How to Make Toast in the Oven with or without a Broiler

Did you know you can make delicious toast in your oven? This is a useful kitchen hack if you need to make several slices of toast at once and want to speed up the process, or if you simply don’t have access to a toaster. No matter your situation, we’ve got you covered! We’ll explain how to toast bread in an oven with or without the broiler and provide some yummy topping suggestions. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

How to Make Toast in the Oven

Arrange your bread slices in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet.
Preheat your oven to 350 °F (177 °C), and place the baking sheet on the center rack.
Heat the bread in the oven for five minutes.
Flip each slice over and heat for an additional five minutes.
Remove the bread from the oven and serve immediately with the toppings of your choice.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Toast Bread in the Oven (without Broiler)

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Lay slices of bread on a baking sheet. Get out a rimmed baking sheet and arrange as many pieces of bread as you’d like in a single layer. It's okay for the slices to touch each other, but make sure they aren’t overcrowded or overlapping. This ensures that they'll toast evenly.^{[1]
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- Make sure your bread slices are cut to the same thickness so they'll cook at the same rate.
- Store-bought slices work very well for this reason, but if you’re slicing a loaf of bread yourself, take extra care to ensure your slices are the same width.^{[2]
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Position a rack so it's on the center rung in the oven before you turn it on.^{[3]
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Heat the bread in the oven for 5 minutes. Place the baking sheet on the center rack in your oven, and let it toast for 4-5 minutes to start. This will allow the first side to get toasty and crispy.^{[4]
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- If you're toasting frozen slices of bread, add an extra 1 minute to the heating time.
Tip: For extra-crunchy toast, brush the bread with melted butter before you toast it. The butter flavors the bread and helps it crisp in the oven.
Wear oven mitts to take the sheet out of the oven, and use tongs to flip over each slice of bread. Return the sheet to the oven and cook the bread for an additional 5 minutes, so the pieces of bread get toasted on the other side as well.^{[5]
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Take the toast out of the oven and serve. Turn off the oven and take the baking sheet out. Your bread slices should be perfectly toasty and ready to enjoy. Top them with softened butter, jam, honey, avocado—whatever your heart desires!^{[6]
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- Toast has the best texture right after you make it, but you can store it in an airtight container for up to 1 day.

Section 2 of 4:

How to Toast Bread in the Oven (with Broiler)

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Place as many slices as you’d like to cook on an ungreased baking sheet in one layer.^{[7]
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Research source} Make sure they aren’t overlapping. of space between each slice of bread so they heat evenly.}}
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Place the baking sheet on the oven rack directly below the broiler. Adjust the oven rack so it's about 3 inches (7.6 cm) below the broiler's heating element, and put your baking sheet onto the rack.^{[8]
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- Don’t turn the broiler on before placing the baking sheet in the oven.
If your broiler has several settings, choose the lowest heat setting. If your broiler doesn't have different settings, simply turn it on.^{[9]
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Broil the toast on one side for 60 to 90 seconds. Heat the bread until it looks golden brown on top, or until it’s as toasted as you like.^{[10]
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- Broiling will toast the bread much more quickly than simply baking it. Keep a close eye on your bread slices to make sure they don’t burn!^{[11]
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Use tongs to flip the bread over, and broil for another 60 to 90 seconds. Wear oven mitts and pull out the oven rack. Flip each slice of bread over, then push the rack back into the oven. Heat the bread under the broiler until it's golden brown on the other side.^{[12]
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- Avoid using plastic tongs close to the broiler, since the heat may damage the utensil.
Tip: If you like your toast very crispy and dark, broil it for closer to 2 minutes on each side.
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Remove the toast and add your favorite toppings. Turn off the broiler and remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use tongs to remove the toast slices from the baking sheet, and serve them with whatever toppings you prefer.^{[13]
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- Although you can store leftover toast in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day, it will become stale and chewy the longer it's stored. Toast often tastes best right after it’s made!

Section 3 of 4:

FAQs for Toasting Bread in the Oven

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Can you butter bread before toasting it in the oven? Yes, you can! This step is optional, but you can absolutely spread some butter onto your bread or even brush some olive oil over it before toasting it in the oven. This adds some extra flavor and creates a crispier texture.^{[14]
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- If you do decide to butter your bread or brush it with oil before toasting, place it in the oven with the butter facing upward first.
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Do different types of bread take longer to toast? Yes, some types of bread may take a bit more time to toast. Denser breads like challah and brioche may need to cook a bit longer to reach the toasty texture you’re going for, while dryer breads like sourdough and ciabatta toast up pretty quickly.
- To avoid over or under-toasting your bread slices, keep a close eye on them and adjust their cooking time as needed.
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What is the best temperature to toast bread in the oven? Each oven is slightly different, but preheating your oven to 350 °F (177 °C) should be a safe bet if you’re planning on toasting your bread slices for about 5 minutes on each side.^{[15]
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- If you’re in a bit of a hurry but still don’t want to use the broiler, you can try setting your oven to 375–400 °F (191–204 °C) and toast your bread for about 3-4 minutes on each side.^{[16]
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Section 4 of 4:

Topping Ideas

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There are tons of delicious toppings you can add to your oven toast. Whether you prefer savory options like avocado and cream cheese or sweet options like peanut butter and jam, feel free to get creative and spruce up your toast however you see fit! Here are some topping ideas to inspire you:
- Butter and/or jam
- Garlic butter
- A scrambled, over-easy, or fried egg
- Mashed avocado, tomato slices, salt, pepper, and lemon juice
- Bruschetta, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar
- Peanut butter, sliced bananas, honey, and cinnamon
- Nutella and sliced strawberries^{[17]
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Question

Should I use a gas or electric oven?

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Both gas and electric ovens will work. If you use a gas oven, the bread may absorb some of the gas smell.

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Can I put some butter on the bread?

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If that’s what you prefer, absolutely! Try softening the butter by setting it out on the counter for a few minutes.

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How long can you store toast that's been buttered?

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You should eat buttered toast immediately because the butter will soften the bread. If you store the bread, it will become soggy.

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Tips

You can toast frozen bread, but add an extra 1 to 2 minutes to the heating time.

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Some people like their toast a bit more well-done, while others prefer a less crispy piece of toast. Feel free to adjust the cooking time depending on your preferences!

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