Air-Fryer Texas Toast: Is It Possible?

Texas Toast is a thickly sliced, buttered bread that can be served with a variety of meals or as a snack. It can be made in an air fryer in less than 15 minutes, resulting in a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. The air fryer's ability to cook frozen foods evenly and efficiently makes it a preferred method over using an oven. The convenience, speed, and crispiness achieved by air-frying Texas Toast have made it a popular choice among home cooks.

What is Texas Toast?

Texas toast is a toasted bread that is typically made from sliced bread that is twice as thick as standard packaged bread. It is prepared by spreading butter on both sides of the bread and grilling or broiling it until it is golden brown. Texas toast is often served as a side with southern-style dishes such as chicken-fried steak, fried catfish, or barbecue. The thicker shape of Texas toast makes it perfect for French toast, sandwiches, or grilled with butter on the side of soup.

The distinctive characteristics of Texas toast come from its preparation. The bread is sliced about 3/4-inch to one-inch thick, which is twice the thickness of standard sliced white bread. Both sides are buttered before it is placed on a grill or in a skillet to slightly brown. This combination results in a crunchy, toasted exterior that makes a perfect breakfast side.

Unlike other breads that toast all the way through, Texas toast tends to have a soft and slightly moist interior. This can elevate the sandwich experience, taking the classic toasted club or burger to the next level. The thickness also absorbs milk and eggs more easily, making it perfect for stuffed French toast.

Texas toast can be made in an air fryer in less than 15 minutes and is a delicious way to prepare garlic toast. Depending on the size of the air fryer, up to eight slices can be cooked at once. The air fryer cooks the Texas toast to crispy perfection, resulting in slices with a golden-brown crust on the outside and a fluffy interior.

How to make Texas Toast in an air fryer

Texas Toast is a thickly sliced bread that is hot, buttered, and sometimes covered in cheese and garlic. It is a famous dish from Texas and can be made in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make Texas Toast in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Toast

Firstly, ensure that your air fryer is large enough to fit the desired number of toast slices. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can cook anywhere from 4 to 8 slices at a time. If you are using a tray, place it on the middle rack. There is no need to preheat the air fryer, as it warms up quickly.

Take your frozen Texas Toast slices and arrange them in a single layer on the air fryer basket or tray. Make sure they do not overlap, as this will affect cooking. If your toast has cheese on it, place the cheese side up.

Step 2: Set the Temperature and Time

Set the temperature of your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F (176°C to 205°C). The cooking time will vary depending on the number of slices and the wattage and capacity of your air fryer. As a guide, cook your Texas Toast for 3 to 10 minutes.

Step 3: Flip the Toast

For plain Texas Toast, flip the slices halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. However, if you are making cheesy Texas Toast, do not flip the slices, as the cheese may slide off.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once the Texas Toast is golden brown and crispy, carefully remove it from the air fryer using tongs or a fork. Serve immediately for the best texture and taste.

Tips:

• There is no need to spray your air fryer basket with oil, as the toast should already be buttered.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will affect the cooking time and crispiness of the toast.
• Keep an eye on your toast towards the end of the cooking time, as it can go from perfect to burnt very quickly.
• You can reheat Texas Toast in the air fryer by setting the temperature to 350°F to 400°F and cooking for 1 to 2 minutes.

Enjoy your Texas Toast as a side dish, a snack, or a base for a sandwich or bruschetta!

Tips for making Texas Toast in an air fryer

Texas Toast is a delicious, thickly sliced bread that can be served as a side or enjoyed as a snack. It is typically buttered and sometimes covered in cheese and garlic. The best part? You can make it in an air fryer in less than 15 minutes! Here are some tips to help you make the perfect Texas Toast in your air fryer:

Prepare the Toast Slices:

Place the desired number of Texas Toast slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. You can use frozen or fresh toast, but there's no need to defrost frozen slices. If your toast has cheese on it, place it cheese-side up in the air fryer.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Although not mandatory, preheating the air fryer for about 4 minutes can help ensure even cooking.

Set the Temperature and Time:

Set the air fryer temperature between 350°F and 400°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the number of slices and your desired level of crispiness. For frozen Texas Toast, cook for 5-10 minutes, and for fresh toast, cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip the slices halfway through the cooking time for even results, unless your toast has cheese, in which case, skip the flipping to prevent the cheese from falling off.

Avoid Overcrowding:

Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Allow sufficient space for air to circulate around each slice, ensuring even cooking and crispiness.

Serve Immediately:

For the best results, serve the Texas Toast immediately after frying. It is delicious as a side with pasta, soups, or grilled dishes, or as a base for sandwiches or bruschetta.

Reheating and Storage:

You can reheat Texas Toast in the air fryer by placing the slices back in the air fryer and setting the temperature to 400°F for 1-2 minutes. To store, let the toast cool completely, then place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

What to serve with Texas Toast

Texas Toast is a versatile side dish and can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some ideas on what to serve with Texas Toast:

Soups and Salads

The crispy, buttery, and garlicky Texas Toast goes well with soups and salads. It can be a perfect side dish to dip into your soup or to add a crunchy element to your salad.

Pasta Dishes

Texas Toast is an excellent side to serve with pasta dishes. Its garlic flavour and thick slices complement pasta very well. You can also use the Texas Toast to make an open-faced sandwich with your favourite pasta toppings.

Sandwiches and Burgers

Texas Toast is a popular choice for sandwiches and burgers. Its thick slices can withstand the load of various ingredients in a sandwich or burger, such as the Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich, the Texas Toast Turkey Club Sandwich, or the Southern Pimento Cheeseburger.

Breakfast

Texas Toast can be a great breakfast option. You can make a French toast out of it or use it for breakfast sandwiches, such as the Cowboy Breakfast Sandwich or the Fried Egg Sandwich.

Appetizers and Snacks

Texas Toast can be served as an appetiser or a snack on its own or with dips. You can also make mini pizzas using Texas Toast as the base and adding your favourite toppings.

How to store Texas Toast

Texas Toast is a delicious, buttery side dish that can be cooked in an air fryer and served with a variety of meals. But what happens when you have leftovers? Here are some tips on how to store Texas Toast to keep it fresh and tasty:

Storing Fresh Texas Toast:

If you've made a batch of Texas Toast and have some slices left over, it's best to let them cool down to room temperature before storing. Place the cooled slices in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. You can keep them at room temperature for a day or two. However, if you want to extend their shelf life, it's best to store them in the refrigerator. Texas Toast should last for about a week in the fridge.

Storing Frozen Texas Toast:

If you're a fan of frozen Texas Toast, which is a convenient option for a quick side dish, it's important to note that it has a longer shelf life than fresh Texas Toast. Frozen Texas Toast can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months. When you're ready to cook it, simply take it out of the freezer and follow the air fryer instructions.

Storing Leftover Cooked Texas Toast:

If you have leftover Texas Toast after a meal, it's best to store it in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. You can keep it at room temperature for a day, but if you want it to last longer, it's best to store it in the refrigerator. Leftover Texas Toast should stay fresh for about 2-3 days in the fridge.

Reheating Texas Toast:

To reheat your Texas Toast, you can use the air fryer again! Place the slices in the air fryer basket and heat them at 350°F (177°C) for a minute or two, flipping them once halfway through. This will help you achieve that crispy exterior and fluffy interior that Texas Toast is known for.

Remember, Texas Toast is a versatile side dish that can be served with soups, salads, pasta dishes, grilled foods, and more. Now that you know how to store it properly, you can enjoy it fresh and tasty whenever you want!

Frequently asked questions