English muffins toast beautifully in the air fryer. This simple method gives you evenly toasted muffins every time, and you can toast multiple halves at once without fuss.
I used to struggle with my toaster—one setting would burn the edges while another left the center underdone. Frustrated, I tried the air fryer and never looked back.
The air fryer delivers consistent results: the surface crisps and the interior stays tender. It’s faster to check doneness too—you can open the basket and inspect without interrupting a toast cycle.
Why toast an English muffin in the air fryer
Quick – Air frying can be as fast or faster than a standard toaster.
Easy to monitor – You can pause and lift the basket to check progress so you get the exact color you want.
Consistent results – Once you find your preferred time, the air fryer produces even toasting without guesswork.
Can toast several at once – Most air fryers fit more halves than a two-slot toaster, so you can toast multiple muffins in one batch.
Ingredients
- English muffins
- Butter or jam (optional)
How to toast an English muffin in the air fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (about 200°C) for 5 minutes.
While it preheats, split each English muffin in half using a fork to preserve the interior’s nooks and crannies.
Arrange the halves in a single layer in the air fryer basket, cut side up, making sure they don’t overlap.
Air fry for 3–5 minutes depending on how toasted you like them. Check around the 3-minute mark and continue until they reach your preferred crispness. The photos here were toasted for about 4½ minutes.
Remove and serve immediately with butter, jam, or your favorite toppings.
How to serve the English muffin
Plain butter is a classic choice, but toasted English muffins are versatile. Try these serving ideas:
- Make a breakfast sandwich with cheese and cooked sausage or bacon.
- Top with tomato sauce, cheese, and herbs for a quick English muffin pizza.
- Use a toasted half as the base for eggs Benedict—top with a poached egg and hollandaise.
- Spread with your favorite jam or a flavored butter like whipped strawberry butter.
- Serve alongside air-fried bacon or breakfast potatoes for a fuller meal.
Tips
- Split the muffin with a fork, not a knife, to keep the characteristic texture and preserve the “nooks and crannies.”
- Air fryers vary. Start checking at 3 minutes to avoid over-toasting, then add time in 30–60 second increments if needed.
Why split English muffins with a fork?
Using a fork to separate English muffins keeps the interior texture intact. Knives can compress and smooth out the pockets that trap butter and toppings. That said, use whichever method you prefer—fork for texture, knife for speed.
Toasting times
- 3 minutes — lightly toasted
- 4 minutes — medium toasted, crispy
- 5 minutes — well toasted, very crispy
Air fryer breakfast recipes
- Air fryer breakfast potatoes
- Air fryer biscuit donuts
- Air fryer twisted bacon
- Air fryer Trader Joe’s hashbrowns
- Air fryer croissant French toast
- Air fryer frozen waffles
- Air fryer grapefruit
Air Fryer English Muffins
Equipment
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Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 English muffins
- butter optional
Instructions
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Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees F.
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While air fryer preheats, break English muffins into halves with a fork.
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Place English muffins in the air fryer basket face up. Air fry for 3-5 minutes until done to your likeness.
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Serve with butter or as desired.
Notes
3 minutes – lightly toasted
4 minutes – medium toasted, crispy
5 minutes – well toasted, very crispy
Tips:
- Split the English muffin in half with a fork rather than a knife. This helps preserve the texture of the muffin.
- Check frequently for doneness starting around the 3 minute mark. All air fryers cook differently.
Nutrition
If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.