Name: Air-Fryer Sausage, Spinach and Cheddar Strata
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 slices (2 ounces) white sandwich bread; Olive or vegetable oil spray; 4 large eggs; 2 tablespoons milk; 1/8 teaspoon table salt; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 3 ounces fully cooked breakfast sausage , cut into 1/4-inch pieces; 1 1/2 ounces (1 1/2 cups) baby spinach or baby kale, chopped; 3 scallions , sliced thin; 1 ounce cheddar cheese , shredded (1/4 cup)

Why This Recipe Works

This strata highlights the incredible convenience and even cooking offered by the air fryer. In about 15 minutes (plus the time it takes to combine a few ingredients in a bowl), it transforms a simple egg-cheese-bread custard packed with sausage, spinach, and cheddar into a delightful meal for two—fluffy and tender on the inside, golden and delicately sealed on the outside. We found it best to coat a slice of white sandwich bread lightly with oil and dry it out in the air fryer before combining it with the eggs. This helps the bread maintain its shape and gives the strata a creamy texture. Layering some of the bread into the bottom of the pan helps it stay submerged; otherwise, it will all float to the top during cooking. Precooked sausage and baby spinach are ideal additions to the strata because they don’t require any precooking. The compact size and even heat of a nonstick cake pan makes the occasional stirring of the egg mixture during cooking unnecessary.

Before You Begin

You will need a 6-inch round nonstick or silicone cake pan for this recipe; before starting this recipe, confirm your air fryer allows enough space for the pan.

Instructions

Spray both sides of 2 slices white sandwich bread lightly with oil spray. Place bread in air-fryer basket and air-fry at 300 degrees until dry, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, generously spray 6-inch round nonstick cake pan with oil spray. Whisk 4 eggs, 2 tablespoons milk, ⅛ teaspoon table salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper in medium bowl until well combined, then stir in 3 ounces fully cooked breakfast sausage, cut into ¼-inch pieces; 1½ cups baby spinach, chopped; 3 thinly sliced scallions; and ¼ cup shredded cheddar.

Remove bread from air fryer and cut into ½-inch pieces. Place half of bread in prepared pan, pour egg mixture over bread, and arrange remaining bread over top, pressing to submerge it completely in egg. Place pan in air-fryer basket. Place basket into air fryer and cook at 300 degrees until strata is golden brown and very center registers 160 degrees, 20 to 25 minutes.

Transfer pan to wire rack and let rest for 5 minutes. Using silicone spatula, loosen strata from pan and transfer to cutting board. Cut into wedges and serve.