Who has time for a leisurely breakfast in the morning? Not me. That's why I love air fryer egg toast. It's a quick and easy way to get a protein-packed breakfast in no time. Plus, it's perfect for those mornings when you're running low on groceries and have nothing to make for breakfast. All you need is some bread, eggs, and your air fryer. So try this simple dish – I promise you won't be disappointed!
Egg in a hole or egg toast is a quick and easy breakfast made in an air fryer. You can enjoy this healthy, protein-packed breakfast on a budget. This dish is also perfect for those mornings when you're short on time but still want a delicious and satisfying meal.
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What is air fryer egg toast?
Air fryer egg toast may not sound like much when you describe it. But trust me; it's a delicious and satisfying breakfast that will keep you full until lunchtime. And it couldn't be simpler to make. All you need is some bread, eggs, and your air fryer.
Air fryer egg toast gets its name because the eggs are literally cooked in an air fryer. No need for a frying pan. No messing with a hot stove. Just pop your bread and eggs into the air fryer, set the timer, and let it do its thing. It takes only a few minutes to cook your eggs perfectly, with a fluffy interior and crispy exterior.
Note:
Air fryer egg toast is also known as "egg in a hole" or "egg in a basket." It's a popular breakfast dish traditionally made by cutting a hole in the center of a slice of bread and then frying an egg in the hole. But with the air fryer, there's no need to cut a hole in the bread – the egg will cook perfectly without one.
How do you describe an egg in a hole?
Egg in a hole is a popular breakfast dish traditionally made by cutting a hole in the center of a slice of bread and then frying an egg in the hole. But with the air fryer, there's no need to cut a hole in the bread – the egg will cook perfectly without one.
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Tips for making an air fryer egg in a hole
Here are a few tips to help you make the perfect air fryer egg toast:
1 Use a slice of bread at least an inch thick.
When the bread is too thin, it soaks up too much moisture from the egg during cooking, resulting in a soggy texture. Using thicker slices of bread will have more structural integrity and hold up better to the moisture from the egg, resulting in a crispier, toastier texture.
2 If you want your egg yolk to be runny, pierce it with a fork before cooking.
When you gently pierce the yolk, heat can reach the center of the egg more quickly, thus cooking it faster. Additionally, it will prevent the yolk from puffing up, bursting, and getting overcooked. Piercing the yolk allows the heat to cook the yolk simultaneously with the egg white. That way, you will achieve the desired runniness in the yolk.
3 Adjust cooking time based on your desired level of crispiness.
When you cook the eggs for less time, the toast will have a softer texture, while cooking it for a few minutes longer will result in a crisper texture. The longer you cook the eggs, the more heat you provide to the bread, making it crispy.
The heat will dry out the moisture from the bread; hence the crust will be harder and crispy. On the other hand, shorter cooking times will keep the moisture inside the bread, resulting in a softer texture. So you can adjust the cooking time to your desired level of crispiness.
4 Feel free to experiment with different types of bread.
Sourdough, whole wheat, and rye are all great options, as they offer unique characteristics that can enhance the taste and texture of the final dish.
- Sourdough bread is naturally fermented; it has a tangy taste and chewy texture.
- Whole wheat bread is made with whole wheat flour. Thus, it has more fiber and nutrients.
- Rye bread is made with rye and wheat flour, with a denser texture and nutty flavor.
5 Add flavor to your toast.
Topping your toast with cheese, avocado, or your favorite hot sauce will add a layer of flavor to your dish. These toppings can complement the taste of the bread and eggs, adding depth and complexity.
- Cheese can add a creamy and rich flavor; also, it can make the toast more savory.
- Avocado is a good source of healthy fats, adding a creamy texture and a mild flavor to your toast.
- Hot sauce can add a spicy kick and a depth of flavor.
What can you do without mayo on this egg toast?
Option 1
To make this egg toast without mayo, try the following option:
- Use a glass to make a shallow indentation in the bread, deep enough for the egg to sit in.
- Use your fingers to press down on the center of the indent, creating a space for the egg.
Option 2
- Create a small indentation in a slice of bread using a spoon, forming a small box in the middle to hold the egg.
- Then, butter the bread, sprinkle some sugar and crack an egg.
- Follow the remaining instructions and place the bread and egg in a preheated air fryer set at 340°F for 7 minutes to achieve the best yolk texture.
- Finally, allow the egg to cook for 2 minutes for a fully cooked yolk.
Why does this egg toast need mayo?
I highly recommend adding mayonnaise to this egg toast because it helps the egg white cook evenly, prevents it from drying, and gives the toast a nice creamy flavor that pairs well with the eggs. If mayo is unavailable, you can use alternatives like sour cream, yogurt, or cream cheese, but make sure to spread it evenly over the toast, so the egg has something to adhere to.
What is the difference between air fryer egg toast and regular egg toast?
The main difference between air fryer egg toast and regular egg toast is that air fryer egg toast is cooked in an air fryer rather than on a stovetop. Air fryer egg toast is also generally healthier because it uses less oil than regular egg toast.
What is the best bread to use for egg toast?
For the best results, I recommend using a bread slice that is at least one inch thick when making air fryer egg toast, as it helps prevent the bread from getting soggy from the egg. Some great bread options include sourdough, whole wheat, and rye bread.
Topping ideas
When making an Air fryer egg in a hole, I recommend trying toppings such as diced tomatoes and avocado, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, feta cheese, or bacon bits and shredded cheddar cheese. To add flavor, you can also try herbs and spices like parsley, thyme, or black pepper.
Another idea is to top it with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt and a sprinkle of chives or green onions before serving. The options are endless, so have fun experimenting with different toppings to find the combination that you like best!
How long does air fryer egg toast take to cook?
Cooking egg toast in an Air fryer typically takes 7 to 8 minutes at 340°F. However, the exact cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the bread and your desired level of doneness for the eggs.
Nutritional value
The nutritional value of an Air fryer egg in a hole will vary depending on the ingredients you use and the size of the dish. A basic recipe would include bread, egg, and butter. A serving of this basic dish contains approximately:
- Calorie: around 200 - 250 calories
- Carbohydrates: 25 grams
- Protein: 10 grams
- Fat: 10 grams
However, adding ingredients such as cheese, meat, or avocado will add to the dish's calorie, protein, fat, and carb value.
How to make an air fryer egg in a hole
Preparing air fryer egg toast couldn't be simpler. The first step is to generously coat your air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the bread from sticking. Next, carefully crack an egg into each slice of bread, keeping the yolk whole and intact. This is essential, as it will ensure the yolk remains runny and adds a creamy, delicious contrast to the cooked egg white.
You'll need these ingredients:
- Two slices of bread
- Two eggs
- 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 tablespoon of mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- ¼ cup mayo
- a dash of sugar, pepper, and salt
Detailed instructions:
Step 1
Preheat the air fryer to 340°F for 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 2
Brush each slice of bread with soft butter. Next, spread mayonnaise around the edges of the square. The egg will remain in the center by putting a "mayo border" around the toast.
At the same time, the cheese won't ooze out while toasting.
Step 3
Sprinkle sugar on top of the mayonnaise. Break an egg open, careful not to break the yolk. And then, season the eggs with salt and pepper.
Step 4
Position the bread slices in the middle of the preheated air fryer basket—Cook for 6 to 7 minutes.
Step 5
Now, you can add grated Mozzarella cheese over each egg during the last minute of cooking. Ease open the air fryer door to check on the progress. And the egg toast is ready when the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the bread is golden.
Step 6
Carefully remove the air fryer egg toast from the basket and serve immediately.
Cooking times for egg
Perfect eggs should have runny yolks and set whites. The great thing about Air Fryer Egg Toast is that you can adjust it to suit your tastes.
- Those who prefer runny yolks and slightly runny whites should use 7 minutes for cooking the toast.
- Ten minutes of cooking time will yield a well-cooked yolk and firm white.
- For a firmer yolk and more set whites, air fry for 9 minutes.
Note:
Toast will become darker if you cook it beyond 8 minutes. For this reason, 330°F is the ideal cooking temperature for a firmer yolk.
Full Recipe
Air Fryer Egg in a hole
Pin RecipeEquipments:
- Air Fryer
Ingredients:
- 2 slices bread
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 tablespoon Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- a dash of sugar, pepper, and salt
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Instructions:
- Brush each slice of bread with soft butter. Next, spread mayonnaise around the edges of the square. The egg will remain in the center by putting a border of mayo around the toast. At the same time, the cheese won’t ooze out while toasting.
- Sprinkle sugar on top of the bread. Break an egg open, careful not to break the yolk. And then, season the eggs with salt and pepper.
- Position the bread slices in the middle of the preheated air fryer basket—Cook for 6 to 7 minutes.
- Then, add grated Mozzarella cheese over the top of each egg during the last minute of cooking. Ease open the air fryer door to check on the progress. The egg toast is ready when the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bread is golden.
- Carefully remove the air fryer egg toast from the basket and serve immediately.
Notes:
Cooking times for egg
Perfect eggs should have runny yolks and set whites. The great thing about Air Fryer Egg Toast is that you can adjust it to suit your tastes.- Those who prefer runny yolks and slightly runny whites should use 7 minutes for cooking the toast.
- Ten minutes of cooking time will yield a well-cooked yolk and firm white.
- For a firmer yolk and more set whites, air fry for 9 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Frequently asked questions
You can use any bread for an egg in a hole, but thicker slices work best so the egg doesn't fall through the hole. Brioche, challah, and Texas toast are all good choices. You could even use a waffle or pancake.
A biscuit cutter, cookie-cutter, or even a glass turned upside down will work to cut a hole in the center of the bread slice. Also, a knife will do the trick if you cut slowly and carefully.
Eggs naturally stick to surfaces, so using a non-stick skillet or cooking spray is essential. You can also add some oil to the pan before adding the bread and egg.
Cooking an egg is when the whites are set, and the yolk is done to your preference. If you like a runny yolk, cook it for a shorter time. If you prefer a firm yolk, cook for a bit longer. You can also cover the pan with a lid to help speed up the cooking process.
Get creative and make it your own! In addition to cheese, try adding avocado, bacon, or sausage. You could even add a dollop of sauce or jam.
Use a small amount of butter or cooking spray in the pan for perfectly cooked eggs, then crack the eggs into the holes. Cook over low heat until the whites are set and the yolks are cooked to your liking.
You can cook the eggs and reheat them in the microwave when you're ready to eat. You can also cook the bread ahead of time, but it's best to cook the eggs right before you plan to eat.
You don't need butter to make egg in a hole, but it does help to keep the bread from sticking to the pan and makes the finished dish a little richer. If you're trying to avoid butter, use a non-stick pan or cooking spray.
The point of egg in a hole is to cook the egg in the middle of the bread, creating a delicious and easy breakfast option. The dish is sometimes referred to as "toad in a hole," although any bread will do, such as bagels or toast.
If you're looking for a new way to enjoy egg in a hole, try this air fryer egg toast recipe. The bread is crispy, and the egg is perfectly cooked, making it a perfect breakfast option. Plus, it's easy to make and only takes a few minutes to cook.
In the same way as its American counterpart, British toast also has a hole in the middle for cracking an egg. The difference is that the British version is cooked in a frying pan with butter, while the American version is usually cooked in a toaster oven.