Air-Fried Poached Eggs: A Quick, Easy Breakfast

Making poached eggs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve the perfect runny egg without the need for boiling a large pot of water or constant stirring. All you need is an air fryer, eggs, water, and a ramekin. The air fryer's circulated hot air cooks the eggs evenly, eliminating the guesswork and common pitfalls of traditional stovetop methods.

This method is also mess-free and produces a beautifully round poached egg, making it a great option for those who love a tasty and elegant breakfast or brunch.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an essential step in making perfect poached eggs. It ensures that the air fryer reaches the correct temperature quickly and cooks the eggs evenly. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer is between 350 °F (177 °C) and 400 °F (204 °C). The duration of preheating varies from 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the model of your air fryer.

For instance, if you are using an Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer, preheat it to 400°F (204 °C) for 5 minutes. On the other hand, preheat your Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven or Ninja XL Air Fryer Grill to 350 °F (177 °C) for 3 minutes.

It is worth noting that some recipes suggest preheating at a higher temperature and then reducing the temperature once you start cooking. For example, you can preheat your air fryer to 400 °F (204 °C) and then decrease the temperature to 360 °F (182 °C) when you put the ramekins with eggs inside.

Preheating your air fryer guarantees the perfect temperature for cooking your poached eggs. This is especially important if you want a runny yolk with soft but cooked egg whites. The preheating time can vary depending on your air fryer model, so it is recommended to experiment with different timings to find what works best for your appliance.

Prepare the ramekins

To prepare the ramekins, you will need to grease them with cooking oil, olive oil, or butter. You can also use cooking spray, or oil applied with a paper towel or pastry brush. You will need two or three ramekins, depending on the size of your air fryer. The ramekins should be 4 oz. each, and you will need one per egg.

Once you have greased the ramekins, add water. You can use room temperature, hot, or boiled water. Add 3-4 tablespoons or about 2 tablespoons of water per ramekin. You can also add vinegar to the water, which will help keep the eggs from dispersing and give you a neater final product. However, this is optional, as the circulated hot air in the air fryer should be enough to keep the whites in place.

Finally, crack an egg into each ramekin. Make sure that the egg is fully covered by the water.

Poach the eggs

Poaching eggs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious breakfast. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving perfectly poached eggs:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 350 °F and 400 °F (177 °C to 204 °C). The exact temperature and cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and your desired level of doneness, so some experimentation may be required. As a general rule, higher temperatures and longer cooking times will result in a firmer yolk.

While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your ramekins. Lightly coat two to four 4-ounce (118-millilitre) ramekins with cooking spray, avocado oil, or olive oil. You can also use a paper towel to rub the oil along the bottom and sides of the ramekins. Alternatively, you can brush the ramekins with melted butter.

Next, add water to each ramekin. Most recipes recommend using hot or room-temperature water, rather than cold water, as it helps to reduce the cooking time and improves the texture of the egg whites. Add about 3 to 4 tablespoons (45 to 60 millilitres) of water to each ramekin.

Now, carefully crack an egg into each ramekin. It is important to use fresh eggs, as they will hold together better during cooking. If you are using less-fresh eggs, separate the watery part of the egg white by cracking the egg into a small sieve before adding it to the ramekin.

Once your air fryer is preheated, carefully place the ramekins into the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the eggs in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Set the timer for 4 to 7 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness. For a runny yolk, cook the eggs for a shorter amount of time, and for a firmer yolk, cook them for a little longer.

At the 4-minute mark, you can use a teaspoon or a small silicone spatula to gently release the egg from the sides of the ramekin. This will help ensure that the egg doesn't stick to the ramekin and make it easier to remove once cooked.

When the timer goes off, check the eggs to see if they are done to your liking. The egg whites should appear set and should withstand a gentle poke. If you prefer a firmer yolk, you can cook the eggs for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.

Once the eggs are cooked to your desired level of doneness, carefully remove the ramekins from the air fryer using oven mitts or tongs, as they will be hot.

Finally, use a small silicone spatula or spoon to gently lift the poached eggs out of the ramekins and onto a plate or a piece of toast. Season with salt and pepper, and enjoy!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for poaching eggs in an air fryer depend on the consistency you want to achieve. For a runny yolk and soft but cooked egg whites, you should air fry your eggs for 5 minutes at 350 °F (177 °C). If you prefer your egg whites to be a bit firmer, increase the cooking time to 6 or 7 minutes. For a hard yolk and fully cooked egg whites, you will need to cook the eggs for 8 to 10 minutes.

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the eggs, the temperature of the eggs (room temperature or chilled), the size and material of the bakeware, the volume of eggs being cooked, and the brand, size, and model of the air fryer. Therefore, you may need to experiment with the cooking time and temperature to find what works best for your specific setup.

Additionally, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the eggs. The preheating temperature can be higher than the cooking temperature. For example, you can preheat the air fryer to 400 °F (204 °C) for 5 minutes and then reduce the temperature to 360 °F (182 °C) for cooking.

Using hot or boiled water in the ramekins along with the eggs can also reduce the cooking time and help the egg whites hold together better. However, this is not a necessary step, and you can achieve perfectly poached eggs without adding hot water.

Seasoning

Salt and pepper are the most common seasonings, but you can also experiment with cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, rosemary, thyme, dried chives, Parmigiano cheese, garlic powder, or onion powder. You can add your seasonings directly to the eggs or mix them into the water before air-frying.

If you want to get creative, try adding some fresh grated cheese and a sprinkle of Everything Bagel seasoning to your cooked eggs. You can also serve your poached eggs on English muffins, with toast, or bacon.

For a more herby flavour, try adding some rosemary, thyme, and dried chives to the eggs. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add some Parmigiano cheese, garlic powder, or onion powder.

Don't be afraid to experiment and find the combination of seasonings that you like best!

Frequently asked questions