Air Fryer Eggs: Perfectly Cooked, Quick, And Easy!

Air fryers are a convenient and versatile kitchen appliance, and you may be surprised to learn that you can even cook eggs in them. Whether you like your eggs fried, boiled, or scrambled, an air fryer can help you make a delicious breakfast with minimal cleanup. You can also make eggs in an air fryer with less butter or oil, which saves on fat and calories.

Air fryer fried eggs

Ingredients and Equipment

The ingredients for air fryer fried eggs are simple:

• Eggs (preferably local and farm-fresh)
• Olive oil or cooking oil spray
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Herbs and spices such as oregano, basil, thyme, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes

In terms of equipment, you will need:

• An air fryer (basket or oven style)
• A pan that fits inside your air fryer, such as a shallow non-stick baking tray, a mini cast-iron skillet, or a small cake or pie pan
• If using a basket air fryer, you may also need aluminium foil or an air fryer liner to create a small cup for the egg

Step-by-Step Guide

• Prepare the pan by spraying it with olive oil or coating it with cooking oil spray. This step ensures that the eggs don't stick to the pan.
• Preheat your air fryer. If using a basket air fryer, preheat it to 400°F (204 °C) for 5 minutes. If using an air fryer oven, preheat to 370°F (187°C) for 3 minutes.
• Crack an egg into a small cup or bowl and carefully pour it into the hot pan.
• Air fry for 3-5 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. For a runny yolk, cook for 3 minutes. For a medium yolk, add 1 minute, and for a firm yolk, add another minute.
• Remove the egg from the pan using a spatula with a firm tip.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

• The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the size and temperature of the egg, so it's important to keep an eye on your eggs to avoid overcooking.
• If using a basket air fryer, you can create a small cup with aluminium foil to hold the egg. However, be sure that the foil does not restrict airflow in the air fryer.
• For a crispy fried egg, use a shallow pan to allow hot air to circulate efficiently.
• If you like your eggs on toast, you can cook them directly on a slice of bread in the air fryer.
• Get creative with seasonings and herbs to add extra flavour to your fried eggs.
• Always use a safe-for-air-fryer oil with a high smoke point, such as olive oil.

Air fryer section sign boiled eggs

Air Fryer Boiled Eggs

Making boiled eggs in an air fryer is a quick and easy alternative to stovetop cooking. The air fryer method is also much faster than the traditional way of boiling eggs in water. Plus, air-fried eggs are incredibly easy to peel!

Steps

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer. Set the temperature to between 120–180 °C (250–350 °F).

Step 2: Prepare the eggs. Place the desired number of eggs in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one.

Step 3: Cook. For soft-boiled eggs, cook for 8–11 minutes. For jammy eggs, cook for 12–13 minutes. For hard-boiled eggs, cook for 13–15 minutes.

Step 4: Prepare an ice bath. While the eggs are cooking, fill a bowl with ice and cold water.

Step 5: Cool the eggs. Once the eggs are done, immediately transfer them to the ice bath for at least 3 minutes to stop the cooking process.

Step 6: Peel the eggs. Gently crack each egg on a hard surface and carefully peel away the shell.

Tips

• For centred yolks, store your carton of eggs on its side in the refrigerator for about a day before cooking.
• Use older eggs for easier peeling.
• For a extra flavour, sprinkle eggs with salt, pepper, everything bagel seasoning, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce.
• Serve eggs on toast with avocado, cream cheese, cottage cheese, or butter. Alternatively, add them to a taco, salad, or egg salad sandwich.
• For soft-boiled eggs with runnier yolks, cook for 8–9 minutes. For hard-boiled eggs with solid yolks, cook for 14–17 minutes.
• If your air fryer doesn't go below 300 °F (148 °C), subtract 1–2 minutes from the cooking time.
• If you're using a ramekin, increase the total cook time by 1–2 minutes.

Air fryer scrambled eggs

Air fryers can be used to make a variety of egg dishes, including scrambled eggs. Here is a simple recipe for air fryer scrambled eggs:

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Butter or cooking spray
• 1/8 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• Milk (optional)

Instructions:

• Lightly grease a ramekin dish or a shallow, non-stick, oven-safe pan with butter or cooking spray.
• Beat the eggs in a separate bowl and add salt and pepper to taste. You can also add a small amount of milk to the mixture for a creamier consistency.
• Pour the beaten egg mixture into the greased dish or pan.
• Set the air fryer temperature to between 350-370 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the dish or pan into the air fryer basket and cook for 3 minutes.
• After 3 minutes, remove the dish or pan from the air fryer and stir the eggs with a plastic or silicone spatula. Avoid using metal utensils on non-stick surfaces to prevent scratching.
• If you are using cheese, add it to the eggs now and stir to combine.
• Return the dish or pan to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-8 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.
• Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Tips:

• For lighter and fluffier scrambled eggs, whisk the raw eggs for about one minute before pouring them into the dish or pan.
• If you prefer a creamier texture, you can substitute cream for milk.
• If you want to add some vegetables or meat to your scrambled eggs, feel free to do so! Peppers, mushrooms, spinach, ham, and sausage are all great options.
• Keep in mind that different air fryer models may cook eggs at different rates, so it's important to keep an eye on your eggs while they are cooking and adjust the temperature or cooking time as needed.

Air fryer poached eggs

Ingredients and Tools:

• Air fryer
• Ramekins or silicone cups
• Eggs
• Olive oil or non-stick cooking spray
• Salt and pepper
• Hot water
• Rubber or silicone spatula or wooden spoon

Method:

• Preheat the air fryer to 350-400 °F for 3-4 minutes.
• Lightly spray each ramekin with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray.
• Add 3 tablespoons of hot water to each ramekin.
• Crack an egg into each ramekin over the water.
• Place the ramekins in the air fryer basket and cook at 350-370 °F for 5-8 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.
• When the eggs are done, use a rubber spatula or spoon to gently slide them out of the ramekins.
• Season with salt and pepper as desired.

Tips:

• Preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking.
• Use small ramekins or silicone cups to prevent the eggs from spreading out and overcooking.
• Use a rubber or silicone spatula or wooden spoon to avoid breaking the yolk.
• Fresh eggs will help ensure better results.
• You can add toppings such as a creamy hollandaise sauce, salt and pepper, avocado, bacon, or toast.

Air fryer hard-boiled eggs

To make hard-boiled eggs in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 250°F (120°C). You can skip this step and add a couple of minutes to the cooking time if you prefer. Place the eggs in the air fryer basket and set the timer for 13 to 17 minutes, depending on how well done you like your eggs. The cooking time may vary between air fryers, so you may need to experiment to find your perfect setting.

Once the eggs are cooked, place them in an ice water bath or run them under cold water to stop the cooking process and make them easier to peel. You can then peel and enjoy your hard-boiled eggs!

Some tips for making hard-boiled eggs in the air fryer include playing around with the cooking time to find your ideal doneness. If you want a more solid yolk, for example, you can increase the cooking time to 17 minutes. Using an ice water bath is not necessary but can help prevent overcooking. Additionally, if your air fryer doesn't have a basket, you can use a grill rack or mesh rack to allow the air to circulate around the eggs.

Frequently asked questions