Air-Fryer Sunny-Side Up Eggs: Quick, Easy Breakfast

Cooking eggs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious breakfast. In this article, we will teach you how to make perfect sunny side up eggs in your air fryer, achieving a golden runny yolk and tender egg whites.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for sunny side up eggs in an air fryer depend on your preference for yolk consistency and the type of air fryer you have.

For a runny yolk and soft-cooked whites, cook the eggs for 3 to 5 minutes at 370°F (187°C). If you prefer a medium-runny yolk with firmer whites, increase the cooking time to 5 to 6 minutes. For a firmer but still soft yolk, cook the eggs for 6 to 7 minutes. Finally, if you like your yolks well-done and hard, and your whites extra firm, cook the eggs for 7 to 8 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the model and size of your air fryer, so you may need to experiment to find the perfect timing for your desired yolk consistency. Additionally, some air fryers may not have a preheating option, in which case you can set the temperature to 350°F (177°C) and let it cook for 3 to 5 minutes without food before adding the eggs.

To achieve the best results, it is recommended to use a suitable vessel for cooking the eggs, such as a ramekin, small cake pan, or silicone cake mold. Greasing the vessel with cooking spray or oil can help prevent the eggs from sticking and make them easier to remove once cooked.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step to ensure your eggs cook evenly. Set the temperature to 325°F (163°C) and let it preheat for a few minutes. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, simply set it to 350°F (177°C) or 370°F (187°C) and let it run for 3 to 5 minutes with the empty dishes inside. This step is crucial for achieving evenly cooked eggs.

While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the eggs by cracking them into a bowl, one at a time, being careful not to break the yolks. You can also add salt and pepper, or any other seasonings you like, to the eggs at this stage.

It's important to use a suitable vessel for cooking your eggs. You can use a small, oven-safe dish, such as a 3- to 4-inch cake pan, pie pan, ramekin, or a small cast iron skillet. Make sure the dish fits in your air fryer and can withstand high temperatures.

Once your air fryer and dishes are preheated, it's time to crack the eggs into the dishes. You can use a small dipping sauce bowl to carefully transfer each egg into the dish to avoid any mess.

Now, you're ready to cook your sunny side up eggs! Place the dishes with the eggs back into the air fryer basket and set the timer. The cooking time will depend on your desired doneness. For a runny yolk, cook for 4 to 5 minutes. If you prefer a slightly firmer yolk, go for 5 to 6 minutes. And for a well-done hard yolk, cook for 7 to 10 minutes.

Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model and the number of eggs you're cooking, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on your eggs to achieve your desired level of doneness.

Preparing the eggs

Next, grease your chosen egg mold or the air fryer basket with cooking spray, oil, or butter. This step is crucial to prevent the eggs from sticking and making cleanup more difficult. If you're using a cake pan or another type of mold, it's a good idea to season it with oil before using it. To do this, preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and bake the mold for 10 minutes. Then, brush the inner part of the mold with oil and bake it again for another 5 minutes. Allow the mold to cool down before using it for your eggs.

Now it's time to add the eggs to your greased mold or basket. Carefully crack each egg into the mold, or if you're using a bowl, use a small dipping sauce bowl to transfer each egg to the mold to avoid messiness. Sprinkle the eggs with salt and pepper, or add some paprika for an extra burst of flavor.

Finally, place the mold or basket with the eggs into the air fryer, set the temperature, and let the cooking begin!

Greasing the air fryer basket

Firstly, you can use a non-stick cooking spray. These sprays are designed to create a non-stick surface, making it easier to remove food from the basket. You can also use a mister bottle of oil as an alternative. Simply spray the basket generously before adding your eggs.

If you don't have access to a cooking spray, you can brush the basket with oil. Avocado oil is a good option, as it has a high smoke point, meaning it won't burn as easily. You can also use butter, although this has a lower smoke point, so it may burn if you're not careful. To use butter, add a teaspoon to the basket and air fry for 1 minute at 350°F to melt it.

Another option is to use parchment paper or foil. Place a piece of parchment paper or foil in the basket, which will help prevent the eggs from sticking. You can also use silicone cups or ramekins inside the basket, which don't need to be greased.

Remember, if you're using oil or butter, be careful not to overuse it, as this can cause smoke and affect the taste of your eggs. A light coating is usually enough to prevent sticking.

Placing the eggs in the air fryer

Now that you have your air fryer preheated, a bowl of eggs ready to go, and your air fryer basket greased, it's time to pour the eggs into the fryer.

Carefully pour the eggs into the greased air fryer basket. Be as gentle as possible to avoid breaking the yolks. Make sure the eggs are arranged in a single layer and not touching each other. This will ensure that the eggs cook evenly and that you can easily remove them from the basket once they are done.

If you are using a small dish, like a ramekin, to cook your eggs, place the dish inside the air fryer basket before cracking the eggs into it. This will make it easier to handle and reduce the risk of accidentally dropping the dish.

Depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of eggs you are cooking, you may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.

Once the eggs are in the basket, you are almost ready to start cooking. Just set the timer for your desired cooking time and keep an eye on the eggs to achieve your desired level of doneness.

Frequently asked questions