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Air Fryer Fried Eggs (Perfect Every Time)
Crispy-edged fried eggs with runny yolks, cooked hands-free in the air fryer in just 5 minutes.
Total Time
6 min
Difficulty
Easy
Servings
2
Calories
145 cal
Why This Works
The air fryer creates a gentle convection environment that cooks the egg white from all sides simultaneously, setting the white quickly while leaving the yolk runny. The ramekin retains heat and mimics the effect of a hot pan without requiring you to stand over the stove.
My Recipe Testing Notes
Cooking eggs in the air fryer feels counterintuitive, but it genuinely works — and the hands-free nature makes it perfect for busy mornings when you're also making toast and coffee. The key discovery: you need a small oven-safe dish or ramekin, not the bare basket. I tested ceramic ramekins, silicone cups, and small cast iron pans. The ceramic ramekin gave the most consistent results. At 370°F, 4 minutes gives a runny yolk; 5 minutes gives a jammy yolk; 6 minutes gives a fully set yolk.
Ingredients
Room temperature eggs cook more evenly
To grease the ramekin
Optional but adds great flavor
Instructions
Preheat air fryer to 370°F for 3 minutes.
Lightly grease two small oven-safe ramekins (or a silicone egg mold) with butter or cooking spray.
Crack one egg into each ramekin, being careful not to break the yolk.
Place ramekins in the air fryer basket and cook at 370°F: 4 minutes for runny yolk, 5 minutes for jammy yolk, 6 minutes for fully set.
Carefully remove ramekins (they will be hot). Season with flaky salt, cracked pepper, and fresh chives.
Serve directly in the ramekin or slide onto buttered toast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fry eggs in an air fryer without a ramekin?
Technically yes, but the egg will spread across the basket and the white will drip through the holes. A small oven-safe ramekin, silicone cup, or even a small cake pan gives you a contained, properly shaped fried egg.
What temperature for air fryer fried eggs?
370°F is the sweet spot. Higher temperatures (400°F+) will cook the white too fast and can make the edges rubbery before the center sets. Lower temperatures take too long and can result in a rubbery white with a cold yolk.
How do I get crispy edges on air fryer eggs?
Add a tiny bit of butter to the ramekin before cracking the egg. The butter browns and creates crispy, lacy edges on the white — just like a pan-fried egg in a cast iron skillet.
Written by Sarah Jenkins
Former restaurant line cook turned home kitchen obsessive. I've tested over 200 air fryer recipes and I share exactly what works, what doesn't, and the temperatures that make the difference.
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