My mom made egg in a hole every Saturday morning when I was growing up, and the smell of buttery toast still brings me right back to those cozy weekend breakfasts. Now I make this nostalgic dish for my own kids, but I’ve discovered something game-changing: the air fryer makes it even better than the stovetop version. The toast comes out perfectly crispy on both sides, the egg whites cook through completely, and the yolk stays gloriously runny—all with almost zero cleanup.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Air Fryer Egg Toast takes a classic comfort food breakfast and makes it practically effortless. You only need two ingredients (eggs and bread), it’s ready in under 10 minutes, and cleanup is a breeze since everything cooks in one basket. The air fryer circulates heat evenly, giving you crispy toast edges and a perfectly cooked egg without having to flip anything or watch over a hot skillet.
This recipe is incredibly flexible—you can adjust the cooking time to get your yolk exactly how you like it, from soft and runny to completely firm. It’s perfect for busy weekday mornings when you need something filling but don’t have time for an elaborate breakfast, and kids love the fun presentation of an egg cooked right into the bread.
“I use my air fryer for everything!! I am totally trying this recipe for breakfast today. It looks so deliciously easy.” — Christie
How to make Air Fryer Egg Toast
The process is wonderfully simple. You’ll start by placing your bread slices in a sprayed air fryer basket, then use a drinking glass to press an indent into the center of each slice. Crack an egg directly into that indent, season with salt and pepper, and let the air fryer do all the work. The hot circulating air cooks the egg and toasts the bread simultaneously, creating crispy edges and a tender center in just 8 minutes at 340°F.
The key is pressing down the center indent with your fingers after using the glass—this creates a well that holds the egg in place. Don’t worry if a little egg white spills over the edge; it will cook right onto the toast and taste delicious.
What you’ll need
Main ingredients:
- 2 large eggs — Fresh eggs work best for a bright yellow yolk
- 2 slices of bread — Choose a thicker bread like Brownberry or Dave’s Killer Bread for larger pieces that hold the egg well
- Salt and pepper, to taste — Simple seasoning is all you need
Optional add-ins:
- Shredded cheese — Sprinkle on during the last minute of cooking for a cheesy version
- Cooking spray — To prevent sticking in the basket
Step-by-step instructions
- Prep the air fryer: Spray the air fryer basket generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place your bread slices in the basket in a single layer.
- Create the indent: Take a drinking glass and press it firmly into the center of each bread slice to create a circular indent. Use your fingers to press down the center of the indent even more, creating a well that will hold the egg.
- Add the egg: Carefully crack one egg into the center of each indent. It’s perfectly fine if some egg white spreads beyond the indent—it will cook onto the toast. Season the top with salt and pepper.
- Air fry: Place the basket into the air fryer and cook at 340°F for 8 minutes. This timing gives you runny yolks and fully set whites. If you want to add cheese, sprinkle it on during the final minute of cooking.
- Serve: Use a spatula to carefully remove each egg toast from the basket. Serve immediately while the yolk is still warm and runny.
How to serve Air Fryer Egg Toast
Serve your egg toast hot off the air fryer with crispy bacon strips on the side for a classic breakfast combo. Fresh fruit like berries or sliced melon adds a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory egg. For a heartier meal, pair it with breakfast sausage links or hash browns.
You can also turn this into a more sophisticated brunch dish by topping it with sliced avocado, everything bagel seasoning, or a drizzle of hot sauce. A simple side salad with mixed greens makes this feel like a complete meal any time of day.
Storage and reheating tips
Air Fryer Egg Toast is best enjoyed fresh and hot, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The texture won’t be quite as crispy after storage, but it still tastes good.
To reheat, place the egg toast back in the air fryer at 320°F for 2-3 minutes. This will crisp up the bread again without overcooking the egg. You can also reheat in a toaster oven, but avoid the microwave as it will make the toast soggy.
Freezing isn’t recommended for this recipe since eggs don’t freeze well once cooked, and the texture becomes rubbery when thawed.
Helpful cooking tips
Choose thicker bread: Regular sandwich bread can work, but thicker artisan-style breads hold up better and create a more substantial breakfast. The thicker slices also hold the egg more securely.
Press firmly: Really press down that center indent with your fingers after using the glass. This creates a deeper well that prevents the egg from spilling over the edges.
Adjust for your air fryer: Every air fryer heats slightly differently. If you notice one side cooking faster than the other, try rotating the basket halfway through cooking, or adjust your temperature down by 10 degrees.
Watch the first batch: The first time you make this, check it at 7 minutes to see how your specific air fryer is doing. You can always add more time, but you can’t undo overcooked eggs.
Don’t skip the spray: Even if your air fryer basket is nonstick, use cooking spray. The egg can stick to the bread and then to the basket, making it difficult to remove cleanly.
Creative twists
Cheesy garlic version: Spread a thin layer of garlic butter on the bread before making the indent, then top with shredded mozzarella or cheddar during the last minute of cooking.
Everything bagel style: Use everything bagel bread or sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top of the egg before cooking. Top with cream cheese and smoked salmon after cooking for a breakfast bagel vibe.
Spicy Southwest: Season the egg with chili powder and cumin instead of just salt and pepper. Top the finished toast with salsa, sliced jalapeños, and a dollop of sour cream.
Sweet and savory: Try cinnamon raisin bread for a sweet-savory combination. The slight sweetness pairs surprisingly well with the savory egg.
Veggie-packed: Sprinkle finely diced bell peppers, onions, or tomatoes around the egg before cooking. Add spinach during the last 2 minutes.
Gluten-free option: Use your favorite gluten-free bread. You may need to reduce cooking time by 1 minute since gluten-free bread tends to toast faster.
Common questions
Can I cook more than 2 slices at once? Yes, as long as they fit in a single layer in your air fryer basket without overlapping. Depending on your air fryer size, you might be able to cook 3-4 slices at once. Just make sure air can circulate around each piece for even cooking.
How do I get my yolk cooked to my preference? For runny yolks with slightly runny whites, cook for 7 minutes. For runny yolks with fully set whites (the most popular option), cook for 8 minutes. For firmer yolks with set whites, cook for 9 minutes. For well-done yolks and firm whites, cook for 10 minutes. Note that cooking beyond 8 minutes will make the toast darker, so reduce the temperature to 330°F for longer cooking times.
Why is my toast burning before the egg is cooked? This usually means your air fryer runs hot. Try reducing the temperature to 330°F and adding an extra minute to the cooking time. Also make sure you’re not placing the bread directly over a heating element if your model has one.
Can I use different types of bread? Absolutely! White, wheat, sourdough, brioche, and even English muffins work well. Thicker breads work best because they can hold the egg better. Avoid very thin sandwich bread as it may become too crispy before the egg cooks through.
What if the egg white spills over the indent? That’s completely normal and okay! The egg white will cook onto the surface of the bread and create crispy, delicious edges. Just make sure most of the yolk stays in the center indent so it doesn’t run all over the basket.
Do I need to flip the egg toast while cooking? No! That’s the beauty of the air fryer—the circulating hot air cooks both sides at once. Flipping isn’t necessary and would likely break the yolk.
Print
Air Fryer Egg Toast
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A nostalgic breakfast made easy with the air fryer, resulting in crispy toast and perfectly cooked eggs.
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 2 slices of thick bread
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray
- Shredded cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Spray the air fryer basket generously with cooking spray and place the bread slices in a single layer.
- Press a drinking glass into the center of each slice to create an indent. Press down the center further with your fingers.
- Crack one egg into the center of each indent and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook in the air fryer at 340°F for 8 minutes. Add cheese during the last minute if desired.
- Carefully remove each egg toast from the basket and serve immediately.
Notes
You can adjust cooking times for different yolk preferences. Serve with bacon, fruit, or avocado for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American