Air Fryer Egg Toast
This air fryer egg toast recipe is the ultimate foolproof breakfast, delivering perfectly crispy golden bread with a runny or set egg in under 10 minutes with no stovetop cleanup.
Equipment
- Air fryer (basket-style or oven-style) - Preheated to 325-350°F
- Flat-bottomed glass or small jar - For pressing a well into the bread
- Pastry brush or butter knife - For spreading butter on the bread
- Spatula - For removing the egg toast from the basket
- Air fryer parchment paper liners - Optional, for easier cleanup
- Small bowl - For cracking the egg before adding to bread
Ingredients
- 2 large slices bread - Thick-cut white, sourdough, or whole grain (such as Dave's Killer Bread 21 Whole Grains and Seeds)
- 2 large eggs - Room temperature preferred
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter - 14g, softened
- Salt - To taste; use finishing salt like Maldon sea salt flakes for serving if desired
- Black pepper - To taste
Optional Toppings
- 2-3 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese - Or Gouda, Gruyere
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives - Finely chopped
- pinch smoked paprika - Or everything bagel seasoning
- red chili flakes - Or hot sauce, sriracha, chili crisp, for spicy variation
- garlic powder - For garlic herb variation, mix with butter
- fresh parsley - Chopped, for garnish
- deli ham - Thin slice, for ham and egg toast variation
- cream cheese - Spread, for everything bagel variation
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 325°F (163°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Lay bread flat and press a flat-bottomed glass firmly into the center of each slice to create a well about 2.5-3 inches wide and 1/4 inch deep without pressing through the bread.
- Spread softened butter evenly across the top surface of each bread slice, focusing on the outer edges and rim around the well.
- Crack each egg into a small bowl first, then gently tip it into the center of the well on the bread. Season immediately with salt and pepper.
- Carefully place the prepared bread slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between slices. If using parchment liners, place them in the basket first.
- Air fry at 325-350°F (163-177°C) for 7-8 minutes for a runny yolk with set whites, 9 minutes for a semi-firm jammy yolk, or 10-11 minutes for a fully firm yolk.
- If adding shredded cheese, open the air fryer at the 6-minute mark and sprinkle it over the egg, then continue cooking.
- Carefully slide a wide spatula under each slice to remove, transfer to a plate, and garnish with chives, smoked paprika, or everything bagel seasoning. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Bread choice matters: Thick-cut white sandwich bread, soft sourdough, or hearty whole grain works best. Avoid thin slices or very dense hard-crusted bread like baguette.
- Press a wide well: A larger, shallower indentation allows egg whites to spread and cook evenly. Use a flat-bottomed glass for best results.
- Know your air fryer: Every machine runs differently. Start with 7-8 minutes, check the result, and adjust for future batches.
- Room temperature eggs: Let eggs sit out for 15-20 minutes before cooking for more even setting in the air fryer.
- Don't overcrowd: Leave space between slices for proper air circulation. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 325°F for 3-4 minutes. Avoid the microwave, which makes the bread rubbery.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Texture of the bread softens, so enjoy fresh when possible.
- Make it a meal: Serve with crispy air fryer bacon, sliced avocado, fresh fruit salad, or breakfast potatoes for a full breakfast spread.
- Customize it: Try cheesy, spicy, everything bagel, garlic herb, or ham and egg variations listed in the post above.
- Freezing not recommended: The egg texture deteriorates significantly when frozen and thawed.