The humble egg has long been a staple in kitchens worldwide, delighting our taste buds with its versatility and rich nutritional content. While there are lots of different ways to prepare eggs, the soft boiled egg is one of the most delicious options, with a creamy yolk and tender white that never fails to satisfy.
Traditionally cooked in boiling water, this delicate cooking method certainly isn’t easy to perfect. In recent years, many people have turned to the air fryer to deliver consistently delicious soft boiled eggs. So, how do you do it?
In this article, we’ll discuss how to make a soft boiled egg in the air fryer and explain everything you need to know about air frying soft boiled eggs. And, if you don’t have an air fryer or you’re looking for an easier hack to deliver the perfect soft boiled egg every time, we’ll show you an even better way than air frying soft boiled eggs. Stay tuned!
Can You Air Fry a Soft Boiled Egg?
Air fryers have been used to cook all kinds of weird and wonderful things. Among the many experiments, the question arises - can you air fry a soft boiled egg? The answer is both yes and no. While it’s technically possible to use a soft boiled egg air fryer method, it comes with its own set of benefits and limitations, as you’ll soon see.
The Benefits of Air Frying Soft Boiled Eggs
The soft boiled egg air fryer method does have some advantages. For starters, the air fryer provides a consistent and controlled cooking environment, ensuring that your eggs are cooked evenly every time.
Also, air frying soft boiled eggs can help you save time. With its rapid preheating and cooking capabilities, the air fryer significantly reduces the cooking time compared to boiling water on a stovetop, making it a convenient choice for busy mornings and egg-lovers on the go.
The Limitations of Air Frying Soft Boiled Eggs
As you’ll quickly discover if you’re learning how to make a soft boiled egg in the air fryer, this method isn’t without its downsides. The air fryer's cooking process involves circulating hot air around the food, which may not provide the same level of gentle and uniform heat that traditional boiling offers. This means that achieving the exact texture of a traditional soft boiled egg might be more challenging in an air fryer.
Also, you’ll have to pre-heat your air fryer before you can add the eggs. While this only takes a few minutes, it does extend your soft boiled egg air fryer time and isn’t ideal if you’re on a seriously tight schedule.
Another limitation is that the perfect soft boiled egg air fryer temperature is around 250°F to 280°F. However, some air fryers don’t go below 300°F, which can make it difficult to achieve the perfect soft boiled egg.
Comparing the Soft Boiled Egg Air Fryer Approach to Other Methods
How does an air fryer soft boiled egg compare to other methods? Usually, traditional boiling is still the most foolproof method for achieving precise soft boiled eggs, as it requires minimal equipment and produces consistently perfect eggs every time.
On the other hand, steaming soft boiled eggs can also be a viable option, as it offers a gentler cooking process compared to boiling, potentially reducing the risk of cracking your eggs. The air fryer often gives decent results similar to boiling and steaming, but it’s not always as consistent. If you’re curious, it’s worth learning how to make a soft boiled egg in the air fryer to see how it works for you.
While You Can Technically Air Fry Soft Boiled Eggs, We’ll Introduce a Better Solution Later on…
Sure, you can air fry a soft boiled egg and it’s a pretty good method, but it’s not perfect. In fact, we’ve got an even better solution that will blow the air fryer soft boiled egg approach out of the water. Keep reading to learn how to make the perfect soft boiled eggs every time!
How to Make a Soft Boiled Egg in the Air Fryer: Step-by-Step Guide to Air Frying Soft Boiled Eggs
Wondering how to make a soft boiled egg in the air fryer? Here’s the perfect soft boiled egg air fryer guide - just for you!
Step 1: Preparing the Egg
Start with fresh eggs at room temperature for the best results. The egg's freshness can affect the ease of peeling and the overall quality of the air fryer soft boiled egg. Allow the egg to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cooking to prevent cracking as the egg cooks.
Step 2: Preheating the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. The recommended temperature to air fry a soft boiled egg is 250°F to 280°F. If this is below the lowest temperature setting of your air fryer, set the temperature as low as possible.
Step 3: Placing the Egg in the Air Fryer
Carefully place the egg into the air fryer basket. You can choose to use a small trivet or egg rack to elevate the egg slightly from the basket's base, reducing direct contact with the hot surface and preventing potential overheating.
Step 4: Adjusting the Soft Boiled Egg Air Fryer Time
The soft boiled egg air fryer time for cooking can vary depending on your air fryer and the size of the eggs. As a general guideline, 9 minutes gives you a very runny yolk, while 15 minutes basically gives you a hard boiled egg. You might have to experiment with the soft boiled egg air fryer time to find the best results.
Step 5: Removing the Egg from the Air Fryer
Once the cooking time is complete, use kitchen tongs or a heat-resistant glove to carefully remove the egg from the air fryer basket. Place it on a plate or in a bowl lined with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture, or in ice water to quickly stop the cooking process.
Step 6: Peeling and Enjoying the Egg
Allow your air fryer soft boiled egg to cool slightly before gently tapping the egg on a hard surface to create small cracks. Begin peeling the egg from the wider end, where the air pocket is located, to help ease the peeling process.
The air fryer's gentle cooking may make peeling a bit more challenging than traditional boiling, but with a little patience, you'll reveal the delicious soft boiled egg inside. If your egg is very soft, you may be able to crack it open like an uncooked egg, removing the need to peel your egg at all.
A Better Approach to the Soft Boiled Egg Than an Air Fryer: Introducing Egg Bath
As you can see, learning how to make a soft boiled egg in the air fryer isn’t as easy as you might think. There are several different steps involved, and you have to experiment to discover the perfect soft boiled egg air fryer time and method.
Luckily, there’s an easier way to cook the perfect soft boiled egg. It works without fail every time, plus it’s fast, simple, and perfect for hectic mornings. Meet EggBath: the soft boiled egg cooker of your dreams!
What Makes the EggBath So Special?
EggBath is a revolutionary way to make the perfect soft boiled egg. It’s much easier than using an air fryer, and delivers more consistently soft boiled eggs with perfect, runny yolks. EggBath couldn’t be simpler or more hands-off, you can start your eggs cooking and then go about the rest of your morning, coming back to perfectly runny eggs just waiting to be cracked.
Plus, EggBath doesn’t require any batteries or electricity. You can set it up anywhere and don’t need to worry about having an electrical outlet nearby or unplugging something else to use your EggBath. EggBath is easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and barely takes up any space on your counter.
How to Use it to Create Soft Boiled Eggs Fast and Easy
While learning how to make a soft boiled egg in the air fryer is complicated, making the perfect soft boiled egg with EggBath couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is add eggs to your EggBath, add boiling water to the fill line, and cover the lid. That’s it!
The EggBath’s internal timer will start, and the water will drain into the catcher. While you’re waiting, you can get ready for work, answer some emails, or even squeeze in a quick shower! Once all the water has drained through, your perfect soft boiled eggs are ready. You just need to decide how to eat them!
Final Thoughts on Making the Perfect Soft Boiled Egg Air Fryer
Although you can try making soft boiled eggs in the air fryer, be prepared for underwhelming results, particularly if your air fryer doesn’t go to a low enough temperature. Instead, cook perfect soft boiled eggs every time with EggBath!
EggBath makes it easy for you to enjoy all the incredible nutritional benefits of eggs, without spending your mornings starting at a pot of boiling water. This hands-off method gives you plenty of time to go about your morning while your delicious eggs cook themselves.
Meal prep like a chef - make the perfect eggs every time with EggBath!