Air Fryer Scrambled Eggs: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can make scrambled eggs in an air fryer! It's a simple, quick, and easy way to make a tasty breakfast with minimal clean-up required. The air fryer requires little to no oil, making scrambled eggs a healthier option. You can also add vegetables, meat, and cheese to your eggs to make them even more delicious.

Air Fryer Temperature and Timing

The ideal temperature for cooking scrambled eggs in an air fryer is a topic of some debate. Some sources suggest cooking at 350°F for 6 minutes, then scrambling the eggs and cooking for a further 8 minutes. Another source recommends cooking at 300°F for 9 minutes in total, scrambling the eggs every 2 minutes. A third source recommends cooking at 370°F for a total of 6 minutes, scrambling the eggs halfway through.

It is generally agreed that scrambled eggs cook better at a lower temperature in the air fryer. One source recommends 220°F, while another suggests 180°C. Cooking times will vary depending on the air fryer model and your personal preference for how well-cooked you like your eggs. One source recommends checking the eggs every minute or two after the first 4-5 minutes of cooking time.

If you are cooking a larger batch of eggs, you will need to adjust the cooking time. One source recommends allowing 4 minutes extra for 4 eggs. Another suggests allowing slightly more time for extra eggs to cook.

Air Fryer Basket vs Pan

Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep fryers as they use air instead of oil for cooking food. There are two types of air fryers: classic style (either single-basket or dual-basket) and oven style. Traditional air fryers usually have a basket while oven-style air fryers come with a tray.

Air Fryer Basket

The advantages of using an air fryer basket include:

• They are compact and take up little counter space.
• They are convenient and make delicious food within minutes.
• They can hasten cooking time due to their small cooking chamber and rapid increase in temperature.

The disadvantages of using an air fryer basket include:

• You can only cook in small batches as the small cooking compartment is only suitable for 1-2 people, although larger models are available.
• The outside of the basket heats up and you should wear oven mitts when handling it or touching the outside.

Air Fryer Pan

The advantages of using an air fryer pan include:

• You get to enjoy multiple cooking options. Most oven-style air fryers with trays have other cooking options besides air frying.
• You can use multiple racks and they are adjustable, allowing you to cook a variety of food at the same time.
• You can cook larger quantities since oven-style air fryers are larger than basket-style air fryers.

The disadvantages of using an air fryer pan include:

• They require more counter space as they are bigger than traditional air fryers with baskets.
• The cooking time is slower because the cooking chamber is larger.
• They are less affordable than basket-style air fryers.

When choosing between a basket-style air fryer and an oven-style air fryer, you need to consider what you'll use it for, how many people you're cooking for, and how much space you have.

Air fryer baskets don't hold as much food as an oven-style air fryer, but they give you the option to shake the food as it cooks, whereas an oven tray or wire rack requires you to flip the food during cooking.

Both styles produce the same results and it ultimately comes down to personal preference and your style of cooking. Some people prefer the convenience and speed of the basket-style air fryer, while others prefer the larger capacity and multiple cooking options of the oven-style air fryer.

Air Fryer Scrambled Eggs with Butter or Oil

Ingredients

• Eggs
• Butter or oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Milk (optional)
• Cheese (optional)
• Vegetables of your choice (optional)

Method

• Place butter or oil in an air fryer-safe pan and cook at 300°F or 150°C for 2 minutes.
• While the butter or oil is melting, whisk the eggs in a separate bowl and add salt and pepper to taste. You can also add a splash of milk to the eggs at this stage for a creamier consistency.
• Pour the egg mixture into the air fryer pan and cook at the same temperature for 2 minutes.
• Open the air fryer, push the eggs towards the centre of the pan and scramble them with a plastic or silicone spatula.
• Cook for another 2 minutes, then add cheese and scramble again.
• Finish the eggs by cooking for a further 2 minutes.
• Remove from the pan, season to taste, and serve.

Tips

• You can add vegetables, meat, or cheese to your eggs for a more substantial meal.
• Whisk the raw eggs for at least one minute to make them lighter and fluffier.
• Cooking scrambled eggs in an air fryer on lower heat is best to ensure they are cooked thoroughly without burning.
• Different air fryers may cook eggs at different rates, so keep an eye on your eggs and adjust the temperature and cooking time as needed.

Air Fryer Scrambled Eggs with Add-Ins

Ingredients:

• 2-4 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• 1/8 cup of milk or cream (optional)
• Butter or oil
• Choice of add-ins (chopped vegetables, meat, herbs, spices, or cheese)

Utensils:

• Air fryer-safe pan or ceramic bowl
• Whisk or fork
• Spatula
• Ramekin (optional)
• Silicone cake mould (optional)

Method:

• Place butter or oil in an air fryer-safe pan or ceramic bowl and put it inside the air fryer. Set the temperature to between 220-350°F. This will take around 2 minutes to melt the butter.
• While the butter is melting, crack the eggs into a bowl and add salt and pepper. You can also add milk or cream for fluffier eggs. Whisk the mixture for about a minute to incorporate air and make the eggs lighter.
• If you are using any add-ins, such as cheese, vegetables, or meat, add them to the egg mixture now.
• Pour the egg mixture into the pan or bowl and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Open the air fryer and use a spatula to gently scramble the eggs. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to prevent the eggs from sticking and forming an omelette.
• Continue cooking for another 2-8 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. Keep in mind that air fryers can vary, so adjust the cooking time as needed.
• Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, plate them and serve immediately.

Tips:

• It is important to grease the pan first when making scrambled eggs in the air fryer to prevent sticking.
• Whisk the eggs thoroughly before adding them to the pan to prevent lumps and create fluffier eggs.
• If you are adding cheese, sprinkle it over the eggs during the last minute of cooking or mix it in just before serving.
• To reheat leftover scrambled eggs, place them in the air fryer basket and heat at 325°F for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.

Air Fryer Scrambled Eggs with Other Breakfast Foods

Air fryer scrambled eggs are a quick, easy, and healthy breakfast option. They can be made in large batches, stored, and reheated, making them a convenient choice for busy mornings. Here is a simple recipe for air fryer scrambled eggs, along with some ideas for serving them with other breakfast foods.

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Butter or oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: milk, cheese, vegetables, meat, or herbs for added flavour and texture

Instructions:

• Place butter or oil in an air fryer-safe pan and preheat the air fryer to around 220-350°F. You can also choose to preheat the air fryer without the butter or oil first and add them later.
• While the air fryer is preheating, whisk the eggs in a separate bowl. You can add milk, cheese, salt, and pepper to taste. Adding milk will create a creamier consistency.
• Pour the egg mixture into the air fryer pan.
• Cook the eggs for 2-3 minutes. Then, open the air fryer, push the eggs towards the centre, and scramble them with a spatula. Make sure to use a plastic or silicone spatula to avoid scratching the non-stick surface.
• Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes. If you are adding cheese, do so now and scramble the eggs again.
• Finish cooking the eggs to your desired level of doneness. This usually takes around 2-3 minutes.
• Remove the eggs from the pan, season to taste, and serve.

Tips:

• The lower the temperature, the better. Cooking at a lower temperature helps prevent the eggs from becoming rubbery.
• Keep an eye on the eggs as cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model and your preferred level of doneness.
• It is important to grease the pan first to prevent sticking. Cooking spray, butter, or oils such as canola or avocado oil can be used.
• Whisk the eggs thoroughly before adding them to the pan to prevent lumps and create a fluffier texture.
• If you are adding any ingredients like cheese, vegetables, or meat, add them to the beaten eggs before cooking.

Serving Ideas:

Air fryer scrambled eggs can be served with a variety of other breakfast foods, such as:

• Bacon or sausage: Cook the bacon or sausage in the air fryer alongside the eggs, or serve pre-cooked bacon or sausage on the side.
• Toast: You can even make toast in your air fryer!
• Hash browns: Try making crispy air fryer hash brown patties as a side dish to your scrambled eggs.
• Breakfast potatoes: Serve your scrambled eggs with air fryer breakfast potatoes or homemade French fries.
• Vegetables: Add chopped vegetables like onions, bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms to your scrambled eggs for a more substantial meal.

Frequently asked questions