Air-Fried Poached Eggs: A Quick, Easy Breakfast

Poached eggs are a breakfast staple, but they can be tricky to get right on the stove. Luckily, you can make perfect poached eggs in an air fryer with minimal effort. All you need is an air fryer, some ramekins, oil, water, and, of course, eggs.

How to prepare your air fryer and ramekins

Preparing your air fryer and ramekins is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure your poached eggs turn out perfectly. Here's a detailed guide:

Firstly, you'll want to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to around 400°F (204°C) and let it heat up for about 3-5 minutes. Preheating is not always necessary, but it will help your eggs cook more evenly and quickly. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your ramekins.

For the ramekins, you'll need oven-safe dishes that are approximately 3.5-4 inches wide and have a capacity of 4-8 ounces. Lightly grease the inside of each ramekin with cooking spray, olive oil, avocado oil, or another oil of your choice. This step is important as it will prevent the eggs from sticking to the ramekins and make it easier to remove them once they're cooked.

Once your ramekins are prepared, it's time to add the water. Add around 2-4 tablespoons of water to each ramekin. The water level should be just enough to cover the bottom of the ramekin; you don't want to add too much. Using hot or room temperature water is recommended, as pre-boiling the water may not make a significant difference in cooking time or texture.

Now that your air fryer is preheated and your ramekins are prepared, you can carefully place the ramekins into the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to cook multiple eggs at once, so feel free to fill the basket with as many ramekins as can fit comfortably.

With the ramekins in place, you're almost ready to start cooking. Set the temperature of your air fryer to 350-370°F (177-182°C). The exact temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and your desired level of doneness for the yolks.

Once the temperature is set, you're ready to start poaching those eggs! Carefully crack an egg into each ramekin, making sure the egg is fully submerged in the water. Close the air fryer and let the magic happen!

The cooking time will depend on your air fryer and how runny you like your yolks, but it usually takes around 4-8 minutes. Keep an eye on the eggs towards the end of the cooking time and adjust as needed. Remember, it's better to undercook than overcook, as the eggs will continue to cook a little even after you remove them from the air fryer.

When the eggs are done to your liking, use a small rubber or silicone spatula, a slotted spoon, or a wooden spoon to gently lift the eggs out of the ramekins. Be careful not to break the yolks!

And that's it! You're now ready to enjoy perfectly poached eggs, fresh from your air fryer. Season with salt and pepper, and serve them any way you like. Bon appétit!

The best oil to use

While making poached eggs in an air fryer, you will need to grease the ramekins with oil or cooking spray before adding the eggs. The best oils to use in an air fryer are those with a high smoke point, as they can withstand higher temperatures without breaking down and producing smoke. Here is a list of oils with their respective smoke points that are suitable for air frying:

• Avocado oil: 520–570°F (270–300°C)
• Ghee (clarified butter): 482–485°F (250–251°C)
• Extra light olive oil: 465–470°F (240–243°C)
• Peanut oil: 448–450°F (230–232°C)
• Sunflower oil: 450°F (232°C)
• Grapeseed oil: 420°F (216°C)
• Refined coconut oil: 400°F (204°C)
• Canola oil: 400–450°F (204°C)
• Vegetable oil: 400°F (204°C)
• Extra virgin olive oil: 375°F (190°C)

Avocado oil is the best option as it has a high smoke point and a neutral flavour that works well with most foods. Light olive oil or extra light olive oil are also good choices, but they have slightly lower smoke points. If you want a more neutral flavour, stick with avocado oil, ghee, or light olive oil.

It is important to note that oils like peanut and coconut will impart a subtle flavour to your dish, so choose your oil accordingly. Additionally, while extra virgin olive oil is a popular choice for cooking, its low smoke point makes it less suitable for air frying.

How long to cook the eggs for

The cooking time for poached eggs in an air fryer depends on the desired level of doneness and the specific model of the air fryer. Typically, the air fryer is preheated to 350-400°F, and the eggs are cooked for 4-8 minutes.

For a runny yolk and soft but cooked egg whites, cook the eggs for 5 minutes. For a medium-runny yolk and nicely cooked egg whites, increase the cooking time to 6-7 minutes. If you prefer a firmer but still soft yolk, cook the eggs for 7-8 minutes. Finally, for a hard yolk and fully cooked egg whites, the eggs should be cooked for 8-10 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the specific model of the air fryer and the desired level of doneness. Therefore, it is recommended to adjust the cooking time accordingly and check the eggs regularly to avoid overcooking.

How to remove the eggs from the ramekins

To remove the eggs from the ramekins, first, make sure you have a silicone or rubber spatula to hand. You should also exercise caution, as the ramekins will be hot. Use a potholder or oven mitt to carefully lift them out of the air fryer. If they are too hot to touch, use tongs or a spatula to transfer them to a cooling rack.

Once the ramekins are out of the air fryer, use a rubber spatula or spoon to gently pry the eggs out. If the eggs are stuck, try running a knife around the edge of the ramekins to loosen them. Once the eggs are loose, transfer them gently to a plate or a slice of prepared toast.

What to serve your poached eggs with

Poached eggs are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for what to serve your air-fried poached eggs with:

Breakfast and Brunch Options

• Avocado Toast: Poached eggs pair well with creamy avocado, and you can add some feta cheese and a hint of chilli for an extra kick.
• Breakfast Bowls: Create a hearty breakfast bowl with roasted vegetables, sweet potato hash, rice and beans, or avocado and tomatoes.
• Toast: Poached eggs can be served simply on toast with a little salt and pepper, or with some goat cheese, fried tomato, smoked salmon, or Marmite.
• Pancakes: Try spinach pancakes with harissa yoghurt or chorizo and halloumi pancakes.
• Tostadas: Fry your own tortillas and top them with black beans, avocado, and a poached egg.
• Ratatouille: This classic French stew is delicious for brunch, especially when topped with a poached egg and served with crusty bread.
• Breakfast Pizza: Why not add a poached egg to your breakfast pizza?
• Tacos: Try breakfast tacos with crispy potatoes, chorizo, and fried egg, or sweet potato, sage, and fried egg tacos.
• Eggs Benedict: This classic dish is made even easier with air-fried poached eggs, and you can add your own twist with ingredients like smoked salmon, dill hollandaise, or Marmite.
• Muffins: Poached eggs can be served with blueberry biscuits or apple muffins.
• Pasta: Try torn pasta sheets with brown butter, herbs, and a poached egg.

Lunch and Dinner Dishes

• Salads: Poached eggs can be added to a variety of salads, such as an asparagus salad, a poached egg salad with garlic croutons, or a kale, tomato, and feta salad.
• Vegetable Dishes: Poached eggs go well with roasted vegetables, like parsnips or aubergine pilaf, or ratatouille.
• Rice Bowls: Try spiced rice with kippers and poached eggs, or Indian chickpeas with poached eggs.
• Fish Dishes: Serve poached eggs with smoked fish cakes, smoked haddock salad, or confit chicken legs with potato hash.
• Meat Dishes: For a heartier meal, pair poached eggs with bourbon-glazed pork chops or harissa chickpeas.
• Soup: Poached eggs can be added to soup, like the Portuguese garlic and cilantro bread soup.
• Grits: Cheesy grits with spring vegetables and poached eggs make a delicious and creamy dish.
• Beans: Try mashed white beans with kale and Parmesan, or wholewheat flatbreads with beans and poached egg.

Frequently asked questions