can you toast bread in an air fryer

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Air frying food brings an abundance of benefits to the body and your kitchen! It has been a recommended alternative to traditional pan-frying food that promotes healthy living. Finding an air fryer also means choosing the best one for you and your family for the best air fryer experience.

But for beginners, leaping out of old deep fry practices can be a big step as we’ve been used to classic plans and ovens. Cooking and heating food from a pan is way different from using an air fryer. It may take time to adjust, even for basic cooking.

One instance of this is toasting bread. Our mornings are never complete without our crunchy bread and butter that can go with anything! And so you may ask can you toast bread in an air fryer? The answer is YES! Having an air fryer allows you to do a variety of cooking and heating or reheating. Bread can be perfectly toasted and heated to the right temperature.

Luckily, this article will guide you around the basics of toasting bread for the best healthy breakfast!

What is an air fryer?

Air fryers are quite similar to a toaster ovens. It can also cook crispy-finished food, but it does not necessarily fry your food but mimics the product by circulating hot air around it with a fan.

Another difference between an air fryer and a traditional pan is the amount of oil used. You’ll need up to 3 cups of oil when deep-frying food, while an air fryer requires at least a tablespoon to be sprayed or coated around it.

There are certain things you do not want to use in an air fryer, such as wax paper.

You can cook various types of food, such as chicken, fish, pasta, fruits, and vegetables, with an air fryer, so cooking toast is no sweat. It is known for being a healthier option as it prevents the production of harmful compounds like acrylamide, which can increase the chances of cancer.

Air fryers cook quickly and evenly due to the large fan that circulates the heat to roast or cooks your food to a crispy finish. The cooking time varies based on the placement and size of the fan. There are different parts to know first:

Parts of an air fryer

It’s pretty simple. Cooking toasted bread in an air fryer does not require much. But it may have different parts that can be confused with an oven, depending on the model and whether it has baking properties. 

You’ll need to familiarize yourself with its parts to know how to tweak and use it efficiently.

Heating Element

Known as the source of heat in the air fryer, it produces and converts energy into heat for cooking food. A heating element is often on the top part of the air fryer and can be replaced or removed for maintenance.

It can reach up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, however, this would depend on the brand. There is the option of opening it for preheating like an oven.

Air Fryer Fan

Think of it as the engine! It pushes hot air from the heating element to successfully travel around the air fryer. The fan is the key to evenly circulating heat across the air fryer. 

Depending on the model, there can be more than one air fryer fan; One fan on the top and another on the bottom for heat to circulate better.

Inner Air Fryer Basket

An inner basket is where you place your food to be heated. It contains tiny holes for the heat to travel and escape for the food to be evenly crispy or cooked. The structure allows heat to reach the bottom parts of your food to cook evenly.

Additionally, oil can fully separate from the food because the vent holes allow it to drip down into the outer basket, lessening the amount of saturated fat. You can remove the inner basket for cleaning as well.

An alternative to this is an air fryer tray that does not allow air to circulate as effectively as an inner air fryer basket.

Outer Air Fryer Basket

The outer basket is under the inner fryer basket in the bottom part of the air fryers. It is considered leak-proof and catches oil, liquids, and crumbs that fall from the inner basket. 

Like the inner basket, the outer air fryer basket is also cleanable. Removing the outer air fryer basket allows you to throw away any excess without damaging the air fryer. 

Timer and Temperature Setting

Like a microwave and oven, air fryers also have buttons that let you choose the timeframe of cooking your food and how you wish to cook it. Depending on the model, there are options for defrosting, reheating, and cooking food. 

Since not all foods can be heated or cooked at the same temperature, it is important to read manuals and recipes to ensure you’re heating them correctly. 

Lastly, don’t forget to check the air fryer’s manual for further instructions since all models can vary and affect the cooking process!

Electrical Plug 

The power source of an air fryer comes from electricity. The heating element, display (light), options, and fan require electric energy to function. The wire is often located at the bottom back of the air fryer, you will need to read the manual to ensure the voltage and watts of your air fryer before using it.

Air fryer toasted bread

Toasting bread is one of the easiest things to do with an air fryer, it takes just a few minutes. You’re basically making toast in the air, hot air, to be exact. Not only is it a great alternative for ovens and pans, but it can also work as a toaster for your everyday breakfast and snacks. 

One of the best reasons to air fry toast is that you won’t need to flip it. The inner basket allows hot air to reach the food underneath.

Here’s a quick and easy recipe by Aubrey’s Kitchen for making beautiful golden air fryer toast bread:

Ingredients

  • Sliced bread: Use any bread slice you wish for making toast. 
  • Cooking spray or butter (Alternative): You may apply the butter or add the cooking spray before heating the bread for a crispy golden finish. 

Additional Ingredients to improve your toasted bread meal

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You can spice up your toasted bread by applying different toast toppings during or after heating your air fryer toast. Here are a couple of toppings and fillings to consider! 

  • Fresh Garlic: sprinkle after pre-applying butter or cooking spray to make garlic toast. 
  • Fruits and Vegetables: We all know that adding fresh fruit or vegetables to freshly heated bread is a match made in heaven. Tomatoes, bananas, strawberries, and cucumbers are some of the healthiest toppings to match your air fryer toast bread slices.
  • Avocado: You can create a dish of avocado toast! Fresh avocado is a delicious filling that offers more health benefits such as Vitamins, Potassium, omega-3 fatty acids, etc. 
  • Egg: making egg toast is one of the many wonders of air frying. You may place the egg into the toast before heating it. However, this may extend the time for cooking toast as you need to heat the egg. 
  • Make french toast: Add the battered french toast and sprinkle cinnamon to top it off.
  • Garlic Salt
  • Nut Butter
  • Almond Butter
  • Olive Oil

Steps to make air fryer toast

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. For smaller air fryers, you will only need 2-3 minutes to preheat, while you’ll need 5 minutes for larger air fryers such as an air fryer oven.
  2. Add a light amount of cooking spray to prevent the bread from burning. You can also apply butter as an alternative.
  3. Sprinkle a pinch of garlic salt on your toast.
  4. Once your air fryer is preheated, place the bread in air fryer inner basket. Take care to make sure that the bread does not overlap. 
  5. Air fry your toast bread for 2-4 minutes at 400 degrees.
  6. Remove from the basket. Enjoy simple buttered plain toast, or add toppings like nut butter, fresh fruit, jam, cinnamon, or other toppings of your choice!
  7.  If you use a larger air fryer, you may add 30 seconds to 1 minute as heat will take more time to circulate. Take note: Another tip is to toast at the lowest time if this is your first time using an air fryer, especially if you prefer lighter bread.

Nutritional value of different types of bread

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Toasting bread slices may vary because of the thickness, but it won’t take up to 6 minutes to toast bread, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Each type of bread offers different kinds and amounts of nutrition calories. So if you’re also looking for a guide for a healthier alternative, here’s the best nutrition your bread can offer!

Whole grain bread

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Unlike highly processed grains in white bread, rice, and flour, whole grain still contains important nutrients like dietary fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, selenium, and iron.

The American Heart Association also noted that these nutrients help your body form new cells which carry oxygen in the blood, maintain a healthy immune system to fight viruses, and regulate the thyroid which affects your metabolism. 

Having the full grain’s nutrients means your bread is packed with dietary fiber that improves your cholesterol levels that lowers the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, Stroke, and Heart Diseases. 

Whole Wheat bread

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Don’t confuse this with whole grain bread! The difference between these two is that whole wheat comes from the actual wheat kernel, while the whole grain can come from wheat or other grain like barley, oats, and Dinkel wheat.

Nonetheless, both can be highly beneficial bread types for a tasty diet! 

Additionally, the USDA found that whole wheat bread is amazing gluten-free bread. Being rich in nutrients like Folate, Fiber, Iron, B Vitamins, Potassium, and Magnesium, it has similar health benefits to whole grains. 

Whole wheat bread is also abundant in complex carbohydrates, carrying 20g of carbs per 43g slice, which helps you feel fuller for a longer time and helps digestion.

But to keep in check, some whole wheat bread contains “added sugar”. If you’re strict with sugar intake, don’t forget to read your bread’s nutritional facts. 

White Bread

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According to Medical News Today, carbohydrates are the primary nutrient of bread, which provides our body with fuel. Unfortunately, the downside of white bread boils down to being highly processed. 

Though it is highly processed and pre-sliced to be quick and easy for us to digest, it gives little nutritional value and high blood sugar levels, risking the development of Type 2 diabetes. 

Studies also found that refined carbohydrates like white bread can lead to symptoms of depression and our overall mood.

Regardless, other kinds of bread and toppings provide nutritional benefits.

Sourdough Bread

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Using Sourdough bread for your toast is highly beneficial, especially for vegan bread. Research has also discovered that it can be rich in B-complex vitamins due to its fermentation process when made and holds prebiotic properties that improve our gut health.

Eatingwell has also noted that it helps prevents cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, especially for older adults! Sourdough also contains similar benefits to whole wheat and whole grain, keeping blood sugar ranges in check.

As people have been experimenting with baking, sourdough has found its way into our hearts with its impressive benefits! It’s gained popularity over time for the best reasons.

Bagels

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The classic breakfast Bagel bread’s nutrients depend on whether or not it is made from whole grain. Though it may not be the healthiest choice based on USDA findings, it can still provide you with plenty of carbohydrates. 

The downside is that Bagels are high in calories and refined carbohydrates. It contains a high amount of added sugar and can contribute to type 2 diabetes and heart disease. 

Toast bagels are still a breakfast staple. Just remember to read the nutrition facts to guarantee you’re picking healthier bagels!

Conclusion

So can you toast bread in an air fryer? You can!

Making toasted bread is not just easy but also fun because it gives you room for creativity in the kitchen! Cooking is also about making your tummy healthy and happy, and air-frying toast bread can give you the perfect toast that offers nutritional calories.

Carbohydrates play an important role in our body’s health. This means you should also consider the bread you’re using for your air fryer toast.

In a nutshell, an air fryer can help you live a delicious and healthy life. There are a variety of delicious easy air fryer recipes to choose from and discover yourself, so enjoy!

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