This is the bread bowl version of egg toast: hollow out a soft roll, crack in an egg, add cheese, air fry until the white sets and the crust turns toasty. It travels well as a handheld breakfast, needs no plate, and the bread does double duty as the cooking vessel and the container, which is exactly the kind of low-effort trick that spreads fast online.
Everything you need
- 2 soft bread rolls or small baguette pieces
- 1 tbsp (14 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp (21 g) shredded cheese
- 2 tbsp cooked ham or bacon bits, optional
- to taste fine salt and black pepper
Single layer, always. Crowding the basket steams food instead of crisping it. Tap any ingredient to open its converter.
Method
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Slice the top off each roll and hollow out the middle with your fingers or a spoon, leaving a wall about 1.5 cm thick. Save the bread you pull out for breadcrumbs.
For this step
- 2 soft bread rolls or small baguette pieces
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Brush the inside and cut edges with melted butter, which is what turns golden and crisp in the air fryer.
For this step
- 1 tbsp (14 g) unsalted butter
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Sit the rolls in the basket and air fry at 180°C / 355°F for 3 minutes to firm up the walls before the egg goes in.
For this step
- 2 soft bread rolls or small baguette pieces
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Crack an egg into each hollow, scatter over the ham or bacon if using, and season.
For this step
- 2 tbsp cooked ham or bacon bits
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Air fry for another 6 to 8 minutes, until the white is set and the crust is deep golden. Add the cheese for the last 2 minutes so it melts without the egg overcooking.
For this step
- 3 tbsp (21 g) shredded cheese
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Cool 1 minute before lifting out, since the crust stays hot longer than the egg looks like it should.
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Air fryer notes
- Cook at 180°C / 355°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
- Keep the bread walls thick enough to hold the egg without leaking; a bread bowl that's hollowed too thin will crack.
- A crusty roll holds its shape better than a very soft one, which can slump as it warms.
Make it your own
- Stir a spoon of the leftover hollowed bread, torn small, back on top with the cheese for extra crunch.
- Add a few halved cherry tomatoes or a spoon of pesto under the egg before air frying.
Storing & reheating
Best eaten warm, straight from the basket. Not a great leftover, since the crust softens once the egg cools inside it.
Frequently asked
How do I stop the egg leaking out of the bread boat?
Leave the hollowed walls at least 1.5 cm thick and precook the empty shell for 3 minutes before adding the egg, so it firms up first.
What bread works best for egg boats?
A crusty roll, small baguette piece, or ciabatta holds its shape best. Very soft sandwich bread tends to slump once buttered and warmed.
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.