Air Fryer Poached Eggs
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Learn how to use your air fryer to make absolutely perfect, soft, runny poached eggs in just two simple steps and about 10 minutes!
2025 Update: This recipe is still a family favorite and has been updated to simplify the cooking instructions and add extra cooking tips for our readers. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Air Fryer Poached Eggs
Poaching eggs is a cooking technique that involves gently cooking an egg in simmering water. The eggs come out soft and moist with a silky, runny yolk.
The air fryer makes cooking all your favorite breakfast foods easy as can be, from soft and hard boiled eggs to French toast, crispy hash browns, air fryer fingerling potatoes, and bacon! And air frying is soon to be your go-to method for poaching eggs, too!
Learn how to cook anything in your air fryer with our free cook time chart!
Some people enjoy them as-is, and they are delicious that way! But you can also serve them over toast, use them for making eggs benedict or for serving alongside blueberry biscuits or some apple muffins.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are a few reasons why poaching eggs in an air fryer is the best method:
- Evenly and perfectly cooked, every time. They are completely set on the outside, and beautifully runny on the inside. It’s what egg lovers’ dreams are made of!
- No babysitting necessary. When you poach eggs in a skillet on the stove, you have to watch them constantly. This method of poaching eggs lets you step away while your eggs cook!
- Allows you to poach more than 2 eggs at a time. Of course, the exact number depends on the capacity of your air fryer.
- No vinegar is necessary in this recipe. When cooking an egg in a pot of swirling water, vinegar helps to keep the egg white from spreading, but air fryer poached eggs are cooked in ramekins, so there’s no risk of spreading!
Equipment
Of course, you’ll need an air fryer! Every one is different — check out our favorite air fryers if you’re looking for a new one.
You’ll also need heat-safe ramekins that are 3.5 to 4 inches wide, with a capacity of 6 to 8 ounces. Before cooking, test to see how many ramekins fit in your air fryer basket.
Ingredients
Large eggs are the main ingredient here! You’ll also need water and cooking spray. Using spray olive or avocado oil will save a little time in the prep stage.
How to Make Air Fryer Poached Eggs
Here’s a short summary of the steps involved. It’s really very simple!
Scroll to the recipe card for the full step by step instructions! ⬇️
- Add water to the ramekins and heat it in the air fryer. At 400°F., the water will begin to steam after about 5 minutes.
- Crack one egg into each ramekin, then cook for about 6 minutes at 350°F. – 360°F. *The temp depends on your specific model of air fryer.
Instant Pot Cooking Times
Perfect air fryer poached eggs will have whites that are set and yolks that are runny. This typically takes 6 to 7 minutes.
- Remove the poached eggs. Use a slotted spoon or spatula to gently remove the eggs from the ramekins, letting the excess water drip off.
Tips for Success
Here are some general notes and helpful tips:
- The cook time will vary slightly based on your air fryer and how runny you prefer the yolks. You may need to add up to 3-4 minutes of cooking time. I recommend cooking just one egg the first time to figure out the exact cooking time needed, then you can air fry poached eggs in larger batches any time!
- Poach eggs in hot water. You get the best-tasting poached eggs when the water is heated before you crack the eggs into it. The water should be steaming and simmering, but NOT so hot that it’s rapidly boiling in the ramekins.
- You can cook any number of eggs at the same time, depending on how many ramekins fit inside your air fryer. Test how many will fit while your air fryer basket is cool by setting the ramekins you plan to use inside the basket.
- To make in advance: As soon as the eggs are cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a bowl of ice water for 1 minute. This will stop the cooking process. Remove from the water and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating Poached Eggs
Just before serving, transfer the cold eggs to a pot of simmering water for 1-2 minutes, just long enough to heat the eggs through. Use a slotted spoon to remove the eggs and serve immediately.
FAQs
Yes, you can poach as many eggs at once as you’d like, as long as there’s enough room in your air fryer. Set your ramekins inside the basket while the air fryer is cool to see how many will fit. You can poach one egg per ramekin in each batch.
To make poached eggs with a hard-cooked yolk, cook the eggs for an extra 2-3 minutes, and the yolk will be cooked through. For over-medium, cook them an extra 1-2 minutes. Every air fryer varies so you can always make one to test the timing, then adjust when you make more.
No. Vinegar is used to help coagulate egg whites and keep them from spreading when you poach eggs in an entire pot of simmering water. But because air fried poached eggs are cooked in individual ramekins, vinegar is not necessary.
Serving Ideas
Poached eggs are traditionally served with eggs benedict, a classic breakfast dish of English muffins, poached eggs, Canadian bacon and hollandaise sauce.
Another delicious brunch dish you can use your air fryer poached eggs in is huevos rancheros. It’s a traditional Mexican breakfast recipe made with poached eggs (or sometimes fried eggs) served on top of tortillas, refried beans, Mexican rice and covered with salsa.
Of course, poached eggs are delicious on their own with a little salt and pepper on top. You can put them on top of avocado toast or enjoy them alongside sausage and bacon.
Other Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes
I’d love to hear about your experience making this recipe! Please leave a comment and rating below!
Air Fryer Poached Eggs
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs or more depending on how many ramekins fit in your air fryer
- 1 teaspoon cooking spray or oil
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
- Spray or drizzle the ramekins with a little oil, then fill each ramekin with 4 tablespoons of water. Set the ramekins in the air fryer basket.
- Turn the air fryer to 400°F (204°C), and close the air fryer. Set the timer for 5 minutes to heat the water and bring it to a low simmer.
- Carefully open the air fryer. If the water is not yet steaming, close and heat the water for another 2 minutes.
- Open the air fryer basket and carefully crack an egg into each ramekin.
- Lower the temperature of the air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
- Close the air fryer and cook for 6-7 minutes. The eggs are done cooking when the whites are set and the yolk is runny.
- Use a slotted spoon or spatula to gently remove the eggs from the ramekins, letting the excess water drip off.
- Serve immediately with your favorite breakfast sides!
