There are mornings when I want something more filling than plain toast, but I don’t want to stand at the stove waiting for an egg to cook. That’s where this Air Fryer Egg Toast comes in handy.

The bread gets crisp around the edges while the egg cooks right in the middle, so you get toast and a warm egg in one go. Add a little shredded cheese near the end and it turns into a simple breakfast that feels much more special than the effort involved.

The best part is that the whole thing takes less than 10 minutes, making it an easy option for busy mornings when you still want a proper breakfast.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This is one of those breakfasts that’s worth remembering because it’s so simple to put together.

• Quick to make: Breakfast is ready in less than 10 minutes.
• Minimal cleanup: Everything cooks in the air fryer.
• Simple ingredients: You only need bread, eggs and a few basic extras.
• Easy to customize: Keep the yolk runny, make it jammy, or cook it until firm.
• Cheese is optional: It’s delicious without it, but a little cheddar makes a nice addition.

I also like that you don’t need to prepare the egg separately. Once the bread is ready, the egg goes straight into the center and the air fryer handles the rest.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You don’t need much for this recipe, which is one of the reasons I keep coming back to it.

Bread

Use your favorite sliced bread. White bread gives you crisp, golden edges and a soft center, while whole wheat or multigrain bread works just as well if that’s what you normally keep at home.

Try to use slices that are sturdy enough to hold an egg. Very thin bread can become too soft once the egg is added.

Eggs

You’ll need one large egg for each slice of bread.

Fresh eggs work especially well because the whites tend to stay together instead of spreading too much across the bread.

Cheese

Cheese is completely optional, but shredded cheddar is my favorite here. It melts over the egg during the final few minutes and adds a little extra richness.

Mozzarella or Monterey Jack would also work if that’s what you have.

Salt and Black Pepper

A little salt and freshly ground black pepper are enough to season the egg. You can always add hot sauce, chili flakes or fresh herbs afterward if you want more flavor.

Trick That Keeps the Egg on the Toast

You don’t actually need to cut a hole through the bread.

Instead, use the bottom of a drinking glass to press a wide indentation into the center of the slice. The bread should be pressed down enough to create a small pocket for the egg while still remaining intact underneath.

This simple step makes a big difference. The egg stays in place while the surrounding bread gets toasted.

Make the Indentation Wide Enough

Don’t make the indentation too small.

A wider space allows the egg white to spread into a thinner layer, which helps it cook more evenly. If the indentation is very small and deep, the center of the egg white can take longer to set while the edges of the toast are already getting crisp.

You can make the indentation slightly larger if you prefer a more thoroughly cooked egg white.

Before You Start

There’s very little preparation involved, but having everything ready before turning on the air fryer makes the process easier.

Place the bread on a flat surface and press the glass into the center. Have your egg, seasoning and cheese nearby so you can assemble everything quickly.

If you’re worried about getting a piece of eggshell into the toast, crack the egg into a small bowl first and then carefully pour it into the indentation.

How to Make Air Fryer Egg Toast

1. Prepare the Bread

Place the bread on a flat surface and press the bottom of a drinking glass firmly into the center.

Create a wide, shallow indentation without pressing completely through the bread. You want the center to act like a little nest for the egg.

2. Add the Egg

Place the prepared bread into the air fryer basket.

Carefully crack one large egg into the indentation. Try to keep the yolk near the middle so it cooks evenly.

Sprinkle a little salt and black pepper over the egg.

3. Start Air Frying

Set the air fryer to 330°F (165°C) and cook the egg toast for about 5 minutes.

At this point, the bread should be starting to turn golden and the egg white should be partly set.

4. Add the Cheese

If you’re using cheese, open the air fryer after the first 5 minutes and sprinkle the shredded cheese over the egg.

Return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking until the egg reaches your preferred level of doneness and the cheese has melted.

5. Serve While Hot

Carefully remove the toast from the basket and serve immediately.

The contrast between the crisp edges of the bread and the soft egg in the center is best when it’s fresh from the air fryer. A little extra black pepper, chili flakes or hot sauce on top is an easy finishing touch.

Getting the Egg Just Right

The cooking time makes the biggest difference with this recipe. A minute or two can take the yolk from very runny to firm, so I usually start with the shorter time and add another minute if needed.

Since air fryers don’t all heat exactly the same way, use these timings as a starting point rather than a strict rule.

For a Runny Yolk

Cook the egg toast for about 7 minutes. The whites should be mostly set while the yolk remains loose and runny in the center.

For a Soft, Jammy Yolk

Go for around 8 minutes. This gives you firmer whites with a thicker, slightly jammy yolk that’s still soft enough to spread over the toast.

For a Firm Yolk

Cook for about 9 minutes. This is the better option if you don’t enjoy runny eggs or prefer the yolk completely cooked.

A Few Things That Can Change the Cooking Time

Don’t worry if your first batch isn’t exactly how you imagined it. Small differences can affect the result.

The size of the indentation: A wider indentation spreads the egg white out and helps it cook faster.

The type of bread: Thick, dense bread can take a little longer to become crisp than thin sandwich bread.

Your air fryer: Different models circulate heat differently, so your egg may need an extra minute compared with another air fryer.

Egg size: A particularly large egg will naturally have more white to cook through.

Easy Ways to Change It Up

Once you’ve got the basic method down, there are plenty of simple ways to make the toast your own without turning it into a complicated breakfast.

Make It Cheesy

Cheddar is an easy choice, but mozzarella, Monterey Jack or a mild cheese blend can work too. Add it during the last few minutes so it melts without getting overly browned.

Add Some Heat

A little hot sauce after cooking is probably the easiest way to add heat. Chili flakes or finely sliced fresh chili work nicely too.

Add Fresh Herbs

A small sprinkle of chopped chives, parsley or green onion can brighten up the finished toast.

Try Different Bread

Whole wheat, sourdough and multigrain bread all work well. Just choose a slice that’s sturdy enough to hold the egg.

What to Serve With Egg Toast

The egg toast is filling enough to eat on its own, but you can easily turn it into a bigger breakfast.

Serve it alongside:

• Fresh fruit
• Avocado slices
• Sauteed mushrooms
• Tomatoes
• Crispy bacon
• Breakfast potatoes
• A simple green salad

For a quick weekday breakfast, I’d keep it simple with some fruit and coffee. On a slower morning, avocado and crispy potatoes make it feel more like a full breakfast.

Common Questions

Why is my egg white still runny?

The most common reason is that the indentation is too small, leaving the egg white in a thick layer. Try making the indentation wider so the white spreads out more.

You can also add another minute of cooking time, especially if your air fryer runs slightly cooler.

Why did the egg spread over the bread?

If the indentation isn’t deep or wide enough, the egg white can spill over the sides. Press the glass firmly into the bread to create a broader pocket, but don’t press all the way through.

Can I make this with more than one slice?

Yes. You can make multiple slices at once as long as they fit comfortably in your air fryer basket without overlapping.

Keep in mind that adding more food can slightly change the airflow and cooking time, so check the eggs toward the end.

Can I make the yolk completely firm?

Yes. Simply cook the toast for around 9 minutes, checking it toward the end. If your air fryer cooks quickly, you may need slightly less time.

How to Store Leftovers

This breakfast is definitely best when eaten straight from the air fryer. The toast gradually loses its crispness and the egg continues to firm up as it cools.

If you do have leftovers, refrigerate them in a covered container and reheat them until hot. The texture won’t be quite the same as freshly cooked egg toast, but it’s still perfectly usable for a quick breakfast.

For the best result, I recommend making only as much as you plan to eat. Since it takes less than 10 minutes, there’s really not much benefit to making it ahead.