Toast in the air fryer?! Yup! An air fryer is an easy way to make crispy toast without an actual toaster. And this version? The best toast, with a crisp outside and soft inside. Plus the variations are endless. You've got regular air fryer toast, air fryer Texas toast, garlic toast in air fryer, cheese toast in air fryer, and air fryer cinnamon toast - tutorials for all included below!
Why You'll Love Air Fryer Toast
- The perfect texture. This toast has a lovely crispy crunch on the outside, but is still soft inside. I've noticed a lot of air fryer toast recipes say to cook at 400 degrees, but in my opinion, that's too high and too long - the bread turns into completely dry, hard hockey pucks! This recipe? Awesome. No hockey pucks here!
- It's versatile. There are so many ways you can make the toast itself, not to mention the many ways you can top it or dishes you can pair with it!
- You save an appliance! Toaster kick the bucket? Don't have space for too many appliances? Stick with just your air fryer - it's more multi-purposeful!
To be honest, the only downside of air fryer toast is that, like a regular toaster, you can't make a ton at once if you're feeding a large group. The good news is, you can easily make toast in the oven for that!
Ingredients
All you really need is bread!
If you like more of a buttered toast, you can certainly butter your toast, or spray it with an avocado or olive oil spray before toasting.
Scroll down to check the variations for specific tutorials and the simple additional ingredients needed to make cinnamon toast, cheese toast, garlic toast, or Texas toast.
How to Make Toast in the Air Fryer, Step-by-Step
- It's not required, but if you desire toast with more buttery flavor or with a little deeper caramelization on the outside, lightly butter your bread or lightly spray with avocado or olive oil.
- Place desired number of slices of bread in your air fryer basket, making sure slices don't overlap.
- Toast in the air fryer at 360 degrees for 2-3 minutes, or until toast has reached your desired crisp exterior to soft interior ratio.
Recipe Tips & FAQs
One recipe tip: I've noticed that the bread doesn't always get the same darker toasted color that a traditional toaster creates. Which is fine, just something to be aware of. Don't judge your toast's crunchiness by color alone!
What if my air fryer runs hotter/ cooler?
Every air fryer can be a little different. When it comes to air fryer recipes (or really any recipe for that matter!), be sure to start on the low side of the recommended time. You can always add more time, but you can't take time away!
Can I use frozen bread?
Absolutely! Just add an extra minute to the cook time, you'll usually need 3-4 minutes total.
Can I use gluten-free bread?
Yup! Gluten-free loaves are typically smaller in size, so check your toast at the two minute mark and go from there.
What if my bread is thin sliced?
Thin-sliced bread works, too! (It's actually what I used in these pictures and in my blueberry toast.) Again, start on the low end of time and check on the toast at the 2 minute mark.
How do I keep air fryer toast from drying out?
Don't set your air fryer temp too high or cook it too long. I've found 360 degrees to be a sweet spot to help prevent the hockey puck consistency that can be produced from air fryer toast recipes recommending using 400 degrees.
Try These Toast Variations!
Garlic Toast
Spread a slice of bread with a little butter or plant-based spread. Sprinkle garlic salt (as much or as little as your heart desires!) and a sprinkle of dried parsley on top. Air fry for 3-4 minutes at 360.
Want a cheesy garlic toast? Use garlic powder instead of garlic salt, and then add a generous sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese for a salty, cheesy flavor.
Cheese Toast
Place a slice of cheese (whatever kind you like!) on top of your bread, then air fry for 2-3 minutes.
One note of caution with the cheese toast, is sometimes the cheese can fly or move around. I highly recommend using a slice of cheese instead of shredded (shredded will be much more mobile). If you still have concern, try putting the cheese bread under the rack that came inside your air fryer basket, as long as it doesn't touch and stick to the cheese.
Cinnamon Toast
Spread a slice of bread with a little bit of butter or plant-based butter spread, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and air fry at 360 for 3-4 minutes.
If you need to make cinnamon sugar, the best cinnamon sugar ratio is 1:4, one part cinnamon to 4 parts sugar. I usually use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 4 teaspoons of sugar, then save the rest in an old spice shaker jar for easy cinnamon toast the next time.
Texas Toast
Want to make Texas toast in the air fryer? Not a problem! If you're making it yourself, follow the same instructions of toasting at 360 degrees for 2-3 minutes. Wanting to make frozen Texas toast in the air fryer? Keep everything the same, just increase the time to 3-4 minutes.
But is Bread Even Healthy?
Absolutely!! Bread gets such a bad rap in the wellness world, but for zero reason. It can actually be quite nutrient-dense, depending on your bread choice.
Yes, bread has carbs, but carbs are not the bad guy. They provide energy for your body, and in the case of bread can also provide fiber and various micronutrients. Higher fiber, whole grain bread options often provide a little protein boost, too!
But even if you choose a bread that is not a high fiber, high protein option, that's still okay, too.
"Healthy" is subjective. The foods that help one maintain their health may or may not work for you - and that's okay! Honor the body you have. As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I suggest eating a variety of nourishing foods that help you feel good and achieve or maintain your health, balanced with the foods you love. Remember - an election isn't won with every vote, but the majority. Your health is the same way - the overall dietary pattern is what matters most.
What to Pair with Air Fryer Toast
- Air Fryer Blueberry Toast (this air fryer toast makes the perfect base!)
- Go for a slightly lighter play on a traditional egg and bacon breakfast by pairing this air fryer toast with scrambled eggs and crispy prosciutto or air fryer turkey bacon.
- Pair air fryer garlic toast with soups and stews (like my gluten free turkey chili or carrot lentil soup).
- Enjoy some air fryer cheese toast with salads (like my Southwest avocado chicken salad or honey mustard grilled chicken salad).
And if you're wanting just some simple toast? Try topping with chia jam or pumpkin seed butter.
Other Related Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love
- Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
- Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
- Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Did you make this recipe? Give it a 5★ rating below! For more balanced nutrition and simple, healthy-ish recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram!
Toast in Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
Plain Toast
- 1 slice bread
- butter or olive oil (optional)
Texas Toast
- 1 slice frozen Texas toast
Cinnamon Toast
- 1 slice bread
- 1 teaspoon butter or plant-based spread
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon sugar
Garlic Toast
- 1 slice bread
- 1 teaspoon butter or plant-based spread
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 pinch dried parsley
Cheese Toast
- 1 slice bread
- 1 slice cheese
Instructions
- If desired, lightly butter your bread or lightly spray with a little olive oil.
- Place bread in air fryer basket (don't overlap if making multiple slices). Toast at 360° for 2-3 minutes.
For Garlic Toast or Cinnamon Toast:
- Lightly butter bread then sprinkle with seasonings.
- Place bread in air fryer basket (don't overlap if making multiple slices). Toast at 360° for 3-4 minutes.
For Texas Toast:
- Place frozen Texas toast in air fryer basket (don't overlap if making multiple slices). Toast at 360° for 3-4 minutes.
For Cheese Toast:
- Place bread in air fryer basket and top with a slice of cheese (don't overlap if making multiple slices). Toast at 360° for 2-3 minutes.Note, that if your cheese isn't staying on the bread, put the toast and cheese under the rack that came with your air fryer.
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