Here's how to cook every type of egg in an air fryer

Air fryers have swiftly become a kitchen staple, celebrated for their convenience, speed and ability to create delicious meals with minimal fuss. If you’re among the many who have embraced this handy appliance, you might be wondering whether it’s possible to cook eggs in an air fryer and, if so, how best to do it. Eggs are wonderfully versatile and, with an air fryer, I’ve found that you can prepare them in a variety of ways, from boiled and baked to even scrambled or poached, although some methods are more successful than others. In this guide I’ll share what I’ve learned from my experiments in the Good Food Test Kitchen, including the best techniques for cooking eggs in your air fryer, practical tips for achieving great results and a few pitfalls to avoid along the way.

Meet Sam

Samuel Goldsmith is one of our air fryer experts, having authored over 30 air fryer recipes for the website. Read on for his advice on cooking eggs in the air fryer, or check out more of Sam's recipes.

Sam Goldsmith in a green checked shirt, cropped to head and shoulders portrait

For more air fryer inspiration, check out air fryer recipes, covering everything from crispy chips to inventive main courses. If you’re after more egg inspiration, our egg recipe ideas showcase the many ways you can make the most of this humble ingredient.

Can you cook eggs in an air fryer?

Yes, eggs can be cooked in an air fryer with ease, making it a great option for everything from hard-boiled eggs to fried or poached eggs, all without the need for boiling water or a hob. I’ve tested several methods and found that the air fryer circulates hot air around the eggs, ensuring even and consistent cooking every time. Although it's good piece of equipment for cooking eggs, the results aren’t always comparable to using the hob. For example, poached eggs and boiled eggs often give a jammier yolk rather than a runny one.

For hard-boiled eggs, simply put whole eggs directly in the air fryer basket. If you fancy fried eggs, crack them into a heatproof dish or ramekin that fits inside your air fryer. For a poached effect, use ramekins filled with water, or try a silicone mould for making scrambled eggs or an omelette. This method is especially handy for batch cooking or meal prep.

Discover our recipes for air fryer boiled eggs, air fryer fried eggs and a speedy air fryer omelette to get started. For more breakfast inspiration, browse our air fryer breakfast recipes.

Boiled eggs

You can cook boiled eggs in an air fryer and I’ve tested this method to see how it compares to the traditional hob approach. Using an air fryer allows you to make boiled eggs without needing to boil a pan of water, which can be convenient and energy efficient.

To cook boiled eggs in an air fryer, simply place the eggs in the basket in a single layer and cook at 180C. For a runnier yolk, cook for 6 mins-6 mins 30 seconds; for a jammy yolk, 7 mins; and for a hard-set yolk, 9 mins. After cooking, briefly plunge the eggs into a bowl of ice-cold water to stop them from cooking further. You can then peel the eggs or serve them in egg cups with toast. Much like cooking in an oven, timings may vary depending on your make and model of air fryer. As an example, one of our team has a multi-cooker with an air fryer function and it took 14 mins for a jammy yolk – the timings above are what we have found on average.

The pros of using an air fryer for boiled eggs include ease of use and the ability to cook multiple eggs at once without monitoring a pan. However, some testers have found that eggs cooked this way can sometimes have a slightly different texture and there is a risk of the whites becoming a little rubbery if overcooked. The method works best with eggs at room temperature.

For step-by-step instructions and more tips, see our full guide and recipe for air fryer boiled eggs.

Poached eggs

I don’t recommend poaching eggs in an air fryer. Having tested the method in a number of air fryers I feel that it's a method best left to the hob. You have to heat the water before adding the egg, which makes it difficult to add due to the high sides of an air fryer. We also found oil needed to be added to stop the eggs sticking and that caused the mixture to spit a lot upon heating. If you find a method you think works for this then do let us know in the comments.

Fried eggs

You can cook fried eggs in an air fryer – I found it to be easy and effective as the appliance can cook the eggs evenly and to your preferred yolk consistency. However, some air fryer models may not cook evenly, which could result in eggs that are not uniformly done; turning the dish or tin halfway through cooking can help address this issue. To prepare, drizzle a little vegetable or sunflower oil into a heatproof dish or tin that fits inside your air fryer, heat the oil at 180C for 2 mins, then crack in the eggs and cook for 4-8 mins until the yolk is done to your liking.

For step-by-step instructions see our air fryer fried eggs recipe.

Scrambled eggs

Scrambled eggs are another method that I wouldn’t recommend for the air fryer. It’s tricky to keep them fluffy and light when you’re baking them. Try our microwave scrambled eggs if you’re looking for a way to do them without the hob.

Omelette

Omelettes work well in an air fryer. It provides even heat, allowing the omelette to puff up and become golden in just 8-10 mins, with little need for supervision. I recommend using a heatproof non-stick pan inside the air fryer to ensure the omelette maintains a traditional round shape and prevents sticking. This method is particularly convenient for those seeking a quick breakfast or lunch, as it requires only a short prep time and can accommodate a variety of fillings such as grated cheese, fried mushrooms, wilted spinach, feta or chopped ham. However, you need the correct size and type of heatproof pan to fit inside the air fryer; without this, your omelette may not cook evenly or could stick. To make an air fryer omelette, simply heat the air fryer to 180C with the pan inside, melt butter in the pan, beat eggs with your chosen fillings, pour the mixture into the pan, and cook until set and golden. Serve with a fresh salad for a balanced meal.

Baked eggs

Cooking a baked egg in the air fryer works well because the appliance provides consistent, circulating heat, which enables the egg to set evenly. In my air fryer fry-up recipe I cracked an egg into a hole in a toasted English muffin and then cooked alongside other breakfast items, demonstrating how the air fryer can handle multiple elements at once. You can, of course, also use an oiled ramekin instead. This method allows for the egg to be nestled securely, ensuring it cooks through without spreading or sticking. However, it may not work as effectively if the air fryer is overcrowded as this can restrict airflow and result in uneven cooking. Timings are also important because the yolk can become rubbery if overcooked. For best results, crack the egg into an oiled small cup or ramekin then carefully place it in the air fryer and cook for 8-10 mins until the egg is set.