Air Fryer Egg Cooking: Whole Or Not?

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance for preparing a variety of dishes with minimal cleanup. They can be used to cook eggs in a variety of ways, including hard-boiled, soft-boiled, fried, and poached. The cooking time and temperature settings may vary depending on the type of egg dish being prepared, the size and temperature of the eggs, and the brand and model of the air fryer. This article will provide an overview of the different methods for cooking whole eggs in an air fryer, including the necessary tools, temperatures, and cooking times.

Cooking Whole Eggs in an Air Fryer

Air fryer hard-boiled eggs

To get started, preheat your air fryer to 250°F (120°C) or 270°F (132°C) for 2-5 minutes. If your air fryer doesn't go below 300°F (148°C), you can set it to that temperature. It's important to note that every air fryer is different, so you might need to experiment a bit to find the perfect time and temperature for your desired level of doneness.

Once your air fryer is preheated, place the eggs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each egg to ensure even cooking. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness. For soft-boiled eggs with slightly runny whites, cook for 9-12 minutes. For jammy eggs, cook for 11-13 minutes. If you like your yolks just slightly undercooked, go for 13-14 minutes. And for hard-boiled eggs with thoroughly cooked yolks, set the timer for 15-16 minutes.

After cooking, carefully remove the eggs from the air fryer basket using tongs and place them in an ice bath to halt the cooking process and make them easier to peel. Let them sit in the ice bath for at least 2 minutes.

You can store your air fryer hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator for up to a week. It's recommended to keep them in an airtight container or bag. If you prefer to peel them before storing, place them in a bowl of cold water to cover, changing the water daily. Or, you can cover them with damp paper towels and store them in a sealed container.

Air fryer soft-boiled eggs

To make soft-boiled eggs in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to 270°F–275°F (132°C–135°C) for about 2–5 minutes. If your air fryer doesn't go below 300°F, you can set it to that temperature instead. It's important to note that every air fryer is different, so you may need to experiment a little to find the perfect settings for your machine.

Once preheated, place the eggs in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each egg to ensure even cooking. For soft-boiled eggs, cook the eggs for 8–11 minutes, depending on how runny you like your yolks. If you prefer your eggs on the softer side, 8–9 minutes should give you very soft, runny yolks. For slightly firmer yolks, go for the full 11 minutes.

When the timer goes off, carefully remove the eggs from the air fryer and place them in an ice bath for at least 2–3 minutes. This will stop the cooking process and make the eggs easier to peel. After the ice bath, gently peel the eggs, being careful not to break the delicate whites. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste.

With this method, you'll have perfectly soft-boiled eggs with runny yolks and set whites every time. It may take a little trial and error to find the exact time and temperature that works best for your air fryer, but once you do, you'll be able to enjoy delicious, evenly cooked soft-boiled eggs whenever you want.

Air fryer fried eggs

Yes, you can cook whole eggs in an air fryer! This includes frying, boiling, and poaching. Air-fried eggs are a fast and easy alternative to stovetop cooking. They are also healthier, as they require a fraction of the oil, saving on fat and calories.

To make fried eggs in an air fryer, you will need a non-stick, shallow, oven-friendly pan or tray to allow the hot air to circulate efficiently. You can use a shallow, oven-proof baking tray, a mini cast-iron pan, or even a silicone mould. Grease the pan or mould with oil or butter, and ensure your air fryer is preheated.

The number of eggs you can cook at once will depend on the size of your air fryer and the pan you use. For a 6-quart air fryer, you can cook up to two large eggs in a single tray. If you are using ramekins, you can cook as many as fit in your unit, typically two to four.

Once your pan and air fryer are ready, crack your eggs and place them in the fryer. The cooking time will depend on the size of your eggs and your air fryer model. For a runny yolk and cooked whites, fry for around four minutes at 360°F or 180°C. For over-easy eggs, fry for three minutes at 280°F. If you are using a ramekin, increase the cooking time by one to two minutes.

Air Fryer Boiled Eggs

To make boiled eggs in an air fryer, place the eggs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Preheat your air fryer to 250°F (120°C) or 270°F (132-135°C) and cook for 15 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. For soft-boiled eggs, cook for nine minutes, 11 minutes for jammy eggs, and 13 minutes for slightly undercooked yolks.

Tips

• If your air fryer doesn't go below 300°F, reduce the recommended cooking time by one to two minutes.
• To ensure even cooking, turn the tray or dish around halfway through.
• For easy-to-peel boiled eggs, transfer the cooked eggs to an ice bath for 8-10 minutes to halt the cooking process.
• You can store boiled air fryer eggs in the refrigerator in an airtight container or bag for up to seven days.

Air fryer poached eggs

To make air fryer poached eggs, start by preheating your air fryer. Then, oil some ramekins and add water to them. You can use either ceramic or glass ramekins, but it is best to avoid using silicone as they do not transfer heat in the same way. Crack the eggs into the water and place the ramekins in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 5 to 6 minutes, or until your desired consistency is achieved. If you like your eggs a little firmer, you can cook them for a little longer.

Once the eggs are cooked, carefully slide them into a strainer to drain the water. Plate and season with salt and pepper, or your desired herbs and spices, before serving. You can also experiment with adding seasonings to the raw egg and water mixture before cooking.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model, the size of the eggs, and the temperature of the eggs. It is recommended to monitor the cooking process and adjust the time as needed. Poached eggs are best eaten fresh, but if you want to make them ahead of time, place them in an ice bath to prevent overcooking.

Air fryer scrambled eggs

First, place some butter in an oven/air fryer-safe pan and put it inside the air fryer. Cook at 300 degrees Fahrenheit until the butter is melted, which should take about 2 minutes. While the butter is melting, whisk together your desired number of eggs with some milk, then add salt and pepper to taste. You can also add some cheese if you like.

Next, pour the egg mixture into the pan and cook at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3 minutes. Open the air fryer, push the eggs towards the centre of the pan, and stir them with a small plastic or silicone spatula. Avoid using metal utensils as these can scratch the pan.

Finally, cook the eggs for another 2 minutes. If you want to add cheese, stir it into the eggs now, then cook for a further 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the air fryer and enjoy your scrambled eggs!

Some people prefer to cook their scrambled eggs at a higher temperature of 370-380 degrees Fahrenheit for a shorter time of around 3 minutes. However, this method requires constant stirring to avoid overcooking, and the eggs may need to be poked with a fork to release steam.

You can also make scrambled eggs in an air fryer by simply cracking an egg into a ramekin or silicone muffin liner and cooking it for 10-15 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit. This method is even easier and allows you to add deli meat or crack the egg onto a slice of bread or a bagel.

Frequently asked questions