Delicious Ways To Cook Eggs In Your Air Fryer
A perfectly prepared egg is the standard of excellence for all professional chefs — if you want to evaluate a chef's technique, ask them to prepare an omelet. Eggs are notoriously temperamental and can be challenging to get right on the stove. But don't let that hold you back from serving delicious egg dishes. An air fryer levels the egg playing field and enables you to produce beautiful dishes that are as delicious as they are impressive. Cooking eggs in an air fryer can be a quick and convenient way to meal prep, too.
Air fryers are countertop convection ovens that use hot air to cook food evenly. Because food is surrounded by even heat, cooking times are reduced. As the name suggests, it's also possible to get foods crispy and crunchy without deep frying. Additionally, air fryers are an excellent tool for cooking in the hotter months when turning on the oven seems ridiculous, and their compact footprint and multitasking capabilities make them perfect for cooking eggs in various ways.
Even better? You don't need to go to culinary school to master the technique. Grab a dozen eggs and take a look at these ways to cook eggs in an air fryer.
Hard- and soft-boiled eggs
If you're an air fryer egg newbie, cut your teeth on this easy meal prep trick. Making hard- and soft-boiled eggs is likely one of the easiest things you'll do in the kitchen this year. You only need eggs and an air fryer — no parchment paper or aluminum foil. This is a great place to start if your routine meal prep includes hard- or soft-boiled eggs.
Set your air fryer to 250 F and allow it to preheat. Place the eggs in the air fryer basket, set a timer, and stand back while the magic happens, completely hands-free. Depending on your air fryer model, your cooking times may vary, but hard-boiled eggs generally need to cook for 15 to 17 minutes. Remove soft-boiled eggs somewhere around the 10 to 12-minute mark.
Remember one major egg boiling tip that applies when there isn't any water present: Older eggs are easier to peel than fresh ones. How do you know if they're fresh or old? Place the egg in a bowl and add water. If it lays on its side, it's newly laid, but your egg is getting old if it stands on the end (or is heading in that direction). Caution: If your egg floats, throw it out. That means it's rotten.
Scrambled eggs
Every professional chef and their brother has a secret to scrambled eggs. Some like their scrambled eggs soft, some like them hard, and some like them cooked by someone else entirely. Regardless of their consistency, making scrambled eggs just how you like them in an air fryer is possible.
Preheat your air fryer to 350 F. Grease an air fryer-safe dish; since air fryers are mini ovens, anything that works in an oven works here, too. If you have a mini non-stick pan, you can skip the greasing, but a little butter or bacon fat adds flavor.
Start as you usually would by whisking eggs until the white and yoke are incorporated (add salt after cooking for fluffier eggs). Pour the eggs into the dish and pop it into the air fryer. Set a timer, and stir your eggs every minute or so. Yes, you'll open the air fryer and lose some of the heat, but that's okay. You need to stir the eggs to get those fluffy curds. Remove your eggs from the air fryer when they have reached the consistency you like (about 10 minutes). You can pull a Gordon Ramsay and add some crème fraîche, or channel "The Bear" and top with crumbled sour cream and onion potato chips.
Chawanmushi
Chawanmushi is a delicate savory Japanese egg custard traditionally topped with prawns. The pudding is steamed, so it may seem odd to consider it for an air fryer that acts mainly like a convection oven, but the technique works. In just 10 minutes, you can have a silky, creamy, savory custard that is light and comforting at the same time. You'll need a few basic ingredients, plus two ramekins with lids.
Preheat your air fryer to 375 F. Whisk together three eggs and just under 3½ ounces each of water and chicken stock for two servings. Pour into two 6-ounce ramekins. You can bake as-is or add a couple of raw prawns, sliced lengthwise, a few slivers of carrot, and thinly sliced mushrooms of your choice. Cover with lids and air fry, testing to see if the custard has set at seven minutes (and then every 45 seconds or so). Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the ramekin. If the liquid that runs out is clear, your custard is ready.
Remember that the amount of liquid you need to use varies depending on the egg size. This is a temperamental custard that can be challenging to master, even when created using traditional techniques, so don't be worried if your first attempt is not ideal.
Fried eggs
Over easy, over hard, sunny-side-up: No matter how you like them, perfect fried eggs are possible without turning on your stove. Your technique will change depending on the type of air fryer you have, but for most, the process is simple.
Preheat your air fryer to 375 F. Eggs can be fried in small pie tins or ramekins, or you can line the air fryer basket with foil and crack the eggs directly onto that. Either way, use some cooking spray to ensure an easy release from the tin or the foil.
Once your air fryer is up to temperature, crack the eggs on foil or place the tins or ramekins into the fryer. Sunny-side-up eggs are the easiest in this method — simply cook for about five minutes and then serve. If you want any other kind of egg (over easy, over medium, etc.), you must flip your eggs halfway through the cooking time. Check your eggs at the three-minute mark. If the bottom is set, use a spatula to flip the egg gently.
Frittata
Frittata is a crowd-pleasing egg dish that can be a pain to make in the traditional way. When made on a stovetop, you cook twice: first on top of the stove and then in the oven. An air fryer skips these steps but produces the same fluffy, delicious egg breakfast. This is especially good on hot days when you don't want to turn your oven on.
Preheat your air fryer to 350 F. Whisk eggs until yolk and white are thoroughly combined, then add in the frittata fillings of your choice. Spinach, mushrooms, and peppers are great choices. Season with salt and pepper, and add garlic powder and other dried herbs for a flavor boost. Tarragon is a lovely addition, as is thyme. Pour this mixture into a greased air fryer-safe pan and cook for about 15 minutes. The time may vary depending on the size of your pan and the number of eggs you use, so keep an eye on it. You may also want to flip your frittata halfway through the cooking time, but this is optional.
Note that sautéing some ingredients before adding them to the eggs produces a more complex flavor. If you prefer, saute aromatics (i.e., onions and garlic) and any desired fillings before mixing them with the eggs. Yes, this adds another step, but if you have extra time, this can make a special dish even better.
Poached eggs
Poached eggs swirled in a simmering pan of water can be tedious and challenging, plus it is difficult to make more than a couple at a time. The air fryer changes that and is only limited by the capacity of your fryer basket.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 F and grease one ramekin for each egg you'll poach. Add one egg per ramekin and top with a tablespoon of water. Once your air fryer reaches the proper temperature, add the ramekins and immediately reduce the heat to 360 F. Cook until the egg whites are set — they will no longer be clear and should stay firm when you poke them. This takes between four and five minutes.
Remove the eggs from the ramekins gently, then blot any excess water off with a paper towel. They are ready to be enjoyed immediately, or try a restaurant trick to serve them later: Once eggs are poached, dunk them immediately in an ice water bath to stop cooking. When you're ready to serve, bring a pan of water to simmer and submerge the poached eggs to warm them. Blot water with a paper towel, and serve.
Egg muffins
Egg muffins are an easy way to get breakfast protein on the go. Cook a large batch for the week and pop them in the microwave just before you head out the door. These are copycats of Starbucks' egg bites and can be made with just egg whites for all the protein and fewer calories.
You'll need a small muffin tin that fits your air fryer or individual silicone muffin cups. Regular paper muffin tin liners are not strong enough to hold the liquid. As usual, start by preheating your air fryer to 300 F. Whisk eggs together with your favorite veggies, herbs, and spices. Some good combinations include bacon, Gruyère cheese, and spinach; chopped tomato, green pepper, and red onion; and mushroom, cheddar, and asparagus. Season with salt and pepper and pour the filling into the molds just below the top of the mold or liner.
Cook your egg muffins for 10 to 12 minutes. They should be firm but not rigid when you jiggle them to check. A slight wobble is okay, as they will continue to cook after they come out of the air fryer, but you don't want any liquid centers. Chow down immediately, or wrap the muffins carefully and refrigerate or freeze them for an easy snack.
Rolled egg omelet (tamagoyaki)
Another traditional Japanese dish, tamagoyaki, is a beautiful rolled egg omelet. Making it on a stovetop requires a certain skill and craft that isn't necessary when the recipe is adapted to the air fryer. This is not exactly the same as the delicate layers of tamagoyaki, but you can get reasonably close for a beautiful and fun presentation.
Preheat your air fryer to 300 F and line the basket with parchment paper so that it reaches up the sides. Crack four eggs in a bowl and add four chopped cherry tomatoes, one-quarter of a red onion diced small, and the green parts of one scallion, chopped. Season with pepper, garlic powder, and salt; add one tablespoon of olive oil. Whisk to combine, then pour carefully into the lined air fryer basket. You want a thin layer of egg mixture, so do not overfill.
Air fry for eight to 10 minutes, then carefully remove the egg by grasping the parchment paper and lifting the whole thing out of the basket. Being mindful of the hot egg, use the parchment's edge to roll the egg carefully. Slice into even pieces. If rolling seems like something you'll struggle with, or the egg is so thin that it might break, feel free to fold it instead. This creates a lovely rectangle shape similar to a more traditional tamagoyaki.
Scotch eggs
Scotch eggs have an uncertain origin story. Some believe they originated in North Africa, while others say that India is where this dish first came to be. Regardless of where they come from, Scotch eggs are a delicious dish of hard-boiled eggs encased in meat and deep-fried to crunchy, golden-brown perfection. In an air fryer, you get the same crispy crust without the mess of deep frying. This is a great place to use the hard-boiled eggs you already made in the air fryer, too.
Preheat your air fryer to 400 F. You can line the basket with parchment paper or simply use a nonstick spray before adding the eggs. Use seasoned ground beef, ground turkey, or even ground lamb as the meat (or make it vegetarian and use your favorite falafel recipe). Dry each egg and roll in flour or cornstarch to help the meat stick. Wrap each egg completely in whatever you choose (about 3 ounces per egg).
Set up a breading station with a bowl of beaten egg and another of breadcrumbs (panko or gluten-free breadcrumbs work here, too). Dip the covered eggs in beaten egg, then coat with breadcrumbs. Add to the air fryer and fry for 15 to 18 minutes. The coating should be crispy and the meat (or falafel) completely cooked). Scotch eggs can be served hot or cold, which makes them great for meal prep.
Egg tarts
Air fryer egg tarts are an elegant, unfussy dessert that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen. Some versions of them are present in many different cuisines, but they are perhaps the most famous in Portugal (called pastel de nata). The creamy egg custard in a crispy shell is a sweet enough treat that also makes a delicious afternoon snack or indulgent breakfast.
The best versions of this tart use an egg custard that is already cooked. This does add time to the process regarding the initial prep, but it is the best way to keep the tart shells crisp and avoid the dreaded soggy bottom. Use your favorite egg custard recipe, cooking and cooling it completely.
Preheat your air fryer to 380 F. Use mini dessert shells, blind-baked mini pie crusts, or your favorite dough recipe shaped and blind-baked. Pour custard into your pastry case of choice, then bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the tops of the tarts are puffed up and dark golden brown. To serve, dust the tops with cinnamon or powdered sugar. You can also add a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a few berries. You can also freeze these tarts tightly wrapped for up to three months.
Egg-filled avocado
One of the best trends that has hopped off TikTok and onto brunch tables worldwide is eggs baked in an avocado. The luscious, creamy avocado plays well with runny yolks and set white — perfect for dipping toast into. Baking eggs inside an avocado is an elegant dish served on its own vessel.
You'll need one egg for each half of the avocado. Preheat your air fryer to 400 F. Slice the avocado in half and remove the pit. If the space left by the pit is large, you may be able to crack the egg directly into the pit. Otherwise, separate the yolks from the whites and add the yolk in first, filling the rest of the space with egg white. Season with salt and pepper, then air fry for about nine minutes or until the whites are set and the yolk is runny. Check frequently after seven minutes to make sure you don't overcook. Serve these with fresh herbs and toppings of your choice. Fresh chopped tomato is good, as is crispy crumbled bacon and feta cheese. Pass the hot sauce, too.
Eggs en cocotte
Eggs en cocotte, also known as shirred eggs or baked eggs, are an indulgent breakfast with two simple ingredients (not counting seasoning): eggs and heavy cream. The traditional French technique calls for a slow cook in a water bath (a bain marie), but an air fryer replicates the same result with less trouble.
You'll need one greased ramekin per egg. Preheat your air fryer to 300 F. Add 1 teaspoon of heavy cream to each ramekin, crack one egg on top, and place the ramekins in the air fryer. Fry for seven to 10 minutes or until the egg whites are set. Keep in mind that the eggs will continue to cook after they are removed from the air fryer because the ramekins hold heat. If they are close, remove them and let them rest briefly. Use tongs to carefully remove the ramekins. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and feel free to add chopped fresh herbs. Serve with toast points for dipping.