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How to Make Hard-Fried Eggs with an Air Fryer: A Simple and Quick Recipe
Eggs are a breakfast staple that are incredibly versatile. Whether you like them scrambled, poached, or fried, eggs can be enjoyed in many ways. One of the easiest and most popular ways to cook eggs is to fry them, but did you know you can make hard-fried eggs in an air fryer? It’s quicker, healthier, and less messy than traditional frying methods. Plus, you can get perfectly cooked eggs with minimal effort!
If you’re tired of the splattering oil and constant flipping when frying eggs on the stove, this air fryer method will become your new favorite way to prepare hard-fried eggs. Here’s how you can make hard-fried eggs in an air fryer that are perfectly cooked every time!
Why Use an Air Fryer for Hard-Fried Eggs?
Using an air fryer to make hard-fried eggs offers several benefits:
- Less mess: No oil splattering or greasy pans to clean up.
- Faster cooking: Air fryers cook food quickly by circulating hot air, which reduces the cooking time.
- Healthier option: You don’t need to add oil, making air-fried eggs lower in fat.
- Consistent results: The air fryer ensures an even cook every time, so you won’t have to worry about burnt edges or undercooked centers.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Eggs (as many as you’d like to cook)
- Salt (optional)
- Pepper (optional)
- Non-stick cooking spray or a light coating of oil (optional)
Equipment:
- Air fryer (any brand or model that has a basket or tray)
- Tongs or a spoon to remove eggs from the air fryer
How to Make Hard-Fried Eggs in an Air Fryer
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Before you start cooking, preheat your air fryer to 270°F (132°C). This ensures the air fryer reaches the right temperature for cooking the eggs and helps them cook evenly. Preheating typically takes about 3-5 minutes, depending on your air fryer model.
Step 2: Prepare the Eggs
While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your eggs. If you like, you can spray the air fryer basket with a little bit of non-stick cooking spray or lightly coat it with oil to prevent the eggs from sticking. This step is optional, but it can make it easier to remove the eggs once they’re done.
Step 3: Place the Eggs in the Air Fryer
Carefully place the eggs into the air fryer basket. If you’re making more than one egg, make sure they’re spaced out a little, so the hot air can circulate properly around each egg. You don’t need to crack them—they’ll cook in their shells.
Step 4: Cook the Eggs
Once the eggs are in the basket, set the timer for 17-20 minutes. The exact time will depend on how well-done you like your eggs:
- 17 minutes for slightly soft, creamy yolks
- 18-19 minutes for firm, but slightly creamy yolks
- 20 minutes for fully hard-fried yolks with no runniness
During cooking, the air fryer will circulate hot air around the eggs, cooking them evenly.
Step 5: Check for Doneness
Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the basket from the air fryer. Use tongs or a spoon to gently handle the hot eggs. Let them cool down a bit before cracking them open.
If you want to test the doneness before cracking open the egg, you can carefully roll the egg on a hard surface to check its firmness. If the egg feels firm throughout, it’s done!
Step 6: Peel the Eggs
After letting the eggs cool for a few minutes, crack the
