Fried Bread in the Air Fryer
Fried bread is the part of a fry-up that soaks up everything, and in a frying pan it can turn greasy or burn while you juggle eggs and sausages. Fried bread in air fryer baskets is crisp and golden in 5–7 minutes at 180 °C, using only a brush of oil. The slice stays soft in the middle, and the pan stays free for everything else.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 9min
- Prep
- 3min
- Servings
- 2
- Per serving
- 335kcal
Why the air fryer works for fried bread
Fried bread is simple, but the pan makes it awkward: the first slice soaks up all the fat, the second is dry, and everything else on the plate goes cold while you wait. Cooking fried bread in air fryer baskets solves this. The hot air crisps the oiled surface of the bread and leaves the middle soft, with no pan, no splatter and much less oil.
It also lets you cook the other parts of a fry-up at the same time. While the bread cooks, the hob stays free for eggs and beans, or you can cook bacon and sausages in the machine first and the fried bread last. The honest difference is that you lose the rich, shallow-fried flavour of a pan, but you gain crisp edges and a lighter slice.
How to make fried bread in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the bread Use thick white bread, ideally a day or two old, as it holds its shape and crisps well. Cut the slices in half diagonally if you prefer triangles.
- Oil the slices Brush both sides of each slice with the oil, right to the edges. Be generous but not dripping. Saved bacon fat gives the traditional flavour but is not vegan.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for , so that the crust begins to colour straight away.
- Cook Lay the slices in a single layer, not touching. Cook for , turning them over after , until deep golden and crisp on both sides.
- Season and serve Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and put the fried bread on the plate with your eggs, bacon and beans. Serve it straight away, as it softens as it cools.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Fried Bread | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fried bread, thick slicesTurn halfway | 180 °C | 5–7 min |
| Thin sandwich slicesWatch closely | 180 °C | 4–5 min |
| Egg fried breadDip in beaten egg first (not vegan) | 180 °C | 6–8 min |
| Fried bread with bacon fatClassic fry-up flavour (not vegan) | 180 °C | 5–7 min |
| Reheating fried breadUntil steaming hot | 160 °C | 2–3 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
You may also like: Baking paper and foil in an air fryer
Tips
- Choose thick bread. A slice about 1.5 cm thick stays soft in the middle. Thin sandwich slices dry out and taste more like toast.
- Use the leftover bacon fat. If you cook bacon first, brush the slices with the fat that has collected below the basket for the traditional taste (not vegan).
- Cook it last. Fried bread is best straight from the basket, so cook the other parts first and keep them warm under foil.
Serving
Serve fried bread on a full English with bacon, roasted tomatoes, sausages and eggs, or use it to mop up beans and egg yolk. It also makes a good base for mushrooms on toast. Fried bread in air fryer baskets can be cut into soldiers for dipping in a soft egg, or into cubes for soup.
Storing and reheating
Fried bread is best eaten at once. If you have spare slices, cool them and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 160 °C for 2–3 minutes, until crisp and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre).
Variations
- Egg fried bread: Dip each slice in beaten egg with a pinch of salt and pepper, then cook at 180 °C for 6–8 minutes. This is savoury eggy bread and is not vegan.
- Garlic fried bread: Brush the slices with oil mixed with a little garlic granules, and sprinkle with parsley before serving.
- Sweet fried bread: Brush with butter (not vegan or dairy-free), sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, and serve with jam or fruit.
Troubleshooting
- The fried bread is pale and dry
- There was not enough oil on the surface. Brush both sides evenly and preheat the machine, as dry bread simply toasts rather than frying.
- The slices curl or lift
- Light slices can move in the fan. Use thicker bread and place a small metal rack on top for the first 2 minutes, or lay them flat and close together.
- It is too greasy
- Too much oil was used. Brush rather than pour, and drain the slices on kitchen roll for 30 seconds before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does fried bread take in an air fryer?
About 5–7 minutes at 180 °C, turned halfway. Thin slices take 4–5 minutes, and very thick slices up to 8 minutes.
Can you make fried bread in an air fryer?
Yes. It is not literally fried in deep fat, but oiled bread cooked in hot air turns crisp, golden and a little chewy, which is very close to the pan version.
What oil is best for fried bread in an air fryer?
Rapeseed or olive oil work well, or bacon fat for the classic fry-up flavour (not vegan). Use a thin, even brush on both sides.
Can you reheat fried bread in an air fryer?
Yes. Heat it at 160 °C for 2–3 minutes, until crisp and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C).
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