Making Eggs In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to stovetop cooking, and can be used to make eggs in a variety of ways. You can make fried eggs, soft-boiled eggs, hard-boiled eggs, poached eggs, and more. The benefit of using an air fryer is that it requires minimal cleanup and uses less oil, which saves on fat and calories.

Boiled eggs

Yes, you can make boiled eggs in an air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide:

Preparation:

Before you begin, ensure your air fryer is clean, as this can cause brown spots on your eggs. If your air fryer has a wire rack, place it inside the basket, as this will make it easier to lift the eggs out. If your air fryer does not have a wire rack, simply place the eggs in the bottom of the air fryer basket.

Cooking:

Place your eggs in a single layer at the bottom of your air fryer basket or on the wire rack. It is important to leave space between each egg to allow for proper air circulation. Close the air fryer.

Set the temperature to between 250-275°F (121-135°C). The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer's settings and your desired outcome. For soft-boiled eggs, cook for 9-11 minutes, for jammy eggs, cook for 12-13 minutes, and for hard-boiled eggs, cook for 13-16 minutes.

Cooling and Peeling:

Once the eggs are cooked, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs and place them in an ice bath or cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down. You can let them sit in the water until they are fully cooled (around 8-10 minutes), or until they are cool but not cold, which will make them easier to peel.

To peel the eggs, gently crack the shells by rolling them along a hard surface, and then peel them away. Start at the bottom/fattest part of the egg, where an air bubble usually forms.

Storage:

Store your peeled or unpeeled eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to a week.

Tips:

• If your eggs are room temperature, they may cook faster, so adjust your timing accordingly.
• If your yolks have a green ring around them, it means they were cooked for too long or at too high a temperature. They are still safe to eat, but reduce the cooking time next time.
• To get centred yolks, turn the carton of eggs on its side in the refrigerator for about a day before boiling.
• If you want to freeze your boiled eggs, place them in water and then into the freezer. However, be aware that once defrosted, the whites may become mushy and watery, and the yolks mealy.
• If you are having trouble peeling the eggs, try shaking them in a container with a little water, or cracking the shells in the air fryer and letting the hot air help separate the shell from the membrane.

Enjoy your perfectly boiled air-fried eggs!

Fried eggs

Ingredients and Tools

• 1 or 2 large eggs (refrigerated)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A shallow, non-stick tray or a small low-setting baking pan
• Cooking spray or a small amount of oil or butter
• A small cup or bowl

Method

• Spray the pan with oil, place it in the fryer basket, and preheat it for 3-5 minutes at 350-400°F (177-204 °C).
• Crack your egg(s) into a small cup or bowl and carefully pour the egg(s) onto the hot pan or tray.
• Air fry for 3-8 minutes, depending on your desired yolk consistency. For a runny yolk, cook for 3-4 minutes. For a medium yolk, cook for 4-6 minutes. For a firm or hard yolk, cook for 5-8 minutes.
• If making over-easy or over-medium eggs, flip the egg with a spatula and cook for an additional minute.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.

Tips

• You can use a variety of pans when making fried eggs in an air fryer, such as a shallow, non-stick baking tray, a mini cast-iron skillet, a mini pie or cake pan, disposable foil or aluminium pans, or a ramekin.
• If using a ramekin, you may need to increase the total cook time by 1-2 minutes.
• You can use olive oil or butter to grease the pan. Spray or grease the pan well to ensure the eggs don't stick.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the size and temperature of the egg. Smaller and room-temperature eggs will have a shorter cooking time.
• For crispy fried eggs, select cookware with low walls to allow the hot air to circulate efficiently.
• Always monitor the cooking time, as it may vary depending on your specific air fryer model. Start by cooking your egg for about 2-3 minutes, then check and add more time if needed.

Soft-boiled eggs

Preparation

Before you start, get your ice bath ready. This is a crucial step as it will stop the eggs from overcooking and make them easier to peel. Use a large bowl and fill it with ice cubes and cold water. Set it aside for now.

Cooking the Eggs

• Preheat your air fryer to 270° F to 275° F (132-135°C). If your air fryer does not go below 300° F, set it to that temperature and subtract 1-2 minutes from the cooking time.
• Place your eggs in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one. If your air fryer has grooves, the eggs will sit nicely in them, preventing them from rolling around. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can cook anywhere from 4 to 12 eggs at a time.
• Cook the eggs for 9-11 minutes for soft-boiled. If you prefer your eggs a little less runny, go for 9 minutes. For jammy eggs, cook for 11-13 minutes.

Peeling the Eggs

• Once the eggs are cooked, immediately transfer them to the ice bath. Let them sit in the ice bath for at least 3 minutes. This step is important as it will make the eggs easier to peel.
• After the eggs have cooled down, gently crack them on a hard surface. Start peeling from the larger, rounder end of the egg, where the air pocket is located. This will help you get those nice big peels.
• Be very gentle and patient during the peeling process. Soft-boiled eggs are more fragile than hard-boiled eggs, so take your time.
• Use the thin membrane that separates the egg white from the shell to help you peel. This will help the shell come off in bigger pieces.
• Finally, run the peeled egg under some water to get rid of any remaining shell pieces.

Storing the Eggs

You can store unpeeled soft-boiled eggs in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Peeled soft-boiled eggs will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge.

Hard-boiled eggs

Yes, you can make hard-boiled eggs in an air fryer! Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer. The ideal temperature for cooking hard-boiled eggs is between 250°F and 275°F. You can skip this step and cook the eggs for a couple of minutes longer, but preheating is recommended.

Step 2: Prepare the Eggs

Place the desired number of eggs in the air fryer basket. It is best to use eggs at room temperature, and they should be in a single layer with a little space between each egg to ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Cook the Eggs

Cook the eggs for 13 to 17 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. The exact time will depend on your air fryer model and your desired level of doneness, so you may need to experiment. For example, one source recommends 12 minutes for hard-boiled eggs at 270°F, while another suggests 15 minutes at 250°F.

Step 4: Prepare an Ice Bath

While the eggs are cooking, fill a bowl with ice and cold water to prepare an ice bath. This step is important to stop the eggs from overcooking and to make them easier to peel.

Step 5: Cool the Eggs

Once the eggs are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and immediately place them in the ice bath for at least 2 minutes until they are cool but not completely chilled.

Step 6: Peel and Enjoy

Finally, crack and peel the eggs, and they are ready to eat! You can store unpeeled hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Enjoy your perfectly cooked, easy-to-peel air-fried hard-boiled eggs!

Baked eggs

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. milk or cream (optional)
• 4 (4-ounce) ceramic ramekins
• 4 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Method:

• Spray the inside of the ramekins with non-stick spray.
• Place the ramekins in your air fryer basket.
• Carefully break one egg into each ramekin, being careful not to break the yolk.
• If desired, swirl 1/4 teaspoon of milk or cream into each egg white.
• Cook at 300°F for 7-10 minutes, or until the egg whites are just set.
• Use a pair of tongs to carefully remove the ramekins from the air fryer – they will be very hot!
• Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs, if desired.

You can also add cheese to your baked eggs. Here is a recipe for Air Fryer Cheesy Baked Eggs:

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces of smoked gouda, chopped
• Everything bagel seasoning
• Kosher salt and pepper to taste
• 2 ramekins
• 4 eggs

Method:

• Spray the inside of each ramekin with cooking spray.
• Add 2 eggs to each ramekin, then add 1 ounce of chopped gouda to each.
• Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle your everything bagel seasoning on top of each ramekin (as much as you like).
• Place each ramekin into the air fryer basket.
• Cook for 400°F for 10 minutes, or until eggs are cooked through. Serve.

Frequently asked questions