A simple, yet delicious southern-style breakfast sandwich that will take you back to your childhood! This Air Fryer Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich will instantly become a classic for your family.
Make sure you check out my Spicy Cheddar Sausage Balls, and we can’t forget these Egg Muffins with Sausage, Three Blend Cheese, and Onions, as well as my Sausage and Vegetable Quiche with Four-Blend Cheddar!
A good southern breakfast.
I love a good Southern breakfast and since we’re Q-tined…annnnd I really can’t go anywhere like Erica’s Kitchen (MILoves), Barbara Gail’s, or Greg’s Breakfast Bar—I decided to make a Southern Breakfast at home. I made Salmon Croquettes for the first time (not oven-fried) and they turned out ahhhhmazzzzing!!! That’s what happens when you make new discoveries after cleaning out your pantry during a quarantine. By the way, I told my sister what I made and she basically reminded me via emoji that she hates Salmon Croquettes. I told her that her Black Card has officially been revoked!
Southern Classics
Then I remembered I had some “light” bread left…and because I love a good breakfast “sammich”, (yes, I said sammich) …you know I had to make one. Moreover, if you are from The South then you know. I’m talking about the kind of breakfast sandwich that’s wrapped in foil, kinda greasy, and made by somebody’s favorite auntie—and made with love! A Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich!
Taking it back to my childhood!
Back in the day, my Daddy would to take me a local spot for breakfast and they had THE BEST Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich. To be honest, all of the breakfast sandwiches and plates were whammin! Salmon Croquettes, Conecuh and Georgia Boy Sausage, grits or white rice, eggs with cheese, some buttered toast, and biscuits! Oh…and they had more on the menu, but I’ll stop there.
The Air Fryer Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich
Since Quarantine Culinary School is in session, I decided to make a breakfast sandwich using the air fryer. It was everything! I’m no stranger to breakfast sammiches, but I said to myself, this is way too good to not share. I love the air fryer because it’s quick, efficient, and 70% plus less fat than traditional frying—and the food is just as good if not better.
CAN I USE ANY TYPE OF BREAD FOR MY BREAKFAST SANDWICH?
Sure, but simple is best. I love light bread (IYKYK – aka white bread). Artesano or Brioche bread is also really good on this sandwich. This bread is so good, I decided to make Homemade Croutons using it. You can find the recipe here!
WHAT KIND OF BACON SHOULD I USE?
You can use any kind of bacon that you like. But—LISTEN! Uncured Turkey Bacon in the air fryer is LIFE! It tastes just as good as any fried, country bacon I’ve had! Well, almost. Also, Cracked Black Pepper Bacon is amazing! I usually find it at Aldi.
Bacon maintains its flavor and crispiness in the air fryer. If you’ve ever had microwaved bacon, then you probably know what I’m talking about. Blasphemous, I know! But I’ve done it. Let’s get to this delicious air fried Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich!
Fried Eggs Two Ways
The Skillet:
My preferred way. Fry your egg in a skillet (takes less than one (1) minute.
Then add it to your sandwich when it’s time to prep your sandwich. See instructions.
The Air Fryer:
- Add a mini aluminum pan to your air fryer basket OR fold foil to create an edge to keep cracked egg(s) from spilling.
- Add about one teaspoon of butter (or oil) to the foil and heat until it’s melted.
- Crack your eggs into the foil-lined pan in the air fryer and cook at 330° F for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
- Follow the steps in Recipe Card to build your sandwich.
Other Air Fryer Recipes to Enjoy!
Air Fryer Bananas with Cinnamon
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Baked Parsnip Chips (Air Fryer Option)
I hope you enjoy this classic sandwich! If you make it, tag me (@myprettybrowneats) on social media. You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok as well as using the #myprettybrowneats hashtag on IG and TikTok.
Air-Fryer Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 2 slices bread light bread (white), wheat, or Brioche
- 2 eggs fried and seasoned to taste
- 3 to 4 pieces thick-cut bacon, uncured turkey bacon, or plant-based bacon
- 2-4 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 Tablespoon butter or mayo to melt and toast bread for toasting
- 1 teaspoon mayonnaise, optional for condiment for sandwich
Instructions
- Place 3 to 4 slices of bacon in air fryer on high heat, approximately 350-375° F.
- Add a thin layer of butter/mayonnaise to two slices of bread on one side. You can also do this as the last step out of the air fryer, using a skillet. To toast you sandwich to get it a buttery, golden brown.
- Quick note – For Condiments: If you like using mayonnaise as a condiment on your sandwich, you can also add it to the underside of sandwich bread.
- Cook bacon for about 3-6 minutes or to your desired crispiness, set aside.
- Fry two eggs in skillet and shape to size of sandwich bread or fold it over. Flip egg halfway to cook on both sides (prepare to place on bread) or fry egg in the air fryer. See instructions. I prefer this way.
- Add a slice of cheese to bread then transfer fried egg to bread. Add a slice of cheese on top of the egg. The cheesier the better.
- Next, add air-fried, crispy bacon to the top of fried egg with cheese.
- Then place the other slices of cheese on top of bacon and place the other slice of bread to complete the sandwich.
- Finally place your breakfast sandwich in the air-fryer for approximately one to two minutes to toast your sandwich and get it nice, warm, and crispy.
- Remove from airfryer.
- Optional: Using a skillet on medium heat, add butter OR mayo to skillet to melt then toast sandwich on both sides getting it a nice golden brown.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Air fryer times and temperatures may vary.
- Use avocado in the place of mayonnaise if you’re feeling bourgeoisie (aka bougie). Not to toast your sandwich though. Only as a condiment.
- Applegate Uncured Turkey Bacon is really good.
- Fakin’ Bacon – Smoky Tempeh will work well on this sandwich with vegan mayo. I am obsessed with Hellmann’s Vegan Mayo. The flavor is delicious and will fool anybody! Try it!
- If you want to keep it plant-forward, just use your favorite vegan cheddar
You can check out my Top Kitchen Must-Haves here!
Oh wow!!! I still haven’t had the final push to get an air fryer, but this may just do it. Such an incredible sandwich!
So yummy! I could eat one of these every morning!
I couldn’t agree more. Thank you so much!
Yum – i love this – and i made the eggs in the air fryer too! super simple – air fryer bacon is so good – i love the mayo!
Love air frying sandwiches in the air fryer. I like the crisp on the bread especially having a breakfast sandwich with crispy bacon and eggs that’s warm in the morning!
I am a sucker for a good bacon breakfast and your sandwich sounds delicious! Easy and so filling. Can’t wait to try it!
Question
Does the buttered bread cook in the air fryer when the whole sandwich is cooking? The bread is not toasted prior, coreect?
Looking forward to trying this!
After you’ve cooked/fried the egg and built your sandwich, you can add butter to the top and bottom of your slices of bread then place it in the air fryer. If you want it a buttery, golden brown, you can place it in a skillet with butter for a few minutes after you take your sandwich out of the air fryer. I hope this makes sense! Enjoy!
Could you make these ahead and then reheat them in the air fryer? Looking to make my mornings less chaotic!
Yes, you absolutely could! The air fryer reheats food well. I use foil to wrap my sandwiches to keep my bread from getting to crispy. Check your user guide first to make sure it’s okay.