Air-Fryer Boiled Eggs: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Boiling eggs in an air fryer is a quick and easy method that produces evenly cooked eggs that are simple to peel. The process is also mess-free and can be used to make soft, jammy, or hard-boiled eggs.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making boiled eggs. While some recipes suggest that you can skip this step and simply add a couple of minutes to the cooking time, preheating ensures that your eggs cook evenly and that your air fryer is at the optimal temperature.

To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set the temperature to somewhere between 132-148°C (250-275°F). Different air fryers have different minimum temperature settings, so check your model's instructions to find the lowest temperature it can reach. If your air fryer doesn't go below 300°F, set it to that temperature instead.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can add your eggs. It's a good idea to leave a little space between each egg to allow for even cooking. Depending on your desired level of doneness, you can then set a timer for anywhere between 9 and 17 minutes. For soft-boiled eggs, aim for a lower temperature and a shorter cooking time. For hard-boiled eggs, cook your eggs for longer at a higher temperature.

While your eggs are cooking, prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl with ice and cold water. This will be used to stop the cooking process and cool your eggs after they're done. Alternatively, you can simply run them under cold water for a minute.

Place eggs in the basket

When placing the eggs in the basket, ensure they are in a single layer, leaving a little space between each egg. This is important as it allows the air to circulate properly and cook the eggs evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can cook anywhere from 4 to 12 eggs at a time.

If your eggs are straight from the fridge, you can cook them directly without bringing them to room temperature. However, if your eggs are at room temperature, you may need to adjust the cooking time. It is also important to note that the cooking time will vary depending on your desired level of doneness, with soft-boiled eggs taking less time and hard-boiled eggs taking longer.

In terms of air fryer settings, preheating is not necessary, but you can do so if you prefer. The ideal temperature for cooking hard-boiled eggs is around 250°F, but if your air fryer does not go that low, set it to its lowest temperature and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Once you have placed the eggs in the basket, simply insert the basket into the air fryer, set the timer, and let the eggs cook. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness and the specifics of your air fryer, but generally, soft-boiled eggs will take around 9-11 minutes, jammy eggs 12-13 minutes, and hard-boiled eggs 13-17 minutes.

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

Cook time depends on the type of boiled egg

The cooking time for boiled eggs in an air fryer depends on the type of boiled egg you want. For soft-boiled eggs, you should air fry for around 9-11 minutes. For jammy eggs, cook for 12-13 minutes, and for hard-boiled eggs, cook for 13-17 minutes.

The cooking time will vary depending on the strength and wattage of your air fryer, so you may need to experiment to find the perfect cooking time for your desired level of doneness. It's important to note that the cooking time may also depend on the number of eggs you are cooking at once. As a general rule of thumb, the more eggs you cook, the longer the cooking time.

Additionally, the temperature setting of your air fryer will impact the cooking time. If your air fryer doesn't have a low-temperature setting, you can try setting it to 300°F (148°C) and reducing the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.

When cooking boiled eggs in an air fryer, it's crucial to create space between each egg to allow for proper air circulation. This will ensure that the eggs cook evenly.

Once your eggs are cooked to your desired level of doneness, it's important to immediately place them in an ice bath or run them under cold water to stop the cooking process. This will also make the eggs easier to peel.

Prepare an ice bath

Preparing an ice bath is an important step in the process of making boiled eggs in an air fryer. It helps to quickly stop the cooking process, ensuring that the eggs are not overcooked and are easier to peel. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare an ice bath:

• Find a suitable bowl: Choose a bowl that is large enough to accommodate the number of eggs you are cooking. It should be deep enough to allow the eggs to be fully submerged in the ice water.
• Add ice to the bowl: Fill the bowl halfway with ice. You can use ice cubes or crushed ice, ensuring that there is enough ice to significantly lower the temperature of the water.
• Add cold water: Once you have added a generous amount of ice, pour in cold water. The water should be cold enough to create a cold bath that will rapidly cool the eggs. Fill the bowl until it is about three-quarters full, or ensure that the water level is high enough to completely cover the eggs.
• Submerge the eggs: After cooking the eggs in the air fryer and achieving your desired level of doneness, carefully remove them from the air fryer and place them directly into the prepared ice bath. It is important to act quickly at this stage to prevent overcooking.
• Allow the eggs to cool: Keep the eggs in the ice bath for around 4 to 5 minutes, or until they are cool but not completely chilled. This duration may vary depending on the number of eggs and their temperature.
• Remove the eggs: Take the eggs out of the ice bath once they have cooled down. They are now ready for the next step, which is cracking and peeling the shells.

Remember, preparing an ice bath is a crucial step to achieve the best results when making boiled eggs in an air fryer. It ensures that your eggs are cooked to your desired level of doneness and also makes the peeling process much easier.

Peel the eggs

Once your eggs are ready, the next step is to peel them. But before you do that, it is important to transfer the eggs to an ice bath to halt the cooking process. This also makes it easier to peel the eggs. You can either submerge the eggs in a bowl of ice water or place them under cold running water for a minute.

After the eggs have cooled down, you can start peeling. Tap an egg gently with the back of a spoon to crack it. You can also roll the egg along a hard surface to create cracks on all sides. Then, resubmerge it in the ice bath and take it out again to finish peeling. The high heat from the air fryer creates steam inside the egg, making it easier to remove the shell.

Eggs are easiest to peel right away but can be stored unpeeled in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Frequently asked questions