Air Fryer Poached Eggs: How Long To Cook Them?

Poached eggs are a breakfast classic, but the traditional stovetop method can be intimidating and often requires a few attempts to get right. Enter the air fryer – a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook almost anything in just a few minutes. Air fryer poached eggs are incredibly easy to make and only take about 5-7 minutes to cook. Plus, there's no messy water to clean up afterward!

How to poach eggs in an air fryer without ramekins

Poaching eggs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious breakfast without the stress of boiling, swirling, or using vinegar. You can poach eggs in silicone muffin cups or small, oven-safe bowls if you don't have ramekins. Just make sure your alternative choice of cookware is heat-resistant and fits easily in your air fryer basket.

Step 1: Prepare Your Cookware

First, select your alternative cookware. As mentioned, silicone muffin cups or small, oven-safe bowls can be used instead of ramekins. Make sure you have enough of these to poach the desired number of eggs, ensuring they fit comfortably in your air fryer basket.

Step 2: Grease Your Cookware

Lightly grease your silicone cups or bowls with cooking oil, olive oil, or avocado oil. You can also use a clean paper towel to rub the oil along the bottom and sides of your alternative cookware if you don't have a spray or prefer a lighter coating.

Step 3: Add Water

Add room temperature water to your greased cups or bowls. The amount of water may vary depending on the size and type of your alternative cookware, but generally, you will need around 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water per egg.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for about 5 minutes. This step is important as it ensures the water is heated before adding the eggs, which helps achieve the perfect poached consistency.

Step 5: Crack the Eggs

Carefully crack an egg into each of your prepared cups or bowls. Be gentle to avoid breaking the yolks.

Step 6: Place the Cookware in the Air Fryer

Once your air fryer is preheated, carefully place your cups or bowls containing the eggs into the air fryer basket.

Step 7: Set the Temperature and Timer

Lower the temperature of your air fryer to 360°F (182°C) and set the timer. The cooking time may vary depending on your desired doneness, but it typically ranges from 4 to 5 minutes for a runny yolk. For a softer yolk, you may want to reduce the cooking time to 3 minutes.

Step 8: Check for Doneness

After the timer goes off, carefully open the air fryer and check if the eggs are done to your liking. The whites should be set, and the yolks should be runny. If you prefer a firmer yolk, you can cook the eggs for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Step 9: Remove the Eggs

Use a small silicone spatula or slotted spoon to gently lift or scoop the poached eggs out of the cups or bowls. Let any excess water drip off, and serve immediately.

Tips for Perfect Poached Eggs:

• Use room temperature water instead of pre-boiling, as it saves time without compromising the cooking time or texture.
• Fully submerge the eggs in water to prevent the egg whites from crisping.
• Remove the eggs from the air fryer slightly earlier than you think as they will continue to cook in the hot water even after removal.
• Experiment with your own cook times, as the temperature and total time may vary depending on your air fryer model, egg size, and other factors.
• Always be gentle when handling poached eggs, as they are delicate.

Enjoy your perfectly poached eggs on toast, an English muffin, avocado toast, or as part of a hearty breakfast bowl!

How to make soft-poached eggs in an air fryer

Ingredients and Equipment:

You will need the following:

• An air fryer
• Ramekins (oven-safe and 3.5-4 inches wide with a 6-8 oz. capacity)
• Oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or cooking spray)
• Eggs
• Water (hot or room temperature)
• Salt and pepper (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204 °C) for 5 minutes.
• Prepare the ramekins by greasing them with oil. You can use cooking spray, or lightly coat the ramekins by putting oil on a clean paper towel and rubbing it along the bottom and sides.
• Add water to the ramekins. You can use hot water or room temperature water. If using hot water, add 3-4 tablespoons of water to each ramekin. If using room temperature water, add about 1/4 cup of water to each ramekin.
• Carefully crack an egg into each ramekin.
• Place the ramekins into the air fryer basket.
• Set the air fryer temperature to 360°F (182 °C).
• Cook the eggs for 5-7 minutes. The cooking time will depend on your preferred doneness of the yolk. For a runny yolk, cook for 5 minutes. For a medium-runny yolk, cook for 6-7 minutes. For a firmer but still soft yolk, cook for 7-8 minutes.
• Once the eggs are done, use a slotted spoon or spatula to gently remove them from the ramekins, allowing any excess water to drip off. You can also use a rubber spatula or spoon to gently pry the eggs out of the ramekins.
• Serve the eggs immediately with your favorite breakfast sides. You can season with salt and pepper to taste.

Tips:

• It is recommended to test the recipe with 1-2 eggs first before trying a larger batch. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, as well as the size and temperature of the eggs.
• To make soft-poached eggs, adjust the cooking time slightly by checking the eggs at the 3-minute mark to ensure the whites are set but the yolks remain soft.
• To make in advance, transfer the cooked eggs to an ice bath for 1 minute to stop the cooking process. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, place the eggs in simmering water for 1-2 minutes before serving.

How to make poached eggs in an air fryer without using vinegar

Ingredients and Equipment:

• An air fryer
• Ramekins (2 or 4, depending on how many eggs you want to cook)
• Oil (cooking oil, olive oil, avocado oil, or ghee butter)
• Eggs
• Water (some sources recommend hot or room temperature water, while others suggest adding it to the ramekins while preheating the air fryer)
• Salt and pepper to taste (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204 °C) for 5 minutes.
• Grease the ramekins with oil. You can use cooking spray or lightly coat the ramekins by rubbing oil along the bottom and sides with a clean paper towel.
• Add water to the ramekins. Most sources recommend adding 3-4 tablespoons of water to each ramekin, while others suggest using 1/4 cup or 6 tablespoons of water.
• Carefully crack an egg into each ramekin.
• Place the ramekins into the air fryer basket.
• Set the air fryer temperature to 360°F (182 °C) and cook for 5-7 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on your desired level of doneness for the yolk. For a runny yolk, cook for 5 minutes. For a medium-runny yolk, cook for 6-7 minutes. For a firmer but still soft yolk, cook for 7-8 minutes. If you prefer a hard-cooked yolk, cook for 8-10 minutes.
• Once the eggs are done to your liking, use a small silicone or rubber spatula to gently lift them out of the ramekins. You can also try running a knife around the edge of the ramekins if the eggs are stuck.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired.

Tips:

• Use oven-safe ramekins that are approximately 3.5-4 inches wide and have a 6-8 oz. capacity.
• You can cook multiple eggs in the air fryer at the same time, depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of ramekins that fit inside.
• Be careful when removing the ramekins from the air fryer, as they will be hot. Use a potholder, oven mitt, tongs, or a spatula to protect your hands.
• Poached eggs are best enjoyed fresh, but you can make them ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To stop the cooking process, place the cooked eggs in an ice bath for 1 minute, then transfer them to an airtight container.

How to reheat poached eggs

Poached eggs are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can reheat them. Here's a guide on how to reheat poached eggs:

Preparing the poached eggs for reheating

Before you store your poached eggs, it's important to stop them from overcooking. To do this, you can place them in an ice bath for a minute to stop the cooking process. Then, store the eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

Reheating the poached eggs

When you're ready to reheat your poached eggs, there are a few methods you can use:

• Simmering water: Place the poached eggs in a strainer and gently lower them into a pot of simmering water. Be careful not to use boiling water, as this will overcook the eggs. Reheat the eggs for about 30 seconds, depending on how much they need to warm up. For eggs that have only cooled slightly, a few seconds in the simmering water may be enough.
• Microwave: You can also reheat poached eggs in the microwave until they are warm. However, this method may not preserve the delicate texture of the eggs as well as the simmering water method.
• Simmering water bath: Prepare a hot water bath that is just below simmering. Place the eggs in the bath one at a time and avoid leaving them in the hot water for too long to prevent overcooking. Dry each egg on a paper towel before serving.

Tips for reheating poached eggs

• Be gentle: Poached eggs are delicate, so be careful when handling them to avoid breaking the yolks.
• Don't overcook: Keep an eye on the eggs while reheating to ensure they don't overcook.
• Experiment with cook times: The reheating time may vary depending on your cookware and the number of eggs you are reheating. It's a good idea to start with a shorter time and then adjust as needed.

How to make poached eggs in an air fryer without the eggs sticking to the ramekins

Poached eggs are a breakfast classic, but the traditional stovetop method can be intimidating and time-consuming. Luckily, you can make perfect poached eggs in an air fryer with minimal effort and stress. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving delicious poached eggs without any sticking issues.

Step 1: Prepare the Ramekins

First, you'll need to gather your equipment and ingredients. For this method, you'll require an air fryer, oven-safe ramekins (approximately 3.5-4 inches wide with a 6-8 oz. capacity), cooking oil or olive oil, and eggs.

Before you begin, test how many ramekins can fit comfortably in your air fryer basket. Most standard 6-quart air fryers can accommodate up to four ramekins, but this may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer.

Once you've determined the number of ramekins, grease them with cooking oil or olive oil. You can use cooking spray or lightly coat the ramekins by rubbing oil on the bottom and sides with a clean paper towel. This step is crucial to prevent the eggs from sticking to the ramekins.

Step 2: Add Water and Eggs

After greasing the ramekins, add a small amount of water to each one. The amount of water can vary, but generally, about 2-4 tablespoons per ramekin is sufficient.

Then, carefully crack an egg into each ramekin. If you prefer firmer yolks, you can use small eggs or adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Step 3: Air Fry the Eggs

Place the ramekins into the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 360°F (182°C) and air fry for 4-7 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired yolk consistency and the specifics of your air fryer.

Keep an eye on the eggs towards the end of the cooking time. You'll know they're done when the egg whites appear set and can withstand a gentle poke. For runnier yolks, check the eggs at the 3-minute mark to ensure the whites are set but the yolks remain soft.

Step 4: Remove and Serve

Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, use a small silicone or rubber spatula to gently lift them out of the ramekins. Be careful not to break the eggs as you remove them.

You can serve the poached eggs immediately with your favorite breakfast sides. They go well with avocado toast, bacon, roasted vegetables, or on top of burgers or grain bowls.

Tips for Success:

• Use room temperature water instead of pre-boiling it. This saves time without compromising the cooking time or texture.
• Fully submerge the eggs in water to prevent the egg whites from getting crispy.
• Remove the eggs from the air fryer slightly earlier than you think. They will continue to cook in the residual heat.
• Experiment with your own cook times. The timing may vary depending on your air fryer and personal preferences.
• Be gentle when removing the eggs from the ramekins, as they are delicate.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave enough space between the ramekins to ensure even cooking.

By following these steps and tips, you can enjoy perfectly poached eggs without the hassle of sticking or cleanup. Happy cooking!

Frequently asked questions