Air-Frying Eggs: Instant 7-In-1 Appliance Magic

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance, and for good reason. They can cook a variety of foods, including eggs, with minimal mess and effort. In fact, cooking eggs in an air fryer is one of the most convenient hacks for this appliance. You can make hard-boiled, soft-boiled, fried, scrambled, and even poached eggs in an air fryer. The process is simple: set the desired temperature and time, and let the air fryer do the work.

One of the benefits of cooking eggs in an air fryer is the ease of peeling. Many people find that air-fried eggs are significantly easier to peel than those boiled in water. Additionally, air fryers eliminate the need to wait for water to boil and the hassle of cleaning pots afterward.

To cook hard-boiled eggs in an air fryer, preheat the appliance to between 250°F and 275°F. Place the desired number of eggs in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them for even cooking. For soft-boiled eggs, cook for 9-11 minutes; for jammy eggs, cook for 12-13 minutes; and for hard-boiled eggs, cook for 13-17 minutes.

Once the desired cooking time is reached, remove the eggs from the air fryer and immediately place them in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. This step is crucial in achieving the perfect doneness and making the eggs easier to peel. After a few minutes in the ice bath, crack and peel the eggs, and they're ready to be enjoyed!

Air fryer eggs: soft-boiled, fried, scrambled, poached, and more

Yes, you can cook eggs in an air fryer. Here are some methods for soft-boiled, fried, scrambled, and poached eggs.

Soft-boiled eggs

To make soft-boiled eggs in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to between 270° F and 275° F (132-135°C). If your air fryer doesn't go below 300° F, set it to this temperature instead. Add the eggs to the basket, leaving a little space between each one. For soft-boiled eggs, cook for 9-11 minutes. When the eggs are done, place them in an ice bath to stop the cooking process.

Fried eggs

Fried eggs in an air fryer are simple to make and very adaptable. You can adjust the cooking time to make sure your eggs are cooked to your preference. All you need to do is break the eggs into a small, round, air fryer-safe pan and season them. Then, place the pan in the air fryer and cook at 370° F for 4 minutes for a runny yolk. If you want a firmer yolk, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Scrambled eggs

To make scrambled eggs in an air fryer, melt some butter in an air fryer pan at 300° F. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk, then add salt and pepper to taste. Pour the egg mixture into the air fryer pan and cook at 300° F for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, stir the eggs with a plastic or silicone spatula and cook for another 2 minutes. Then, add some cheddar cheese and stir again before cooking for a final 2 minutes.

Poached eggs

To make poached eggs in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 370° F for 3 minutes. Lightly spray a small ramekin with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray. Add 3 tablespoons of hot water to the ramekin and then crack an egg into it. Place the ramekin in the air fryer basket and cook at 370° F for 6-8 minutes, depending on how runny you like your yolk. When the eggs are done, gently slide them out of the ramekin and season with salt and pepper.

Air fryer eggs: cooking times and temperatures

Air fryers can be used to cook eggs in a variety of ways, including hard-boiled, soft-boiled, fried, scrambled, and poached. Here are the cooking times and temperatures for each method:

Hard-Boiled Eggs

• Preheat the air fryer between 270° F to 275° F (132-135°C). If your air fryer doesn't go below 300° F, set it to this temperature.
• Place 4 large eggs in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each egg.
• Cook for 13-15 minutes. If your air fryer is set to 300° F, subtract 1-2 minutes from the cooking time.
• Prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl with ice and cold water.
• Remove the eggs from the air fryer and place them in the ice bath for 4-5 minutes.
• Gently crack and peel the eggshells.

Soft-Boiled Eggs

• Preheat the air fryer to 270° F to 275° F (132-135°C). If your air fryer doesn't go below 300° F, set it to 300° F.
• Place 4 large eggs in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each egg.
• Cook for 9-11 minutes for soft-boiled eggs, or 12-13 minutes for "jammy" eggs. If your air fryer is set to 300° F, subtract 1-2 minutes from the cooking time.
• Prepare an ice bath.
• Remove the eggs from the air fryer and place them in the ice bath for 4-5 minutes.
• Gently crack and peel the eggshells.

Fried Eggs

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes.
• Grease a non-stick, shallow oven tray with avocado oil and place it in the air fryer basket.
• Crack an egg into the tray.
• Cook for 3-5 minutes at 350°F (177°C) for a runny yolk. Add 1-2 minutes for a firmer yolk.
• Use a spatula to remove the egg from the tray.

Scrambled Eggs

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes.
• Grease a non-stick round cake pan with avocado oil and place it in the air fryer basket.
• Whisk 3 large eggs and pour them into the pan.
• Cook for 3 minutes, then stir.
• Cook for an additional 2 minutes, stir again, and cook for a final minute.
• Keep stirring and adding 1-minute increments until you reach your desired consistency.

Poached Eggs

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes.
• Grease two ramekins with oil and add 1/4 cup of room-temperature water to each.
• Carefully crack an egg into each ramekin.
• Place the ramekins in the air fryer basket and cook at 360°F (182°C) for 6 minutes.
• Use a small teaspoon to help "release" the eggs from the ramekins.
• Add 1-2 minutes of cooking time if needed.

Air fryer eggs: tools and bakeware

To make eggs in an air fryer, you will need an air fryer, eggs, and oven-friendly bakeware. You can use any oven-safe bakeware as long as it fits inside the basket of your air fryer. Here are some tools and bakeware options for cooking different types of eggs in your air fryer:

Hard-Boiled Eggs

• Wire rack (a trivet)
• Air fryer basket

Soft-Boiled or Jammy Eggs

• Wire rack (a trivet)
• Air fryer basket

Fried Eggs

• Shallow non-stick tray or a small, low-setting bake pan
• Mini cast-iron skillet
• Mini pie pan, mini cake pan, or mini pizza pan
• Disposable foil pans

Scrambled Eggs

Non-stick round cake pan (7" x 3.5")

Poached Eggs

• Ramekins
• Teaspoon
• Small strainer

Frittata

• Non-stick round cake pan (7" x 3.5")
• Parchment paper

Egg Cups or Muffins

• Silicone cups
• Ramekins

Air fryer eggs: peeling and serving suggestions

Air-fried eggs are incredibly easy to peel. The dry heat and convection naturally pull the shell from the membrane as they cook. It is almost like they peel themselves.

Peeling Air Fryer Eggs

• Once the eggs are cool but not yet chilled, crack and peel the shells.
• Start peeling at the bottom/fattest part of the egg, as that is usually where the air bubble forms.
• If you are still having trouble with the peeling, try adding a little water to a Tupperware box with a lid and shaking it. Alternatively, add a little water to your air fryer and crack the eggs inside. The water will get under the shell, and the shell will come right off.

Serving Air Fryer Eggs

Air fryer eggs can be served in a variety of ways, including:

• As a healthy snack on their own, with a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning or sea salt.
• As a side for breakfast, with bacon, hash browns, or avocado toast.
• As a topping for ramen, soup, or salad.
• As an ingredient in egg salad, chicken Caesar salad, or a potato salad.
• As deviled eggs.

Air fryer eggs: health benefits and nutritional information

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, largely due to their convenience and the promise of healthier fried foods. Air-fried eggs are no exception to this trend, as they can be cooked in a variety of ways, from hard-boiled to fried, scrambled, and poached.

Health Benefits of Air Fryers

Air fryers offer a healthier alternative to deep-fried foods by significantly reducing the amount of oil used in the cooking process. This has several benefits:

• Reduced Calorie Intake: Air fryers cut calories by 70-80% compared to deep frying, which is beneficial for weight loss.
• Lower Fat Content: Air-fried foods have a lower fat content, which is healthier and may reduce the risk of heart disease and inflammation.
• Decreased Acrylamide Formation: Acrylamide is a dangerous compound that forms when frying starchy foods at high temperatures. Air frying lowers acrylamide levels in potatoes by 90%, reducing the risk of certain cancers.
• Safer Cooking: Deep frying involves a large container of scalding oil, which can be a safety hazard. Air fryers eliminate this risk.

Nutritional Information for Air-Fried Eggs

The nutritional value of air-fried eggs will depend on the cooking method and any additional ingredients used. Here is the nutritional information for a single large air-fried egg:

• Calories: 70-72
• Protein: 6g
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5-2g
• Sodium: 70-71mg
• Vitamin A: 5-270 IU
• Calcium: 28-3% DV
• Iron: 1mg-5% DV

Tips for Cooking Eggs in an Air Fryer

When cooking eggs in an air fryer, it is important to:

• Preheat the Air Fryer: Most recipes require preheating the air fryer, usually at temperatures between 250°F and 400°F for 5 minutes.
• Use the Right Tools: Use oven-safe bakeware that fits inside the air fryer basket, such as wire racks, non-stick trays, or silicone cups.
• Experiment with Cook Times: Air fryer brands and models vary, so it is important to experiment with cooking times and temperatures to find what works best for your specific air fryer.
• Leave Space Between Eggs: To ensure even cooking, leave some space between each egg and don't overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• Prepare an Ice Bath: For boiled eggs, prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl with ice and cold water to stop the cooking process and make the eggs easier to peel.

Cooking eggs in an air fryer is a convenient and healthy alternative to traditional frying methods. Air-fried eggs are easy to prepare, offer nutritional benefits, and can be cooked in a variety of ways to suit different tastes and preferences.

Frequently asked questions