Your Ticket To Making Better Poached Eggs In An Air Fryer

Poaching eggs is a task many home cooks leave to professional chefs, and understandably so. There are all kinds of mistakes you can make when poaching eggs, each one potentially ruining what could be a splendid brunch. Getting a pot of water to a barely simmering state, adding just the right amount of vinegar to help the whites coagulate, and carefully stirring to create a gentle whirlpool as you drop the eggs into the liquid is a lot of detail to mind for such a simple dish. However, there is a trick that makes the whole ordeal a cinch. Instead of reaching for a pot of water to put on the stove, look to your handy-dandy air fryer.

Known for practical hacks like cooking crispy Brussels sprouts to perfection and making delightfully buttery garlic bread faster than the oven, it seems there isn't much an air fryer can't do. Aside from the appliance itself, the only other tools you need to conveniently poach eggs in an air fryer are some ramekins and a flexible spatula. If you've ever wanted to make eggs Benedict for an elegant morning meal but the idea of poaching the eggs was overwhelming, this trick is going to change the way you approach cooking breakfast.

An air fryer eliminates some of the hassle from poaching eggs, but it does have its nuances. One key is to keep your yolks intact when you crack them into your receptacle. Another crucial step is to make sure there is water covering the entire egg — about two tablespoons will work if using a ramekin, though you may find that three work better if using a silicone muffin tray. They can be given a pinch of salt and pepper before they are cooked, or you can season them after they are done.

The size of the eggs you are using will determine how long the air fryer has to work. Larger eggs can take roughly five minutes, whereas smaller ones only take two. Some recipes call for setting the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then turning the heat down to 360 degrees when you put the eggs in. Others call for 300 degrees the entire time. 

Whatever you set the air fryer at, give them a check at the three minute mark to ensure they don't overcook or come out underdone. If you see any translucent, raw egg whites, they need another minute or so. When finished, you should be able to gingerly poke the opaque outer edge without disrupting its structural integrity. Take your flexible spatula and gently lift the eggs out of the ramekin onto a dish. Be prepared to feel like a pro when you see the soft white and drippy yolk of a flawlessly poached egg.