I’ll be honest—I didn’t expect air fryer egg toast to become a permanent resident in my breakfast rotation. I tried it on a random rushed morning when I felt too lazy to babysit a pan. One bite later, I knew I had unlocked something dangerous… the kind of breakfast you crave even when you’re not hungry. Crispy toast edges, a perfectly set egg, and that cozy, diner-style comfort without flipping anything? Yeah, I was sold.
If you love easy breakfasts, hate dishes, and secretly want brunch vibes on a weekday, you’re in the right place. Let me walk you through exactly how I make air fryer egg toast, plus all the tips I wish someone had told me earlier. IMO, this recipe feels almost too easy—but that’s the magic. 🙂
Why Air Fryer Egg Toast Just Works
Ever wonder why this recipe exploded on Google and Pinterest? Same. After making this more times than I’d like to admit, I get it now.
The air fryer does three things ridiculously well:
- It crisps bread evenly without drying it out
- It sets the egg whites gently while keeping the yolk how you like it
- It cuts cook time without sacrificing flavor (or sanity)
Plus, you don’t need fancy skills. If you can crack an egg without shell shrapnel, you’re golden.
My Air Fryer Setup (What I Actually Use)
Let’s talk tools real quick, because not all air fryers behave the same.
I use the COSORI Pro LE 5-Qt Air Fryer, and it’s been rock-solid for breakfasts like this. It heats evenly, fits two slices comfortably, and doesn’t blast the toast into croutons.
FYI, you don’t need a huge air fryer for this recipe. Anything 4–6 quarts works just fine.
Ingredients You’ll Need (Nothing Fancy, I Promise)
Here’s the beauty of this recipe—it uses pantry basics.
- 2 slices bread (white, sourdough, whole wheat—your call)
- 2 large eggs
- 1–2 teaspoons butter or olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional but amazing:
- Shredded cheddar or mozzarella
- Everything bagel seasoning
- Chili flakes
- Chopped chives or green onions
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Egg Toast
Step 1: Preheat (Yes, Do It)
I preheat my air fryer to 360°F for about 3 minutes. Skipping this step sounds tempting, but preheating helps the bread crisp evenly. Trust me on this one.
Step 2: Prep the Bread
I press the center of each bread slice down with a spoon to create a shallow well. Don’t smash it flat—just enough space to hold the egg.
Then I brush a little butter or olive oil on the surface. This step makes the toast golden instead of sad and pale.
Step 3: Add the Egg
I gently crack one egg into each bread well. Sometimes the whites spill over a bit, and honestly? That’s fine. Those crispy egg edges taste incredible.
I sprinkle salt and pepper right away so the egg absorbs the seasoning as it cooks.
Step 4: Air Fry
I place the slices into the basket and cook at 360°F for 6–8 minutes.
Here’s how I decide timing:
- 6 minutes → runny yolk
- 7 minutes → jammy yolk
- 8 minutes → fully set yolk
Every air fryer runs slightly different, so check at the 6-minute mark your first time. Ever wondered why Pinterest recipes never mention that? Yeah… same.
Step 5: Add Toppings (Optional but Dangerous)
If I want cheese, I add it during the last 1 minute of cooking. The cheese melts without burning, and life feels correct again.
I finish with chili flakes or chives if I feel fancy—or if Instagram vibes call.
What Makes This Better Than Skillet Egg Toast
I cooked egg toast in a pan for years, and here’s why I switched:
- No flipping stress
- No uneven egg whites
- Way less oil
- Zero stove babysitting
Plus, cleanup takes about 30 seconds. I rinse the basket, wipe the counter, and move on with my life. Win.
Bread Choices That Actually Matter
Not all bread behaves the same in the air fryer. Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:
- White bread: Crisps fast, soft center
- Sourdough: Best flavor, sturdier base
- Whole wheat: Needs an extra 30 seconds
- Gluten-free: Works, but oil helps prevent dryness
Thick-cut bread works best. Thin slices can collapse under the egg—ask me how I know :/
Pro Tips I Wish I Knew Earlier
Let me save you some trial-and-error pain:
- Use room-temp eggs for even cooking
- Don’t overload the basket—airflow matters
- Grease the bread, not the basket
- Add cheese late, unless you enjoy burnt dairy
Also, parchment liners help, but I only use them when cleaning laziness hits hard.
Air Fryer Accessories I Actually Use
If you make air fryer breakfasts often, these help a lot:
- 👉 Silicone Air Fryer Liners – reusable and easy to clean
- 👉 Mini Silicone Spatula Set – perfect for lifting toast without breaking yolks
Not essential, but super handy.
Nutrition Breakdown (Rough Estimate)
One slice of air fryer egg toast:
- Calories: ~220
- Protein: ~10g
- Carbs: ~20g
- Fat: ~10g
Add cheese or butter, and numbers go up—but so does happiness.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat air fryer to 360°F.
- Press a shallow well into bread and brush with oil or butter.
- Crack one egg into each slice. Season lightly.
- Air fry for 6–8 minutes until egg reaches desired doneness.
- Add cheese in the last minute if using. Serve warm.
Notes
- Thicker bread works best
- Check at 6 minutes first
- Add toppings at the end
- Don’t overcrowd the basket

