Air fryer Soft Boiled Eggs are a quick and easy way to prepare a tasty protein-packed breakfast or snack. Using an air fryer to cook your eggs uses no oil, so you don't waste time watching the water boil!
Looking for a quick low-carb breakfast recipe that's packed with protein and bursting with flavor? Look no further than air fryer soft boiled eggs! Try my Air Fryer Omelette for more air fryer breakfast recipes.
This simple recipe produces perfectly cooked eggs with a tender white and runny yolk, making it an ideal option for breakfast, brunch, or a quick snack.
If you love these jammy eggs as much as I do, check out my Air Fryer Poached Eggs and my Air Fryer Omelet. Make the best-tasting Eggs Benedict with our Blender Hollandaise and Gluten-Free English Muffins.
Jump to:
What makes this recipe so good
Air fryer soft boiled eggs are a great recipe for several reasons.
- Using an air fryer to cook the eggs is healthy and requires no oil, making it a low-fat and low-calorie way to prepare eggs.
- Cooking eggs in an air fryer takes only 10 minutes to achieve the perfect soft-boiled texture. This makes it a great meal prep option for busy mornings or when you're in a rush.
- Air fryer soft boiled eggs are versatile and can be eaten on their own or used as a topping for ramen, salads, toast, or other dishes.
Ingredient Notes
Choosing the right eggs is important for getting the best results when making air fryer soft boiled eggs. Here are some tips for selecting the right eggs:
- Look for fresh eggs: When purchasing eggs, look for ones that are marked with a "sell-by" date that is several weeks in the future.
- Check for cracks: Avoid purchasing eggs that are cracked, as they are more likely to spoil and can also leak into the air fryer basket.
- Choose the right size: Air fryer soft boiled eggs can be made with any size of egg, but the cooking time may vary depending on the size. Large eggs are typically the easiest to work with and are a good choice for beginners.
- Consider pasture-raised or free-range: These chickens are typically healthier and produce higher-quality eggs with a richer flavor and are more nutritious.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make soft boiled eggs
Cook Times
Soft Boiled Eggs: 9-10 minutes
Jammy Eggs: 11-13 minutes
Hard Boiled Eggs: 14-15 minutes
Preparing soft boiled eggs in an air fryer is a simple and quick way to prepare them. Here's how you can do it:
Cooking Soft Boiled Eggs
- Preheat your air fryer to 280°F.
- Place the eggs in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other.
- Cook the eggs for 9-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. For a runny yolk, cook for 9-10 minutes, and for a jammy yolk, cook for 10-11 minutes.
Ice bath
Shocking eggs in an ice bath quickly cool down the eggs and stops the cooking process. This is important to ensure that the eggs do not overcook and become rubbery.
- Prepare a large bowl of ice water by filling the bowl with water and adding ice cubes until the water is very cold.
- Once the eggs are finished cooking, use tongs to transfer them to the bowl of ice water carefully.
- Chill eggs for at least 5 minutes, or until they are completely cooled.
How do you peel a soft boiled egg?
Peeling a soft boiled egg can be challenging, as the egg white may stick to the shell or tear easily. Here are some steps you can follow to peel a soft boiled egg:
- Tap the egg gently on a hard surface to crack the shell.
- Hold the egg under running water or submerge it in a bowl of water to help loosen the shell.
- Gently peel away the shell, starting at the wider end of the egg where there is an air pocket.
- Use your fingers or a spoon to carefully remove any bits of shell that stick to the egg.
If the egg is very fresh, it may be more difficult to peel, as the membrane between the egg white and the shell will be firmly attached. You can try using a spoon to gently separate the membrane from the egg white before peeling it to make it easier.
Variations
There are several variations to air fryer soft boiled eggs that you can try to mix things up and add some extra flavor. Here are a few ideas:
- Add spices: Sprinkle salt, pepper, or other spices like paprika, garlic powder, or cumin on your soft boiled eggs before serving.
- Soy Sauce Eggs: Marinate your soft boiled eggs in a mixture of soy sauce, water, and sugar for a few hours before serving. This will give the eggs a sweet and salty flavor that pairs well with rice or noodles.
- Deviled Eggs: Slice your eggs in half and mix the yolks with mayo, mustard, and other seasonings to make deviled eggs. This is a great appetizer or snack that can be served at parties or gatherings.
- Bacon-Wrapped Eggs: Wrap your soft boiled eggs with a slice of bacon before cooking. This will add an extra layer of flavor and texture to your eggs.
- Avocado Toast with Eggs: Serve your eggs on top of avocado toast for a healthy and delicious breakfast or brunch option.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Storage
Air fryer soft boiled eggs are best when eaten immediately after cooking. However, if you need to store them for later, here are a few tips:
- Refrigerate: Store the soft boiled eggs in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. Place them in an airtight container or a plastic bag to help prevent odors from transferring to the eggs.
- Use within a few days: Leftover soft boiled eggs will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. However, they are best when eaten within 1-2 days.
- Reheat carefully: To reheat the soft boiled eggs, place them in the air fryer at 250F for 2-3 minutes. The yolks will harden a bit and become jammy.
Chef Tips
Follow these tips for the secret to soft boiled eggs:
- Use room temperature eggs: Starting with room temperature eggs will help ensure that they cook evenly.
- Pierce the bottom of the eggs: Use a pin or a needle to make a small hole in the bottom of each egg before cooking. This will prevent the eggs from cracking during cooking and also make them easier to peel.
- Use a rack: Placing the eggs on a rack in the air fryer basket will allow for more even cooking and prevent them from rolling around.
- Adjust cooking time: The cooking time may vary depending on the size and freshness of the eggs, as well as the type of air fryer you're using. Start with a shorter cooking time and adjust as needed to achieve your desired level of doneness.
- Shock the eggs in cold water: After cooking, immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process and make them easier to peel.
- Peel carefully: Soft boiled eggs can be delicate, so take care when peeling them. Gently tap the egg on a hard surface to create small cracks, then carefully peel off the shell.
Recipe FAQs
A soft boiled egg is an egg that is cooked for a shorter period of time than a hard boiled egg, resulting in a runny yolk and a set white. The whites are fully cooked but still tender, while the yolk remains liquid and creamy.
No, soft boiled eggs are not raw. Soft boiled eggs are cooked for a short amount of time in boiling water or in an air fryer until the whites are set but the yolk is still runny. While the yolk is not fully solidified like in a hard boiled egg, it has still been heated enough to make it safe to eat.
Yes, it's a good idea to preheat the air fryer before cooking the eggs. This will help ensure that the eggs cook evenly and prevent them from sticking to the basket.
Yes, you can use a silicone egg holder or mold in the air fryer to cook the eggs. This will help keep the eggs in place and prevent them from rolling around. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the egg holder or mold and adjust the cooking time as needed.
Related Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Did you make this recipe? Please click the stars below to comment and rate this recipe. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, too!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Soft-Boiled Eggs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Large Eggs
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 280°F.
- Gently place eggs into the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes for soft-boiled eggs.
- After 10 minutes, use tongs to remove the eggs from the air fryer and place them in a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Once the eggs have cooled down, carefully peel the eggs.
- Serve and enjoy your perfectly soft-boiled eggs!
mikecleavenger
Soft boiled eggs are a delicious and nutritious breakfast or snack, and cooking them in an air fryer is a great way to achieve a perfectly cooked egg with minimal effort.