Short on time? This fast and delicious caramelized toast comes together in minutes. With buttery edges, a crunchy caramel top, and simple ingredients you already have at home, it’s an ideal recipe for busy mornings or weekend brunch.
Crispy Butter Caramel Crunch Toast (3 Ingredients!)
When it comes to breakfast, I always feel spoiled for choice.
There are days when I crave something classic and cozy like French toast or a tall stack of pancakes.
Other mornings, I love playing around with different toast variations:
- Ham and Cheese Toast Roll Ups
- Crispy Honey Toast (Air Fryer Breakfast Recipe)
- Crispy Garlic Butter Cheese Toast
- 10-Minute Strawberry French Toast Bites
- Coffee Toast (Coffee Crust Toast)
But today, I woke up wanting something even simpler — something quick, comforting, and just a little indulgent.
So I made Butter Caramel Crunch Toast, a recipe that tastes far more impressive than the effort it requires.
I was only cooking for myself this morning, so I used just 2 slices of white bread, but you can easily increase the portions if you’re feeding more people.
That’s one of the things I love about this recipe: it’s flexible, fuss-free, and always delicious.
And the best part? You only need three ingredients. That’s it. No fancy tools, no complicated steps — just a few minutes of prep and a warm, golden, caramelized toast comes out of the oven.
Ingredients and substitutions
- White Bread – I find that a standard, soft white sandwich bread works wonderfully because it soaks up the butter beautifully and provides a soft contrast to the crunchy top. Whole wheat or brioche would also be delicious. Using slightly stale bread can actually yield a crispier result.
- Butter – Using real, unsalted butter is key for that rich, creamy flavor that forms the foundation of the toast. I recommend melting it so it can be easily brushed into all the nooks and crannies. The butter not only adds flavor but also helps the sugar caramelize evenly.
- White Granulated Sugar – Regular white sugar is perfect here because it melts and caramelizes cleanly, creating that signature thin, crisp layer on top. The amount can be easily adjusted to your taste.
How to Make Butter Caramel Crunch Toast
1. Prepare and Preheat (5 minutes)
Preheat the oven to 180°C (top and bottom heat) for 5 minutes.
Air fryer: 180°C for 3 minutes.
Place the 50g of unsalted butter in a heatproof bowl and set it over a pot of simmering water (a double boiler) until it is completely melted.
Alternatively, you can melt it in the microwave in short bursts. Set it aside to cool slightly; it should be warm but not hot.
2. Prepare the Bread
Take each slice of bread and score it lightly — cut across both directions, about 2/3 deep, without cutting all the way through.
Brush the melted butter thoroughly over the surface and into all the scored lines.
Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over the top.
3. Bake Until Crispy
Place the bread slices on a baking tray and bake at 195°C for 10 minutes.
Air fryer: 180°C for 8 minutes.
Bake until golden, crisp, and the sugar has melted into a caramelized layer on top.
Cool for 1 minute, then enjoy while warm — the texture is best when freshly made.
Tips & Tricks
- Don‘t cut the bread all the way through — it will fall apart and won’t soak up the butter properly.
- Even sugar = even caramel — sprinkle it smoothly for a flat, crisp top.
- For upgraded flavor, mix cinnamon into the butter or sprinkle some crushed nuts on top before baking.
- No oven or air fryer? Toast the bread on a pan over low heat until both sides are golden and the sugar melts.
Storage
Best eaten immediately — the crunch is unbeatable when fresh.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day.
If it softens, re-crisp by baking at 160°C for 3 minutes or pan-toasting for 1 minute.
Crispy Butter Caramel Crunch Toast in 15 Minutes
Ingredients
- 2-3 slices white bread
- 50 g unsalted butter
- 20 g white granulated sugar
Instructions
Prepare and Preheat (5 minutes)
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (top and bottom heat) for 5 minutes.
- Air fryer: 180°C for 3 minutes.
- Place the 50g of unsalted butter in a heatproof bowl and set it over a pot of simmering water (a double boiler) until it is completely melted. Alternatively, you can melt it in the microwave in short bursts. Set it aside to cool slightly; it should be warm but not hot.
Prepare the Bread
- Take each slice of bread and score it lightly — cut across both directions, about 2/3 deep, without cutting all the way through.
- Brush the melted butter thoroughly over the surface and into all the scored lines.
- Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over the top.
Bake Until Crispy
- Place the bread slices on a baking tray and bake at 195°C for 10 minutes.
- Air fryer: 180°C for 8 minutes.
- Bake until golden, crisp, and the sugar has melted into a caramelized layer on top.
- Cool for 1 minute, then enjoy while warm — the texture is best when freshly made.
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