How to cook eggs in air fryer without a ramekin

If you have been searching for how to cook eggs in air fryer without a ramekin, this is such a handy breakfast idea when you want lots of poached eggs at the same time. You still get those soft golden yolks and nicely cooked whites, but you can get several eggs going together instead of making them one by one.

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Check out my video below to see how to cook eggs in the air fryer without ramekins, and give the video a like if you found it helpful! Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more easy air fryer egg recipes and breakfast ideas.

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Why you’ll love these air fryer poached eggs

For me, the best part about this recipe is how well it works when one or two poached eggs are just not going to be enough.

You can make several at the same time, which is really useful when everyone wants eggs for breakfast. There is no need to keep repeating the same cooking process for every single egg.

The ingredient list is about as simple as it gets too. Eggs, water, and a small pinch of salt are all you need.

I also love that you can adjust the cooking time depending on how you like your yolks. I am definitely in the soft-yolk camp… that golden middle running over toast is just too good!

Texture + flavor

These taste exactly how good poached eggs should taste: simple, rich, and eggy, with tender whites wrapped around that lovely yolk in the middle.

I like to cook them until the whites are completely set, but the yolks still have a gentle wobble. Cut into one while it is sitting on warm toast, and that yolk starts running down the sides… so satisfying.

If you prefer your yolks more set, just give them a few extra minutes in the air fryer.

Because several eggs are cooking together, they may not all come out perfectly round like eggs cooked separately in small ramekins. That does not bother me here because this recipe is really about making more poached eggs together without making breakfast complicated.

Air fryer poached eggs ingredients

You only need three things for this recipe:

• 5 large eggs
• Water, enough to cover the eggs once they are cracked into the bowl
• A small pinch of salt

This recipe makes about 2 servings.

Equipment

You will need:

• Air fryer
• Heatproof bowl that fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket
• Spoon for lifting the cooked eggs from the water

Note: Use a bowl that the manufacturer says is suitable for high-temperature cooking. It should also fit comfortably inside your air fryer basket so you can lower it in and lift it back out without having to tilt it.

How to cook eggs in air fryer without a ramekin

This is where the recipe gets really useful. Instead of needing a separate ramekin for every egg, you can cook several poached eggs together using one larger heatproof bowl.

Step 1: Get the bowl ready

First, use a heatproof bowl that fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket.

Add a small pinch of salt, pour in the water, and give it a quick stir. Use enough water so the eggs will be covered once you crack them in.

Step 2: Crack in the eggs

Then, carefully crack the eggs into the water one at a time so you have plenty of control as each one goes in.

Hold the egg close to the water, slowly open the shell with both hands, and let the egg slide gently into the bowl instead of dropping it in from higher up. Doing it this way makes it much easier to keep those yolks whole.

Step 3: Put the bowl in the air fryer

Next, carefully place the bowl into the air fryer basket and keep it nice and level as you lower it in so the water does not spill over the sides.

Once the bowl is sitting safely in the basket, carefully close the basket without knocking or tipping it.

Set the air fryer to 340°F (170°C) and cook the eggs for about 20 to 25 minutes.

Step 4: Check the eggs

After that, start checking the eggs at around the 20-minute mark.

Have a look at the whites first. They should look fully cooked rather than clear or loose.

Then look at the yolks. If the whites are set and the yolks still have a soft little wobble, they should give you that lovely softer middle.

If you prefer your yolks more firmly cooked, leave the eggs in for another few minutes and check them again.

Top Tip: Do not automatically cook them for the full 25 minutes the first time you make them. Start checking at 20 minutes because those last few minutes can make quite a difference to the yolks.

Step 5: Lift them out and serve

And voilà, your air fryer poached eggs are ready.

Use a spoon to very gently lift each egg out of the water, letting the extra water drip back into the bowl before moving the egg onto your plate.

Serve them straight away while they are still warm, with toast, black pepper, or whatever you normally love with your poached eggs.

How long to cook poached eggs in an air fryer

For this recipe, I cook the eggs at 340°F (170°C) for around 20 to 25 minutes.

I would start checking them at 20 minutes if you like your yolks soft. If they are not quite where you want them yet, give them another couple of minutes and check again.

There can be a little difference from one air fryer to another, so do not worry if yours needs slightly more or less time.

Egg size, how cold the eggs are when you start, the amount of water in the bowl, and the bowl itself can all affect how quickly everything heats up.

Once you have made them in your own air fryer a couple of times, you will know exactly where your favorite yolk lands.

Did You Know: The yolks will stay hot after you lift the eggs out, so if they already look exactly how you like them, serve them straight away rather than letting them sit in the hot water.

Related Recipe: If you have ramekins, check out this other way to poach eggs in the air fryer too.

When ramekins make more sense

I really like this larger-bowl way when I want lots of poached eggs, but ramekins still have their place.

If you are only making one or two eggs, cooking each one in its own ramekin can give you a neater shape and the cooking time is usually much shorter.

So I would choose the method based on what I am making that morning.

Lots of poached eggs? I would use this one-bowl method.

Just one or two? Ramekins are a really good option.

If you have ramekins, check out my other way to poach eggs in the air fryer too. Each egg cooks separately, which helps it hold a neater shape, and the cooking time is usually much shorter.

Common air fryer poached egg problems

The yolks are too firm

You simply cooked them a little longer than you needed for the yolk you wanted.

Next time, start checking at 20 minutes and take the eggs out as soon as the whites are set and the yolks have the softness you like.

The whites are still loose

They need a little more time.

Leave the eggs in the air fryer for another couple of minutes, then check again. The whites should look fully cooked before you lift the eggs from the water.

One of the yolks broke

This usually happens while the egg is being cracked into the bowl.

Keep the egg close to the water and let it slide in gently instead of dropping it from higher up. You have much more control that way.

The eggs took longer than 25 minutes

Air fryers do not all heat exactly the same way, and the bowl, water temperature, egg temperature, and egg size can all change the timing.

If the whites are not fully cooked yet, keep going for a couple more minutes and check again rather than relying only on the clock.

What to serve with air fryer poached eggs

Bread is always my first choice with poached eggs. How can you not?!

I love putting one straight onto warm buttered toast, adding a little black pepper, and cutting right through the middle so the yolk runs into the bread.

Avocado toast is another really good option, especially with a little salt and pepper on top.

You could also serve these eggs with breakfast potatoes, air fryer sautéed mushrooms, tomatoes, bacon, sausage, or an English muffin.

And if you want something a little lighter, they are really nice with a simple fresh salad too.

More easy air fryer egg recipes

If you love easy breakfasts like these air fryer poached eggs, have a look at my other air fryer egg recipes below. There are so many simple ways to cook eggs in the air fryer, and I am always testing another one.

• How To Make Hard Boiled Eggs In An Air Fryer – Learn how to make hard-boiled eggs right in the air fryer without boiling any water. It’s a simple method that’s handy for breakfast, snacks, or meal prep.
• Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza for Breakfast – This crispy breakfast tortilla pizza is topped with eggs, cheese, and plenty of savory extras. It’s an easy way to make breakfast a little more interesting.
• Air Fryer Egg on Toast – This quick air fryer egg on toast combines a cooked egg with crispy toast for a simple, satisfying breakfast that’s ready with very little preparation.

And if you were looking for how to cook eggs in air fryer without a ramekin, I hope this recipe helped make it nice and simple. If you try these air fryer poached eggs, leave me a comment with any questions below, or ask me over in the YouTube video comments… I try to reply to every comment and question I can!