Air fryer poached eggs are a new amazing way to cook poached eggs without babysitting the stove. They are quick and easy to make and are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional fried eggs. Plus, there's no messy water to clean up.
Air fryer poached eggs and egg toast are my favorite breakfast food. I love that I can cook the eggs to my preferred level of doneness and that they never make a mess in the air fryer. I simply crack the eggs into 4-oz. ramekins and then place them in the air fryer. The ramekins help to keep the eggs from moving around as they cook, and they also make it easy to remove the cooked eggs from the air fryer.
How to Make Air Fryer Poached Eggs
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- Oil spray. I use Ghee Butter.
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 6 Tablespoons hot water
- Toast (optional)
Directions
To make air fryer poached eggs, simply crack an egg in an air fryer-safe dish, sprayed with oil, and filled with hot water. (Pictures 2,3 and 4). I’m using ramekins. And cook it at 350 °F (177 °C) for 5 to 7 minutes. The timing will depend on the preferred doneness of the yolk. Please see the poached egg cooking times below.
Once cooked, remove the ramekins from the air fryer. Then, using a rubber spatula or spoon, gently pry the eggs out of the ramekins (Image 5). If the eggs are stuck, you can try running a knife around the edge of the ramekins. Once the eggs are loose, transfer them gently to a plate or to a prepared toast. Season with salt and pepper to your liking and enjoy!
The result is a perfectly round and gorgeous poached egg. It has a firm white and a creamy yolk, with a light and fluffy texture. I love that is protein-rich and free of unhealthy fats.
How many poached eggs Can I cook in the Air Fryer at once?
You can cook multiple eggs at once in an Air Fryer, making it a quick and easy way to feed a large family or group of friends. Please check how many ramekins your air fryer basket or tray can fit. My Ninja 6-in-1 can comfortably fit 6 ramekins, so it can cook 6 poached eggs at once.
You don't need to increase the time or temperature when cooking more than 2 poached eggs in the air fryer.
Do I need to add hot water to ramekins before cooking poached eggs?
Yes! I add 3 tablespoons of hot water to the ramekin. This helps to cook the whites more quickly, resulting in a softer yolk. The times when I didn’t add water to ramekins, it felt that the whites had a more crispy crust around them and it took a bit longer to cook the egg by itself. If you choose not to add hot water, be sure to keep an eye on the eggs while they're cooking so they don't overcook.
What other safe dishes besides ramekins can I use in the air fryer?
Small ceramic or glass baking dishes are perfect for individual servings of poached eggs, casseroles, gratins, and other baked dishes. Souffle dishes can also be used to bake individual portions of cakes, pies, and other desserts. Just be sure these dishes are oven-safe up to 450 °F (230 °C)
If you don't have any small dishes on hand, you can always use muffin tins or even reusable silicone baking cups. They are perfect not only for poached eggs but to make small-sized portions of your favorite recipes.
Do I need to add vinegar to poached eggs?
It really depends on personal preferences. Some people find that adding vinegar to the water helps to keep the eggs from dispersing and results in a neater final product. Others find that it gives the eggs an unpleasant flavor. Ultimately, it is up to the cook to decide whether or not to add vinegar to the poaching water. I personally do not add vinegar, just greased the ramekins and added a little hot water.
How to safely remove hot ramekins from the air fryer?
To remove hot ramekins from the air fryer, use a potholder or oven mitt to carefully lift them out. If the ramekins are too hot to touch, use tongs or a spatula to transfer them to a cooling rack. However, you want to release the poached eggs as quickly and carefully as possible from the ramekin. Or else the egg still cooks while it sits inside the ramekin.
Air Fryer Poached Eggs Cooking Times
Preheat the air fryer to 350 °F (177 °C).
- Runny yolk: Soft but cooked whites 5 minutes
- Medium-runny yolk, nicely cooked whites: 6-7 minutes
- Firmer but still soft yolk: 7-8 minutes
- Hard yolk and fully cooked whites: 8-10 minutes
Remember, all air fryers may cook differently. Please don’t give up on the first try, experiment and see what works best for you. I used my Cuisinart Air Fryer oven and Ninja XL Air fryer grill and they both cooked poached eggs in 5 minutes to my liking of medium-runny yolk. Other air fryers like Fabuletta may take 8-10 minutes. But it does produce gorgeous, not cloudy yellow yolks though. See Jo-Ann’s video of making her beautiful poached eggs in action in the Fabuletta air fryer.
Serving
Serve with your favorite toppings, such as avocado, bacon, or toast.
For a light and healthy option, try air fryer asparagus and serving them on the side. This can be a great way to get your veggies in.
For a heartier, try your poached eggs on top of roasted potatoes.
More Air Fryer Egg Recipes
Air Fryer Poached Eggs
Air fryer poached eggs are a new amazing way to cook poached eggs without babysitting the stove. They are quick and easy to make and are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional fried eggs. Plus, there's no messy water to clean up afterward.
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- Oil spray. I use Ghee Butter.
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 6 Tablespoons hot water
- Toast (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 °F (177 °C) for 3 minutes (air fry/air crisp setting)
- When the “ready” timer beeps, spritz some oil into each ramekin and rub the oil with your finger around the edges. You can use the food brush instead.
- Pour 3-4 tablespoons of hot water
- Gently crack an egg into each ramekin
- Place ramekins directly in the air fryer basket/tray.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes. The timing will depend on the preferred doneness of the yolk. Please refer to the poached eggs cooking chart below.
- Once cooked, remove the ramekins from the air fryer.
- Then, using a rubber spatula, gently pry the eggs out of the ramekins.
- If the eggs are stuck, you can try running a knife around the edge of the ramekins.
- Once the eggs are loose, transfer them gently to a plate, or put them on prepared toast. Season with salt and pepper to your liking and enjoy!
Notes
Air Fryer Poached Eggs Cooking Times
Preheat the air fryer to 350 °F (177 °C).
- Runny yolk: Soft but cooked whites 5 minutes
- Medium-runny yolk, nicely cooked whites: 6-7 minutes
- Firmer but still soft yolk: 7-8 minutes
- Hard yolk and fully cooked whites: 8-10 minutes
Remember, all air fryers may cook differently. Please don’t give up on the first try, experiment and see what works best for you. I used my Cuisinart Air Fryer oven and Ninja XL Air fryer grill and they both cooked poached eggs in 5 minutes to my liking of medium-runny yolk. Other air fryers like Fabuletta may take 8-10 minutes. But it does produce gorgeous, not cloudy yellow yolks though. See Jo-Ann’s video of making her beautiful poached eggs in action in the Fabuletta air fryer.
Pearl
I am only leaning how to use my air fryer and this is really helpful
Irina
Yay! Glad this is helpful. Any questions - please ask away!
Stewart Mather
CAN I do brazing steak in just the drawers
Corazon Chiu Kee
Iam very glad to learn more air fyer recipes, very happy to join with Daily Yum
Johnanna
your method of poached eggs in air fryer worked amazing. Thank you for the recipe
Maryann
My air fryers lowest temp is 400
Do you think that would work? Shorter time?
Irina
Yes, it could work. But definitely a shorter time. Try 4 minutes and see how it comes out. If the yolk is not done yet, increase by 1 minute.
Barbara
Thank you love your recipes they are so helpful
Jane Hall
On my way to pick up my Ninja (2 drawer) air fryer today. I'm so glad you're here for recipes. 🙂 Thank you.
Irina
Welcome! Congrats on your new Ninja 2-drawer
Steven Miller
Didnt work, 17 minutes later and still not cooked. Stuck to ramekin. Easier with a pan of boiling water and so much quicker, plus more control of how cooked your eggs are.
Irene
I'm currently in my fourth 5 min stunt and eggs still not cooked. I'm using a Lakeland twin drawer 1700 kW AF. Help
Irina
Please Make sure it is preheated. Also make sure you add eggs to hot water (boiled) then follow the directions.
Irene
And as they are cooking the top of the yolk is going hard but white still not cooked. Could my ramekin be too large - only ones I have.
Irina
I use 4-oz ramekins. It is optimal size. Make sure the egg is fully covered in water
Irene
Ah, maybe not enough water?? Should there be water in the top to drain off at the end of cooking?
Irina
When done cooking, you simply free the egg and gently lift it out from the ramekin