Air Frying Hard-Boiled Eggs: The Perfect Timing And Temperature

Air fryer hard-boiled eggs are a quick and easy breakfast, lunch, or snack option. Requiring minimal preparation and no water, they are ready in just 15 minutes and are simple to peel. But how long do you need to air fry hard-boiled eggs at 375 degrees?

Preheat the air fryer to 250-270°F

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in ensuring your food cooks evenly and efficiently. While some air fryers have a preheat setting, others require manual preheating.

To preheat your air fryer to 250-270°F, start by setting the temperature to your desired cooking temperature, 250-270°F in this case. Leave the basket inside the air fryer so that it gets hot and can toast or sear your food. Then, press start or preheat and let the air fryer warm up for a few minutes. For a smaller air fryer, this should take around two to three minutes, while a larger air fryer may need four to five minutes.

If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, you can preheat it manually. Select the air fry setting and set the temperature to 250-270°F.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can add your food and begin cooking. Remember that different foods may require different preheating temperatures and times, so always refer to your recipe or user manual for specific instructions.

Now that you know how to preheat your air fryer, you can move on to the next step of preparing your hard-boiled eggs.

Cook for 15-17 minutes

Cooking hard-boiled eggs in an air fryer is a fast, hands-off approach that doesn't require water. It's a convenient method, and the eggs are easy to peel.

To cook hard-boiled eggs in an air fryer at 375 degrees, you should follow these steps:

Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to mimic simmering water when boiling eggs on a stovetop.

Place the eggs in the air fryer basket or rack, ensuring they are in a single layer and not stacked on top of each other. Leave some space between each egg to allow proper air circulation. If you are using a wire rack, it can help prevent the eggs from moving and cracking.

Set the timer for 15-17 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. For softer yolks, aim for 15 minutes, and for firmer, dryer yolks, go for the full 17 minutes.

Once the timer goes off, immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath or a bowl of cold water. This step is crucial to stopping the cooking process and preventing overcooking. Let the eggs cool for at least 5 minutes.

After the eggs have cooled, you can start peeling them. Gently tap an egg with the back of a spoon to crack it, then resubmerge it in the ice bath. The water will flow between the shell and the egg, making it easier to peel.

Your hard-boiled eggs are now ready to be enjoyed! You can season them with salt and pepper, or use them in various recipes such as egg salads, sandwiches, or deviled eggs.

Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the number of eggs you are cooking, so you may need to experiment a little to find the perfect timing for your desired level of doneness.

Prepare an ice bath

Preparing an ice bath is a crucial step in the process of making hard-boiled eggs. It helps to immediately stop the cooking process, ensuring that your eggs are not overcooked and maintaining the desired doneness. It is also essential for achieving that perfect, bright yellow colour of the yolks. The ice bath also makes the eggs significantly easier to peel, as it helps separate the egg membrane from the shell.

To prepare an ice bath, simply fill a large bowl with ice and then add cold water. The water should be cold enough to quickly lower the temperature of the eggs and halt the cooking process. You can also add a few ice cubes for extra cooling power. Make sure the bowl is big enough to fit all of your eggs comfortably, with enough water to fully submerge them.

Once your eggs are done cooking, use a slotted spoon to gently transfer them to the ice bath. Let the eggs sit in the ice bath for at least 5 minutes, or up to 15 minutes, depending on the recipe you are following. This will give them time to cool down, making them easier to handle and preventing you from burning your hands when peeling.

While the eggs are in the ice bath, you can prepare your work area for peeling. Have a clean work surface ready, such as a cutting board or countertop, and lay out any tools you may want to use, such as a knife or egg peeler. You may also want to have a bowl of cold water nearby to help with the peeling process, as running the eggs under cold water can make them even easier to peel.

Once the eggs have cooled down in the ice bath, you can start the peeling process. Gently tap the eggs on the counter to create cracks all over the shell, and then use your thumbs to carefully peel away the shell. The ice bath should have made this process much easier, resulting in perfectly peeled hard-boiled eggs!

Lightly crack the eggshell

Once your eggs are cooked and cooled, it's time to crack the eggshells and peel them.

First, gently crack the eggshell on a hard surface, like a counter. You can then roll the egg along the surface to create a mosaic-like pattern on the shell's exterior. This will help the shell to come off in larger pieces, rather than small shards.

If you cooked your eggs to be soft-boiled, they will be too delicate to roll, so you can skip this step.

Next, start peeling the egg from the larger end. There is a small air pocket at this end of the egg that will make it easier to separate the membrane and egg white.

Finally, if there are any stubborn pieces of shell clinging to the egg, run it under cold water as you peel. This will ensure that the shell comes off easily and quickly.

Peel from the larger end

To peel hard-boiled eggs from the larger end, first crack the egg on a counter or hard surface at the bottom/fattest part of the egg. This is usually where the air bubble forms. Then, gently roll the egg between your hands to loosen the shell.

You can then peel the egg under running water or dip it in a bowl of water to help remove the shell. Alternatively, you can place the egg in a small jar with a little water and shake it, so that the egg hits the top and bottom of the jar repeatedly. This will cause the shell to loosen and slide off.

Frequently asked questions