Air Fryer Egg Toast Cups
Bread pressed into a muffin tin, an egg cracked in, air fried in one go.
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Before You Start
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.
Instructions
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1
Butter both sides of each bread slice, right to the edges, so it does not catch and dry out.
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2
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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3
Crack one egg into each bread cup. Season with salt and pepper.
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4
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.
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5
Scatter the cheese on for the last 2 minutes if using, so it melts without overcooking the egg.
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6
Lift out with a spoon, top with chives, and eat straight from the cup while the bread is still crisp.
♨️ 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.
More air fryer recipes
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Air Fryer Cloud Eggs
Whipped egg white nests baked until fluffy, with a runny yolk dropped back in.
Kit that makes this foolproof
A few inexpensive bits that get you crispier results with less mess.
A roomy air fryer
A larger basket means fewer batches and crispier results.
Check price →
Perforated liners
Less sticking and mess, without blocking the airflow.
Check price →
Silicone tongs
Turn and lift without scratching the non-stick basket.
Check price →
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