on how long each type needs to be toasted.

I toasted the bread in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius)

I like golden toast. If you like yours less well toasted reduce the time by one minute. If you like your toast more well-done increase the time by one minute.

In terms of bread thickness, I have also recorded the thickness in centimeters.

White bread – 1.2cm slice – 3.30 minutes

Brown bread – 2cm slide – 3 minutes

Whole wheat bread – 2cm slice – 3 minutes

Sourdough bread – 3cm – 3 minutes

French bread (sliced baguette) – 3cm – 2 minutes

Brioche burger bun – 2cm each slice (bun sliced in two) – 2 minutes

English Muffins – 1.5cm each slice (one muffin sliced in two) – 2 minutes

Gluten-free bread – 1.5cm – 2 minutes

Step by step guide to make toast in an air fryer

Now you have selected your bread and have a rough idea of how long it needs to be toasted in the air fryer.

Ingredients

1. Bread – plain toast

2. Oil, butter, or margarine

a. to stop the bread from sticking to the air fryer basket

b. or due to personal preference

3. Topping of your choice

Equipment

The key component is an air fryer, beyond that, it’s a knife to spread your toppings. You may also use an oil spray to lightly oil the air fryer basket.

I used a 4L (4.2 quarts) air fryer for my experiments. This is a small basket-style air fryer. As a result, I could only fit one slice of bread in at a time. This impacts my view on if making air frying toast is worth it (see conclusion).

All models of air fryers will produce different results. You will need to experiment. I hope the guide I have provided above will help fast-track your experimentation.

Your model and the kind of bread you select will determine how long you need to air-fry your toast. The cook times stated are for reference only.

Please check your user manual. It will contain critical safety information and instructions on how to use your air fryer.

Steps

Step 1

Pre-heat the air fryer to 400 Fahrenheit (200 Celsius)

Step 2

To avoid the bread sticking to the air fryer basket, either

a. Lightly oil the air fryer basket

b. Butter the bottom of the slice of bread.

Step 3

Place bread in the air fryer basket

Butter side down if opted for option b in step 2

Only a single layer of slices, otherwise the slices will not all toast

Make sure there is space between each slice

Step 4

Put the air fryer basket in the air fryer

Step 5

Cook for 2 mins

Step 6

If the bread has not toasted to your preference, cook for a further 1 min until it is.

Step 7

Apply the topping of your choice (suggestions below)

Step 8

Enjoy your delicious toast

Though I have provided a guide you will still need to run your own test as results will vary by air fryer model. The bread type and thickness of your bread may also be different from those I experimented with.

Safety Tip: Do not leave your air fryer unattended when cooking.

Favorite toppings

Toast is such a popular snack and breakfast component due to the variety of toppings you can add. If you want more than butter, then there are many topping options.

Some of our favorites include…

• Peanut butter – smooth or crunchy
• Jam – Strawberry, raspberry, or blackcurrant
• Marmalade – just like Paddington Bear but on toast, with or without rind
• Marmite or Vegemite
• Nutella – is a favorite for children and adults, but not a regular breakfast topping in our house. A treat.
• Cream cheese

Suggested variations

If you’re feeling more adventurous and want to go beyond a topping out of a jar or tub. How about…

• Egg in bread – Use a cookie-cutter to put a hole in a slice of bread. Place the bread on foil or parchment paper in the air fryer basket. Crack an egg into the hole and air fry for 5 minutes. Then flip and air fry for 4 more minutes.
• Cheese on toast – Slice some cheddar or other hard cheese on top of the toast. Return to the air fryer for 1 minute. For extra flavor, I like to add some drops of Worcestershire sauce on top of the cheese. I then return the toast and cheese to the air fryer.
• Avocado Toast – Smash some avocado and spread it on your toast
• French toast – An indulgent sweet treat and a great way to use up some stale bread
• Eggy bread – Eggs and bread all in one

Can an air fryer replace your toaster?

The versatility of air fryers is one of the things I am learning about. Air fryers can do so much more than cook french fries or sweet potato fries.

Does that mean the air fryer has relegated our toaster to permanent storage? Unfortunately, not and for several reasons…

1. Only one slice: Our Tower air fryer is small, and I can only cook a single slice at a time. Our toaster can toast four slices at a time. I will run the experiments again once I have a larger air fryer.

2. Must experiment: With a toaster, you will likely find the perfect setting to toast your bread within 1-2 goes. With an air fryer, the experimentation stage will likely take longer, due to all the variables.

3. Not as safe: I trust our eldest son (under 10) to toast a slice of bread using a toaster. He can safely do this without causing himself an injury or a fire. Due to the temperatures and variables involved when air frying. I would not feel comfortable with him using an air fryer to make a quick snack.

4. High energy use: Based on the power consumption tests I ran; a toaster used less power vs. an air fryer when toasting a single slice. As our air fryer can only toast one slice at a time. Toasting four slices would have been a bigger waste of time and energy.

5. Purchase Cost: If all you want is toast and are not interested in the versatility of an air fryer. An air fryer is not worth the extra cost. Buy a toaster. A two-slice toaster costs around $12 in the US and £13 in the UK. A small entry-level air fryer in the US costs $35 and £35 in the UK (would only fit one slice).

That said I am cooking for a family of five. If you have a smaller household and less space, an air fryer can replace your toaster. The important thing to remember is an air fryer can do so much more than toast bread. A toaster cannot.

Related articles

Amazing Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes – A collection of air fryer breakfast recipes to inspire you to mix things up at breakfast times.

What Can And Can’t Go In An Air Fryer? – A summary of what can and can’t go in an air fryer. Includes links to more in depth articles.

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