Introduction
Forget watching a pot of water boil. Air fryer hard boiled eggs deliver a perfectly cooked, easy-to-peel result every single time with no mess. This method uses dry heat to cook the eggs, saving you time and simplifying the whole process. You’ll get consistent results without having to guess on timing or deal with a rapid boil-over.
Prep & Cook Time
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes (including resting time)
- Servings: 10
Ingredients
- 10 eggs (you can cook up to 12 depending on the size of your air fryer)
Instructions
- Air fry at 270°F (132°C) for 11 minutes for large eggs. (For medium eggs, reduce to 10 minutes; for extra-large or jumbo, increase to 12-13 minutes).
- Immediately and carefully transfer the cooked eggs to a bowl of ice water using tongs. Let them rest for at least 5 minutes to stop the cooking process.
- Gently crack and peel the eggs under cool running water, starting from the wider end where the air pocket is. Enjoy immediately or store.
Variations
- Soft or Jammy Eggs: For a runny yolk, reduce the cook time to 8-9 minutes. For a jammy center, aim for 10 minutes.
- Steamed Peeling: After cooking, transfer the hot eggs directly to a bowl and cover it with a lid or plate for 5 minutes before icing. The trapped steam can make peeling even easier.
- Soy-Marinated Eggs (Ajitsuke Tamago): After peeling, soak the hard boiled eggs in a simple mixture of soy sauce, water, and a touch of mirin or sugar in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
- Deviled Egg Base: Once cooled and peeled, slice the eggs in half, mash the yolks with your favorite mix-ins (like mayo, mustard, and relish), and pipe back into the whites.
Tips for Success
- Use Older Eggs: Eggs that are a week or two old peel more easily than very fresh eggs.
- Don’t Preheat: Place the eggs in a cold air fryer basket to prevent cracking from a sudden temperature change.
- Ice Bath is Crucial: The immediate ice bath stops the cooking and helps separate the membrane from the egg white, making peeling effortless.
- Adjust for Altitude: If you live at a high altitude, you may need to add 1-2 minutes to the cook time.
Storage & Reheating
Store unpeeled hard boiled eggs in their shells in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For reheating, place a peeled egg in a bowl of hot tap water for about 10-15 minutes to take the chill off; they are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
FAQ
1. Why do my eggs crack in the air fryer?
This is usually due to overcrowding or the eggs knocking into each other. Ensure they are in a single layer and not touching the sides of the basket too forcefully. Starting with a cold basket also helps.
2. Can I cook fewer than 10 eggs?
Absolutely. The cooking time remains the same whether you cook 2 eggs or 10, as long as they are in a single layer.
3. Do I need to poke a hole in the egg before cooking?
No, this is not necessary for the air fryer method. The dry heat circulates around the egg, and the shell typically contains any pressure without issue.
4. How do I know if an egg is still good after storing?
Perform the float test: place the uncracked, peeled egg in a bowl of water. If it sinks, it’s fresh. If it stands on one end or floats, it should be discarded.
5. What’s the green ring around the yolk, and how do I avoid it?
The greenish-gray ring is a harmless reaction between sulfur and iron in the yolk caused by overcooking. Avoid it by following the recommended cook time and immediately plunging the eggs into an ice bath.
6. Can I cook other sizes of eggs?
Yes. Adjust the time: 10 minutes for medium, 11 minutes for large (standard), and 12-13 minutes for extra-large or jumbo eggs. The ice bath step remains the same.
