Toast is a breakfast staple in our house and I don’t think we’re alone. But did you know that you can make it in the oven? Making toast in the oven is an easy way to get crispy, evenly browned, and perfectly cooked toast every time. Plus, it’s a great way to make a lot of toast at once (which your toaster probably can’t do)!
So if you have a big family or you have people over, oven toast is the answer to getting a lot of food on the table with less effort!
Making Toast in the Oven
If you’re planning on toasting bread in the oven, here are a few tips to get perfect toast.
- Use a good quality bread. A sturdy bread like sourdough or rye will toast up nicely. But if you’re just whipping up a batch of toast, I have no problems with regular sandwich bread unless you have very thin slices.
- Use slices of bread that are similar in thickness so they toast more evenly.
- Use a baking sheet that is the right size. If the baking sheet is too small, the bread will be crowded and won’t cook evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. If you put too many slices of bread on the baking sheet, they won’t cook evenly.
- Watch the toast carefully. Toast can burn quickly, so it’s important to keep an eye on it. As you learn your how your oven toasts the bread, you’ll be able to tweak the time to work best for you.
- If you like softer toast, simply reduce the cooking time.
- Serve the toast immediately. Toast is best enjoyed warm and fresh!
How to Make Crispy Toast in the Oven
You will need just a few ingredients and supplies for toasting bread in the oven:
- Sliced bread
- Baking sheet
- Roasting rack (this is optional, but check out the photos to see how this helps you get crispy toast!)
The important thing about this recipe is that you DO NOT butter or spray the bread with anything before toasting it! You will do that after it’s toasted. This is how you get major crisp factor!
Best Way to Toast Bread in Oven
The key to making toast in the oven is to use a roasting rack. It’s the best way to do it! You don’t have to turn the bread if you use the rack!
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Place the roasting rack on top of the baking pan.
Put one slice of bread in each notch of the rack, making sure the bread is standing upright and not touching the slice in front of it.
Place the pan in the oven to bake for 5 to 8 minutes, until the slices begin to brown.
Toasting Bread in Oven without Roasting Rack
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Place your slices of bread in a single layer on the sheet pan. Do not grease the pan or butter the bread.
Bake for 4-5 minutes. Use tongs to flip the bread slices and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes (the second side may toast a bit more quickly that the first side so keep an eye on it).
Toast Toppings & Variations
There are so many different toppings you can put on your oven toasted toast. You can obviously go with the traditional butter, but you can also go a more sweet direction or hit savory with your favorite toppings too.
This recipe works great for garlic bread, avocado toast, and cinnamon toast!
- Sweet toppings:
- Jam & jelly
- Honey
- Nutella
- Peanut butter
- Banana
- Chocolate chips
- Sprinkles
- Fruit (sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)
- Cinnamon sugar
- Maple syrup
- Savory toppings:
- Butter
- Cheese (cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, etc.)
- Bacon
- Ham
- Eggs (scrambled, sliced hard boiled, fried, etc.)
- Avocado
- Tomato
- Onion
- Mushrooms
- Chili flakes
- Smoked salmon
- Salt and pepper
- Sliced almonds
- Other toppings:
- Cream cheese
- Hummus
- Ricotta cheese
- Yogurt
- Fresh herbs (parsley, basil, thyme, etc.)
- Variations: try using different types of bread!
- Challah
- Brioche
- Sourdough
- Multigrain
- Ciabatta
Recipe FAQs
How long does it take to make toast in the oven?
It typically takes 5-10 minutes to make toast in the oven depending on how you like your toast done. You don’t want burnt toast!
Do I have to use the broiler?
Nope! This recipe does not use the broiler. If you do choose to broil the toast, be sure to watch it very closely and use a short cook time because it will toast quickly!
Can I toast a bagel in the oven?
Yes, this recipe will work for bagels and English muffins too!
Do I need to preheat the oven before making toast?
Yes, you should preheat the oven before making toast. You want the oven to be completely heated so you get more even toasting.
Do I need to use a baking sheet or can I place the bread directly on the oven rack?
You can place the bread directly on the oven rack or use a baking sheet to make toast in the oven. If you use a baking sheet, you are less likely to make a mess in the oven because any crumbs will get caught by the pan.
Should I use foil or parchment paper when making toast in the oven?
You do not need to use foil or parchment paper when making toast in the oven. But if you want to use it to make clean up even easier, feel free!
Can I make multiple slices of toast at the same time in the oven?
Yes, this is one of the best things about this recipe! You can make a who pan of toast at a time and only be limited by the size of your baking sheet!
I highly recommend only toasting one pan at a time to get a more even toasting on each slice.
How do I know when the toast is done in the oven?
Watch for the golden brown coloring. If you like more lightly toasted bread, bake it for less time. If you like darker toast, leave it in the oven a bit longer.
Can I add toppings or butter to the bread before making toast in the oven?
You do not add anything to the toast before you put it in the oven. Once it comes out of the oven you can butter it and add your desired toppings.
Equipment
- Baking pan
- Roasting rack
Ingredients
- Sliced bread
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Place the roasting rack on top of the baking pan.
- Put one slice of bread in each notch of the rack, making sure the bread is standing upright and not touching the slice in front of it.
- Place the pan in the oven to bake for 5 to 8 minutes, until the slices begin to brown.
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