How to Make Frozen Texas Toast in the Air Fryer

Achieving perfectly toasted Texas Toast in your air fryer is incredibly simple. Just follow these quick and easy steps for a delicious side dish every time.

1. Prepare Your Air Fryer: Begin by preheating your air fryer to 350°F (177°C) for 2-3 minutes. While some air fryers don’t strictly require preheating, it helps to ensure even cooking and a perfectly crispy texture from the start. For non-stick baskets, a light spray of olive oil or non-stick cooking spray can prevent sticking, especially with cheesy toast.

2. Load and Cook: Once preheated, arrange the frozen Texas Toast in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Ensure there’s adequate space between slices for optimal air circulation, which is key to achieving that desirable crispiness. Air fry at 350°F (177°C) for 5-7 minutes. Keep a close eye on it, especially during the last few minutes, as air fryer models can vary. You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown color and perfectly melted cheese (if applicable).

Expert Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Texas Toast

Mastering air fryer Texas Toast is simple, but a few key tips can elevate your results to perfection every time, whether you’re using frozen or making it from scratch.

• Cooking Frozen Texas Toast: For store-bought frozen varieties, start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F (177°C) for a few minutes. Then, cook for 5-7 minutes. Always check the toast around the 5-minute mark. If you prefer a deeper golden brown and extra crispiness, add 1-2 more minutes, but watch closely to prevent burning.
• Cooking Fresh or Homemade Texas Toast: If you’re using fresh bread slices (either pre-made fresh Texas toast from the bakery or your homemade version), the cooking time will be shorter. Air fry at 350°F (177°C) for 3-5 minutes. Since fresh bread browns faster, keep a closer eye on it.
• To Flip or Not to Flip? This depends on the type of Texas Toast!
  • For Regular or Garlic Toast: Flipping the toast halfway through the cooking process can help achieve even browning on both sides.
  • For Cheesy Versions: It’s generally best to avoid flipping cheesy Texas Toast. Keeping the cheese side up helps it melt beautifully and stay gooey without sticking to the basket or getting displaced.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Always arrange Texas Toast in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Overlapping or stacking slices will hinder proper air circulation, leading to uneven cooking and less crispy results. If you’re making a larger batch, cook in multiple rounds.
• Adjust for Your Air Fryer Model: Cooking times can vary slightly between different air fryer brands and models (basket vs. oven style, wattage). The first time you make this recipe, start with the lower end of the recommended time and add more as needed until you achieve your desired crispiness.
• Spray if Needed: Most frozen Texas Toast already has enough butter/oil, but if you notice sticking or are making homemade toast, a light mist of olive oil spray or cooking oil spray on the basket can be helpful.
• Serving Suggestions: Beyond pasta, Texas Toast makes a fantastic side for chili, stew, grilled cheese sandwiches, as a base for open-faced melts, or simply enjoyed as a standalone garlic bread snack.

To keep your Texas toast fresh, allow it to cool completely before placing it in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For reheating, the air fryer is your best friend! Simply place the cold toast directly into the air fryer basket and air fry at 350°F (177°C) for 1-2 minutes, or until it’s heated through and crisp again. This method brings back its original texture far better than a microwave.

Making homemade Texas Toast in the air fryer is simple and allows for endless customization! Start with thick slices of sturdy bread, such as Texas toast bread, brioche, or sourdough. In a small bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and stir in 1 clove of minced garlic (or ½ teaspoon garlic powder) and a pinch of dried parsley or Italian seasoning. Brush this garlic butter mixture generously over one side of each bread slice. For cheesy toast, sprinkle your favorite cheese blend on top – a mixture of mozzarella, Parmesan, and a touch of sharp cheddar works wonderfully. Then, air fry at 350°F (177°C) for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. A final sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness.

For an extra crunchy Texas toast experience, you have a couple of options. For frozen toast, air fry it for an additional minute or two past the recommended time (e.g., 6-7 minutes instead of 5), always keeping a close watch to prevent burning. If you’re making fresh or homemade toast and want it extra crispy, you can slightly increase the air fryer temperature to 360-370°F (182-188°C) and reduce the cooking time by a minute, still monitoring closely. Air frying frozen Texas toast often yields a naturally crunchier texture than fresh toast due to its initial moisture content. Ensuring a single layer in the basket is also paramount for maximum crispiness.

Absolutely! While traditional Texas Toast is ideal due to its thick cut, you can use other sturdy bread types. Sliced sourdough, challah, or even regular sandwich bread (if it’s a thicker slice) can work. Just be mindful that thinner slices will cook much faster, so you’ll need to significantly reduce the cooking time (perhaps 2-4 minutes) and monitor them closely to prevent burning.

Air Fryer Texas Toast is incredibly versatile! It’s a classic companion for Italian-American dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, chicken or eggplant parmesan, and manicotti. It also pairs wonderfully with hearty soups (like tomato soup or minestrone), chili, beef stew, or even a simple green salad. For a unique twist, you can use it as a base for open-faced sandwiches, bruschetta, or alongside scrambled eggs for a savory breakfast.