Switch To Your Air Fryer For No-Fuss Hard-Boiled Eggs

Packed with protein, full of nutrients, and low in calories, eggs are incredibly good for you — and, even better, they're incredibly versatile, too. Whether you're making soft-boiled eggs for breakfast, hard-boiled eggs for a healthy snack, or simply following the best basic egg salad recipe, these protein powerhouses will never let you down.

The other good news is eggs are quite simple to prepare — or, at least they are in theory. YouTube and social media are full of instructional videos, with many tips for everyone's different take on perfecting eggs. Whether you start with cold water or boiling hot water, cook them straight from the refrigerator or let them come to room temperature, or prick them first or skip that step, there are pros and cons to multiple methods. It's truly an eggy minefield out there, especially as new ideas and advancements come into play.

In fact, now, it turns out there's an easier way to boil eggs that doesn't require boiling them at all — simply make perfect hard-boiled eggs in your air fryer. Doing so means you can skip the saucepan, turn off the stove, and forget waiting for the water to heat up. Just press a button on the machine, and your eggs will be ready in no time. 

Beyond convenience, there's another reason why an air fryer works so well for making hard-boiled eggs. If you're using traditional methods, such as rapidly boiling water, that means eggs are more prone to having cracked shells, especially if you pull them straight from the refrigerator and place directly into hot water, since it's usually the difference in temperature between the eggs and the water that can cause the shells to deteriorate and fracture.

Because the air fryer method uses no boiling water and heats eggs up gradually, you'll reduce the chance for cracks or mess. In fact, when cooking with an air fryer, you can use eggs straight from the fridge, and you don't need to prick them first either, which certainly saves time on a busy morning.

It's also a great leave-and-go method of cooking you can rely on while getting ready for work or school. The consistent heat of an air fryer means that the eggs cook evenly, so you don't need to worry about undercooking or overcooking them. Even better, you don't need to keep an eye on the machine like you would a stove. Just pre-heat the air fryer, set the timer, and get on with your day while they cook.

Making hard-boiled eggs in an air fryer couldn't be simpler. All you really need to do is place them in the air fryer basket, and then preheat the machine to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the eggs cook for about 16 minutes, and once ready, transfer to a bowl filled with cold water and let them sit for about 10 minutes before serving. (This last step stops the eggs from cooking and makes them easier to handle and peel.)

If you're going for soft-boiled eggs instead, you can cook them in your preheated air fryer for 10 minutes. Add two extra minutes if you want a medium-boiled result.

As for peeling them, that's a whole different ball game. But, luckily, there are plenty of hacks for that, too, including peeling your eggs under water to help the shells slip away more easily.