Air Fryer Toast
No toaster, or just a small toaster that cannot handle thick bread? Toast in the air fryer comes out evenly golden on both sides in about 4 minutes at 375 °F. You can also make four slices at once, add butter or cheese, and cook bread straight from the freezer.
- Temperature
- 375°F190 °C
- Total time
- 6min
- Prep time
- 2min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 115kcal
Why the air fryer works for toast
Toast is bread that has been dried and browned by heat. The Maillard reaction needs a dry, hot surface, and an air fryer provides it, with fast-moving hot air that removes moisture from the slice while the sugars and proteins in the crust turn golden. Because the air reaches both sides, you get an even color without turning the slices by hand more than once.
The air fryer has two advantages over a pop-up toaster: it handles any shape of bread, from thick-cut country slices to bagels and baguette pieces, and it can toast with toppings, such as butter, cheese or garlic spread. The one challenge is that it browns quickly. Bread dries out in under 5 minutes, and sweet breads burn first. Check early, especially the first time you make air fryer toast in a new machine.
How to make toast in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 375 °F for . A hot basket starts browning from the first minute, so the toast does not dry out.
- Butter the bread Spread the softened butter on one side of each slice, or leave the bread plain for dry toast.
- Cook Place the slices in a single layer in the basket, butter side up, and cook for . Flip them after . Light bread can lift in the fan, so lay a small metal rack on top if the slices move.
- Check Look at the toast after . Thin white bread is done at , and thick-cut slices need .
- Serve Remove the toast with tongs and serve immediately, while it is crisp.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Toast | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sandwich breadFlip after 2 min | 375 °F (190 °C) | 4 min |
| Thick-cut slices | 375 °F (190 °C) | 5–6 min |
| Frozen bread | 375 °F (190 °C) | 5 min |
| Cheese toastAdd cheese for the last 2 min | 375 °F (190 °C) | 4–5 min |
| Frozen garlic toast | 370 °F (190 °C) | 5–6 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
- Preheat the basket. A hot start gives color without drying the bread through.
- Start with a single layer. Slices that overlap steam each other and stay pale. Toast in batches if the basket is small.
- Adjust for bread type. Thin white bread needs about 3 minutes; dense whole grain or sourdough needs 5–6 minutes.
What to serve with toast
Top buttered toast with avocado and a fried egg, or serve it alongside air fryer scrambled eggs and air fryer bacon for a classic American breakfast. For a snack, spread it with peanut butter and sliced banana. Cheese toast goes with tomato soup. If you want a heartier garlic version, try air fryer garlic bread.
Storing and reheating
Toast is best eaten right away, since it goes soft within an hour as the moisture moves back to the surface. If you do need to re-crisp a slice, heat it at 350 °F for 1–2 minutes. Keep sliced bread in the freezer if you do not eat it fast; slices can be toasted directly from frozen. Toast with cheese, ham or egg on top should be reheated to 165 °F.
Variations
- Cinnamon toast: Spread butter on the bread, sprinkle with a mix of 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 tbsp sugar, and cook at 350 °F for 3–4 minutes.
- Texas toast: Cook thick slices of frozen Texas toast at 370 °F for 5–6 minutes, flipping once.
- French toast: Dip thick slices in egg and milk, place on parchment paper and cook at 370 °F for 8 minutes, flipping once.
- Grilled Cheese: For a dedicated recipe, see air fryer grilled cheese.
- Tuna Melt: For a dedicated recipe, see air fryer tuna melt.
If it does not turn out right
- The toast is burnt
- Air fryers brown faster than toasters. Lower the temperature to 350 °F, check at 2 minutes and use less sugary bread. Brioche and raisin bread burn at 375 °F.
- The slices are pale and dry
- The bread dried out before it browned. Preheat the basket, use fresh bread and brush the top with butter to help the color.
- The slices blow around
- The fan is lifting the light slices. Place a small oven-safe rack or a second basket insert on top, or lower the temperature by 20–25 °F.
Questions and answers
How long does toast take in the air fryer?
About 4 minutes at 375 °F for regular sandwich bread, flipped halfway. Thick slices need 5–6 minutes and frozen slices need 5 minutes.
Can you make toast from frozen bread in the air fryer?
Yes. Put frozen slices directly in the basket at 375 °F for about 5 minutes and flip once. No thawing is needed.
Is toast in the air fryer better than a toaster?
It browns more unevenly than a good toaster if the slices are crowded, but it fits more slices and handles thick bread, bagels and buttered or cheesy toppings. A toaster is faster for one or two slices.
How do I make cheese toast in the air fryer?
Toast the bread for 2 minutes, flip, top with shredded cheddar and cook for 2 more minutes until the cheese melts. Add a slice of tomato if you like.
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