The Perfect Quick Air Fryer Egg and Cheese Toast Recipe

Are your mornings often a chaotic rush to get everyone out of the house on time? Do you frequently skip breakfast or resort to a simple bowl of flakes? We completely understand. The hunt for a morning meal that is both exceptionally tasty and genuinely fast can seem endless. But what if we told you there was a way to enjoy a hot, fulfilling, and cheesy breakfast in under 10 minutes, with barely any washing up? Allow us to introduce our game-changing Quick Air Fryer Egg and Cheese Toast Recipe. This wonderfully simple recipe uses just a few basic ingredients to create a meal that feels indulgent, proving you never have to compromise on flavour, even when you’re short on time.

We firmly believe that a brilliant day begins with a brilliant breakfast, and this recipe is our trusted method for conquering even the busiest of mornings. The air fryer works its wonders, simultaneously creating perfectly toasted bread, a beautifully cooked egg, and delightfully gooey, melted cheese. It’s the kind of breakfast that feels like a special treat but is practical enough for any weekday. Let’s get started and show you how to create what is sure to become your new go-to morning meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredibly Speedy: This is truly the ultimate fast morning meal. From start to finish, the entire process takes less than 10 minutes. It’s often quicker than grabbing a coffee on the go!
• Hardly Any Cleaning: We are huge fans of recipes that don’t leave a sink full of dishes. Everything cooks together in one air fryer basket, which means cleanup is an absolute breeze.
• Wonderfully Versatile: While the classic egg and cheese pairing is undeniably delicious, think of this recipe as your breakfast canvas. Feel free to add your favourite herbs, spices, vegetables, or cooked meats to make it your own.
• Simply Delicious: The harmony of textures and flavours is truly superb. Each bite delivers the crunch of golden-brown toast, the richness of a soft egg yolk, and the savoury goodness of melted, gooey cheese.
• A Hit with the Whole Family: This recipe is a guaranteed success with everyone, from picky little eaters to ravenous teenagers. It’s a straightforward way to serve a nourishing and tempting breakfast that everyone will ask for again and again.

Ingredients

• 2 slices of thick-cut bread
• 2 large free-range eggs
• 50g of mature Cheddar cheese, grated
• 30g of mozzarella cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon of fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, freshly ground
• A pinch of sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder (optional)
• A pinch of smoked paprika or chilli flakes (optional)
• A handful of fresh spinach, finely chopped (optional)
• 2 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled, or chopped ham (optional)

How to Make the Perfect Air Fryer Egg and Cheese Toast

We have streamlined this recipe into four easy-to-follow steps. By following our guide, you’ll be able to create the most delicious cheesy egg toast time after time. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity; you won’t need any complex gadgets or techniques, just your reliable air fryer.

Step 1: Prepare Your Bread Base

First and foremost, we need to make a little hollow for our egg. Take your slices of thick-cut bread. With the back of a spoon or your fingertips, gently press into the centre of each slice to form a shallow well. Take care not to push right through the bread. This indentation is vital as it will contain the egg and prevent it from spilling over the sides. After creating the wells, spread the softened butter all around the crusts and raised edges, leaving the centre clear. This ensures the crusts become wonderfully crisp and golden in the air fryer.

Step 2: Layer the Cheesy Goodness

Now for the most exciting bit: the cheese! Sprinkle your grated Cheddar and mozzarella around the buttered edges of the bread, forming a cheesy border that encircles the well. The Cheddar brings a lovely sharp and savoury note, while the mozzarella delivers that irresistible, stringy cheese pull we all adore. Be generous with the cheese – a good amount is essential for making this toast truly magnificent. This cheese wall also acts as a great barrier to keep the egg in place.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Seasoning

Gently crack a large egg into the well you created in each slice of bread. Try to be careful to keep the yolk intact for that perfect finish. With the egg comfortably settled in its cheesy nest, it’s time for seasoning. Sprinkle a little salt and freshly ground black pepper over the egg. If you’re including optional extras, this is the moment to add them. A dash of garlic powder, a pinch of smoked paprika, or some finely chopped chives will add another delicious layer of flavour.

Step 4: Air Fry to Perfection

Place your prepared toast slices carefully into the air fryer basket. Ensure they are arranged in a single layer without overlapping to allow for even cooking. Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 5 to 8 minutes. The precise cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer and how you prefer your eggs cooked.

• For a runny yolk, check on it after 5–6 minutes.
• For a jammy, soft-set yolk, you’ll likely need about 6–7 minutes.
• For a fully cooked, firm yolk, it will probably take the full 8 minutes.

We suggest having a peek at the 5-minute mark to monitor its progress. Once it’s cooked just the way you like it, carefully take the toast out of the air fryer, garnish with any remaining fresh chives, and serve straight away while it’s wonderfully hot and gooey.

Top Tips for the Ultimate Quick Air Fryer Breakfast

Having made this recipe countless times, we’ve gathered a few helpful hints to make sure it turns out flawlessly every time. Here are our best tips for creating the most amazing easy breakfast sandwich you’ve ever tasted.

Choose the Right Bread

The bread is the foundation of this dish, so your choice can make a real difference. We find that thicker, more substantial slices of bread provide the best results. Varieties like brioche, Texas toast, sourdough, or a thick-cut farmhouse loaf are perfect as they are strong enough to hold the egg without turning soggy. Standard pre-sliced bread is often too thin and may not hold its structure.

Get Creative with Cheese

While we are partial to the classic Cheddar and mozzarella pairing, don’t hesitate to try other cheeses. Gruyère can add a delightful nutty complexity, while Red Leicester offers a beautiful colour and a creamy texture. A little sprinkle of Parmesan can also provide a wonderful salty, savoury dimension. We find that using a blend of cheeses often gives the best outcome for both taste and texture.

Don’t Overcrowd the Basket

For that perfectly crisp toast, it’s crucial that the hot air in the fryer can circulate properly around the food. If the basket is too full, the toast might steam rather than crisp up. If you need to make more than two slices, it’s far better to cook them in separate batches. Thankfully, this recipe is so quick that a second batch will be ready in just a few minutes!

Exciting Variations to Try

One of the greatest aspects of this recipe is its adaptability. You can easily modify it to match your personal preferences or to use up ingredients you already have in your kitchen. Here are some of our favourite twists:

• The Full English Toast: Sprinkle some crumbled, cooked sausage or bacon bits around the cheese before adding the egg.
• The Veggie Supreme: Mix some finely chopped spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms into the cheese layer for an extra dose of nutrients and taste.
• The Posh Toast: For a more elegant brunch, top your finished toast with a couple of slices of smoked salmon and a scattering of fresh dill.
• The Spicy One: Add a few dashes of your favourite hot sauce or some finely chopped jalapeños along with the egg for a fiery kick to start your day. If you appreciate savoury, rich meals, you’ll also adore the flavours of our Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta for a wonderful dinner option.

For anyone looking to add a fresh element to this hearty breakfast, serving it alongside a simple green salad is a lovely choice. It doesn’t need to be fancy; a light vinaigrette over crisp lettuce is all it takes, much like the simple dressing in our Classic House Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette.

FAQ

Your New Favourite Quick Air Fryer Breakfast Awaits

And there you have it – a straightforward, tasty, and exceptionally speedy answer to your morning meal challenges. This Quick air fryer breakfast demonstrates that you don’t need a lot of time or fuss to whip up something genuinely satisfying. The classic combination of crisp toast, a perfectly cooked egg, and molten cheese is beloved for a reason, and using an air fryer elevates it to a new level of simplicity and perfection.

We are certain that after you try this recipe once, it will become a regular feature in your weekly menu. It’s the ideal way to energise your body for the day ahead without adding any stress to your morning schedule. So please, give this wonderful recipe a go this week! We would be delighted to hear how you get on. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below with your own creative twists or tag us in your pictures on social media. Happy cooking!

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Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 7 mins
Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 2 slices of thick-cut bread
• 2 large free-range eggs
• 50g of mature Cheddar cheese, grated
• 30g of mozzarella cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon of fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, freshly ground
• A pinch of sea salt
• Optional: 1/4 tsp garlic powder, pinch of paprika, chopped spinach, or crumbled cooked bacon

Instructions

1. Using a spoon, press a well into the center of each bread slice. Spread softened butter on the crusts and raised edges.
2. Sprinkle the grated Cheddar and mozzarella around the buttered edges, creating a border for the egg.
3. Carefully crack one egg into the well of each slice. Season with salt, pepper, and any optional spices like garlic powder or paprika.
4. Place the toast in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 5-8 minutes, depending on your desired yolk consistency (5-6 mins for runny, 7-8 for firm).
5. Carefully remove from the air fryer, garnish with fresh chives, and serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: —, Carbs: — g, Protein: — g, Fat: — g