Air-Fryer Scotch Eggs: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Scotch eggs are a traditional British dish that can be enjoyed at picnics, pubs, parties, or as a snack. They are typically made by wrapping a hard-boiled egg in minced meat, usually pork sausage, and coating it with breadcrumbs before deep-frying. However, with the growing popularity of air fryers, many people are now opting to cook scotch eggs in an air fryer instead of deep-frying them. This method gives the scotch eggs a crispy crust without the grease and mess of traditional deep-frying.

How to make Scotch eggs in an air fryer

Yes, you can put Scotch eggs in an air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make them:

Ingredients:

• 4-6 eggs for boiling
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 500g of sausagemeat or 1 pound of pork sausage
• 2 tablespoons of plain flour or 1/2 cup of flour
• 2-4 cups of panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup of fine breadcrumbs (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried mixed herbs
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of dried herbs (optional)
• 1 strip of raw bacon, minced (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Oil, for spraying or brushing
• Dipping sauce or chutney, to serve (optional)

Method:

Step 1: Boil and Peel the Eggs

Start by boiling your desired number of eggs to your preferred doneness. You can soft-boil or hard-boil them, depending on your preference. Remember that the eggs will cook further in the air fryer, so you may want to undercook them slightly to achieve your desired doneness. For soft-boiled eggs, aim for around 11-12 minutes of boiling. Once boiled, prepare a bowl of ice-cold water and transfer the eggs to it to cool for about 5 minutes before peeling.

Step 2: Prepare the Sausage Mixture

In a bowl, mix the sausagemeat with your choice of seasonings and any additional ingredients, such as bacon or herbs. Mix well until the mixture forms a paste-like consistency. You can also add hydrated bread chunks or stuffing mix to the sausage mixture to prevent it from becoming tough. Divide the mixture into equal portions, depending on how many eggs you are using.

Step 3: Coat the Eggs

Prepare three separate bowls for the coating process. In one bowl, place the flour and season it with salt and pepper, if desired. In the second bowl, add the beaten eggs. In the third bowl, place the breadcrumbs. Working with one egg at a time, coat the boiled egg first in flour, then in the beaten egg, and finally in the breadcrumbs. Ensure the egg is fully coated at each step. Return the coated egg to a wire rack while you repeat this process with the remaining eggs.

Step 4: Mould the Sausage Around the Eggs

Take one portion of the sausage mixture and place it on a sheet of plastic cling wrap. Cover it with another sheet of cling wrap and flatten it into a patty or disc, roughly 6 inches or 10 cm in diameter. Peel off the top layer of cling wrap and place the floured egg in the center. Use the cling wrap to help encase the egg in sausage, ensuring it is evenly coated. Pinch the sausage seam shut and return the wrapped egg to the wire rack. Repeat this process with the remaining eggs and sausage portions.

Step 5: Air Fry the Scotch Eggs

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F or 180°C. Using an oil sprayer or a pastry brush, coat the Scotch eggs with a layer of cooking oil. Place the eggs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 12-25 minutes, turning them over halfway through the cooking time. The Scotch eggs are ready when the sausage is cooked through and the coating is golden.

Step 6: Serve

Remove the Scotch eggs from the air fryer and allow them to cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving. You can serve them as-is or with a dipping sauce, chutney, or mustard on the side. Enjoy!

What temperature to cook Scotch eggs in an air fryer

Yes, you can put Scotch eggs in an air fryer.

To make Scotch eggs in an air fryer, you will need to prepare a few bowls with different ingredients for a multi-step breading process. The first bowl should contain flour, the second bowl should contain beaten eggs, and the third bowl should contain breadcrumbs. You will also need a separate plate with beaten eggs for the initial breading of the sausage-wrapped eggs.

Step 1: Prepare the Eggs

You can choose to boil your eggs beforehand or cook them in the air fryer. If you decide to boil them, place them in a saucepan with boiling water for about 6-9 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. If you use the air fryer, set the temperature to 250°F (125°C) and cook the eggs for 12 minutes. After cooking, immediately place the eggs in an ice bath to halt the cooking process.

Step 2: Prepare the Sausage Mixture

In a large bowl, mix the sausage meat with your desired seasonings and herbs. You can add bacon, onions, or other ingredients to the mixture. Divide the mixture into equal portions, depending on how many eggs you are preparing.

Step 3: Wrap the Eggs with Sausage

Take a portion of the sausage mixture and flatten it into a disc or patty. Place the boiled egg in the centre and mould the meat around it, ensuring it is evenly coated. Repeat this process for all the eggs.

Step 4: Bread the Eggs

Dip each sausage-wrapped egg into the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them into the beaten eggs and finally, roll them in the breadcrumbs. Ensure they are well-coated.

Step 5: Air Fry the Scotch Eggs

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Place the breaded eggs into the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. Lightly spray or brush the eggs with oil. Air fry for about 12-25 minutes, flipping them over halfway through, until the sausage is cooked and the coating is golden.

Your Scotch eggs are now ready to be served! You can enjoy them as a breakfast, brunch, or snack option. They can be served hot, warm, or chilled, depending on your preference.

How long to cook Scotch eggs in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook Scotch eggs in an air fryer!

To make Scotch eggs in an air fryer, you'll first need to prepare the eggs and the sausage meat mixture. Start by boiling your eggs to your desired doneness—soft or hard-boiled. If you're making hard-boiled eggs, try plunging them into ice-cold water after cooking to make them easier to peel. Once they're peeled, set them aside.

Next, prepare the sausage meat mixture. You can add other ingredients to the meat, such as bacon, sage, mixed herbs, or spices of your choice. Divide the mixture into equal portions and flatten each into a disc, large enough to wrap around an egg. Place an egg in the centre of each disc and mould the meat around the egg, sealing all sides.

Now, it's time to bread the Scotch eggs. Prepare three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. Coat each Scotch egg in flour, then dip it into the beaten egg, and finally, roll it in the breadcrumbs.

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F or 350°F, depending on the model). Spray the Scotch eggs with oil and place them in the air fryer basket, ensuring they're not overcrowded. Cook for about 20 minutes, turning them over halfway through, until the sausage meat is cooked and the coating is golden.

Your air-fried Scotch eggs are now ready to be enjoyed! They go well with a variety of dips and sauces, such as mango chutney, tomato chutney, or mustard.

What sauces go with Scotch eggs

Scotch eggs are a British dish that can be served hot, cold, or at room temperature. They are typically served as a snack, at picnics, or in pubs. While the traditional recipe calls for deep-frying, air-frying is a modern, healthier alternative that yields extra-crispy results.

Scotch eggs are typically served with a sauce on the side for dipping. Here are some sauce options that go well with Scotch eggs:

• Mustard: A traditional choice, mustard can be served on its own or mixed with mayonnaise. You can also make a creamy mustard sauce by cooking butter, half-and-half, and Dijon mustard on the stove.
• Chutney: Chutney, especially mango chutney, is a popular choice to serve with Scotch eggs. You can also try other types of chutney, such as tomato chutney.
• Ketchup: Ketchup is a classic sauce that can add a tangy sweetness to your Scotch eggs.
• Ranch dressing: A thick and creamy option that pairs well with the flavours of Scotch eggs.
• HP sauce: This is a popular choice in the UK, and A1 Steak Sauce is a similar option available in the USA.
• Cheese and pickle: As suggested by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, this combination will add a salty, tangy flavour to your Scotch eggs.

Feel free to experiment with different sauces and condiments to find your favourite pairing with Scotch eggs!

How to store leftover Scotch eggs

If you have leftover Scotch eggs, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. It is recommended to line the container with paper towels to soak up any extra moisture.

While you can freeze Scotch eggs for up to three months, it is not recommended as the crispy crust will likely become soggy during the freezing and thawing process.

To reheat your leftover Scotch eggs, you can place them in an oven at 350ºF until warmed through. Do not microwave them as they may explode! Instead, either fry them again in hot oil or cut them into quarters before microwaving.

Frequently asked questions