The two-ingredient breakfast that keeps going round on Xiaohongshu: press a slice of bread into a muffin cup, crack an egg into the well, air fry, done. No bowl, no whisk, no oven wait. It looks like a brunch recipe and takes less effort than toast in a toaster, which is exactly why it keeps reappearing on everyone's feed.
Everything you need
- 2 sandwich bread slices, crusts on
- 1 tbsp (14 g) unsalted butter, soft
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp (14 g) shredded cheese
- to taste fine salt and black pepper
- 1 tbsp chives or spring onion, chopped, to serve
Single layer, always. Crowding the basket steams food instead of crisping it. Tap any ingredient to open its converter.
Method
0 of 6 done-
Butter both sides of each bread slice, right to the edges, so it doesn't catch and dry out.
For this step
- 2 sandwich bread slices
- 1 tbsp (14 g) unsalted butter
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Push each slice into a silicone muffin cup or a small ramekin that fits your basket, pleating the corners so it holds a cup shape with a well in the middle.
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Crack one egg into each bread cup. Season with salt and pepper.
For this step
- 2 sandwich bread slices
- to taste fine salt and black pepper
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Air fry at 170°C / 340°F for 8 to 10 minutes for a soft-set yolk, or 11 to 12 minutes for firm, until the bread is toasted and the white has set.
For this step
- 2 sandwich bread slices
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Scatter the cheese on for the last 2 minutes if using, so it melts without overcooking the egg.
For this step
- 2 tbsp (14 g) shredded cheese
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Lift out with a spoon, top with chives, and eat straight from the cup while the bread is still crisp.
For this step
- 2 sandwich bread slices
- 1 tbsp chives or spring onion
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Air fryer notes
- Cook at 170°C / 340°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
Cook's tips
- A silicone muffin cup unmolds cleanly. A bare metal tin works too, just butter it well and go gently with a spoon to lift.
- Day-old bread holds its shape best. Very fresh, soft bread can slump before it sets.
Make it your own
- Swap in a spoon of salsa or a few chopped ham pieces before the egg goes in.
- Sprinkle everything-bagel seasoning over the top instead of pepper.
Storing & reheating
Best eaten right away while the bread is crisp and the yolk is warm. Leftovers keep in the fridge a day and reheat gently, but the bread softens.
Frequently asked
How long do egg toast cups take in an air fryer?
8 to 10 minutes at 170°C / 340°F for a soft yolk, up to 12 minutes for a fully set one. Check at 8 minutes since egg sizes vary.
Do I need a muffin tin for this?
A silicone muffin cup, a small ramekin, or even a well-buttered metal muffin tin all work, as long as it fits your air fryer basket.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
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A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.