Last Updated on September 18, 2023 by Harry & Johan. This post may contain affliate links, see privacy policy
This air fryer recipe for delicious toasted English muffins is ready in just minutes! By using an air fryer instead of a conventional oven or traditional toaster, the hot air means you can achieve crunchy, evenly browned English muffins with less effort and in less time too!
Crispy, golden English muffins ready in just 5 minutes! Toast them to perfection in the air fryer for a quick breakfast side.
The air fryer gives muffins an evenly crispy exterior and soft interior in just minutes. It's a fast, easy way to take this basic bread to the next level.
So next time you need a quick snack or meal for one or two, try these air fryer English muffins or sandwiches. They cook up fast and, with some added ingredients, satisfy pizza and sandwich cravings too!
Jump to:
Why This Recipe Works!
- Easy Recipe: Ready in less than 10 minutes, like all good simple recipes should be!
- Perfect Toasting: Evenly toasted on both sides. Perfectly crisp exterior that the whole family will enjoy!
- No Preheat: No preheating is required to make perfectly toasted English muffins!
- Make It Your Own: Add your own favorite toppings to make these air fryer English muffins exactly how you like them! Whether sweet or savory, an English muffin pizza version or even a breakfast pizza with eggs and chopped bacon, they're a great way to make a quick, easy meal.
🥯 Ingredients
Toasting English muffins in the air fryer requires just two ingredients:
English Muffins: Standard-size English muffins work best. Look at any of the large grocery stores for a good quality brand without too many preservatives. Thomas and Bays are excellent choices.
Butter or Oil: Coating the muffins lightly with butter or oil helps them develop an evenly crispy exterior in the air fryer. You only need about ½ tablespoon per muffin.
That's it! The air fryer does all the work of browning and crisping the muffins for you.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions
English Muffins: Whether you use white bread, whole grain (whole wheat) or brown english muffins, whatever type of bread you use for this recipe, you'll still get the best results!
Butter or Oil: You can use unsalted butter or salted for this recipe for similar results. Any vegetable oil works for this recipe, although I would avoid using olive oil as it can give a strong flavor to the English muffins.
📖 How to Toast English Muffins in Air Fryer
You'll have a perfectly toasted English muffin ready to eat in minutes! Here is how:
Split the English muffins in half and place them cut side up on the air fryer basket. You can fit 2-4 English muffin halves at a time, depending on the size of your air fryer.
Brush the top of each muffin half lightly with melted butter or oil using a pastry brush. This helps with browning.
Air fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, flipping the muffins halfway through. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your specific air fryer model.
Check for doneness at the 4 minute mark. The muffins are ready when the tops and bottoms are evenly golden brown. If they need more time, air fry for 1-2 minutes more.
And that's it! Perfectly toasted English muffins ready for all your breakfast sandwich needs. The air fryer delivers quick, consistent results every time.
Hint: Let the English muffins cool for 2 minutes before serving to let the interior firm up slightly. Enjoy plain or with butter and your favorite jam!
👨👩👧 Serving Suggestions
Toasted English muffins are so versatile; they can be served with just about anything for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
For breakfast, try topping them with:
- Eggs, ham, bacon, sausage - Breakfast sandwich!
- Fresh fruit and a cup of coffee
- Jam, jelly, marmalade - any of your favorite spreads will work great!
- Peanut butter or nut butter
- Sliced avocado
- Smoked salmon, cream cheese or ricotta
For lunches and dinners, serve English muffins alongside:
- Soups and stews - For dipping
- Burgers or sandwiches - Use them as the "bun"
- Bruschetta - Heap with tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil
- Hummus and veggies
- Grilled meats, fish, chicken - Great for making open sandwiches
🙋🏻♂️ FAQs
350 degrees F (180 C) is ideal. At this temp, the muffins will brown in about 5 minutes without burning. Some models only have preset modes for air frying, so choose the air fryer setting closest to 350°F.
3 - 5 minutes is the perfect amount of time to toast English muffins in the air fryer. Cooking times will vary between air fryer models, but 3 - 5 minutes will give perfectly toasted Engish muffins every time!
It's best to work in batches to allow for proper air circulation. Most air fryer baskets can fit 2-4 muffins at a time.
Use a fork to pry the muffins apart where they are already perforated. Be careful not to tear them. If needed, use a serrated knife to cut horizontally through the middle.
🥘 Variations
Once you've mastered the basics, try out these easy variations:
- French Toast: Split and toast the muffins in the air fryer as directed. Then dip the toasted bread halves in an egg batter seasoned with cinnamon and vanilla. Coat both sides for a single time in the French toast batter and return to the air fryer for 1-2 minutes until the egg coating is set. Top with butter, maple syrup, fruit, and powdered sugar for an easy air fryer version of this breakfast classic.
- Pesto: Smear pesto on the muffins before toasting or dip after. Basil, sun-dried tomato, or other flavors work nicely.
- Cheese Sandwich: Add slices of cheddar, Swiss, or other cheese on top during the last 1-2 minutes of air frying for a quick and easy snack!
- Easy Breakfast Sandwiches: Toast your muffins, fill them with sausage patties, bacon, eggs, or ham, and you've got breakfast sandwiches!
My favorite way to use air fryer English muffins is to turn them into personal pizzas or mini pizzas for an easy dinner! The easiest way to satisfy your pizza cravings is with easy English muffin pizzas, with salty pepperoni. They're a great snack. Here is how to make them:
- English Muffin Pizza Recipe: Add some homemade pizza sauce or tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and mini pepperoni to make little English muffin pizzas for a busy weeknight. Toast the English muffins as directed, then add your marinara sauce and favorite pizza toppings, then air fry for 3-4 minutes. Add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning to make it extra flavorful. Once they come out of the air fryer, grate some parmesan cheese over and enjoy!
⏲ Equipment
This easy air fryer recipe was tested with a couple of air fryer models:
- Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer Oven. This air fryer has a useful viewing window that allows you to monitor the food as it cooks. This model always cooks food a bit quicker than my Cosori model, so reduce the cook time as needed.
- Cosori Max XL Large Cooker. It has a capacity of 5.8 quarts which is quite large.
I am sure a Ninja Foodi will also work well. Keep in mind that all air fryers are different, each with a different heating element, so results will vary.
Don't have an air fryer? No problem! You can easily toast English muffins using:
- A regular oven: Preheat to 400°F. Place muffins split-side up on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
- A toaster oven: Cook at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway. Monitor closely to avoid burning.
- A skillet: Melt ½ tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Toast muffins cut-side down for 2-3 minutes per side.
While these methods will work, the air fryer really does achieve the best texture and browning. Consider it if you enjoy English muffins regularly!
🍶 Storage
At Room Temperature: Once toasted, English muffins are best enjoyed immediately for optimum freshness and texture. However, you can store leftovers in a zip top bag or airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or toaster in a single layer as needed.
Freezing Toasted Muffins: To freeze extra toasted muffins, cool them completely before placing them in freezer bags. They will keep frozen for 2-3 months. Reheat frozen muffins directly in the air fryer or toaster - no need to thaw first!
Freezing Untoasted Muffins: Uncooked English muffins can be kept in their original packaging at room temperature for 3-5 days. Place in the freezer for 2-3 months for longer storage. Thaw at room temperature before using.
👨🏻🍳 Top tips
- You can also use frozen English muffins as well as gluten-free English muffins if those are what you have on hand! They are great options for this air fryer method.
- Let the split muffins sit out for 5-10 minutes before toasting to allow the nooks and crannies to dry out slightly. This prevents sogginess.
- Brush both the top and bottom with butter or oil for evenly browned muffins.
- Don't overfill your air fryer basket. Crowding will prevent proper airflow and uneven toasting.
- Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning. Air fryers cook very quickly.
- Freeze leftover toasted muffins in a zip top bag. Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer or toaster.
Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a comment below and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram!
📒 Recipe Card
Air Fryer English Muffins
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2-4 English Muffins any brand will work
- 2 Tbsp. Butter or oil optional
Instructions
- Split the English muffins in half and place them cut side up on the air fryer basket. You can fit 2-4 English muffin halves at a time, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Optional: Brush the top of each muffin half lightly with melted butter or olive oil using a pastry brush. This helps with browning.
- Air fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, flipping the muffins over halfway through. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your specific air fryer model.
- Check for doneness at the 4 minute mark. The muffins are ready when the tops and bottoms are evenly golden brown. If they need more time, air fry for 1-2 minutes more.
- Let cool for 2 minutes before serving to allow the interior to firm up slightly. Enjoy plain or with butter and your favorite jam!
Notes
- You can also use frozen English muffins as well as gluten-free English muffins if those are what you have on hand! They are great options for this air fryer method.
- Let the split muffins sit out for 5-10 minutes before toasting to allow the nooks and crannies to dry out slightly. This prevents sogginess.
- Brush both the top and bottom with butter or oil for evenly browned muffins.
- Don't overfill your air fryer basket. Crowding will prevent proper airflow and uneven toasting.
- Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning. Air fryers cook very quickly.
- Freeze leftover toasted muffins in a zip top bag. Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer or toaster.
Nutrition
This recipe was tested with these air fryers:
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