Air Fryer Texas Toast: Is It Possible?

Texas Toast is a thickly sliced, buttered bread that can be cooked in an air fryer. It is a quick and convenient way to prepare a delicious snack or side dish, as it can be cooked straight from frozen and is ready in minutes. The toast can be served with a variety of dishes, including pasta, soups, and salads, or used to make sandwiches.

What is Texas toast?

Texas toast is a type of bread that is typically sliced at double the thickness of packaged bread. It is prepared by spreading butter on both sides and grilling or broiling it until it is golden brown. Texas toast is often associated with BBQ cuisine and is commonly served as a side dish with southern-style meals such as chicken-fried steak, fried catfish, or barbecue. It can also be used as a sandwich base or for dishes like French toast.

The origin of Texas toast can be traced back to a BBQ chain in Texas called Pig Stand. According to local legend, the toast was created when a cook named Wiley W. W. Cross or Royce Hailey at the Pig Stand location in Denton or Beaumont, Texas, ordered extra-thick bread to impress customers. However, the bread didn't fit in the toaster, so Cross or Hailey buttered and grilled the slices instead. The accidental creation became a huge hit, and Texas toast has been a beloved side dish ever since.

Texas toast is characterised by its thick slices, which make it perfect for dipping and soaking up sauces or gravies. It is typically grilled rather than toasted due to its thickness, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft interior. While some recipes add garlic, cheese, or other seasonings, purists argue that Texas toast only needs two ingredients: toast and butter.

The popularity of Texas toast extends beyond Texas and its bordering states. It can be found on the menus of fast-food chains like Raising Cane's, Whataburger, Zaxby's, and Dairy Queen, both within and outside Texas. For store-bought Texas toast, popular brands include Mrs. Bairds, New York Bakery, Pepperidge Farm, and Coles.

How to make Texas toast in an air fryer

Texas Toast is a delicious, thickly-sliced bread that can be cooked in an air fryer. It is a great side to a pasta dinner or other saucy dishes. You can also use it to make sandwiches, or as a base for a pizza.

Ingredients:

• Texas Toast (frozen or fresh)
• Olive oil or non-stick cooking spray (optional)
• Shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
• Garlic salt (optional)

Method:

• Place the Texas Toast slices into the air fryer basket in a single layer, so they are not overlapping. If your Texas Toast has cheese on it, place it cheese-side up.
• Set the air fryer temperature to between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Air fry for 3-10 minutes, depending on whether your Texas Toast is frozen or fresh, and whether it has cheese on it. Flip the slices halfway through the cooking time, unless your Texas Toast has cheese on it.
• For additional flavour, sprinkle with garlic salt or top with mozzarella cheese (if desired).
• Using tongs or a fork, carefully remove the Texas Toast from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Tips:

• There is no need to defrost frozen Texas Toast before placing it in the air fryer.
• You do not need to spray the air fryer basket with oil, as Texas Toast already contains butter.
• The time and settings may vary depending on your air fryer model, so keep an eye on your toast to prevent burning.
• If you are making cheesy Texas Toast, do not flip the slices as the cheese may slide off.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will ensure the air can circulate around each slice, making it super crispy. It will also help the toast to cook faster.

Tips for making Texas toast in an air fryer

Texas toast is a thickly sliced, buttered bread that can be served as a side or used to make sandwiches. It can be made in an air fryer from frozen, saving you time and effort. Here are some tips to help you make the perfect Texas toast in your air fryer.

Temperature and Timing

The ideal temperature for cooking Texas toast in an air fryer is around 350-400°F. The cooking time can vary depending on the wattage and capacity of your air fryer, as well as the number of slices you are cooking. As a guide, cook your Texas toast for 3-5 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through for even cooking. If you want your toast to be extra crispy, add 2 minutes to the cooking time. Keep a close eye on the toast towards the end of the cooking time, as it can quickly go from golden brown to burnt.

Preparing the Toast

There is no need to defrost or preheat your air fryer. Simply place the frozen slices of Texas toast in the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. If you are making cheesy Texas toast, place the slices cheese-side up.

Serving Suggestions

Texas toast is a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of meals. It goes well with pasta, soups, salads, and saucy dishes. You can also use it to make sandwiches, grilled cheese, or even a Texas toast pizza.

Storing and Reheating

If you have any leftover Texas toast, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the slices back in the air fryer at 350-400°F for 1-2 minutes, keeping an eye on them to prevent burning.

How to reheat Texas toast in an air fryer

Texas toast is a delicious, thickly-sliced, buttered bread that can be cooked in an air fryer. But what if you have some leftover Texas toast and want to reheat it? Well, you can use an air fryer for that too! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reheat Texas toast in an air fryer:

Step 1: Retrieve the Texas Toast

Take out the Texas Toast from the refrigerator, where it should have been stored in a sealed container.

Step 2: Place the Texas Toast in the Air Fryer

Place your slices of Texas toast back into the air fryer. There is no need to preheat the air fryer before placing the slices inside. Also, ensure that the slices do not overlap and are arranged in a single layer.

Step 3: Set the Air Fryer Temperature and Time

Set the air fryer to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model. Reheat the Texas toast for 1-2 minutes. If you are reheating a larger batch, you may need to increase the time slightly, but keep a close eye on the toast to prevent it from burning.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

Once the Texas toast is crispy and hot, carefully remove it from the air fryer using tongs or a fork, and it's ready to be served and enjoyed!

Reheating Texas toast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy this delicious treat again. Just be mindful of the cooking time and temperature to ensure your toast is heated through without burning.

What to serve with Texas toast

Texas Toast is a versatile side dish and can be served in many ways. It can be served as a side with a hearty dinner, or as a snack on its own. It can also be used as a base for sandwiches, bruschetta, or a gourmet grilled cheese.

As a Side

• Soup: Texas Toast can be a great side to dip into your soup.
• Salad: The toast can also be served as a side with a simple salad for a light meal.
• BBQ: Texas Toast pairs well with BBQ dishes, such as chicken wings or steak.
• Eggs: It can also be a tasty breakfast side, served with eggs.

As a Sandwich

• Grilled Cheese: Texas Toast is perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, especially when paired with other cheeses like gouda, havarti, or cheddar.
• Patty Melt: Try a patty melt with the Texas Toast as the bread, along with ground beef, cheese, and caramelized onions.
• Club Sandwich: Pile on the ingredients like turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese, as the thick slices of Texas Toast can handle the strain.
• Sloppy Joe: Make a Sloppy Joe with ground beef, ketchup, mozzarella, and brown sugar, served open-faced on Texas Toast.
• BLT: Texas Toast also works well for a classic BLT, with crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, lettuce, and mayo.

Other Ideas

• French Toast: Texas Toast can be used for sweet French toast, dipped in an egg batter with cinnamon and sugar.
• Pizza: Use Texas Toast as a base for mini pizzas, adding sauce, cheese, and your favourite toppings.
• Garlic Bread: Make garlic bread by brushing the Texas Toast with butter, garlic, and parsley, then baking it.

So, there you have it! Texas Toast is a versatile bread that can be used in a variety of ways, from savoury to sweet. It's a great option for a quick snack or a hearty meal.

Frequently asked questions