I tested a bunch of different times and temperatures to figure out the best time for air fryer eggs for soft, medium, and hard-boiled ones, so I’m sharing the timing that worked best for me so you can get perfect eggs every time. Let me show you how I did it.
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Once you know the timing, it’s such an easy way to make eggs for breakfast, snacks, salads, or meal prep.
Watch my air fryer boiled eggs video below to see exactly how I make them and how the yolks turn out. If you like it, please give the video a thumbs up and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more easy air fryer recipes.
Why you’ll love these air fryer boiled eggs
This recipe is great when you want cooked eggs for the week without using a pot of water. It is simple, repeatable, and really handy for breakfasts, salads, snacks, and meal prep.
The best part is the timing. Once you know whether you like the 12-minute, 14-minute, or 16-minute egg, you can make them the same way every time.
Texture and flavor
These taste like classic boiled eggs. The air fryer changes the cooking method, not the flavor.
At 12 minutes, the yolk is soft, thick, and creamy. At 14 minutes, the yolk is jammy and mostly set. At 16 minutes, the yolk is firm and fully cooked.
Did You Know: Eggs hold heat inside the shell after cooking. Ice water helps stop that heat from cooking the yolk further.
Here is what you need
- Medium-sized eggs, straight from the fridge
- 2 cups of ice
- 4 cups of cold water
Note: These times are for medium-sized eggs from the fridge. If your eggs are bigger or smaller, the timing may change a little.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Tongs
- Medium bowl
- Timer, if your air fryer doesn’t have a good one
Air fryer boiled eggs times
Cook the eggs at 270°F (132°C).
- 12 minutes: soft-boiled eggs with a soft, creamy yolk
- 14 minutes: medium boiled eggs with a jammy yolk
- 16 minutes: hard-boiled eggs with a firm yolk
If this is your first time making air fryer boiled eggs, test one egg first. Air fryers can cook a little differently, and eggs can change a lot in just 1 minute.
How to cook boiled eggs in the air fryer
Step 1: Place the medium-sized eggs straight from the fridge in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You do not need to preheat the air fryer for this method. Do not stack the eggs or pack them in tightly. Leave a little space between them if you can, so the hot air can move around each egg. If they roll a little when you slide the basket in, that is fine.
Step 2: Air fry the eggs at 270°F (132°C). Cook them for 12 minutes for soft-boiled eggs, 14 minutes for medium-boiled eggs, or 16 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.
Step 3: While the eggs cook, add 2 cups of ice and 4 cups of cold water to a medium bowl.
Top Tip: Have the ice water ready before the timer ends. The eggs should go into the cold water right away so the yolks do not keep cooking in the shell.
Step 4: When the timer ends, use tongs to put the eggs straight into the ice water. Let them sit in the ice water for a few minutes, just until they are cool enough to handle.
Step 5: Tap each egg on the counter, roll it gently to crack the shell all over, then peel. Starting from the wider end usually helps because there is often a small air pocket there.
Related Recipe: Check out my air fryer egg on toast recipe here too. It is quick, crispy, and such an easy air fryer breakfast.
How to Cook Boiled Eggs in an Air Fryer
Would you try eggs in the air fryer? I know it sounds a little funny at first, but these air fryer boiled eggs really do work. I tested soft, medium, and hard-boiled timing, and now I keep the 14-minute one on repeat.
6
servings5
minutes16
minutes63
kcal22
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
6 medium eggs
2 cups (275–300 g) ice
4 cups (960 ml) cold water
Directions
- Place medium-sized eggs straight from the fridge in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry the eggs at 270°F (132°C) for the desired time: 12 minutes for soft, 14 minutes for medium, and 16 minutes for hard.
- Once cooked, transfer eggs immediately to a bowl of ice water to stop them from cooking further.
- After a few minutes in the ice water, remove and peel the eggs when cool enough to handle.
Equipment
Ninja Air FryerCheck it out on Amazon here
Recipe Video
Notes
- Egg Size Matters: This recipe is based on medium-sized eggs straight from the fridge. If you use large eggs, add 1 minute if the yolk is softer than you want. If your eggs are room temperature, they may cook a little faster.
- Air Fryer Differences: Air fryers do not all cook the same, even at the same temperature. Test 1 egg first if you want a very specific yolk, especially for soft-boiled or jammy eggs.
- Ice Water Timing: Drop the eggs into ice water as soon as they finish cooking. This stops the yolks from getting firmer and helps the shells come off more easily.
- Straight From the Fridge: Use medium-sized eggs straight from the fridge for the timing in this recipe. If you let the eggs sit out first, start checking 1 minute earlier because they may cook faster.
- No Preheating Needed: This method does not use a preheated air fryer. Put the cold eggs in the cold basket, then start cooking so the timing matches the recipe.
- Use a Single Layer: Keep the eggs in one layer and leave a little space between them. If you stack them or pack the basket too tightly, some eggs may cook differently from others.
- If Your Air Fryer Runs Hot: If your first egg comes out firmer than you wanted, reduce the cook time by 1 minute next time. For air fryers that only go down to 300°F, test 1 egg first because it will likely cook faster
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 6
- Calories: 63kcal
- Fat: 4.2g
- Carbohydrates: 0.3g
- Protein: 5.5g
Tips for easy peeling
Peel the eggs when they are cool enough to handle, but not fully chilled from the fridge. That is when I usually get the cleanest peel.
Very fresh eggs can be harder to peel. If the shell keeps sticking, try using eggs that have been in the fridge for a little longer.
How to serve air fryer eggs
My favorite way is with salt, pepper, olive oil, and fresh parsley. The 14-minute egg is especially good this way because the yolk is rich and jammy.
You can also slice them over toast, add them to salads, use them for egg salad, or keep them in the fridge for quick snacks.
Storage
Store cooked eggs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
If you peel them first, keep them covered. Do not cut the eggs until you are ready to eat because they stay fresher that way.
More easy air fryer recipes
If you like these air fryer eggs, check out more easy air fryer recipes below.
- How To Cook Cabbage in an Air Fryer – A simple and tasty way to cook cabbage in the air fryer until tender with crispy edges and plenty of flavor.
- Easy Air Fryer Mushrooms Recipe – These air fryer mushrooms are juicy, savory, and incredibly easy to make as a quick side dish or snack.
- Easy Air Fryer Tuna Patties – Crispy on the outside and soft inside, these tuna patties are a fast and budget-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.
And, if you tried to make these boiled eggs in your air fryer, leave a comment and tell me which timing worked best for you. You can also ask questions in the comments here or on YouTube, and I’ll try to respond to all of them.