A Note on This Recipe
This custard toast turns a slow, oven-baked idea into an air fryer shortcut — a creamy, cheesecake-like center inside a crisp, golden crust, no oven preheat or baking dish required.
The custard comes together in about a minute, and with just 5 minutes in the air fryer, the whole thing is ready in no time. If you’ve made my crescent roll cream cheese danish before, think of this as its faster, single-serving cousin — same creamy filling, a fraction of the effort.
How to Make It
Make the Custard
In a bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar, a drop of vanilla extract, and a pinch of lemon zest until smooth.
Using yolk only (not the whole egg) keeps the custard thick enough to hold its shape instead of turning runny. Pre-whipped cream cheese makes this quick — under a minute to reach the right consistency.
Press the Bread
Using a square dish, press a slice of soft bread (brioche or milk bread works best) down to form a deep well in the center.
Assemble the Toast
Spoon the custard into the well and top with fresh blueberries or raspberries.
Cook the Toast
Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 5–6 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the custard is cooked through.
Air fryers vary — if yours runs cool, 365°F for 4-5 minutes also works, but 350°F for 5–6 minutes is the safer bet to avoid a burnt top before the center sets.
Let it rest for 1-2 minutes before serving — the filling continues to set as it cools.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup plain cream cheese whipped or spreadable
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ tbsp sugar
- ⅛ tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of lemon zest
- 2 brioche slices
- Blueberries or raspberries for topping
Instructions
- Whisk the cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest together until smooth.
- Press a square dish into each brioche slice to create a deep well in the center.
- Spoon the custard into the wells and top with berries.
- Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 5–6 minutes, until the edges are golden and the custard is set.
Watch the Recipe
Notes
- Pre-whipped or spreadable cream cheese blends faster than cold, block-style cream cheese.
- Using only the egg yolk (not the whole egg) keeps the custard thick so it holds its shape instead of running.
- Air fryers vary — if yours runs cool, 365°F for 4-5 minutes also works, but 350°F for 5–6 minutes is the safer default to avoid a burnt top before the center sets.
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