Air Fryer Half-Boiled Eggs: Quick, Easy, Perfect!

Air fryers are a great way to make half-boiled eggs. The process is simple and quick, and the eggs come out with perfect runny yolks and set whites. All you need to do is preheat the air fryer, add the eggs, and air fry for 9-10 minutes. Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath for at least 3 minutes and then peel them carefully. Season with salt and pepper, and enjoy!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is the first step to making half-boiled eggs. While some recipes suggest that you can skip this step and add a couple of minutes to the cooking time, it is generally recommended to preheat your air fryer to around 250°F–275°F (120°C–135°C).

The preheating process is important as it ensures your air fryer is at the optimal temperature to cook your eggs. This will help you achieve the desired level of doneness for your eggs, whether you like them soft-boiled or hard-boiled.

Different air fryers have different preheating functions and temperature ranges, so it's important to refer to your air fryer's instructions to understand how to preheat it correctly. Additionally, the preheating time may vary depending on the model and brand of your air fryer, so you may need to experiment a little to find the perfect preheating time for your specific appliance.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can move on to the next step of preparing your half-boiled eggs, which involves adding the eggs to the air fryer basket and setting the timer for the desired cooking time.

Place eggs in the basket

When placing the eggs in the basket, it's important to leave some space between each egg. This is to ensure that air can circulate properly. If your air fryer basket has grooves, the eggs will sit nicely in them, preventing them from rolling around. If not, you can create a 'nest' with foil to keep the eggs upright.

The number of eggs you can cook at once will depend on the size of your air fryer basket. A larger air fryer can fit up to 12 eggs at once, making it ideal for meal prepping.

If you are cooking soft-boiled or half-boiled eggs, placing the eggs in an upright position is especially important. This is because soft-boiled and half-boiled eggs are not fully cooked, and the runny yolks can spill out if the eggs are placed on their sides.

For soft-boiled or half-boiled eggs, it is recommended to cook the eggs for 9 to 10 minutes at 275°F (135°C). If you prefer your eggs to be slightly more runny, you can reduce the cooking time to 9 minutes or even 6 to 8 minutes, depending on your air fryer and personal preference.

For hard-boiled eggs, increase the cooking time to between 13 and 17 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.

Air fry for 9-10 minutes

Once you've preheated your air fryer and placed your eggs in the basket, it's time to air fry! For soft-boiled eggs, you'll want to air fry for 9-10 minutes. This will give you eggs with runny yolks and set whites. If you prefer your eggs a little more well done, you can air fry for up to 15 minutes for a hard-boiled egg.

It's important to note that air frying times may vary depending on your air fryer model and the number of eggs you're cooking. So, you may need to experiment a little to find the perfect cooking time for your air fryer.

While your eggs are air frying, it's a good idea to prepare an ice bath. Fill a bowl with ice and cold water, which will be used to stop the eggs from overcooking once they're done.

Prepare an ice bath

Preparing an ice bath is an important step in the process of making half-boiled eggs in an air fryer. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Gather Ice Cubes and Cold Water

First, gather a generous amount of ice cubes and cold water. The ice water bath needs to be very cold to effectively cool the eggs and make them easier to peel. The colder the water, the better.

Step 2: Fill a Bowl with Ice and Water

Fill a bowl halfway with ice cubes. Then, add cold water to the bowl until it is about three-quarters full. You want to ensure that the eggs will be fully submerged in the ice water.

Step 3: Prepare the Ice Bath in Advance

It is important to have the ice bath ready before you start air frying the eggs. As soon as the cooking time is up, you will need to immediately place the eggs in the ice bath to stop the cooking process. This ensures you have full control over the doneness of your eggs.

Step 4: Submerge the Eggs in the Ice Bath

Once the eggs are done cooking in the air fryer, carefully transfer them to the prepared ice water bath. Leave the eggs in the bath for at least 3-5 minutes, or until they are cool but not completely chilled. This step is crucial in halting the cooking process and making the eggs easier to peel.

Step 5: Remove Eggs from the Ice Bath

After the eggs have cooled down, take them out of the ice bath. They are now ready to be cracked and peeled. Remember to handle the eggs gently as they are still soft and fragile.

Season and serve

Now for the fun part: seasoning and serving your half-boiled eggs!

If you're going for the traditional Singapore coffee shop style, season your eggs with ground white pepper and a dash of soy sauce. If you have toast, mop up the yolk with it—delicious!

For a more western take, sprinkle your eggs with salt and black pepper. You can also add some extra flavour with everything bagel seasoning or red pepper flakes.

If you're serving your eggs with toast, try spreading on some avocado, cream cheese, cottage cheese, or butter. Or, if you're feeling particularly indulgent, some garlic bread or an air-fried hash brown patty.

For a more substantial breakfast, soft-boiled eggs go great on a breakfast taco. Pair with salsa, breakfast meat, cheese, fresh cilantro, red onion, and anything else you fancy.

You can also add your half-boiled eggs to grain and salad bowls. They add protein and flavour, and the runny yolk acts as a delicious extra dressing. Try serving with rice or quinoa, sweet potatoes, and roasted veggies.

Finally, soft-boiled eggs are a great addition to egg salad. The creamy, runny yolk makes the salad extra creamy without needing too much mayo.

Enjoy experimenting with different seasonings and serving styles for your half-boiled eggs!

Frequently asked questions