Air Frying A Whole Egg: Is It Possible?

Air fryers have become increasingly popular kitchen appliances, and it's no surprise that people are experimenting with them to cook all sorts of foods, including eggs. You can cook eggs in a variety of ways in an air fryer, such as frying, boiling, or poaching.

To fry an egg in an air fryer, you'll need a shallow, non-stick tray or a small low-setting baking pan. First, spray the pan with oil and preheat it in the air fryer for about 5 minutes. Then, crack an egg into the hot pan and air fry for 3-5 minutes, depending on your desired yolk consistency.

If you're looking to boil eggs, simply place them directly into the air fryer basket and set the temperature and timer according to your desired level of doneness. For soft-boiled eggs, cook for around 9-11 minutes, for jammy eggs, cook for 11-13 minutes, and for hard-boiled eggs, cook for 14-15 minutes.

You can even poach eggs in an air fryer by cracking them into ramekins with a small amount of water and cooking them for around 6-8 minutes.

So, the answer is yes, you can put a whole egg in an air fryer, and there are multiple ways to do it!

Air fryer hard-boiled eggs

Yes, you can put a whole egg in an air fryer! In fact, air-frying is a fast and easy way to make hard-boiled eggs. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer. Most sources recommend a temperature setting between 250°F and 275°F. However, one source suggests a lower temperature range of 270°F to 275°F to mimic simmering water. If your air fryer doesn't go below 300°F, you can try setting it to that temperature, but you may need to reduce the cooking time by a minute or two.

Step 2: Place Eggs in the Air Fryer Basket

Open the preheated air fryer and carefully place the desired number of eggs into the fryer basket. Leave a little space between each egg to allow for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to cook up to 12 eggs at once.

Step 3: Cook the Eggs

Close the air fryer and let the eggs cook for the desired amount of time. The cooking time will depend on your preferred level of doneness, ranging from soft-boiled to hard-boiled. For soft-boiled eggs, cook the eggs for 9 to 13 minutes. For hard-boiled eggs, increase the cooking time to 13 to 17 minutes.

Step 4: Prepare an Ice Bath

While the eggs are cooking, prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl with ice and cold water. The ice bath will be used to stop the cooking process and cool the eggs after they're done.

Step 5: Cool the Eggs in the Ice Bath

Once the eggs have finished cooking, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula and immediately place them into the prepared ice bath. Let the eggs cool in the ice bath for about 4 to 10 minutes. This step helps prevent overcooking and makes the eggs easier to peel.

Step 6: Peel and Enjoy

After the eggs have cooled, gently crack and peel the shells. You can now enjoy your freshly cooked hard-boiled eggs! Store any leftover eggs in the refrigerator, where they will keep for up to a week.

Air fryer soft-boiled eggs

Yes, you can put a whole egg in an air fryer! In fact, air-frying eggs is a great way to make soft-boiled eggs without having to worry about watching a pot of boiling water. Here is a detailed guide on how to make soft-boiled eggs in an air fryer:

Ingredients and Tools:

You will need an air fryer, a bowl of ice water, and as many eggs as you would like to cook. You can use refrigerated or room-temperature eggs, but room-temperature eggs may cook slightly faster.

Cooking Time and Temperature:

Set your air fryer between 270°F and 300°F (somewhere between 132°C and 150°C). You do not need to preheat the air fryer. Place the eggs in the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring they do not touch each other. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness:

• Soft-boiled eggs with runny yolks and firm whites: 9-10 minutes
• Jammy eggs: 10-13 minutes
• Hard-boiled eggs: 14-17 minutes

Cooling and Peeling:

Once the timer goes off, immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water for 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect texture and making the peeling process easier. The cold water helps separate the egg membrane from the shell. After the ice bath, gently tap the egg on a hard surface to create small cracks, and start peeling from the wider end, where there is usually an air pocket. The shell should come off easily, leaving you with a smooth egg.

Serving Suggestions:

Soft-boiled eggs are delicious on their own, but you can also pair them with various dishes:

• Toast: Spread avocado, cream cheese, cottage cheese, or butter on toast and top it with a soft-boiled egg for a nutritious breakfast.
• Salads: Add sliced soft-boiled eggs to your salads for an extra boost of protein.
• Ramen: Soft-boiled eggs are a classic topping for ramen, adding richness and flavour to the broth.
• Seasonings: Sprinkle your soft-boiled eggs with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, truffle oil, soy sauce, or fresh herbs like chives or dill.

Air fryer fried eggs

Air-fried eggs are a fast and easy alternative to stovetop cooking. They are also a good source of protein and make a fabulous breakfast. Here is a guide on how to make fried eggs in an air fryer.

Ingredients and Tools:

You will need the following ingredients and tools:

• 1 large refrigerated egg
• A shallow, non-stick tray or a small low-setting bake pan
• Oil or butter
• Salt and pepper or other seasonings

Method:

First, spray the pan with oil, place it in the fryer basket, and preheat it for 5 minutes. Crack the egg into a small cup or bowl and carefully pour it onto the hot pan or tray. Air fry for 3 minutes for a sunny side up or over-easy egg. If you prefer a medium egg yolk, add 1 minute to the cooking time. Use a spatula with a firm tip to remove the egg.

Time and Temperature:

After preheating the air fryer at 400°F (204 °C) for 5 minutes, air fry the egg at 350°F (177°C). The cooking time will depend on your preferred yolk consistency:

• Runny yolk: 3 minutes
• Medium egg yolk: 4 minutes
• Firm egg yolk: 5 minutes

For over-easy eggs, cook as directed and then flip the egg with a spatula and cook for an additional minute.

Tips:

• You can use olive oil or butter for the eggs. Spray or grease the pan well to prevent sticking.
• Cooking time varies depending on the size and temperature of the egg. Smaller and room-temperature eggs will have a shorter cooking time.
• Use a shallow, oven-friendly (heat-proof) bake tray/pan to allow the hot air to circulate efficiently. A mini cast-iron pan also works great.
• For a 6-quart air fryer, you can make up to 2 large fried eggs in the same tray or pan at once.
• Season the egg before or after cooking. Salt and pepper, soy sauce, and coconut aminos are great options.
• Be careful when removing the eggs from the pan. Use a spatula with a firm edge to scoop out the egg easily.
• Air fryers differ in terms of power and airflow, so there may be some trial and error involved in getting your desired results. Start with these tips and adjust as needed based on your specific appliance and preferences.

Air fryer scrambled eggs

Yes, you can cook eggs in an air fryer! Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to make delicious scrambled eggs in your air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Butter
• Milk
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cheese (optional)

Utensils:

• Air fryer
• Air fryer pan or oven-safe pan
• Small plastic or silicone spatula
• Bowl

Method:

• Place butter in the air fryer pan and cook at 300 degrees Fahrenheit until melted, which should take about 2 minutes. This allows the air fryer to preheat without actually waiting for it to preheat.
• While the butter is melting, whisk together the eggs and milk in a bowl, then add salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour the egg mixture into the air fryer pan and cook at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• After about 3 minutes, open the air fryer and push the eggs towards the inside of the pan, stirring them with a small plastic or silicone spatula. Do not use metal utensils as this could scratch or damage the air fryer pan.
• Cook the eggs for another 2 minutes, then add the cheese (if desired) and stir again.
• Finish cooking the eggs for a further 2 minutes.
• Remove the eggs from the pan, taste, and add more salt and pepper if needed. Enjoy!

Tips:

• Cooking scrambled eggs in an air fryer on lower heat is best to ensure the eggs are cooked thoroughly without burning.
• You can double this recipe or cook more eggs, depending on the size of your air fryer pan. Simply adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• You can also add vegetables to your scrambled eggs for a full breakfast bonanza!

Air fryer poached eggs

Ingredients and Equipment:

• Olive oil or avocado oil spray
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Air fryer unit (e.g., Instant Pot Vortex, Ninja Foodi, Cosori)
• Two 4-ounce ramekins (one egg per ramekin)
• A teaspoon or mini rubber spatula

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (177-204°C) for 3-5 minutes.
• Lightly spray or coat the ramekins with oil to prevent the eggs from sticking.
• Add room temperature or hot water to each ramekin. Most recipes recommend adding 3-4 tablespoons or 1/4 cup of water to each ramekin to ensure the egg whites don't get crispy.
• Carefully crack an egg into each ramekin.
• Place the ramekins in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-7 minutes for runny to medium-runny yolks, or up to 10 minutes for a hard yolk. The cooking time will depend on your desired doneness and the specifics of your air fryer, so you may need to experiment a little.
• Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, remove the ramekins from the air fryer, being careful as they will be hot. Use a potholder, oven mitt, or tongs if needed.
• Gently pry the eggs out of the ramekins using a rubber spatula or spoon. If the eggs are stuck, run a knife around the edge of the ramekin to loosen them.
• Transfer the poached eggs to a plate or prepared toast, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Tips:

• You can cook multiple poached eggs in an air fryer at once, depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of ramekins that fit.
• Adding hot water to the ramekins before cooking helps cook the whites more quickly and results in softer yolks. However, some people choose not to add water to avoid a crispy crust forming around the whites.
• Small ceramic or glass baking dishes, souffle dishes, muffin tins, or reusable silicone baking cups can also be used instead of ramekins. Just ensure they are oven-safe and fit in your air fryer.
• You can add vinegar to the water to help keep the eggs from dispersing and create neater results, but this is optional and may affect the flavor.
• To release the eggs from the ramekins more easily, use a pliable spatula to gently slide around the edge of the egg and underneath it.
• Poached eggs are best served fresh, but you can make them ahead of time by placing them in an ice bath to stop the cooking process and then storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Frequently asked questions