An air fryer is a popular kitchen appliance that uses hot air and a convection fan to “fry” foods with little to no oil. Many people use air fryers to make healthier versions of typically fried foods like french fries, chicken wings, and more. But can you also use an air fryer to toast bread?
The short answer
Yes, you can toast bread in an air fryer! The hot, circulating air of an air fryer does a great job of crisping up and browning bread to make toast. Air fryer toast comes out evenly browned and crunchy on all sides.
How to toast bread in an air fryer
Toasting bread in an air fryer is easy. Here are step-by-step instructions:
- Slice your bread. Bread slices between 1/2 – 1 inch thick work best. You can use any type of bread you like for toast.
- Set your air fryer temperature to 350°F.
- Place the bread slices directly onto the air fryer basket. Do not overlap them.
- Toast for 3-6 minutes, flipping the bread halfway through. Thicker slices will take longer.
- The toast is done when the bread is browned and crispy to your liking. Check frequently to avoid burning.
- Remove the toast from the air fryer and enjoy!
Tips for the best air fryer toast
Here are some tips to help you get perfect, crispy air fryer toast every time:
- Use fresh bread. Old, stale bread won’t toast up as nicely.
- Adjust toast times based on thickness. Thinner bread will cook faster.
- Flip the bread midway through for even browning.
- Spray or brush the bread lightly with oil or butter before toasting for extra crispiness.
- Avoid overcrowding. Only toast 1-2 slices per batch.
- Use a lower temp (300°F) for quick toasting without over-browning.
- Sprinkle spices, seeds, or shredded cheese on top before toasting for flavored toast.
What types of bread can you toast in an air fryer?
Virtually any type of bread can be toasted in an air fryer! Here are some of the most popular options:
- White bread
- Whole wheat bread
- Sourdough bread
- Rye bread
- Baguettes
- Brioche
- Challah
- Naan
- Pita bread
- Focaccia
- Bagels
- English muffins
- Sandwich rolls
- Ciabatta
The air fryer’s convection heat will toast up any type of bread nicely. Feel free to get creative and use any bread you like!
Air Fryer Toast vs. Toaster Toast
Using an air fryer results in toast that is similar but not identical to toast made in a regular pop-up toaster. Here is how air fryer toast compares:
| Air Fryer Toast | Regular Toaster Toast |
|---|---|
| Crispy and browned on all sides | Crispy and browned on top and bottom only |
| Crunchy exterior with soft, tender interior | Uniformly crispy throughout |
| Longer toasting time needed (3-6 mins) | Very quick toasting time (1-2 mins) |
| Able to toast various bread types and sizes | Size and shape limited to toaster slots |
While regular pop-up toasters may be slightly faster and give uniform crispiness, air fryer toast offers the benefit of being crunchy on all sides. The longer air fryer toasting time allows the interior to become toasted through while the exterior gets crispy.
Benefits of using an air fryer for toast
There are a few advantages to using an air fryer rather than a regular toaster:
- All-sided toasting: The circulating hot air of an air fryer toasts bread evenly on all sides, not just the top and bottom.
- Accommodates various sizes: An air fryer basket can fit larger bread slices or smaller pieces of sliced bread.
- Extra uses: An air fryer can be used to toast bread as well as cook many other foods like fries, proteins, and vegetables.
- No preheating needed: Unlike some toasters, you don’t have to preheat an air fryer – just put the bread in and set the time and temperature.
- Precise control: You can adjust air fryer temp and times to get the exact level of toastiness you prefer.
For those who already own an air fryer, using it to make toast adds another function without needing another countertop appliance.
Possible disadvantages
There are a couple possible downsides to using an air fryer for toast compared to a regular toaster:
- Slower: Toasting in an air fryer takes several minutes longer than a regular toaster.
- Smaller capacity: Most air fryers can only toast 1-4 slices at a time, while many toasters have slots for 6+ slices.
- No cool-touch exterior: The air fryer basket and interior get hot throughout toasting. A toaster exterior stays cool.
- Requires flipping: The bread has to be flipped midway through air frying for even browning. A toaster does this automatically.
For those wanting quick or large-batch toast, a countertop toaster may still be preferable. But for small amounts of all-sided crispy toast, an air fryer works great.
Tips for the best results
Follow these tips for getting perfect toast from your air fryer every time:
- Use fresh, good quality bread. Old or dense bread won’t toast evenly.
- Cut bread into uniform 1/2 to 1 inch slices. Thinner bread will cook faster.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Toast just 1-2 slices per batch.
- Brush both sides lightly with butter or oil for extra browning and crispness.
- Flip the bread halfway through. Toasting time will be 3-6 minutes based on thickness.
- Allow air fryer to fully preheat before adding bread. Most models take 3-5 minutes.
- Use tongs for easy flipping. Metal tongs can withstand the heat.
Experiment with times and temperatures to get the level of toastiness you enjoy. Once you find the ideal air fryer settings for your favorite bread, you’ll be making deliciously crispy toast anytime.
Fun flavor ideas
Plain toast is always great, but why not liven things up with some fun flavors? Before toasting, try topping your bread with:
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme or oregano
- Minced garlic or onion
- Sesame, poppy, caraway, or everything bagel seasoning
- Grated Parmesan or shredded cheddar cheese
- Cinnamon sugar or pumpkin pie spice
- Pesto, olive tapenade, or chutney spread
Get creative with mix-ins and let the air fryer heat bring out the flavors! Savory, spicy, cheesy, or sweet – the options for flavored toast are endless.
Easy air fryer toast recipes
Take your toast up a notch with these delicious, easy air fryer toast recipe ideas:
Avocado Toast
Toast bread in air fryer. Top with mashed avocado, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Apple Cinnamon Toast
Brush bread with butter before toasting. Top hot toast with sliced apples, cinnamon sugar, and drizzle with honey.
Cheesy Pesto Toast
Spread pesto on bread before toasting. Remove from air fryer and top with fresh mozzarella. Broil 2 minutes until cheese melts.
Strawberry Ricotta Toast
Toast bread in air fryer. Top with ricotta cheese, sliced fresh strawberries, and honey.
Caprese Toast
Brush bread with olive oil and toast in air fryer. Remove and top with sliced tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Cleaning tips
It’s important to clean your air fryer basket and rack after each use to prevent food buildup. Here are some tips for cleaning after air fryer toast:
- Remove and handwash detachable basket and rack in hot soapy water.
- Use a sponge or soft brush to scrub off any stuck on bits of bread.
- Avoid abrasive scrubbers that could damage the nonstick coating.
- Let all parts air dry fully before reassembling into the air fryer.
- Wipe down the inside and outside of the air fryer with a clean damp cloth.
- For stubborn grease stains, use baking soda and gentle scrubbing.
- Check manufacturer guidelines before submerging parts in water.
Keeping your air fryer basket and crisper tray clean will allow hot air to circulate efficiently for fast, even toasting.
Storing and reheating toast
Proper storage and reheating can help keep air fryer toast fresh and crispy:
- Store: Allow toast to fully cool before storing. Keep in an airtight bag or container at room temperature up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze toast in resealable plastic freezer bags for 1-2 months. Thaw at room temp before serving.
- Reheat: Place toast directly on oven rack at 300°F for 3-5 minutes until hot and crispy.
- Microwave: Reheat toast in microwave 10-15 seconds at a time until desired crispness is restored.
Is an air fryer worth it just for toast?
For those who only plan to use an air fryer for making occasional toast, a basic $40-$75 model may not be worth the cost and counter space. However, since most air fryers can also be used to cook foods like french fries, nuggets, frozen snacks, and more, they can be a worthwhile multifunctional appliance.
Many models now even have rotisserie, dehydrate, bake, and broil functions. For someone who will utilize one of these small convection ovens for more than just toast, an air fryer can absolutely be worth the investment.
The bottom line
At the end of the day, air fryers absolutely can make delicious, crispy, golden toast. The convection heat allows bread to become browned and crispy on all sides for flavorful toast with a satisfying crunch.
While regular pop-up toasters may be a bit faster and higher capacity, air fryer toast offers the benefit of custom controls and all-over toasting. For those wanting to expand their air fryer’s functions, toasting bread is a simple way to get more use out of this versatile appliance.
So if you’re eager to give air fryer toast a try, grab a loaf of your favorite bread and start experimenting! Adjust times and temps to find your ideal level of toastiness. With the right techniques, you can easily achieve perfect air fryer toast anytime.