Using an air fryer to hard-boil eggs is a unique method and may not be conventional for everyone. However, it can produce great results if done correctly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to hard boiling eggs in an air fryer set to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (about 93 degrees Celsius):
- Preparation:
- Make sure the eggs are at room temperature. Cold eggs might crack when subjected to the heat of the air fryer.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes.
- Place the Eggs:
- Gently place the eggs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching or overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might be able to fit 4-6 eggs or more.
- Cooking:
- Cook the eggs at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30-35 minutes. Given the lower temperature (compared to more commonly recommended air fryer temperatures for hard-boiled eggs), the extended time ensures the eggs cook through.
- Ice Bath:
- As soon as the cooking time is up, quickly and carefully remove the eggs from the air fryer using tongs or an oven mitt.
- Immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to halt the cooking process. This will also make the eggs easier to peel. Let them sit in the ice bath for at least 10 minutes.
- Peeling:
- Gently tap the eggs on a hard surface to crack the shell, then peel the shell off. Starting from the wider end of the egg can sometimes make this easier.
- Serve & Store:
- Serve the eggs as desired or store them in the refrigerator for later use. Hard-boiled eggs can typically be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
It’s worth noting that the exact cooking time might vary slightly based on the model and efficiency of your air fryer, as well as the size of the eggs. If you’re trying this method for the first time, you might want to start by cooking just one or two eggs to see how they turn out, and then adjust the cooking time accordingly for future batches.
