Toast in the Air Fryer
You can make toast in an air fryer, and it is done in 3–4 minutes with an even golden colour on both sides. It is a useful trick when the toaster is broken, when you need more than four slices at once or when the bread is too thick for the slots. This page gives the best temperature, timings for different breads and the one problem to watch for, which is light slices lifting in the airflow.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 5min
- Prep
- 1min
- Servings
- 2
- Per serving
- 200kcal
Why the air fryer works for toast
Toast in air fryer baskets is faster than most people expect. The fan moves the hot air around the bread, so the bread browns quickly and evenly without the slow, uneven heat of an oven or the wait for a grill. You can toast four to six slices in one batch, depending on the size of your basket, and the slices can be any thickness. That helps with crusty farmhouse loaves, bagels and slices too thick for a toaster slot.
Many people ask whether toasting bread in an air fryer is worth it. For a couple of slices, a toaster is quicker, but the air fryer is useful for larger quantities and for thicker bread. The temperature is the main thing, as 180 °C gives a gold finish in 3–4 minutes, and the results are similar from white bread to wholemeal. For a topped version, see cheese on toast, and for fresh loaves see bread in the air fryer.
How to make toast in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 180 °C for . A hot basket gives an even colour from the first second, so the slices do not dry out slowly.
- Add the bread Place the slices in a single layer in the basket. Do not overlap them, and do not cover them with butter at this stage, because it will smoke.
- Toast Cook at 180 °C for , then turn the slices over with tongs and toast for another . Check at and take them out when they are as dark as you like.
- Serve Move the toast to a rack or plate and butter it straight away while it is hot. If you stack it, the steam makes the underside go soft.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Toast | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard sliced breadTurn halfway | 180 °C | 3–4 min |
| Thick sourdough or farmhouse | 180 °C | 4–5 min |
| Frozen slicesNo need to thaw | 180 °C | 5–6 min |
| Fast and darkWatch closely | 200 °C | 2–3 min |
| French toastDipped in egg and milk | 180 °C | 8–10 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
- Use slices of similar thickness. Thin slices toast faster than thick ones, so keep them in separate batches. Bread that is slightly stale toasts best, because it has less moisture.
- Preheat for a minute or two. A cold basket adds a minute to the time and dries the bread out before it browns.
- Keep it in a single layer. Overlapping slices stay pale where they touch, and the air cannot reach them. If your basket is small, toast in two batches.
Serving
Spread the toast with butter, jam or marmalade for breakfast, or top it with mashed avocado and a poached egg. It goes well with scrambled eggs, baked beans or grilled tomatoes, all of which can be made in the same machine. For lunch, use it as the base for bruschetta or sardines. Air fryer toast also makes excellent croutons if you cut the bread into cubes and shorten the time to 3 minutes. For a filled version, try a cheese toastie in the air fryer. Strips of toast also work for dipping into a baked camembert.
Storing and reheating
Toast is best eaten at once, within a few minutes. If it has gone soft, put it back in the air fryer at 160 °C for 1–2 minutes to crisp it up again. Leftover toast keeps for a day in a sealed bag and works well as a base for French toast or in breadcrumbs. Whole loaves for toasting can be frozen in slices.
Variations
- Garlic toast: Spread the slices with garlic butter and cook at 180 °C for 3–4 minutes, until the butter bubbles.
- Cinnamon toast: Butter the slices, then sprinkle on 1 tsp sugar mixed with ½ tsp cinnamon for the last 2 minutes.
- Toasted sandwich: Put cheese and ham between two slices, press down firmly and cook at 180 °C for 5–6 minutes, turning halfway.
Troubleshooting
- The slices fly up and touch the heating element
- Light, thin bread can lift in the airflow. Use thicker slices, or a small air fryer rack that holds the bread down.
- The toast is dark on top and pale underneath
- Turn the bread halfway. A basket with a solid base browns the underside less, so give the bottom a minute more.
- The toast is hard and dry
- It was left in for too long or the bread was stale. Toast at 180 °C for 3 minutes and check at 2, and use fresher bread for a softer centre.
Frequently asked questions
How long does toast take in the air fryer?
3–4 minutes at 180 °C, turned halfway, for standard sliced bread. Thick sourdough takes 4–5 minutes, and slices from the freezer 5–6 minutes.
What temperature should I use to toast bread in the air fryer?
180 °C is the best all-round setting. At 200 °C the toast is done in 2–3 minutes, but it can burn quickly, so watch it closely.
Can you make toast in an air fryer without turning the slices?
Yes, but the underside will be paler. Turn the slices once if you want an even colour on both sides.
Can I toast frozen bread in the air fryer?
Yes, with no need to thaw. Cook frozen slices at 180 °C for 5–6 minutes, turning once.
How do I make French toast in the air fryer?
Dip the slices in beaten egg and milk, then cook at 180 °C for 8–10 minutes, turning after 5 minutes. They are done when the egg is set and golden.
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