We’ve already tried a ton of egg recipes in this food blog like sunny-side up, scrambled eggs, egg bites, boiled eggs and egg toast.
And today, I’m going to show you how to cook poached eggs in the air fryer.
While it might not be the most ideal method for achieving eggs with a creamy, velvety yolk, it is still possible with the appropriate equipment and technique.
To begin, ensure that you have a ramekin or a silicone cup and a soft rubber spatula on hand.
Moving forward, precision is key. It’s crucial to delicately remove the eggs once the egg whites are fully set. The longer they stay in the air fryer, the firmer the yolks will become.
Now that you are aware of the process and its nuances, let’s dive in and begin our egg-citing adventure!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Air Fryer Poached Eggs
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
You only need a few basic ingredients to make this air fried poached egg recipe.
- Eggs
- Neutral cooking oil
- Hot water
- Salt
- Pepper
Since we’re cooking the eggs in a small vessel there’s no need to add vinegar.
Equip Yourself for Success
As mentioned earlier, it is essential to have a ramekin bowl or silicone cup to make this egg dish. Alternatively, you can also use an oven-safe bowl or shallow oven-safe mug.
You will also need a soft tip rubber spatula to carefully remove the poached eggs without breaking them.
Recipe Video
How to Make Poached Eggs in Air Fryer?
Air frying poached eggs is all about timing. Precision is crucial, ensuring you remove the eggs at the right moment when the yolk is still runny.
Follow these seven simple steps.
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, set your desired temperature then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 360°F (182°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Step 2: Grease your mold.
To prevent the eggs from sticking to the ramekin bowl or silicone mold, spray a thin layer of neutral cooking oil into each container.
Step 3: Add hot water to your mold.
Boil water and fill your ramekin or silicone molds halfway with 4 tablespoons of hot water.
Be cautious and, if possible, transfer the hot water to a Pyrex cup first. Then, use a spoon to add the hot water into the cooking vessels.
Step 4: Crack an egg into each container.
Carefully transfer the greased ramekin bowl with hot water to the air fryer basket. Then, crack an egg into each bowl.
For safety reasons, if you’re using a silicone mold, place them in the preheated air fryer before filling them up with hot water.
💡 Pro Tip: It would be ideal for the raw eggs to be slightly covered with water. Add more hot water if necessary.
Step 5: Air fry poached eggs for 6-8 minutes.
Air fry the poached eggs for 6-8 minutes, keeping an eye on the egg whites around the 6-minute mark. Once they are fully set, promptly remove them from the air fryer.
💡 Pro Tip: The longer you let your poached eggs stay in the air fryer the less runny they are going to be.
Step 6: Gently take the air fried poached eggs out of the ramekin bowl.
When eggs are done, use a rubber spatula to gently slide the eggs out of the cooking vessels.
Step 7: Serve and enjoy your air fried poached eggs.
One classic option is to serve poached eggs on a piece of toast or an English muffin, creating a delicious Eggs Benedict. The combination of the perfectly poached eggs with the bread and savory sauce is a breakfast favorite.
For a lighter meal, try placing poached eggs on a bed of sautéed vegetables like spinach or roasted asparagus. The runny yolks blend beautifully with the flavors of the veggies, creating a nutritious and satisfying dish.
If you’re looking to boost the protein content of your salad, adding poached eggs can be a great choice. The creamy yolk adds a luxurious touch to the salad while providing an additional protein source.
For those craving a more indulgent option, consider placing poached eggs on top of a burger or sandwich. The runny yolk adds a rich and creamy element, complementing the other ingredients and creating a delightful combination of flavors.
If you’re planning a hearty breakfast or brunch, serving poached eggs alongside roasted potatoes or grilled tomatoes can make for a satisfying and flavorful meal. The combination of textures and flavors is sure to please your taste buds.
Remember, the key to enjoying poached eggs is to serve them immediately while they are still warm and the yolks are runny. This allows you to fully savor the luscious texture and flavors.
Feel free to explore different dishes and combinations to find your favorite way to enjoy poached eggs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can poach eggs in an air fryer, but don’t anticipate it to be as simple as traditional methods. The egg yolks can easily overcook if left for too long.
The best temperature to poach eggs in the air fryer is between 360°F and 380°F, depending on the size of your cooking equipment. For air fryers of 6 quarts or larger, the recommended temperature is 380°F (193°C). Conversely, opt for 360°F (182°C) with air fryers smaller than 4 quarts.
It takes approximately 6-8 minutes to poach an egg in the air fryer, as per our tests. It’s crucial to adhere to the recommended temperatures and precise cooking times based on your air fryer’s size to avoid overcooking the egg yolks.
To cook poached eggs in an air fryer, start by boiling water and preheating your cooking equipment to a temperature between 360°F and 380°F. Then, grease a ramekin bowl or silicone mold, crack the eggs, and add 4 tablespoons of hot water. Place them carefully in the air fryer and cook for 6-8 minutes. Remove the poached eggs promptly once the egg whites have set. That’s it!
The calorie content of a poached egg typically ranges from 60 to 80 calories, depending on the size of the egg.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 4 Eggs
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 tablespoons avocado oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). If your air fryer has a capacity of 4 quarts or smaller, please see the note for more info.
- Spray each ramekin or silicone mold with avocado oil or brush them with any other neutral cooking oil.
- Add 4 tablespoons of hot water to each ramekin or silicone cup.
- Crack an egg into each ramekin/silicone mold, over the hot water. Ensure that the eggs are slightly covered with hot water. Add more water if necessary.
- Air fry poached eggs for 6-8 minutes. Start by carefully placing ramekins in the air fryer basket. Cook until the egg whites are set and the yolks are still slightly soft.
- When eggs are done, use a rubber spatula or spoon to gently slide the eggs out of the ramekins.
- Serve and enjoy your air fryer poached eggs! Season them with salt and pepper to taste. They add a nice touch to your toast or any sandwich.
Recipe Video
Notes
- For 4-quart air fryers and smaller, reduce the cooking temperature to 360°F (182°C). They generate more heat because of the heating element’s proximity to the food.
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, set your desired temperature and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- I used a 6-quart Instant Pot Vortex Plus to test air frying poached eggs. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
- We’re using hot water to reduce the cooking time. The longer the egg stays in the air fryer, the firmer your egg yolks will become.
- On that note, avoid leaving your poached eggs in the air fryer beyond the suggested cooking time.
Nutrition
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