Emilie Meyer
Scotch eggs are a traditional British snack, typically deep-fried. However, you can also cook them in an air fryer, which is a healthier option. To make Scotch eggs in an air fryer, you'll first need to boil your eggs to your desired level of firmness. Then, wrap them in sausage meat and coat them in breadcrumbs. You can season the sausage meat with spices, herbs, bacon, onions, or ham, and add an egg to help it stretch. Finally, spray the Scotch eggs with oil and cook them in the air fryer for around 20 minutes, until the sausage meat is cooked and the coating is golden brown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 180°C, 200°C, 250°F (125°C), 350°F, 400°F |
| Cooking Time | 8 minutes, 12 minutes, 15 minutes, 15-18 minutes, 20 minutes, 20-25 minutes |
| Ingredients | Eggs, Sausage Meat, Breadcrumbs, Oil, Salt, Spices, Bacon, Cheese, Flour, Bread, Lemon Juice, Mayonnaise, Sriracha, Garlic, Arugula, Cayenne Pepper, Mustard, Mango Chutney, Yogurt, Curry Powder, Cayenne, Brown Sugar, Chili Powder, Light Brown Sugar, Ground Beef, Ground Lamb, Ground Turkey, Chicken, Pork, Ketchup |
| Tools | Air Fryer, Saucepan, Medium Saucepan, Slotted Spoon, Ice Bath, Bowl, Kitchen Scale, Steamer Basket, Dutch Oven, Deep Skillet, Baking Sheet, Plate, Wire Rack, Oil Sprayer, Pastry Brush, Thermometer |
| Serving Suggestions | Serve with mustard, mango chutney, or a dipping sauce made with mayonnaise, chutney, yogurt, salt, pepper, curry powder, and cayenne |
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What You'll Learn
How to boil eggs for a Scotch egg
Boiling the eggs is the first step in making Scotch eggs. The type of boiled egg you want depends on how long you boil it for. For a soft-boiled egg, which has a soft yolk, you should boil it for 6 minutes. If you prefer a firmer egg, you can increase the boiling time to 9 minutes.
To boil your eggs, fill a medium saucepan halfway with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. It is recommended to only remove your eggs from the refrigerator once the water has boiled. Use a slotted spoon to carefully place the eggs into the boiling water. Do not crowd the pan. Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and simmer for 6 minutes for a soft-boiled egg or up to 9 minutes for a firmer egg.
While the eggs are cooking, prepare an ice bath for them in a large bowl. After the allotted time, use a slotted spoon to remove the eggs from the boiling water and immediately submerge them in the prepared ice bath for 10 minutes to halt the cooking process.
Once the eggs have cooled, gently crack and carefully peel the shells under cold running water. Place the peeled eggs back into the ice bath and chill until cold.
Note that soft-boiled eggs require a delicate touch when removing the shell as the yolk will still be soft.
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How to bread Scotch eggs
To make Scotch eggs, you'll first need to bread the eggs. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
- Prepare the eggs: Boil the eggs to your desired consistency. For soft-boiled eggs, cook for around 6 minutes; for hard-boiled, cook for at least 9 minutes. Then, prepare an ice bath and immediately submerge the cooked eggs in it to halt the cooking process. Leave them to cool before peeling.
- Roll in flour: Once the eggs are peeled, roll them in flour. This step will help the sausage stick to the eggs.
- Add the sausage layer: Take your sausage meat and mould it around the egg. You can use plain sausage meat, or add herbs and spices for extra flavour. If you're finding it tricky to mould the sausage, try chilling it in the freezer for a few minutes first.
- Dip in beaten egg: After shaping the sausage around the egg, dip the entire thing into beaten egg. This step will help the breadcrumbs stick.
- Roll in breadcrumbs: Finally, roll the sausage-covered egg in breadcrumbs. You can use plain, Italian-seasoned, or panko breadcrumbs, depending on your preference.
Once your eggs are breaded, they're ready to be cooked. You can deep-fry them, bake them, or cook them in an air fryer.
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How to cook Scotch eggs in an air fryer
Scotch eggs are a great snack or breakfast item. They are typically made by deep-frying a soft or hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat and coated in breadcrumbs. However, you can use an air fryer to make them healthier by using less oil. Here is a simple recipe to make Scotch eggs in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- Eggs
- Sausage meat
- Breadcrumbs
- Oil
- Salt
- Spices and fresh herbs (optional)
- Bacon (optional)
- Cheese (optional)
Instructions
First, prepare the eggs. You can boil or steam the eggs to your desired level of doneness. Soft-boiled eggs will be easier to handle when peeling but will be more delicate when wrapping in sausage meat. If you want to boil the eggs, bring a medium saucepan filled halfway with water to a boil. Use a slotted spoon to carefully place the eggs into the boiling water, ensuring they are not crowded. Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and simmer for 6 minutes for a soft-boiled egg or up to 9 minutes for a firmer egg. Prepare an ice bath for the eggs in a large bowl, and after the allotted time, use the slotted spoon to remove the eggs and immediately submerge them in the ice bath for 10 minutes to stop the cooking process.
Next, peel the eggs and set them aside. In a large bowl, combine the sausage meat with any desired spices, fresh herbs, or other ingredients such as bacon, cheese, or onions. Divide the sausage mixture into equal portions, each weighing about 2⅓ ounces (65 grams). Carefully wrap each egg with a portion of the sausage meat, ensuring complete coverage.
Now, prepare the breading station. Place flour in one bowl, beat an egg in a second bowl, and add breadcrumbs to a third bowl. Season the flour and breadcrumbs with salt, and mix in any desired spices. One by one, coat each egg completely in flour, then egg, and finally in breadcrumbs. Return the eggs to a wire rack.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F on the "air fry" setting, or 200°C, and let the breading dry for about 5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Place the breaded eggs in the basket in a single layer without overcrowding, leaving space for air to circulate. Spray or brush the eggs with a layer of cooking oil.
Air-fry the eggs for 15 to 25 minutes, turning them over halfway through or in the last 5 minutes, until the sausage layer is cooked and the coating is golden brown. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer model and the desired doneness of the eggs.
Remove the Scotch eggs from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy them as-is or with your favourite condiments, such as mustard, ketchup, or a dipping sauce made with mayonnaise and chutney.
Tips
- You can make the Scotch eggs in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or freeze them for up to one month. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time when cooking from frozen.
- If you prefer a low-carb option, you can substitute pork rinds or Parmesan cheese for the breadcrumbs.
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How to make a dipping sauce for Scotch eggs
There are several sauces that can be used for dipping Scotch eggs, depending on your taste preferences. Here are some options:
Mustard Sauce
A tangy, slightly spicy mustard sauce is a popular choice to serve with Scotch eggs. You can use dry mustard powder or prepare a creamy Dijon mustard sauce. If you're serving your Scotch eggs with mustard, you can also offer some lime pickle on the side.
Mango Chutney
Mango chutney is another common dipping sauce for Scotch eggs. You can find it in the Indian section of your grocery store. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it in a mini food processor.
Yoghurt Sauce
For a refreshing dip, you can make a yoghurt-based sauce by combining yoghurt, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, curry powder, and cayenne.
Garlic Aioli
A rich, tangy-sweet garlic aioli pairs well with Scotch eggs, offering a range of textures and tastes.
Ketchup, Brown Sauce, or Branston Pickle
Some people also enjoy their Scotch eggs with ketchup, brown sauce, or Branston pickle.
Preparation Tips
When preparing your Scotch eggs for air frying, remember to spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil. Leave generous space around each egg for air to circulate and turn them halfway through for even browning. You can also experiment with different types of flour and breadcrumbs to achieve your desired level of crispiness.
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How to store leftover Scotch eggs
To store leftover Scotch eggs, first allow them to cool completely. Transfer the eggs to an airtight container, preferably lined with paper towels to soak up any extra moisture. Seal the container and store in the fridge for up to three days.
While you can freeze homemade Scotch eggs for up to three months, it is not recommended as the crispy crust will likely become mushy during the freezing and thawing process.
Store-bought, unopened Scotch eggs will typically stay good for about 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge, assuming they are kept at or below 40°F.
To reheat leftover Scotch eggs, do not microwave them whole as they will explode. Cut them into quarters before reheating in the microwave.
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Frequently asked questions
Set your air fryer to 180°C or 350°F. However, some recipes recommend 200°C or 400°F.
Cooking times vary from 12 to 25 minutes. However, most recipes recommend cooking for 20 minutes.
The sausage meat may have been stretched too thin or was too dry. Try adding an egg to the mixture to make it easier to stretch.
