Air Fryer: Boiling Food, Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a modern kitchen essential, with more than half of UK households now owning one. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fat fryers, using hot air instead of oil to cook food. They are also more energy-efficient than traditional ovens, especially for smaller quantities of food.

One of the most popular foods to cook in an air fryer is eggs. You can make soft, medium, or hard-boiled eggs in an air fryer, and the results are perfectly cooked eggs that are easy to peel. The process is simple: set the temperature and timer, cook, then plunge the eggs into cold water to stop them from overcooking.

How to boil eggs in an air fryer

Boiling eggs in an air fryer is a convenient and mess-free way to make the perfect hard-boiled eggs. Here is a detailed guide on how to boil eggs in an air fryer:

Preparation:

First, ensure you have fresh eggs straight from the fridge. Gently rinse them with water and dry them with a paper towel.

Preheating the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 250-275ºF/121-135ºC. Some recipes suggest preheating to a low temperature to mimic a simmering pot of water.

Cooking the Eggs:

Place the eggs in a single layer in the basket or rack of your air fryer, leaving some space between each egg. Do not overcrowd the basket as this can cause the eggs to crack during cooking.

Cooking time will depend on your desired level of firmness. Here is a general guide:

• Soft-boiled eggs: 9-12 minutes
• Medium-boiled eggs: 12-15 minutes
• Hard-boiled eggs: 15-17 minutes

Cooling and Peeling:

Once the cooking time is complete, remove the eggs from the air fryer and place them in an ice bath or under running cold water until they are cool enough to handle. This will stop the cooking process and make the eggs easier to peel.

After cooling, gently crack the eggshells and roll them in your hand or on a countertop to loosen the shell. Then, simply peel the shell off, starting from the larger end, and enjoy your perfectly boiled eggs!

Storage:

Hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. If the eggs are still in their shells, place them in an egg container. If you have already peeled them, store them in an airtight container or ziplock bag. It is not recommended to freeze boiled eggs as the whites can become rubbery.

How to make soft-boiled eggs in an air fryer

Soft-boiled eggs are a great, healthy snack and can be made easily in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make soft-boiled eggs in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the eggs

Firstly, take your desired number of eggs straight from the fridge and give them a gentle rinse under some water. Dry them with a paper towel.

Step 2: Preheat the air fryer

Set your air fryer to a low temperature that mimics a simmering pot of water. The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer model, but it should be somewhere between 250ºF/121ºC and 275ºF/135ºC.

Step 3: Place the eggs in the air fryer

Once your air fryer is preheated, carefully place the eggs into the air fryer basket or rack, ensuring there is some space between each egg. This allows the air to circulate properly and cook the eggs evenly.

Step 4: Cook the eggs

For soft-boiled eggs, cook the eggs for 9-11 minutes. If you want your eggs a little more well done, you can leave them in for up to 14 minutes.

Step 5: Prepare an ice bath

While the eggs are cooking, fill a bowl halfway with ice and then add cold water until the bowl is about three-quarters full. This will quickly cool the eggs after cooking and stop the cooking process, ensuring you have full control over how well done your eggs are.

Step 6: Cool the eggs

Once the eggs are done, carefully remove them from the air fryer with a slotted spoon and place them into the ice bath for about 4-5 minutes, or until they are cool but not completely chilled.

Step 7: Peel the eggs

Remove the eggs from the ice bath and gently crack the shells, rolling them a little on a hard surface to make cracks along all sides. Start peeling from the bottom/fattest part of the egg, as this is usually where the air bubble forms.

Step 8: Serve and enjoy!

Your soft-boiled eggs are now ready to be enjoyed! Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper, or try something more adventurous like everything bagel seasoning or red pepper flakes.

Tips:

• It is normal for the eggs to roll a bit in the air fryer basket, but try to leave some space between them if possible.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the strength of your air fryer, its temperature settings, and the size of the eggs, so you may need to experiment a little to find the ideal cooking time for your desired level of doneness.
• If you want centred yolks, try turning the carton of eggs on its side in the refrigerator for about a day before cooking.
• It is best to peel the eggs just before serving, but if you need to store them, keep them in the refrigerator in an airtight container or bag for up to 7 days.

How to make hard-boiled eggs in an air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the Eggs

Before you start, ensure your eggs are fresh and straight from the fridge. Gently rinse them with water and dry with a paper towel.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 250ºF/121ºC-275ºF/135ºC. Some air fryers cannot go below 300ºF/148ºC, so in this case, set it to this temperature.

Step 3: Cook the Eggs

Place the eggs in a single layer in the basket or rack of your air fryer. Do not overcrowd the eggs, as they may crack during cooking.

Cook the eggs for 13-17 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. If you prefer a firmer egg, cook for a few minutes longer. For a softer yolk, take the eggs out a few minutes earlier.

Step 4: Cool the Eggs

Once the eggs are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and place them in an ice bath or under running cold water. This will stop the eggs from continuing to cook.

Step 5: Peel the Eggs

Once the eggs are cool, gently crack the shell and roll the egg in your hand or on the countertop to loosen the shell. The shell should slide off in large sections.

Step 6: Store the Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. If the eggs are still in their shells, simply place them in the fridge. If the eggs have been peeled, store them in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. To prevent the eggs from drying out, wrap them in a damp paper towel.

How to make medium-boiled eggs in an air fryer

Yes, you can boil food in an air fryer! In fact, you can make medium-boiled eggs in an air fryer in just a few simple steps. Here's how:

First, preheat your air fryer to a low temperature, somewhere between 250°F and 275°F (121°C and 135°C). This will mimic a simmering pot of water, which is the traditional method for boiling eggs. If your air fryer doesn't go below 300°F (148°C), you can set it to that temperature and reduce the cooking time by a minute or two.

Next, place your eggs in the air fryer basket or rack. It's best to use fresh eggs straight from the fridge, and you can place them in the air fryer cold. Make sure to leave some space between each egg to allow for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can cook between 2 and 12 eggs at a time.

For medium-boiled eggs, cook the eggs for 15 minutes at 250°F (121°C) or 14-15 minutes at 275°F (135°C). The exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so you might need to experiment a little to find the perfect setting for your appliance.

Once the eggs are done, immediately transfer them to an ice bath or cold water to stop the cooking process. This will also make the eggs easier to peel. Let them cool down, then gently crack and peel the shells.

And that's it! You now have perfectly medium-boiled eggs cooked in your air fryer. You can sprinkle on some salt and pepper, or any other seasoning you like, and enjoy!

How to peel boiled eggs

Boiling eggs in an air fryer is a fast and hands-off approach. It's a simple method, and the eggs are easy to peel. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to peel boiled eggs:

• Once the eggs are boiled, remove them from the air fryer. Use a pair of tongues or a slotted spoon to scoop the eggs out as they will be hot.
• Place the eggs in an ice bath or under running cold water. This stops the cooking process and makes the eggs easier to handle.
• Gently crack the eggshells. You can roll them on a hard surface to create cracks all over.
• Starting at the bottom/fattest part of the egg, peel and enjoy, or store for later.

Tips for Peeling Boiled Eggs:

• Use older eggs as they have more air inside, creating more space between the egg white and shell.
• Make sure the eggs are fully cooled before peeling, especially if you prefer a soft or medium boil.
• Don't skip the cold water or ice bath step, as this can make the eggs more difficult to peel.
• If you're having a lot of trouble with peeling, try adding a little water to a Tupperware box with a lid and shaking, or adding a little water to your air fryer and cracking the eggs inside.

How to Store Boiled Eggs:

• For unpeeled eggs, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
• For peeled eggs, store in a bowl of cold water, changing the water daily, or in a sealed container covered with damp paper towels.

Frequently asked questions