Air-Fried Egg Sandwich: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making an egg sandwich in an air fryer is a quick and easy breakfast option. You can use a variety of ingredients, including bread, eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage, and English muffins. The cooking time may vary depending on the specific air fryer model and your preferred level of doneness for the yolk. Here's a simple guide to help you get started:

First, prepare the air fryer basket by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray. Next, you can butter both sides of your bread and place it in the basket. If using bacon, create a nest by twisting the bacon strip in the middle and place an egg carefully in the centre. You can season with salt and pepper to taste. Air fry the sandwich for around 7-8 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. For a runnier yolk, reduce the cooking time. And that's it! You now have a delicious and easy breakfast sandwich made right in your air fryer.

Choosing your bread

Choosing the right bread is a crucial step in making an egg sandwich in an air fryer. The bread you choose will determine the overall taste, texture, and appearance of your sandwich. Here are some factors to consider when selecting your bread:

Type of Bread

You can use a variety of breads for your egg sandwich. Some common options include white bread, wheat bread, sourdough bread, English muffins, bagels, or toast. Choose a bread that you love and that will complement the other ingredients in your sandwich.

Bread Thickness

The thickness of the bread will impact the cooking time and the overall texture of the sandwich. Thicker slices of bread may require a longer cooking time to ensure they are toasted properly. If you are using thicker bread, consider toasting it lightly before adding the other ingredients to ensure it is not too soft.

Bread Size

Consider the size of the bread in relation to the size of your air fryer. You want to make sure that the bread fits comfortably in the air fryer basket. If you are using a smaller air fryer, you may need to cut the bread to a suitable size.

Freshness and Quality

Always choose fresh and high-quality bread. Stale or dry bread will not taste as good and may become too hard or crispy when toasted in the air fryer. Look for bread that is soft, fluffy, and free of any mould or discolouration.

Freezer-Friendly

If you plan on making a large batch of sandwiches and freezing them for later, consider choosing a bread that freezes well. Some breads may become dry or soggy after being frozen and thawed. Look for breads that are specifically designed to be freezer-friendly, or test out different options to see which ones hold up the best.

Nutritional Content

Depending on your dietary preferences and goals, you may want to consider the nutritional content of the bread. If you are looking for a more nutritious option, opt for whole grain or multigrain bread, which can provide additional fibre and nutrients. If you are watching your calorie intake, look for lower-calorie bread options.

Preparing the egg

Method 1: Egg in an Indentation

This method involves creating an indentation in the bread to hold the egg in place. First, use a glass to press into the bread and create a round indentation. You can also use the bottom of the glass to make the indentation more pronounced, ensuring it can accommodate the egg without spilling. Place the indented bread into the air fryer basket.

Next, carefully crack an egg into the indentation. You can sprinkle salt and pepper on top of the egg for seasoning. Some recipes also suggest adding shredded cheese at this point for extra flavour.

Method 2: Egg in a Mason Jar Lid

Another way to prepare the egg is by using a Mason jar lid. Place the lid upside down in the centre of a square of aluminium foil and fold the foil up and around the lid to create a round mould. Spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the egg from sticking. Crack the egg into the centre of the lid, and season with salt and pepper if desired.

Method 3: Egg in a Pan

For this method, you will need to whisk the eggs with milk in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Grease a skillet or a 9x11 baking pan, depending on your preferred cooking method. If using a skillet, heat it over medium heat before pouring in the egg mixture. Let the eggs cook for a minute or two, then use a spatula to pull the edges towards the centre, allowing the uncooked egg to spread evenly. Flatten the eggs with the spatula to ensure even cooking.

If using an oven, preheat it to 350°F and pour the egg mixture into the greased baking pan. Bake for about 15 minutes, then remove and cut into equal pieces.

Regardless of the cooking method, the goal is to create a large, flat chunk of scrambled egg that can fit inside your sandwich.

Method 4: Egg in a "Bacon Nest"

This method is ideal if you want to include bacon in your sandwich. Take a slice of bacon and twist it in the middle to create a little "nest" for the egg. Carefully crack the egg into the centre of the bacon nest. You can then place this directly into the air fryer, cooking it according to your desired level of doneness.

Cooking the Egg:

Once you've prepared the egg using one of the methods above, it's time to cook it in the air fryer. The cooking time will depend on your preferred level of doneness for the yolk. For a runny yolk, cook the egg for around 6-7 minutes. For a gooey, jammy yolk, aim for 8 minutes. If you prefer your yolk well-done, cook for 9 minutes or more.

Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model, so you may need to experiment a little to find the perfect timing for your desired level of doneness.

Cooking the meat

While making an egg sandwich in an air fryer, you can add meat to it by following these steps:

• If you are using bacon, place a single strip of bacon in the air fryer basket. If you have an air fryer oven, place it on the top rack. Air fry the bacon for 3-5 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
• If you are using sausage, cook the sausage separately. You can cook the sausage in the air fryer by placing it in the basket and air frying it until it is heated through. Alternatively, you can cook it according to the package instructions while the eggs are cooking.
• If you are using frozen sausage patties, they will need to be thawed before cooking. You can either thaw them in the refrigerator or cook them from frozen. If cooking from frozen, place them in the air fryer and cook until heated through.
• If you are using Canadian bacon or turkey bacon, it is recommended to crisp it up before assembling the sandwich.
• If you are using pork sausage or marinated tempeh, you can add it to the sandwich without cooking it separately.

Assembling the Sandwich

• After cooking the meat, assemble the sandwich by layering the ingredients in the following order: the bottom half of an English muffin or slice of bread, the meat, the egg, a slice of cheese, and then the top half of the English muffin or bread.
• If you are using bacon, cut the strip in half and place it between the other ingredients.
• If you are using sausage, you can add it to the sandwich before or after cooking, depending on your preference.

Cooking the Sandwich

• Place the assembled sandwich in the air fryer and cook at 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit (175-180 degrees Celsius) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through.
• If your sandwich includes sausage, you may need to cook it for a longer time, up to 7-10 minutes.
• If you are cooking a frozen sandwich, cook it for 6-8 minutes, then assemble it and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Adding cheese

• Type of Cheese: You can use any type of cheese you like! Popular options include cheddar, American, Swiss, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack. Choose a cheese that melts well and complements the other flavours in your sandwich.
• When to Add Cheese: The best time to add cheese to your egg sandwich is during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Open the air fryer and sprinkle or place your desired amount of cheese over the egg. This will allow the cheese to melt perfectly as the egg finishes cooking.
• Cheese Placement: For the best results, place the cheese on top of the egg. This will help hold the top layers of your sandwich together and create a delicious, gooey centre.
• Freezing and Refrigerating: If you're making a batch of sandwiches to freeze or refrigerate, it's best to leave the cheese out. Assemble the sandwiches without the cheese, and then add it just before air-frying. This will ensure that the cheese melts properly and doesn't become dry or rubbery.
• Customisation: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese and additional ingredients. For example, you could try adding some hot sauce, sliced avocado, or fresh herbs to complement your cheesy creation.
• Cooking Time: Depending on the type of cheese you use, you may need to adjust the cooking time. Thicker slices or chunks of cheese may require a minute or two more to melt completely. Keep an eye on your sandwich to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Assembling the sandwich

To assemble the sandwich, you will need to prepare the ingredients beforehand. This includes cooking the eggs, bacon or sausage, and toasting the bread or English muffins.

For the eggs, you can either scramble them in a pan or bake them in the oven. If scrambling, whisk the eggs with milk in a bowl and then pour the mixture into a greased pan. Scramble the eggs until they form two large chunks—season with salt and pepper if desired. If baking, whisk the eggs and milk together and pour the mixture into a greased baking pan. Bake in the oven for around 15 minutes.

For the bacon or sausage, place the strips or patties in the air fryer basket and cook at 350–400°F for 3–7 minutes. For thicker cuts of bacon, pre-cook for a few minutes to ensure they are fully cooked.

To toast the bread, butter both sides and place the slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for around 5 minutes at 330°F. For English muffins, air fry at 400°F for 2 minutes.

Now you can assemble the sandwich. For a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, place the cooked bacon in the middle of an English muffin, followed by the egg, and then top with cheese. For a sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich, stack the ingredients in the following order: the bottom half of an English muffin, sausage patty, egg, cheese, and then the top half of the English muffin.

If you are making the sandwich ahead of time, wrap it in wax paper or aluminium foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month.

Frequently asked questions