Air-Fried Deviled Eggs: A Tasty, Healthy Treat?

Deviled eggs are a common appetiser in America, but the process of making them can be tedious and time-consuming. However, with an air fryer, you can make delicious deviled eggs with minimal effort and in less time. This innovative appliance eliminates the need for boiling, making the eggs ready to eat in under 20 minutes. The air fryer also ensures even cooking and produces incredibly easy-to-peel eggs. But does this method compromise on taste and texture? Let's find out.

How long to cook deviled eggs in an air fryer

You can make hard-boiled eggs in an air fryer in about 15 minutes. The exact time depends on the consistency you want your eggs to be and the model of your air fryer. For soft-boiled eggs, you should air fry for 9-11 minutes, for jammy eggs, 12-13 minutes, and for hard-boiled eggs, 13-15 minutes.

After cooking, you should immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.

If you are making deviled eggs, you will need to cook the eggs, peel them, and then cook them again in the air fryer. The second round of cooking will take 8-10 minutes at 390°.

How to peel eggs for deviling

While it may be tempting to dive straight into the process of preparing your air fryer and eggs, there are a few preliminary steps that can be taken to ensure the eggs are easier to peel. Firstly, if you're using fresh eggs, it's worth noting that they are notoriously harder to peel than older eggs. In this case, you can try leaving the eggs out for a couple of hours to let them come to room temperature. Another method is to place the eggs in a pot, cover them with water about an inch above the eggs, bring the water to a boil, and then let the eggs sit covered for 12 minutes. You can also try adding ½ teaspoon of baking soda to the water before boiling.

Once your eggs are boiled, there are several techniques you can use to peel them for deviling:

• Spoon Method: Tap the wider base of the egg on the counter and peel away a quarter-sized spot of the shell. Insert the tip of a teaspoon into the opening, between the shell and egg, and rotate the spoon around the egg. Work it down and around the egg until the shell comes off in one piece. However, this method may waste some of the egg white and affect the presentation.
• Blow It Out Method: Tap the bottom of the egg, remove a quarter-sized piece of the shell, then tap the top and peel away a dime-sized piece of shell. Hold the egg to your mouth and blow hard until the egg pops out. While this method is a fun party trick, it's not practical for a larger batch of eggs.
• Store in Water Method: Submerge the boiled eggs in cold water and refrigerate for about an hour and up to three to four days before peeling. This method works on the principle that cold eggs are easier to peel because the whites constrict away from the shell.
• Crack and Roll Method: Tap the egg on the counter and roll it across the surface while applying gentle pressure with your palm. This creates fractures in the shell, which you can then peel off. This method is fuss-free and doesn't require any additional tools or steps.
• Peel Under Water Method: Fill a bowl with room-temperature water. Submerge one egg at a time, crack it against the bowl, and slip off the shell underwater. This method is highly effective as the water helps to gently separate the membrane and the shell from the egg white, making the peeling process much easier.

Remember, the key to successfully peeling hard-boiled eggs is finding a technique that works best for you and your eggs. Each method has its pros and cons, so feel free to experiment until you find the one that suits your needs.

How to make the yolk filling

To make the yolk filling for devilled eggs in an air fryer, you'll first need to cook the eggs. Set your air fryer to between 250 and 275 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 15 to 17 minutes. Then, place the eggs in an ice bath to cool them down and make them easier to peel. Peel the eggs and cut them in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks and put them in a bowl.

Now it's time to mix your yolk filling. Use a fork to mash the yolks, then add your desired ingredients and mix well. A standard combination is mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper, but you can also add hot sauce, pickle brine, or apple cider vinegar for some extra flavour. If you like your devilled eggs on the sweeter side, add some sweet pickle relish or a drizzle of honey. For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce. You can also experiment with different types of mustard—try Dijon, spicy brown, or yellow mustard to find your favourite.

Once you've mixed your yolk filling, it's time to fill the egg whites. You can use a spoon or a piping bag to fill the egg whites with the yolk mixture. Sprinkle with paprika for a classic devilled egg look. If desired, you can chill the eggs for 25 minutes before serving.

How to make the eggs crispy

To make crispy deviled eggs in an air fryer, you'll need to make sure you have the right equipment and ingredients.

First, you'll need a non-stick, oven-friendly, shallow pan or tray to cook your eggs in. This will allow the hot air to circulate efficiently and ensure even cooking. You can use a shallow baking tray, a mini cast-iron skillet, a mini pie/cake pan, or even disposable foil/aluminium pans.

Next, you'll need to grease your pan. You can use olive oil or butter, or a non-stick cooking spray. Greasing the pan will ensure that your eggs don't stick, making them easier to remove and giving them a crispier texture.

Now, you'll want to preheat your air fryer. Set it to around 350-400°F (177-204°C) and let it heat up for about 5 minutes.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your eggs. For deviled eggs, you'll need to hard-boil them, so set your air fryer to 270-275°F (132-135°C) and cook the eggs for about 14-15 minutes. If your air fryer doesn't go below 300°F, set it to that temperature and cook the eggs for 12-13 minutes.

Once the eggs are cooked, immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Let them cool, then peel the shells. Cut the eggs in half lengthwise and scoop out the yolks, transferring them to a separate bowl.

Now comes the fun part: making the yolk filling! You can get creative here and season the yolks to your taste. A classic combination is to mix the yolks with mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, Dijon mustard, and yellow mustard. You can also add salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to taste.

Once you've made your filling, you can start assembling your crispy deviled eggs. Dip the egg white halves into flour, then into a mixture of beaten eggs, and finally, coat them generously with breadcrumbs (you can use panko or finely ground Ritz cracker crumbs). Gently press the coating onto the eggs to make sure it adheres.

Arrange the eggs on a baking sheet and spritz both sides with a light coating of cooking spray. Place them in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it, and cook at 390°F for 8-10 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they're deeply golden and crispy.

Let the eggs cool slightly, then pipe in the yolk filling. Dust with paprika and top with fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or chives.

And there you have it—crispy, crunchy, texture-packed deviled eggs made right in your air fryer!

How to serve deviled eggs

Deviled eggs are a great dish to serve at parties, picnics, and celebrations. Here are some tips on how to serve them:

Choose a Suitable Container

Use a container with deep egg-shaped wells to keep the deviled eggs in place and prevent slipping. Make sure the container is airtight to avoid odours from the refrigerator seeping into the eggs and to prevent them from drying out. If you are transporting the deviled eggs, consider using a portable storage carrier with a lid and convenient flip-down handles. Each tray should hold around 12 deviled eggs.

Use Cupcake Liners

If you don't have a specialised deviled egg container, you can use cupcake liners as a creative solution to keep the eggs stable during transport. Simply place the deviled eggs in the cupcake liners and then into your deviled egg carrier. This will prevent them from sliding and touching each other.

Fill the Centre of the Deviled Egg Tray

The classic circular deviled egg tray often has a section in the centre. You can fill this section with various items such as olives, pickles, gherkins, cornichons, black olives, baby carrots, or banana peppers. You can also add a shaker of paprika or other spices for extra flavour.

Presentation and Garnishes

Deviled eggs are all about presentation. To centre the yolks, turn the egg carton on its side the night before boiling the eggs. You can also get creative with garnishes to make your deviled eggs more appealing. Try topping them with bacon, chopped gherkins, hot sauce, or a drizzle of hot honey. Fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or chives can also add a bit of freshness.

Frequently asked questions