English Muffins in the Air Fryer
A toaster crisps the surface of an English muffin but often leaves the nooks and crannies dry. Air fryer English muffins toast evenly in about 4 minutes, with crisp edges, a soft middle and butter that melts into every crevice. This page covers fresh, day-old and frozen English muffins, plus a few toppings for a quick breakfast or snack.
- Temperature
- 370°F190 °C
- Total time
- 11min
- Prep time
- 3min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 170kcal
Why the air fryer works for English muffins
English muffins are cooked on a griddle, which is why their flat faces brown while the sides stay pale and soft. Their dense interior is full of holes, the famous nooks and crannies, and those holes are what you want to crisp. A toaster slot heats only the two faces and can burn the edges. The air fryer moves hot air through the open crumb and over the rough surface of a fork-split muffin, so the peaks turn crunchy while the butter pools into the holes.
Another advantage is capacity. A toaster handles two muffins, while a standard basket takes four halves at once, and sturdier items such as day-old or frozen muffins do not need a special setting. The method is also easy to extend: add butter, cheese or garlic and the same 4 minutes works. If you are comparing it to muffins you bake, a sweet baked muffin is a different recipe, and you can find those under muffins in the air fryer.
How to make English muffins in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Split with a fork Pierce each muffin around its edge with a fork and pull it apart into two halves. A fork-split muffin has rough, craggy surfaces that crisp up better than a knife cut.
- Butter the cut sides Spread about ¾ tsp of softened butter over each cut side, all the way to the edge. Add a tiny pinch of flaky salt if you like.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 370 °F for . A warm basket gives you color from the first minute.
- Toast Arrange 4 halves cut side up in a single layer, with a little space between them. Cook for , until the edges are deep golden and the butter bubbles. For a softer muffin, check at . Repeat with the remaining 4 halves.
- Serve right away Lift the halves out with tongs and serve hot, since toasted muffins soften as they cool.
Times and temperatures
| English Muffins | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh, fork-split | 370 °F (190 °C) | 4 min |
| Day-old muffinsButter first | 370 °F (190 °C) | 3 min |
| Frozen, splitNo thawing | 370 °F (190 °C) | 5–6 min |
| Reheat a cooked muffin | 350 °F (180 °C) | 2–3 min |
| Cheese meltAdd cheese for the last minute | 370 °F (190 °C) | 4–5 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Always split with a fork. Knife-cut muffins have flat faces that brown like plain toast. Fork-split ones have jagged tops that crisp and hold toppings.
- Butter the cut side. Butter protects the crumb from drying out and gives a golden, fried-bread finish.
- Watch the last minute. Sugar and butter brown fast. Check at 3 minutes the first time you use a new air fryer.
What to serve with English muffins
English muffins are a classic breakfast base. Serve them hot with jam, honey or peanut butter, with scrambled eggs from the scrambled eggs in the air fryer recipe, or with crispy bacon for a quick egg sandwich. Savory toppings work too: a slice of tomato and sharp cheddar, or tuna salad topped with cheese for a melt. For more morning recipes, see the breakfast category.
Storing and reheating
Store unopened English muffins at room temperature for about a week, or freeze them split and wrapped for up to 3 months. Toasted muffins are best fresh, but you can keep cooked muffins in a sealed bag for 1 day and reheat them at 350 °F for 2 to 3 minutes. Muffins with egg, ham or sausage should be heated until the filling reaches 165 °F in the center.
Variations
- Garlic English muffins: Mix 2 tbsp butter with 1 minced garlic clove and ¼ tsp dried parsley, spread it on the cut sides and toast as above.
- Cinnamon sugar: Sprinkle 1 tsp cinnamon sugar over the buttered halves before toasting.
- Cheese melt: Toast the halves for 3 minutes, top each with 2 tbsp of shredded cheddar and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, until the cheese bubbles.
If it does not turn out right
- The muffins are dry and tough
- They toasted too long or were already stale. Check at 3 minutes and use butter on the cut side. Day-old muffins need 1 minute less than fresh ones.
- One side is darker than the other
- The halves were crowded or one was closer to the fan. Space them out and turn the basket around halfway if your model heats unevenly.
- The muffin halves blow around
- Very light, pre-split halves can lift in a strong fan. Toast fewer halves at once and keep them close together so they hold each other down.
Questions and answers
How long does it take to toast an English muffin in the air fryer?
3 to 4 minutes at 370 °F for a fork-split muffin. Add 1 minute if the muffin is thick or you want a deeper color.
Can you cook frozen English muffins in the air fryer?
Yes, no need to defrost. Split them first if you can, or toast them whole for 3 minutes, then split and toast the cut sides for 2 to 3 minutes more at 370 °F.
How do you reheat an English muffin in the air fryer?
Heat a cooked muffin at 350 °F for 2 to 3 minutes. It crisps up again without drying out.
Can I make an English muffin with egg and cheese in the air fryer?
Yes. Toast the halves for 3 minutes, add a cooked egg and a slice of cheese, and heat for 1 more minute at 370 °F so the cheese melts.
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