Air Fryer Oven: Toasting Bread, Making Toast?

Yes, you can make toast in a power air fryer oven. It is a quick and easy way to make crispy and delicious toast without using a traditional toaster. All you need is an air fryer, a few slices of bread, and some butter. The air fryer is a diverse kitchen gadget that can be used in many ways, allowing you to clear out unnecessary appliances.

How to make toast in an air fryer

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to make crispy and delicious toast without using a traditional toaster. Here is a step-by-step guide to making toast in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Bread

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to between 370°F and 400°F (185°C and 200°C). While the air fryer is heating up, lightly butter your bread on one or both sides. You can also add toppings like cinnamon and sugar, or a spread like Nutella or peanut butter, before toasting the bread.

Step 2: Place Bread in the Air Fryer

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the slices of bread in the basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to toast multiple slices at once.

Step 3: Air Fry the Bread

Air fry the bread for 3 to 6 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your toast. Flip the bread halfway through to ensure even browning on both sides. For a softer toast, you can air fry at a lower temperature for a longer time.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once the toast is done to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a minute before serving. You can enjoy your toast with a variety of toppings, such as butter, jam, or avocado spread.

Tips:

• Use thick-sliced bread for best results.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• Use a silicone liner or tongs for easy cleanup and to prevent the bread from sticking to the basket.

Tips for making air fryer toast

Bread

You can use any kind of bread, from sourdough to white bread, and even gluten-free bread. If you're slicing your own bread, slightly thicker slices are better, especially if you're making avocado toast.

Butter

Butter is optional, but it adds flavour and gives the toast a golden-brown colour. You can use butter or vegan butter, and you can add it before or after toasting the bread. If you add it before, only butter one side of the bread and don't flip the bread halfway through.

Air Fryer Temperature

The ideal temperature for air fryer toast is between 375°F and 400°F. Play around with the temperature until you find your perfect degree of toast!

Air Fryer Basket

Place the slices of bread in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer and the size of the bread, you can make 2-4 slices at the same time. The slices can overlap slightly.

Timing

The timing depends on how crispy you like your toast. The ideal range is between 3 and 6 minutes. Keep an eye on the toast and adjust the timing as needed. Don't forget to flip the toast halfway through for even browning!

Clean-up

Use an air fryer silicone liner for easy clean-up and to prevent the bread from sticking to the basket. Use a silicone tong or spatula to remove the toast from the air fryer.

Why make toast in an air fryer?

There are several reasons why you might want to make toast in an air fryer instead of a traditional toaster. Here are some of the key benefits:

Speed

Air fryers are extremely quick, making them perfect for rushed mornings when you need to grab breakfast on the go. You can have perfectly toasted bread in just a few minutes.

Crispiness

Air fryers use hot air circulation to cook food, resulting in a crispy texture that is ideal for toast. You can also control the level of crispiness by adjusting the temperature and timing, so you can have your toast just the way you like it.

Versatility

With an air fryer, you can make all kinds of toast, from classic buttered toast to more creative options like avocado toast, cinnamon sugar toast, or even French toast. You can also toast different types of bread, including thick slices, which may not fit in a traditional toaster.

No mess

Unlike toasters, air fryers don't leave behind any messy crumbs. Simply remove the basket or tray and wash it with warm soapy water. This makes cleanup a breeze.

Capacity

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can make multiple slices of toast at once. Most standard toasters can only make two slices at a time, but an air fryer can typically accommodate 4-6 slices or even more, making it a great option for larger households or when hosting guests.

Even browning

Toast made in an air fryer tends to be more evenly browned compared to toast made in a toaster. This is because the hot air circulates around the bread, ensuring that it cooks uniformly on all sides.

Space-saving

If you're short on kitchen space or travelling, an air fryer can be a more versatile option than a toaster. As well as toasting bread, you can use it for a wide range of other cooking tasks, from roasting vegetables to baking cakes. This means you can save space by getting rid of your toaster and using the air fryer for all your toasting needs.

Air fryer vs toaster

Air fryers and toasters are both countertop kitchen appliances, but they differ in several ways.

How They Work

Air fryers cook food by circulating hot air around it, resulting in crispy and browned food with minimal added oil. On the other hand, toasters are small countertop ovens that cook food using concentrated radiant heat, which is ideal for browning bread evenly on both sides.

Design

Air fryers usually come with a basket drawer, making it easy to shake and toss food while cooking to maximise crispiness. They are also equipped with a powerful fan that circulates hot air efficiently. Toasters, on the other hand, typically have a glass door that allows you to monitor the cooking process, ensuring you can remove your food as soon as it's toasted to your liking.

What They're Best For

Air fryers are great for reheating leftovers and getting them crispy again. They are ideal for cooking frozen foods like fries, meat, fish, and chicken without deep-frying. Toasters, as the name suggests, are perfect for making toast, bagels, and open-faced sandwich melts.

Versatility

While air fryers are excellent for specific tasks like reheating and frying, toasters offer more versatility in the kitchen. Toaster ovens can be used for a variety of cooking tasks, from toasting bread to baking cookies, pizzas, and even small chickens. They can often replace a full-size oven, especially when cooking for a smaller number of people.

Learning Curve

For beginners, a toaster oven may be a more accessible option. Air fryers can be more intimidating for those who are new to cooking, as they require some experimentation to get the desired results.

Size and Storage

Both appliances come in different sizes, so it's important to consider your available countertop space and how many people you're usually cooking for. If counter space is limited, a toaster oven with a built-in air fryer option can be a good choice, giving you the benefits of both appliances in one machine.

In conclusion, while air fryers and toasters have some overlapping functions, they each have unique features and advantages. The best choice for you will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and cooking requirements.

Toppings for toast

Now that you've made your toast in the air fryer, it's time to think about toppings. The options are endless, from sweet to savoury, and you can get as creative as you like. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Sweet Toppings

• Butter and jam
• Homemade Nutella
• Peanut butter or any other nut butter
• Butter with cinnamon and sugar
• Cream cheese with sliced fruit, such as grapes, raspberries, blackberries or blueberries
• Honey ricotta with fresh berries
• Tahini with dark chocolate and agave syrup
• Maple syrup with flaxseeds and pecans
• Mascarpone with grapes and prosciutto
• Banana with coconut flakes
• Nutella with orange marmalade
• Peanut butter with sliced bananas and a drizzle of honey
• Marshmallow fluff with peanut butter and shaved chocolate
• Ricotta with honey, dates and almonds
• Ricotta with lemon zest and fresh berries
• Fig jam with ricotta, figs or dates and honey
• Mascarpone with melon and prosciutto
• Cream cheese with hot pepper jelly
• Ricotta with honey and a dash of pepper
• Butter with cinnamon sugar

Savoury Toppings

• Avocado with sliced cucumber, microgreens, radishes, chilli flakes, sea salt or extra virgin olive oil
• Avocado with charred Mexican corn, cotija cheese, lime juice and pickled Fresno chillies
• Avocado with heirloom tomato and pesto
• Avocado with fried egg and everything bagel seasoning
• Hummus with cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese and olive oil
• Ricotta with roasted tomatoes, olive oil, basil and balsamic glaze
• Fresh mozzarella with pesto, tomatoes and balsamic glaze
• Burrata cheese with grape tomatoes, fresh basil and balsamic glaze
• Bacon with onion jam and a fried egg
• Bacon with avocado, scrambled eggs and chives
• Boursin cheese with cucumbers and sprouts or microgreens
• Prosciutto with fig jam and whipped goat cheese
• Smoked salmon with lemon and sliced scallions
• Smoked trout with cream cheese, horseradish and cucumber
• Cream cheese with everything bagel seasoning, tomato or red onion slices
• Crisp bacon with maple syrup
• Tuna melt: brush the outside with sriracha mayo, load the middle with prepared tuna and a slice of cheese
• Scrambled eggs with cheddar
• Fried egg with chilli crisp
• Roasted carrots with goat cheese
• Cucumber with salmon roe and shiso leaf
• Fresh pea shoots with thinly sliced radishes
• Toasted sunflower seeds with sumac and fresh sprouts
• Cooked corn kernels with cilantro leaves and cayenne
• Sliced jalapeños with Monterey jack cheese
• Bacon with crumbled blue cheese, halved cherry tomatoes and hard-boiled egg wedges
• Irish or Canadian bacon with scrambled egg
• Smashed tomatoes with bacon and chopped parsley
• Roasted tomatoes with sliced breakfast sausage
• Roasted tomatoes with sautéed mushrooms
• Roasted tomatoes with fried egg
• Orange marmalade with bacon or sliced breakfast sausage
• Smoked trout with grated horseradish and pickled beet or onions
• Salami with grainy mustard and cucumber
• Roast beef with horseradish and crème fraîche
• Smoked fish with juniper salt
• Gravlax with butter and dill
• Shrimp salad with cucumbers and chopped chives
• Anchovy fillets with unsalted butter
• Tomato half rubbed into the toast with olive oil
• Serrano ham or prosciutto
• Cannellini or borlotti beans mashed with olive oil and rosemary or sage, with a fried egg or sautéed greens and parmesan
• Crisp-fried sage leaves
• Feta cheese with cucumber and olive oil (optional: add sliced tomato)
• Labneh with grapes and almonds
• Coconut oil with banana and coconut flakes
• Yogurt with fruit and honey
• Peanut butter with banana slices and honey
• Tahini with banana, honey and salt
• Sliced ham with dried apricots
• Prosciutto or speck with fresh figs
• Pancetta with figs (broiled)
• Sliced avocado with sea salt, black pepper and olive oil
• Fried egg with lemon or lime, fresh chile and cilantro leaves
• Cucumber with goat cheese
• Thinly sliced nori with sesame seeds
• Toasted sunflower seeds with sumac and fresh sprouts
• Bacon with crumbled blue cheese and halved cherry tomatoes
• Cream cheese with cucumber and microgreens
• Bacon jam with avocado and scrambled eggs
• Goat cheese with figs and thyme (try this broiled)
• Blue cheese with sliced pears, walnuts and honey
• Raspberry jam with aged goat cheese
• Sharp cheddar with mango chutney
• Thinly sliced ham with a cornichon or other pickle and Swiss cheese (melted)
• Sautéed wild mushrooms with fontina or taleggio cheese (melted)
• Ricotta with lemon and basil
• Ricotta with sliced pears and walnuts
• Ricotta with roasted cherry tomatoes and olive oil

Frequently asked questions