Crispy, golden, and ready in minutes, this air fryer toast is a game changer for busy mornings or lazy weekends. Whether your toaster is on the blink or you simply don’t want to fire up the oven, the air fryer steps in as the perfect solution. It delivers evenly toasted slices every time. With that satisfying crunch on the outside and soft middle you’d expect from a good piece of toast.
This simple method is surprisingly handy, especially if you’re already using your air fryer for breakfast. You can pop in a few slices while prepping eggs, heating up sausages, or making a cup of tea. There’s no need to watch or flip anything constantly—just pop in the bread, set the timer, and let the air fryer do its thing.
It is also brilliant if you’re cooking for a crowd. Most air fryers can fit more slices than the average toaster, and you can toast different types of bread—think sourdough, seeded loaves, or even bagels—without having to adjust settings or worry about jamming a slice.
And let’s not forget the toppings. Air fryer toast is the ideal blank canvas for whatever you’re craving. Go classic with butter and jam, layer it up with smashed avocado and chilli flakes, or turn it into the base for cheesy garlic toast, mini pizzas, or open-faced sandwiches.
Whether you’re making a quick breakfast for one or prepping slices for a family brunch, once you try air fryer toast, you’ll find yourself reaching for this method more often than you’d expect. It’s so quick, easy, and endlessly versatile—what more could you want from a humble slice of toast?
PREP 1 minute
COOK 3-4 minutes
SERVES 1 person
KIT you will need an air fryer and tongs
Ingredients for Air Fryer Toast
1 or 2 slices of bread (any type will do; white, sourdough, wholemeal, gluten-free)
Optional: a light spray of oil or butter for extra crispness
Method
Start by preheating your air fryer to 180°C (350°F), if your model requires it. Some air fryers heat up very quickly or don’t need preheating at all, but it’s always worth checking your user manual or giving it a couple of minutes to warm up if you’re unsure. Preheating helps ensure even toasting and that satisfying golden crunch.
Next, place your bread slices into the air fryer basket or on the tray, depending on your air fryer’s style. Arrange them in a single layer, making sure the slices don’t overlap. If you’re toasting several slices at once, you may need to work in batches to avoid crowding the basket—air needs to circulate freely for the best results.
Air fry the bread at 180°C for around 3 to 4 minutes on one side. Keep an eye on them as they begin to toast; thinner or lighter slices may brown a little faster, while thicker slices or denser bread (like sourdough) might take an extra minute. Once the tops are starting to turn golden, flip each slice over carefully using tongs.
Continue to air fry for another 2 to 3 minutes on the other side. This ensures both sides are crisped evenly and to your liking. You can adjust the time slightly depending on how light or dark you prefer your toast.
Once toasted to perfection, remove the slices from the air fryer and serve straight away. They’re best enjoyed hot and fresh, ready to be slathered with butter, nut butter, or whatever topping you fancy. Whether you’re making a simple breakfast or prepping toast for something more creative, this easy air fryer method delivers consistent results every time.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Toast
Getting great results with air fryer toast is easy, but a few simple tips can take it to the next level:
1. Choose the right bread
Different types of bread toast at different speeds. So thinner slices and white bread tend to crisp up quickly, while thicker slices or wholegrain loaves might need an extra minute or two. Sourdough, rye, and seeded breads work beautifully and add more texture and flavour.
2. Keep an eye on timing
Every air fryer model is a little different, so use the recommended time as a starting point and adjust to suit your machine and your preferred level of crispiness. So if you like your toast really golden, add an extra minute. Just check it halfway through the second side.
3. Don’t overcrowd the basket
To get that perfect crunch, make sure air can circulate around each slice. Overlapping slices or cramming too many in at once can lead to uneven toasting. If you’re making toast for a crowd, it’s best to work in batches.
4. Add toppings after toasting
For classic toast, always add butter, jam, or spreads after air frying. Otherwise, you risk a mess in the air fryer basket and uneven results. But if you are feeling a little adventurous, try toasting the bread first, then topping it with cheese or garlic butter and giving it an extra minute or two in the air fryer for melty, savoury deliciousness.
5. Use tongs to flip safely
Bread can get hot and crisp very quickly, so use tongs or a spatula to flip your slices halfway through cooking. This also helps to avoid burning your fingers!
Once you have nailed the timing and settings for your favourite bread, air fryer toast becomes a fuss-free staple you will come back to again and again..
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed making air fryer toast, you’ll love these other quick, easy, and delicious recipes. Perfect for busy mornings, lazy brunches, or speedy snacks, they’re all about minimal fuss and maximum flavour:
1. Air Fryer French Toast
Take your toast game up a notch with this sweet and comforting classic. Made with just a few pantry staples, air fryer French toast is golden on the outside, fluffy in the middle, and perfect for topping with berries, syrup, or a dusting of icing sugar.
2. Air Fryer Cheese Toastie
Melted cheese, crispy bread, and zero faff. The air fryer is ideal for the ultimate toastie. It gives that golden crunch without needing to turn on the hob or griddle, and you can customise it with your favourite extras like tomato, ham, or mustard.
3. Air Fryer Crumpets
Whether you like them slathered in butter, topped with melted cheese, or sweetened with a spoonful of jam, air frying gives crumpets the ultimate texture upgrade.
4. Air Fryer Boiled Eggs
Yes, you can “boil” eggs in the air fryer! This hands-off method is a total revelation. Whether you like soft, jammy yolks or firm hard-boiled eggs, just pop them in and let the air fryer do the work—no saucepan needed.
5. Air Fryer Scrambled Eggs
These air fryer scrambled eggs turn out soft, fluffy, and evenly cooked every time, with zero babysitting at the stove.
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