Air-Fryer English Muffins: A Quick Breakfast Treat

English muffins are a breakfast staple, and now you can make them in your air fryer! This handy appliance can give you the perfect level of crispiness and golden brown colour in just a few minutes. No more fiddling with toaster settings or burning your fingers trying to retrieve your toast. You can also toast multiple muffins at once, making it a quick and easy breakfast option for the whole family.

How to toast English muffins in an air fryer

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Some sources suggest preheating for 5 minutes, while others skip this step, so check your air fryer manual to see if it's necessary.

Step 2: Prepare the English Muffins

Take your English muffins out of the package and split them in half. You can do this by twisting and turning the muffin, or by gently prying it apart with a fork. Using a fork helps to preserve the texture of the muffin, so the butter can pool into the nooks and crannies.

Step 3: Place the Muffins in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the English muffin halves in the air fryer basket with the cut side facing up. Make sure they lie flat and don't overlap, so they cook evenly.

Step 4: Cook the Muffins

Cook the English muffins for 3-5 minutes at 400°F. Check on them after 2-3 minutes to ensure they don't burn. They are ready when they are crispy and golden brown.

Step 5: Brush with Butter (Optional)

Brush the toasted muffins with butter, or spread with your favorite toppings.

Tips:

• If you want to make breakfast sandwiches, increase the cooking time to 4-6 minutes and add eggs, bacon, and cheese to the English muffins. Remove them from the air fryer once the cheese has melted and the muffins are visibly crispy.
• You can freeze leftover toasted English muffins in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months, but they won't stay crispy.
• If you want to reheat toasted English muffins, put them in the air fryer for a few minutes until they are warmed through.

Variations:

• For a gluten-free option, try gluten-free English muffins.
• For a healthier option, top your English muffins with avocado, hummus, or peanut butter instead of butter.
• For a sweet option, top your English muffins with jam, honey, or cream cheese.
• For a savory option, top your English muffins with scrambled eggs and cheese, or make an eggs benedict.
• For a fun snack, make mini English muffin pizzas by topping them with pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese and cooking in the air fryer until crispy.

The benefits of toasting English muffins in an air fryer

Toasting English muffins in an air fryer has several advantages over using a toaster. Here are some of the benefits:

Health Benefits

Air fryers use hot air to toast English muffins, requiring no oil. Traditional methods of toasting English muffins involve using butter or fat on a griddle. By eliminating the need for oil or butter, air fryers provide a healthier alternative for preparing English muffins.

Efficiency

Most air fryer baskets can toast multiple English muffins simultaneously. Traditional toasters typically only toast two slices of bread or one English muffin at a time. With an air fryer, you can prepare multiple muffins at once, making it a more efficient option.

Consistency

Once you've dialed in your preferred settings on the air fryer, you can achieve the perfect level of doneness every time. There's no need to fiddle with different settings or worry about uneven toasting. Consistency is key, and air fryers deliver on that front.

Convenience

Air fryers offer the convenience of checking on the progress of your muffins easily. You can quickly pull out the air fryer basket to monitor the toasting process, which is much more challenging to do with a traditional toaster. This convenience ensures you can achieve your desired level of crispiness without the risk of burning your muffins.

Customization

Air fryers allow you to toast English muffins to your desired level of doneness. Whether you prefer them lightly toasted, medium toasted, or very crispy, you can adjust the time and temperature settings accordingly. This customization ensures that your English muffins are always prepared exactly how you like them.

Versatility

English muffins toasted in an air fryer can be served in a variety of ways. You can enjoy them with butter, jam, or other sweet toppings. They also make an excellent base for breakfast sandwiches, eggs Benedict, or mini pizzas. The versatility of air-fried English muffins means you can get creative and tailor them to your taste preferences.

How to serve English muffins

English muffins are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas on how to serve them:

Sweet Options:

• With fruit and yoghurt: Spread a thin layer of polyunsaturated margarine on a toasted muffin, top with sliced banana and a sprinkle of cinnamon, or with sliced strawberries and a dollop of yoghurt.
• With honey: Drizzle honey over a toasted English muffin with peanut butter and sliced bananas, or with cream cheese and strawberry jam.
• With jam: Spread your choice of jam on a toasted English muffin, or make an elevated PB&J with peanut butter and homemade strawberry jam.
• With butter: Spread butter on a toasted English muffin, or try it with Vegemite and cheese, grilled until golden.

Savoury Options:

• With eggs: Make an English muffin breakfast sandwich with eggs, cheese, and bacon, or eggs, bacon, and tomato sauce. You could also try eggs Benedict, topped with hollandaise sauce.
• With meat: Top a toasted English muffin with a slice of lean ham and reduced-fat cream cheese, or with melted cheese or marmite. You could also try it with grilled lean bacon and tomato sauce, or sausage patties.
• With pizza toppings: Make English muffin pizzas with pizza sauce and grated cheese, grilled until golden, or with your favourite pizza toppings.
• With other toppings: Try an English muffin with basil pesto and sliced tomato and grated parmesan cheese, or with avocado, or tuna melts.

English muffins can also be used as a substitute for other types of bread. For example, you can use them as:

• A panini sandwich base
• A burger bun
• A side of garlic bread
• An appetizer base instead of crackers

How to store English muffins

English muffins are a popular yeast-leavened bread that can be stored in a few different ways depending on how long you want to keep them for.

If you plan on consuming your English muffins within a few days of purchase, it is best to store them at room temperature in a cold, dry area, such as a cabinet or breadbox, and away from direct sunlight. Be sure to keep them sealed tightly in their original packaging, pressing out as much air as possible to ensure freshness.

If you want to keep your English muffins for longer than a few days, you can refrigerate them. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap, and then place them all in a Ziploc bag or sealed container. This will help prevent mold growth and extend their shelf life.

For even longer storage, you can freeze your English muffins. It is best to freeze them while they are still fresh to ensure optimal quality. You can keep them in their original packaging or place them in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag. You can also wrap them in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or parchment paper. Frozen English muffins will maintain their quality for at least three months when properly sealed.

To thaw frozen English muffins, you can leave them on the counter, use a toaster or toaster oven, or defrost them in the microwave. If using the microwave, set the power to defrost or 50% power, and cover the muffins with a microwave-safe paper towel to prevent moisture loss.

Some people find that refrigerating English muffins compromises their taste and texture, so it is recommended to only freeze them if you won't be consuming them within a few days. It is also best to slice the muffins before freezing, as they can be difficult to slice when frozen.

How to split English muffins

There are several ways to split an English muffin, but using a fork is the most common method. This is because English muffins are fork-split during production, meaning rods like fork tines are inserted horizontally through the perimeter, creating a perforated line. This allows you to peel the two halves apart without destroying the nooks and crannies that make the muffin so distinctive.

To split an English muffin with a fork, gently insert the tines around the circumference of the muffin and pry the two halves apart. You can also use a knife, but this can flatten the nooks and crannies, defeating the purpose of this particular bread. Another option is to squeeze the sides of the muffin gently while rotating it in your hands, which should cause it to open easily.

Frequently asked questions