Air-Fryer Egg Mcmuffin: Quick, Easy Breakfast

Making egg McMuffins in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy breakfast option. It's also a great way to recreate a fast-food favourite at home. You can use a variety of ingredients, such as English muffins, bagels, eggs, Canadian bacon, sausage, and cheese. The air fryer gives the sandwich a crispy crust without the need for a lot of oil, making it healthier than the traditional oven-baked method.

Choosing your ingredients

Choosing the right ingredients is essential to making delicious Egg McMuffins in your air fryer. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you select the best components for your breakfast sandwich:

English Muffins

English muffins form the foundation of your Egg McMuffin. Look for muffins that are soft yet slightly crisp. They should be able to hold the fillings without falling apart and achieve that iconic toasty exterior. You can typically find these at your local bakery or grocery store.

Eggs

Large, fresh eggs are ideal for mimicking the taste and size of the original Egg McMuffin. Each egg should be able to fit nicely onto the English muffin. If you want to get creative, you can add vegetables or diced cooked vegetables to your eggs for extra flavour and texture.

Meat

Canadian bacon is the traditional choice for an Egg McMuffin, offering a leaner, slightly sweet and salty flavour compared to regular bacon. However, you can also use regular bacon, sausage patties, breakfast sausage, or Canadian ham. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, consider using a meat alternative such as Beyond Meat Breakfast Sausage or vegan bacon.

Cheese

A slice of American cheese is the classic choice for an Egg McMuffin as it melts perfectly, adding a creamy and gooey texture. However, feel free to experiment with other varieties such as cheddar, gouda, velveeta, or sliced colby jack cheese.

Butter

Butter is essential for lightly toasting the English muffins and adding a rich, savoury flavour to your sandwich. It also helps enhance the overall taste of the Egg McMuffin.

Salt and Pepper

Don't forget to season your eggs with salt and pepper. These simple seasonings are key to bringing out the flavours of the eggs and the entire sandwich.

Cooking Spray

If you want to prevent your food from sticking to the air fryer basket, it's a good idea to use cooking spray. This will make cleanup easier and ensure your Egg McMuffin doesn't fall apart.

Cooking the eggs

Method 1: Using an Air Fryer

Firstly, you will need to prepare your air fryer by preheating it to the optimal temperature, usually around 370-400°F. Then, you can use round egg molds, well-washed tuna cans, or even silicone muffin liners to shape your eggs. Grease your chosen mold with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking, and place it in the air fryer basket. Crack an egg into each mold, being careful to keep it centred. Season the eggs with salt and pepper, to taste.

Cooking time for the eggs will vary depending on your air fryer model, but generally, they will need around 3½-5 minutes to set. Keep a close eye on them to ensure they don't overcook. When the eggs are done to your liking, remove them from the air fryer.

Method 2: Using a Hob

If you prefer a crispy, frilly egg, you may want to cook it on the hob. Simply grease a pan with butter or cooking spray, crack your egg into the pan, and fry until the egg white is set and the yolk is cooked to your desired doneness. You can also add seasonings like salt and pepper to taste.

Tips for Cooking Eggs in an Air Fryer:

• Use a pastry brush to evenly distribute melted butter around your air fryer tray and up the sides of the egg molds.
• Check on your eggs frequently to avoid overcooking.
• For a runny yolk, pierce it with a fork halfway through the cooking process.
• If you want to cook multiple eggs at once, use a ramekin or mini pudding basin, and remove them a couple of minutes early for a runny yolk.
• For a harder yolk, use a thicker ceramic ramekin, which will take longer to heat through.

Final Thoughts:

Cooking eggs in an air fryer is a convenient and mess-free way to make a delicious breakfast sandwich. Experiment with different cooking times and tools to find the method that works best for you. Remember, the key to a great Egg McMuffin is a well-cooked, flavourful egg!

Toasting the muffins

First, ensure your air fryer is preheated to the optimal temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to 330-400°F before adding the muffins. This ensures even cooking and browning.

Next, prepare your English muffins for toasting. Split the muffins in half and lightly butter the insides of both halves. This adds a rich, savory flavor to the muffins and enhances the overall taste of your breakfast sandwich. You can also add a light layer of cooking oil or spray to prevent sticking and promote even browning.

Now, it's time to toast the muffins. Place the English muffin halves directly into the air fryer basket and adjust the cooking time and temperature according to your air fryer model and desired level of crispiness. The toasting time can vary from 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your preference and the specifics of your air fryer. Keep a close eye on the muffins to ensure they don't burn and adjust the timing as needed.

The goal is to toast the muffins until they are golden brown and crisp but not overly dry. A perfectly toasted muffin should have a soft yet slightly crisp texture, making it ideal for holding the fillings and creating that iconic toasty exterior.

Once the muffins are toasted to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and set them aside. If you're making a sandwich with multiple ingredients, such as egg, cheese, and meat, you can assemble the sandwich by layering the ingredients on the toasted muffin halves.

Finally, if you want to melt the cheese or warm the entire sandwich, you can place the assembled sandwich back into the air fryer for an additional minute or until the cheese is melted to your liking.

Remember, toasting the muffins is a critical step in the Egg McMuffin-making process. It adds texture and flavor to your breakfast sandwich, so take the time to do it right!

Assembling the sandwich

To assemble your egg McMuffin, start by placing the sauce of your choice on the bottom bun. You can use ketchup or brown sauce, or skip this step if you prefer. Next, layer on a slice of cheese, followed by your choice of breakfast meat. You can use a slice of crispy bacon, a sausage patty, or Canadian bacon. Then, carefully place the fried egg on top of the meat. Finally, place the top half of the English muffin on the egg to complete your sandwich.

If you want the cheese to be melted, you can return the assembled sandwich to the air fryer for about a minute. Alternatively, you can pop it into the microwave for 15-20 seconds to melt the cheese.

Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, breakfast meats, and toppings to create your own unique egg McMuffin. You can also add some avocado or tomato slices, or include your favourite sauces or condiments.

Once your sandwich is assembled, let it rest for a minute or two before serving. This will allow the flavours to meld together and the cheese to melt slightly, resulting in the ultimate breakfast sandwich experience.

Reheating and freezing

You can store any leftover ingredients in an airtight container and place them in the fridge for up to three days.

To reheat your egg McMuffin, place it in the air fryer and set the temperature to 340°F. Reheat for 4 to 5 minutes, or until warmed through.

If you want to freeze your egg McMuffin for later, wrap it individually in parchment paper or plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag or airtight container. When you're ready to enjoy it again, unwrap the frozen sandwich and reheat it in the air fryer or toaster oven until heated through. You can also place the wrapped frozen sandwich in a paper towel and reheat it in the microwave on 50% power for 2 to 3 minutes.

If you're freezing the egg McMuffin after cooking, it's best to consume it within two months.

Frequently asked questions