An Instant Pot is a versatile appliance to have in your kitchen for so many reasons. But…can you toast bread in an Instant Pot? The answer is yes! and no! Read on…
Can you really toast bread in an instant pot? Why is this important? You might want to reduce the number of appliances in your kitchen. The less appliances the less clutter and the less expense. Or you might like to experiment — try something new. In either case, the following is for you.
I wrote about how you can toast bread in an air fryer, but what about toasting bread in an instant pot. Is it possible? And, if so, is it cost effective?
Now, since I already wrote about how an air fryer can toast bread, let’s start with the difference between an Instant Pot and an air fryer. An Instant Pot is basically a pressure cooker whereas an air fryer uses dry hot heat circulated by a fan.
Making toast with pressure cooking
Okay, so making toast with pressure cooking sounds incredible. So how do you toast bread in an instant pot AKA a pressure cooker.
If you like baking bread at home, you might already have some good recipes on using an Instant Pot for bread. Its built-in safety features mean you can feel confident in using your Instant Pot in so may ways.
But I think we can all figure out that we’re not going to get crispy toast out of an Instant Pot like you would an air fryer or a toaster. But here’s the thing…
You can get golden crusted toast with a touch of sweetness. It’s a dish called baked French toast.
What is Baked French Toast?
Baked French toast is bread that been soaked in a milk and egg mixture and then rather than typically toasted in a frying pan, it is baked for a golden crispy breakfast or anytime treat.
Can I make Baked French Bread in the Instant Pot?
Yes, there are plenty of Instant Pot French toast recipes available for baking bread. Here’s one you can try…
What you need to make French toast in Instant Pot
- Instant Pot
- 1.5 quart round oven-safe baking dish
- Medium mixing bowl
- Large mixing bowl
- Slices of your favorite type of bread. Mine is sourdough. Because the bread is soaked in a milk mixture, it’s best to use a bread that will hold its form. Stale or dried out bread works a treat.
- Eggs
- Milk
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
How to Make French toast in an Instant Pot
Instant Pot Breakfast French Toast (Thanks to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for inspiration).
- Grease oven-safe round baking dish
Tip: Add a circle of parchment paper to the base (for easy removal). - Cube bread into about 1″ sizes
Place bread cubes in large mixing bowl. - In the medium bowl, whisk together until well blended:
6 eggs, 1¼ cups milk, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, pinch of salt, and ¼ tsp orange zest (optional).
Pour this mixture over the cubed bread and mix to coat the bread pieces. - Pour into greased baking dish and then cover with foil.
Place this on top of a trivet. After adding a cup of water to the inner pot, place your baking dish into the pot on the trivet. Use a trivet that has a handle so you can remove the dish after baking. Tip: You can make an impromptu handle by folding foil sheets to fit. - Lock the lid and set the appliance
Time to cook: 28 minutes at high pressure. The pressure cooker valve is to be in the sealed position. - When the Instant Pot sounds
Flip the valve to venting position to quickly release the pressure. Then remove dish — careful not to get burned. - For a crunchy top
Place the dish in the oven and broil for 3–4 minutes at high.
Toppings for pot french toast
There are many delicious toppings you can add. Try your own creation, but here are some ideas:
- Praline topping (this is sprinkled on top of the mixture before cooking)
- Vanilla icing
- Fresh fruit
- Maple syrup
Peasandcrayons.com have the full instructions for making praline and vanilla icing.
You could slice hard boiled eggs and use these to top the toast. I wrote about how you can cook perfect boiled eggs in an Instant Pot.
French toast in an Instant pot vs toaster toast
French toast done in an Instant Pot differs to toast done in a toaster. The Instant Pot result is a moist but golden delish!
Regarding the cost effectiveness, naturally it costs a tad more to make French toast compared to plain toast just with the ingredients alone. And, it’ll cost more to make French toast rather than plain toast because it takes longer to cook.
In terms of appliance running costs: an average 6-quart 1000 watt Instant Pot will use around 0.25 kWh per 15 min daily operation while an average toaster will use 1200 watts when in use and so uses around 0.30 kWh per 15 min daily operation.