Air-Fried Sunny-Side Up Eggs: Quick, Easy Breakfast

Air fryers are a convenient and versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a variety of dishes, including fried eggs. Making sunny side up eggs in an air fryer is a quick and easy process that delivers delicious results. The air fryer's ability to cook eggs without the need for a stovetop or hot oil makes it a popular choice for a hassle-free breakfast.

To make sunny side up eggs in an air fryer, you'll need a small, round, air fryer-safe pan, such as a mini cake pan or a ramekin. Spray the pan with cooking oil or use butter, and then crack an egg into it. Season the egg with salt and pepper, and place the pan in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to between 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook for 3-5 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.

With this simple method, you can enjoy perfectly cooked sunny side up eggs with a runny yolk and crispy edges, making it a tasty and convenient breakfast option.

Cooking spray, oil, or butter

To make sunny side up eggs in an air fryer, you'll need to grease the pan or mould with cooking spray, oil, or butter. Here's a detailed guide:

• Use a suitable vessel: It's important to use the right type of container for cooking your eggs. You can use a small, round, air fryer-safe pan, such as a mini cake pan (about 4 inches in diameter), a ramekin, a small glass bowl, or even a disposable aluminium pan. Avoid using parchment paper or a fitted air fryer liner, as these can disrupt heat distribution and potentially cause smoke.
• Grease your vessel: Before cracking your eggs, lightly grease your chosen vessel with cooking spray, oil, or butter. This step is crucial to prevent the eggs from sticking to the pan and making cleanup more difficult. If using cooking spray or oil, be sure to coat the entire surface of the pan, including the sides. If using butter, add a teaspoon to each mould and air fry for about a minute to melt it before adding the eggs.
• Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (177°C) along with the greased mould. This step helps prevent the eggs from sticking and ensures even cooking. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, simply set it to the desired temperature and let it run for a few minutes without food.
• Crack the eggs and season: Carefully crack your eggs into each greased mould. You can use a small dipping sauce bowl to transfer the eggs and reduce the chance of breaking the yolks. Sprinkle the eggs with salt and pepper, or your desired seasonings.
• Cook the eggs: Depending on your desired doneness, cook the eggs for 4-10 minutes. For a runny yolk, aim for 4-5 minutes. If you prefer your yolk slightly gooey, cook for 6-7 minutes. For a completely firm yolk, cook for 8-10 minutes. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model and the type of mould you use.
• Serve and enjoy: Once your eggs are cooked to your liking, carefully remove them from the moulds and serve immediately. Air fryer eggs are best enjoyed fresh, as they don't store or reheat well.

Ramekins, small cake pans, or silicone cake moulds

To make sunny side up eggs in an air fryer, you'll need a suitable vessel, such as a ramekin, small cake pan, or silicone cake mould. These are essential as flipping an egg in an air fryer isn't possible, so your eggs will be cooked sunny-side-up. Here's a step-by-step guide to making sunny side up eggs using these vessels:

Step 1: Grease the Vessel

Lightly brush your chosen vessel with cooking oil or butter. You can also use a cooking spray. This step is important to prevent the eggs from sticking to the vessel.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer and Vessel

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (177°C) along with the greased vessel. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, set it to 350°F and let it run for about 5 minutes without any food inside. Preheating the vessel is crucial to prevent the eggs from sticking.

Step 3: Crack the Eggs and Season

Carefully crack an egg into each vessel. You can use a small dipping sauce bowl to transfer the egg and reduce the risk of breaking the yolk. Sprinkle the eggs with salt and pepper, or your desired seasonings.

Step 4: Cook the Eggs

Place the vessels with the eggs into the air fryer basket. Cook the eggs for 5-10 minutes, depending on your desired doneness. For a runny yolk, cook for 4-5 minutes. For a slightly runny yolk, cook for 6-7 minutes. If you prefer a hard yolk, cook for 8-10 minutes.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, carefully remove them from the vessels and serve immediately. Sunny side up eggs go well with toast, bacon, sausage, hash browns, or fresh fruit.

Using a ramekin, small cake pan, or silicone cake mould is a great way to cook sunny side up eggs in an air fryer. Just remember to grease the vessel well, control the cooking time for your desired doneness, and enjoy your perfectly cooked eggs!

Temperature and timing

For a runny yolk, cook the eggs for a shorter duration, around 4 to 5 minutes. If you prefer your yolks a little firmer but still slightly runny, aim for 6 to 7 minutes. For a hard yolk, cook the eggs for 8 to 10 minutes.

It is recommended to keep a close eye on the eggs during the cooking process, as different air fryers may vary in terms of cooking speed and performance. Additionally, it is advised to use a suitable vessel for cooking the eggs, such as a small cake pan, a ramekin, or silicone cake molds.

By adjusting the temperature and timing according to your preferences and equipment, you can achieve perfectly cooked sunny side up eggs with your desired yolk consistency every time.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air fryer sunny side up eggs. For a traditional breakfast, serve your eggs with slices of toast to mop up the runny yolk. You can also add toppings such as shredded cheese, hot sauce, or fresh herbs. For an extra special treat, add a little McDonald's Breakfast Sauce and put the fried egg on avocado toast.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can serve your eggs with bacon, sausage links, hash browns, or breakfast potatoes. Fresh fruit like grapefruit, oranges, cantaloupe, or berries can also help round out the meal.

But don't forget, fried eggs aren't just for breakfast! You can put them on top of a burger, sandwich, ramen, or even a breakfast pizza. For a heartier meal, serve your eggs with sautéed veggies like air fryer peppers and mushrooms, or on a bed of hash browns or roasted potatoes. Top your eggs with air-fried avocado slices for an extra creamy finish. A crisp green salad or a side of pasta with marinara sauce can bring some unexpected flavors to the table.

Whatever you choose, remember that fried eggs don't store or reheat well, so it's best to only make what you plan to eat immediately.

Tips and tricks

• Use a suitable vessel for cooking the eggs, such as a ramekin, small cake pan, or silicone cake moulds.
• Avoid using parchment paper or a fitted air fryer liner when frying eggs, as they can disrupt heat distribution and may fly off during cooking.
• Do not use egg rings, as they are not designed for this purpose and may melt.
• Grease your egg mould with a neutral cooking oil or butter.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (177°C) along with the egg mould. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, set the temperature and let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
• Crack the eggs into the mould and season with salt and pepper. You can also add some paprika for extra flavour.
• Cook the eggs for 5-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. For a runny yolk, cook for 4-5 minutes; for a slightly runny yolk, cook for 6-7 minutes; and for a hard yolk, cook for 8-10 minutes.
• Serve the eggs immediately with your favourite breakfast foods, such as sausage, potatoes, toast, or avocado toast.
• If you want to make multiple eggs at once, use a larger pan or multiple small pans that fit in your air fryer.
• Always keep a close eye on the eggs while they are cooking, as different air fryers may have varying cooking times.
• For easy clean-up, use a non-stick pan or a disposable aluminium pan.
• If you are using a metal mould, add a teaspoon of oil to each mould to prevent the eggs from sticking.
• To prevent the eggs from overcooking, remove them from the pan as soon as they reach your desired level of doneness.

Frequently asked questions