For a filling, yummy breakfast, make our Air Fryer Egg Toast! Classic egg-in-a-hole is even easier to make following our simple air fryer instructions. It's ready in under ten minutes, takes just four ingredients, and is sure to make you smile!
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For the perfect golden, runny egg yolk, crisp bread, and excellent buttery flavor, try making egg toast in the air fryer! The steps are simple, and the results are even better than what you might get in the oven or on the stove. Plus, it takes under 10 minutes, so it's perfect for busy mornings!
There's a lot to love about this recipe that we could go on about, but we won't keep you waiting. Let's get air frying!
Ingredients to Air Fry Egg in a Hole
- Sliced Bread: We're using brioche bread from ALDI and highly recommend it! The Walmart brioche loaf is also very good. Use your favorite bread for this recipe. You can use any kind, from classic white and wheat to sourdough or rye. Just be careful with crustier bread, which can get too hard when air fried (we tried this with Italian bread - it was delicious, but a little too hard). See our guide to air fryer toast if you want more ideas for the kinds of bread you can air fry. Note: The slices also need to be large enough to make a well and hold the egg without it overflowing.
- Large Eggs: We're using Grade A Large Eggs. You want to use a high-quality egg for this to make the dish really shine. If you have access to farm eggs, try those!
- Salted Butter: You can use unsalted butter if it's what you have, but if you do, add a little more salt to taste.
- Salt and Pepper: Classic salt and black pepper are the only seasoning we're using here. We recommend using kosher salt or sea salt, plus freshly cracked black pepper (but ground will do, too).
We're big fans of egg toast. All of us used to eat it as kids growing up, and as adults, it's a life-saver for busy mornings. Air frying makes it even easier - our favorite way for breakfast to be!
How to Air Fry Egg Toast
Step 1
Using a sturdy glass, carefully press down in the center of the bread slice to make a well for the egg. Be careful not to tear the bread!
Step 2
Use your fingers to even up the indent, so that the egg can spread nicely.
Step 3
Repeat for the other slice of bread. See our video demonstration if you're not certain.
Step 4
Butter your bread slices with salted butter. Use soft, spreadable butter to make it easier to butter the bread without tearing it.
Step 3
Place a rack under the air fryer basket to raise the food up closer to the heating element. This is a necessary step for making good air fryer egg toast. Set the bread in the basket.
Step 4
Crack an egg into a small dish, such as a ramekin. Be careful not to break the yolk! Then, carefully pour the egg into the indentation of one of the bread slices. Repeat with the other egg for the second slice of bread.
Step 3
Sprinkle the eggs with a little kosher salt and black pepper to season, then air fry at 375°F for 6 minutes (over-easy runny yolk) or 7-8 minutes for more set yolk.
Step 4
Carefully remove the egg toast from the air fryer using a spatula. Serve, and enjoy!
Watch the Video
Toaster Oven Style Air Fryer Instructions
The following instructions are for toaster-oven style air fryers with a tray, such as the Breville Smart Oven Air. Note that these models take longer to cook than air fryers with a basket.
- Preheat your toaster oven style air fryer to 400°F.
- Using a sturdy glass, carefully press down in the center of the bread slice to make a well for the egg, being careful not to tear the bread. Use your fingers to even up the indent so the egg can spread nicely. Repeat for both slices of bread. See video demonstration for help.
- Butter bread with salted butter. Use spreadable butter to make it easier to butter the bread without tearing it.
- Place each slice of bread in the air fryer tray in a single layer.
- Crack an egg into a small dish, such as a ramekin, being careful not to break the yolk. Sprinkle the egg with a little kosher salt and black pepper.
- Carefully pour egg into the indentation in one of the bread slices. Repeat with the other egg pouring it into the 2nd piece of bread.
- Air fry at 400°F for 6 minutes in your preheated air fryer. This will yield a runny egg yolk. Add 1 to 2 minutes of cooking to the cooking time for a more cooked egg yolk.
- Carefully remove the egg toast from the air fryer with a spatula. Serve and enjoy!
Air Fryer Egg Cook Times
Basket Style
| Egg Yolk Consistency | Time and Temp |
|---|---|
| Over Easy | Air fry at 375°F for 6 minutes. Over-easy eggs have a runny yolk. |
| Over Medium | Air fry at 375°F for 7 minutes. Over medium eggs have a set yolk that is just slightly wet. |
| Over Well | Air fry at 375°F for 8 minutes. Over-well eggs have a fully set egg similar to a hard-boiled egg. |
Toaster Oven Style
| Egg Yolk Consistency | Time and Temp |
|---|---|
| Over Easy | Air fry at 400°F for 6 minutes. Over-easy eggs have a runny egg yolk. |
| Over Medium | Air fry at 400°F for 6½ to 7 minutes. Over medium eggs have a set yolk that is just slightly wet. |
| Over Well | Air fry at 400°F for 7½ to 8 minutes. Over-well eggs have a fully set egg similar to a hard-boiled egg. |
Note about Air Fryer Styles for Egg in a Hole
We tested this air fryer egg toast recipe extensively, as it was a little fussy to get the egg cooked the way we liked it. We are confident this recipe will work in most basket style, 6-8 quart air fryers. If your air fryer is smaller, such as a 4 quart air fryer, you will want to check on the cook of the egg around 4 minutes; smaller baskets cook food more quickly because the heat is more concentrated. 4 minutes is how long it took us in our small Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. Adjust the time as needed for your air fryer model.
Recipe Tips
- You may have to gently press down several times to make a well for the egg to fit in. Be careful not to tear the bread. Once you have a nice well for the egg, you can use your fingers to gently shape the opening.
- Air fryer settings vary according to brand and model. If your air fryer does not have the exact temperature setting called for in the recipe, consult your manual for suggested temperature settings.
- Be sure to use the directions for the style air fryer you are using. In our experience, toaster oven style air fryers usually take a little longer to cook, so we try to include directions for both the basket style air fryers as well as the toaster oven style air fryers. We have tested each recipe in both style air fryers.
- For best results don’t crowd the food in the air fryer basket.
- We tested this recipe in a 1500 watt, 7-quart air fryer. If using a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook one at a time and adjust the cook time down a little as food may cook faster in the smaller space.
Try this recipe with...
Try more of our Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes!
Variations
- Egg Toast with Cheese: When your egg toast is done, leave it in the air fryer and top it with 1 to 2 Tablespoons of your favorite finely shredded cheese. Close the air fryer drawer to allow the cheese to melt. You shouldn’t need to turn on the air fryer. Just close the drawer. Cheese usually melts nicely in 30 seconds to a minute.
- Everything Bagel Flavor: Change up the seasoning by topping your egg toast with Everything Bagel Seasoning instead of salt and pepper.
- Fresh Herbs: Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro.
- Bruschetta Egg Toast: For an Italian inspired egg toast, top it with fresh tomato and basil or how about our double tomato bruschetta topping for a real treat! You can mix up the bruschetta ingredients and keep in the fridge for 3-4 days to use when enjoying your egg toast. Makes a delicious lunch or light dinner too!
- Hot Sauce on Egg Toast: Spice things up with a splash of hot sauce. You can’t go wrong with hot sauce and eggs!
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container such as a sandwich container for 1-2 days. We don't recommend storing it as it is much better fresh, but you can if you need to. Reheat in the air fryer for 3 minutes or so to heat through and keep crisp (you don't need to use the rack for reheating).
FAQ
Thicker bread slices work best for egg in a hole. We also recommend avoiding crusty breads, as they can become too hard when air fried. Otherwise, you can use any bread you like best!
Yes! Egg in a hole is the same thing as egg in a basket. However, it's not to be confused with toad in a hole, which uses sausage and Yorkshire pudding batter.
Leave a comment and review for us below if you enjoyed this recipe, or if you have questions about any of our air fryer recipes!
Air Fryer Egg Toast
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- A sturdy glass
- Small dish, such as a ramekin
Ingredients
- 2 slices bread
- 2 eggs grade A large eggs
- salted butter spreadable and at room temperature
- kosher salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Using a sturdy glass, carefully press down in the center of the bread slice to make a well for the egg, being careful not to tear the bread. Use your fingers to even up the indent so the egg can spread nicely. Repeat so you have 2 slices bread. See video demonstration.
- Butter bread with salted butter. Use spreadable butter to make it easier to butter the bread without tearing it.
- Place rack in the air fryer basket to raise the food up closer to the heating element. Spray rack with oil to ensure bread doesn’t stick.
- Crack one of your 2 eggs into a small dish, such as a ramekin, being careful not to break the yolk.
- Carefully pour egg into the indentation in one of the bread slices. Repeat with the other egg, pouring it into the second piece of bread.
- Sprinkle the eggs with a little kosher salt and pepper to taste.
- Air fry at 375℉ for 6 minutes for an over easy runny egg yolk. Add another minute or 2 for a more cooked egg yolk.
- Carefully remove the egg toast from the air fryer with a spatula. Serve and enjoy!
Vicki says
Great, quick breakfast thank you. I sprinkled grated mozzarella on top half way through….delicious!
marion says
Great idea! So glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Roelien says
Nice and easy