Air-Fried Egg Recipes: What's Cooking?

what eggs can you cook in an air fryer

Air fryers are a quick and convenient way to cook eggs, with the added benefit of minimal clean-up. There are several types of eggs that can be cooked in an air fryer, including hard-boiled, soft-boiled, fried, and poached. Fried eggs can be cooked in a variety of ways, including sunny-side up, over-easy, and over-medium. The cooking time and temperature will depend on the type of egg being cooked and the model of the air fryer. For example, cooking two large fried eggs in a 6-quart air fryer at 370°F will take about 4 minutes for a runny yolk and 5-6 minutes for a firmer yolk. Hard-boiled eggs can be cooked in an air fryer at 250°F for 12-16 minutes, depending on the desired doneness. Soft-boiled eggs can be cooked at 280°F for 9-13 minutes, depending on the desired yolk consistency.

Characteristics Values
Egg types Hard-boiled, soft-boiled, sunny side up, over-easy, fried, scrambled, poached, frittata, egg cups, deviled
Cookware Non-stick, oven-friendly, shallow pan or tray, mini cast iron pan, ramekin, grill rack, mesh rack, wire rack
Oil Olive oil, butter, cooking spray, avocado oil spray
Temperature 250°F-400°F (120°C-204°C)
Preheat time 5 minutes
Cook time 3-16 minutes, depending on the type of egg
Egg quantity 1-12 eggs, depending on the size of the air fryer
Egg size Smaller eggs have shorter cooking times
Egg temperature Room-temperature eggs have shorter cooking times

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Boiled eggs

Preheating the Air Fryer:

Start by preheating your air fryer. Set the temperature to a low setting, aiming for around 270°F to 275°F (132-135°C). If your air fryer doesn't go below 300°F, you can set it to that temperature. Preheat for about 5 minutes to ensure the air fryer reaches the desired temperature.

Preparing the Eggs:

Place the eggs in the air fryer basket or rack, ensuring there is some space between each egg to allow for proper air circulation. If your air fryer basket has grooves, take advantage of them to prevent the eggs from rolling around. It is recommended to test with one egg first to determine the ideal time and temperature for your specific air fryer.

Cooking the Eggs:

Close the air fryer and begin the cooking process. The duration depends on your desired level of doneness. For soft-boiled eggs, cook for 9-11 minutes. If you prefer jammy eggs, increase the time to 12-13 minutes. For hard-boiled eggs, a longer cooking time of 13-15 minutes is required. Remember that cooking times may vary based on the strength of your air fryer and the size of the eggs.

Cooling and Peeling:

Once the desired cooking time is reached, remove the eggs from the air fryer and immediately place them in an ice bath. This ice bath is crucial for stopping the cooking process and making the eggs easier to peel. Leave the eggs in the ice bath for about 4-5 minutes, until they are cool to the touch but not completely chilled. Then, gently crack and peel the eggs, starting from the bottom or fattest part, where an air bubble often forms.

Serving Suggestions:

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Fried eggs

Frying eggs in an air fryer is a fast and easy alternative to stovetop cooking. Crispy fried eggs with creamy yolks are ready in minutes, with minimal cleanup. Air-fried eggs use a fraction of the oil, which saves on fat and calories, making them a healthy protein addition to any meal.

To fry eggs in an air fryer, you will need to preheat the air fryer, select the right cookware, grease the cookware, add and cook the egg, monitor and adjust the cooking time, and remove the egg. It is important to use non-stick, oven-friendly cookware that is shallow so that the air can circulate. You can use olive oil or butter to grease the pan, ensuring that it is well and evenly coated so that the eggs don't stick.

The cooking time will depend on the type of eggs you want to make, the model of the air fryer, and the size and temperature of the eggs. Smaller and room-temperature eggs will have a shorter cooking time. As a reference, for a 6-quart air fryer, you can cook up to 2 large fried eggs in the same tray or pan at once. If using ramekins, you can make as many as fit in your unit (typically 2-4). For sunny side up or over-easy eggs, air fry at 350°F (177°C) for 3 minutes. If you prefer a medium egg yolk, add 1 minute to the cooking time. For over-medium or over-hard eggs, flip the egg with a spatula and cook for an additional minute.

It is recommended to experiment with cook times as there are many factors that influence air frying times, including the strength of the air fryer, its temperature settings, the size and fullness of the basket, and the size of the eggs. Plan to experiment a bit to find the ideal cook time for your preferred doneness. For example, if the yolk has a green ring around it, it means the eggs were cooked too long or at too high of a temperature. To avoid this, shorten the cook time or lower the temperature.

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Poached eggs

To make air fryer poached eggs, you will need:

  • Fresh eggs
  • Olive oil or cooking spray
  • Ramekins or custard cups
  • Hot water
  • Salt and pepper, or your choice of seasoning

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204 °C) for 5 minutes. Then, spray your ramekins with oil and add ¼ cup of room-temperature or hot water to each. Carefully crack an egg into each cup. Transfer the ramekins to the heated basket and air fry at 360°F (182 °C) for 5 minutes. To help "release" the egg, run a small teaspoon inside the cup and along the ring. Air fry for another 1-2 minutes.

Finally, carefully slide the egg out to a strainer and drain the water. Season with salt and pepper, or your choice of seasoning, and serve. It is recommended that you check the eggs at the 5-minute mark to allow for more time if needed and to avoid overcooking. Poached eggs are best eaten as soon as they are prepared.

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Frittata

To make a frittata in an air fryer, you will need a cake pan or oven-safe dish that fits inside your air fryer. A 9-inch cake pan is a good size, and lining it with parchment paper will make it easier to remove the frittata and clean up afterward. You can also use any oven-safe baking dish, as long as it fits in your air fryer. Aim for a frittata that is about 1/4 inch thick before cooking, as it will rise as it cooks. If your pan is smaller and your frittata is thicker, it may need a little longer to cook through.

For the frittata mixture, crack four large eggs into a bowl and whisk in salt and pepper to taste. You can use milk or cream for a richer frittata, and then add your choice of toppings and flavourings. This could include meats like diced ham, cooked bacon bits, cooked sausage, or make it meatless. You can also add cheese—cheddar, mozzarella, or feta work well. For vegetables, you could add chopped tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms and onions, bell peppers, or spinach. If you like, add herbs and spices, such as garlic, chives or tarragon. Whisk the mixture until it is fully combined, and then pour it into your prepared pan.

Cook the frittata at 400°F (200°C) for 6-7 minutes for a fluffy frittata, 7-8 minutes for a firmer frittata, and 8-10 minutes for a well-done frittata. Be careful not to overcook it, and monitor the cooking process to ensure it is cooked through but still moist.

You can also make a frittata ahead of time and reheat it in the air fryer. Cover the frittata with foil or plastic wrap before storing it in the fridge, and then reheat it in the air fryer for a few minutes until heated through.

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Devilled eggs

To make devilled eggs in an air fryer, you will need half a dozen large hard-boiled eggs. You can make the boiled eggs in the air fryer, in an instant pot, or the traditional way on a stovetop. If you use an air fryer, preheat it to between 250°F and 275°F (120°C to 135°C) for about 5 minutes. Place the eggs in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each egg to allow proper air circulation. Cook the eggs for about 15 to 17 minutes. Then, transfer the eggs to an ice bath until they are cool enough to handle. Peel the eggs, slice them in half lengthwise, and scoop out the yolks.

For the filling, you can get creative and use your favourite seasonings. A classic mixture includes mayonnaise, relish, Dijon mustard, and a little hot sauce. You can also add some crunch to the exterior of the devilled eggs by coating the egg whites in breadcrumbs before frying them in the air fryer. This adds a delicious texture contrast to the creamy yolk filling.

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Frequently asked questions

You can cook hard-boiled, soft-boiled, fried, poached, and scrambled eggs in an air fryer.

Preheat your air fryer to 250°F (some sources suggest 270°F to 275°F). Place the eggs in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 minutes for soft-boiled, 14 minutes for medium-boiled, and 16 minutes for hard-boiled. After cooking, place the eggs in an ice bath to stop them from overcooking.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Spray a small, round, air fryer-safe pan with oil and place it in the fryer basket. Crack an egg into the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes for a runny yolk, adding time until the yolk reaches your desired consistency.

In a 6-quart air fryer, you can cook up to 2 large eggs at once. However, it is recommended that you test the temperature with 1 or 2 eggs first to find the ideal cook time for your air fryer.

Use non-stick, oven-friendly cookware that is shallow enough to allow the air to circulate. You can use olive oil or butter to grease the pan. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and temperature of the eggs, as well as the model of the air fryer.

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