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    Frizzled Leek » Recipes » Breakfast and Brunch

    Published: May 4, 2022 •Modified: Mar 3, 2023 by Mike Cleavenger • This post may contain affiliate links, which can earn us a commission • 1 Comment

    Perfect Air Fryer Poached Eggs (Quick and Easy)

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    ↓ Jump to Recipe

    Air Fryer Poached Eggs are a quick and easy way to perfectly poach eggs! Serve these eggs on top of avocado toast or eggs benedict.

    Two poached eggs on toast with sliced avocado and spinach. this recipe

    There are many ways to cook an egg, and poaching is my favorite. Poached eggs are healthier than fried eggs. No butter or oil is needed. Try my Air Fryer Soft Boiled Egg and Air Fryer Omelette recipes for more Air Fryer breakfast options!

    Poaching allows you to gently cook the egg in water, firm up the white, and enjoy a runny yolk! With so many ways to poach an egg, using an air fryer is the best.

    I love to place air-fried poached eggs on a gluten-free English muffin with a creamy Hollandaise Sauce. Check out my Eggs Benedict recipe for the full recipe!

    These poached eggs taste amazing when served with Sous Vide Ham leftovers.

    Many people find poaching eggs scary and leave it up to the restaurant chefs to execute. With the invention of the air fryer, poaching eggs is so simple.

    Jump to:
    • ⭐️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • 📝 Key Ingredients
    • 🥘 Substitutions + Variations
    • 🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions
    • ⏰ Air Fryer Poached Eggs Cooking Times
    • 📅 Make-Ahead Poached Eggs
    • 👨🏻‍🍳 Chef Tips
    • ❓Recipe FAQ's
    • 🍽 More Egg Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ⭐️ Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • There is no vinegar, swirling, or standing over a pot of simmering water.
    • A great addition to asparagus, spinach, and salmon.
    • The yolks are creamy and runny, just like a poached egg should be.

    📝 Key Ingredients

    Here is a visual overview of the poached egg ingredients. Scroll to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.

    Eggs, water, and avocado oil spray.
    • Eggs - Fresh eggs are the best for poaching because their egg whites hold together better than older eggs. Some people like to add a touch of vinegar when poaching but it's not needed, and it affects the flavor.
    • Cooking Spray - Coating your ramekins with cooking spray will help you remove them with ease.
    • Hot Water - Adding hot water will help you poach the eggs faster and help set the egg whites.
    • Ramekins - I find that 4-inch ramekins work the best for air fryer poach eggs.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    🥘 Substitutions + Variations

    • Traditional stovetop method - Place a medium-sized saucepan on the stove and bring it up to a simmer. It is common to add a tablespoon of white distilled vinegar to help with the poaching process. Crack eggs into individual ramekins or small cups. Create a whirlpool by gently stirring the water with a spoon in one direction. Gently lower eggs into the water and poach for 2-3 minutes until whites wrap around the yolk. Remove with a slotted spoon.
    • Microwave method - Use a small mug filled with ½ cup of water. Crack an egg into the mug and pierce the yolk with a toothpick. Cover with plastic and microwave for 30 seconds. Place back into the microwave for another 30 seconds. Remove the plastic wrap and let the egg sit in water for 1 minute.
    • Sous vide method - Fill a large pot full of water and place the immersion circulator inside. Set the temperature to 167 degrees. Gently lower the eggs (whole eggs) into the water and set the timer for 13 minutes. Remove and let cool for 3 minutes. Gently crack the egg, removing the top half.
    • Oven method - Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a muffin pan, put 1 tablespoon of water in each cup. Crack an egg into each muffin cup and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the egg whites set.

    🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions

    Follow along and learn how to make air fryer poached eggs.

    Ramekins sprayed with oil.

    Step 1: Spray ramekins with an avocado oil spray and set them inside the air fryer.

    Filling ramekins with water.

    Step 2: Add ¼ cup of water to each ramekin. Secure with lid and preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes.

    Eggs inside white ramekin cups.

    Step 3: Crack an egg into each ramekin. Secure the lid and cook at 360 degrees for 5 minutes. Run a small rubber spatula around the edges of the egg to help release it from the ramekin. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.

    Air fryer poached eggs in ramekins.

    Step 4: Ramekins will be hot so remove them with a kitchen towel. Pour out the water and release the eggs with a small rubber spatula. Serve poached eggs for breakfast on toast, or an English muffin. Season with salt and pepper.

    ⏰ Air Fryer Poached Eggs Cooking Times

    Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees. Cooking times can vary depending on your air fryer. I use the Gourmia 7 quart Air Fryer.

    Runny Yolk5 minutes
    Medium Yolk7 minutes
    Firm Yolk9 minutes
    Hard Yolk10 minutes
    Three air fryer poached eggs on a round plate garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

    📅 Make-Ahead Poached Eggs

    Since it only takes five minutes to cook, we recommend making them fresh. You will have to do this on a couple of batches since you can only fit 4 ramekins into the air fryer.

    If you decide to make them a day in advance, cook the eggs for 3 minutes. Let the ramekins cool down to room temperature and refrigerate. Reheat at 300 degrees for 1-2 minutes.

    👨🏻‍🍳 Chef Tips

    • Depending on your air fryer cooking time may vary. Try poaching 1 egg at a time and adjust the cooking time plus or minus until you get the perfect poached egg.
    • Fresh egg yolks hold their shape, giving you that classic poached egg look. Older egg yolks have a flatter shape.
    • Safety first. Use a kitchen towel or tongs to remove the HOT ramekins from the air fryer.
    • How do I release the egg from the ramekin? Grab a small silicone spatula and run it around the edge and under the egg to release it.
    • Crack eggs on a flat surface. Nobody likes eggshells inside their poached eggs.
    • Eggs should be 100% submerged underwater for poaching. Nobody wants crispy poached eggs.
    • Eggs will continue to cook in the ramekins after you remove them from the air fryer, so serve them immediately.

    Three air fryer poached eggs on a round plate with runny yolks.

    ❓Recipe FAQ's

    Are poached eggs healthy?

    So healthy! Poaching eggs removes added fat and calories from your morning eggs.

    Are poached eggs runny?

    The perfect poached egg has a firm egg white with a runny yolk. If you like a medium-poached egg, increase the cooking time.

    Can you poach eggs without vinegar?

    Yes! Adding vinegar is thought to help set the egg whites, but the vinegar imparts a flavor you don't want in poached eggs.

    How many poached eggs can I cook at once?

    It depends on how many ramekins you can fit inside your air fryer. I poach 4 eggs at a time.

    Do I need to add hot water to ramekins before cooking poached eggs?

    In my experience adding hot water helps poach the egg whites faster resulting in a creamy egg yolk. When I started with cold or water all of my poached eggs were a failed attempt.

    🍽 More Egg Recipes

    • Image of a large plate with eggs benedict topped with hollandaise sauce.
      Sous Vide Eggs Benedict
    • oats with berries
      How to make oatmeal with eggs
    • Soft boiled eggs on a large plate with parsley.
      Air Fryer Soft Boiled Eggs
    • Air fryer omelette in a pan.
      Air Fryer Omelette (omelette bar toppings)

    Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @thefrizzledleek on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!

    📖 Recipe

    Three poached eggs on a round plate with a runny yolk.

    Air Fryer Poached Eggs

    Mike Cleavenger
    Who knew an air fryer makes the perfect poached eggs! Enjoy with Eggs Benedict or grilled asparagus.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Brunch
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 63 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • Ramekins
    • Small Rubber Spatula

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 fresh eggs
    • cooking spray
    • 1 cup water ¼ cup water per ramekin

    Instructions
     

    • Spray each ramekin with a bit of avocado spray. Place them into an air fryer basket.
    • Fill each ramekin with three tablespoons of water.
    • Secure the air fryer with the lid and preheat at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
    • Crack one egg into each ramekin, close the lid and cook for 5 minutes at 360 degrees.
    • Carefully remove the ramekins from your air fryer. Pour out the water on the top of the eggs.
    • Use a small rubber spatula to release the poached egg from the ramekins. Go around the outer edge and underneath the egg to remove it.

    Notes

     
    • Fresh egg yolks hold their shape, giving you that classic poached egg look. Older egg yolks have a flatter shape.
    • Safety first. Use a kitchen towel or tongs to remove the HOT ramekins from the air fryer.
    • How do I release the egg from the ramekin? Grab a small silicone spatula and run it around the edge and under the egg to release it.
    • Crack eggs on a flat surface. Nobody likes eggshells inside their poached eggs.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 63kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.3g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 65mg | Potassium: 61mg | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below and share a photo on instagram. Tag @thefrizzledleek and hashtag it #thefrizzledleek.

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    Comments

    1. mikecleavenger says

      May 06, 2022 at 4:14 am

      5 stars
      I love how easy and fail-proof this recipe is. Now making Eggs Benedict is not so intimidating.

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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    Wearing a chef jacket standing with my arms crossed in front of floating shelves.

    I'm a chef, husband, and father of two beautiful girls. The Frizzled Leek is a blog about getting families back in the kitchen. Here you won't just follow recipes, you will be developing your cooking skills too!

    More about me →

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    Close up photo of Eggs Benedict.
    Air fried poached egg.
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    Poached eggs in an air fryer.

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