Easy Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

These Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs always come out perfect. They only take about 15 minutes to make with no water or mess, and they’re super easy to peel! An easy and nutritious breakfast or use them in egg salads, deviled eggs and more!

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Updated March 2024

Easy Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

Looking for the easiest way to make hard-boiled eggs? These Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs are our favorite way to make them.

By now, you probably already know our family loves eating hard boiled eggs. We gave you this super simple Instant Pot Recipe for them, and now we are showing you yet another low-effort way to make flawless hard boiled eggs. Enter the Air Fryer – the must-have cooking tool of the century!

If you prefer a softer boil on your eggs, this recipe works for that too. It all comes down to the cook time. So no matter how you enjoy your boiled eggs, your air fryer can cook them to perfection.

The eggs cook up in about 16 minutes, and there’s no mess or waiting by the stove for the water to boil. You just place your eggs in the air fryer basket and your air fryer takes care of everything – perfect for making Easter eggs in the spring!

Why Use an Air Fryer?

Boiling eggs in your Air Fryer is as easy as pressing a button! The process is not only quicker than using the stovetop, but it also produces more consistent results. There’s no waiting for the water to boil and no guessing when the eggs are done. You can simply set it, walk away, then return to retrieve your perfectly-cooked breakfast!

What You’ll Need

You don’t even need one drop of water to cook these eggs! The recipe just calls for the eggs themselves and whatever seasonings you’d like to flavor them with.

• Large Eggs: If you use small or extra large eggs instead, the cook time will vary. The cook times in this recipe apply specifically to large eggs.
• Desired Seasonings: Feel free to keep things classic with a little salt and pepper. Or, you can get creative! We love flavoring our eggs with the Everything Bagel Seasoning from Trader Joe’s

How to Hard Boil Eggs in the Air Fryer

This easy recipe is a great choice for first-time Air Fryer users. Here’s what you’ll have to do:

1. 1. Heat Air Fryer: If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat to 250°F, as needed
      
   2. Place in Air Fryer Basket and cook: Place the eggs in the air fryer basket  and set the timer and air fry for 16 minutes for hard-boiled eggs, 12 minutes for medium-boiled eggs or 10 minutes for soft-boiled eggs. (The times will vary depending on your air fryer – see NOTE below)
      
   3. Soak Eggs in Ice Water & Peel: Once the eggs are almost done, fill a bowl with ice water. Use tongs to carefully transfer the eggs into the ice bath. Allow the eggs to sit in the cold water until completely cool (I leave mine for about 8-10 minutes). Once the eggs are cool, grab each egg and run under cold water and peel. 
      
   4. Serve & Enjoy! Cut and serve with a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning.
      

NOTE: We tested this method using a 5.3 quart air fryer (1400-1700 watt). Your cooking times may vary according to the size and wattage of your air fryer. Watch the video below to follow along.

Cooking times for air fried eggs

• Runny – partially cooked yolk: 10 minutes for soft-boiled eggs.
• Medium boiled eggs: 12 minutes for medium-boiled eggs.
• Hard boiled eggs: 16 minutes for hard-boiled eggs,

Tips for Success

As easy as this recipe is, we always like to share a few tips and tricks for good measure. Here they are!

• Cold eggs: Use cold eggs straight from the fridge for best results.Know Your Air Fryer: We tested this recipe using a 5.3 quart, 1400-1700 watt Air Fryer. Your cooking times may vary according to the size and wattage of your Air Fryer, so be sure to check that out before you begin.
• Preheat if Needed: Some Air Fryers don’t require preheating, but if yours does, don’t skip that step. The air fryer should be at 250°F before you put your eggs in.
• Don’t Crowd the Air Fryer Basket: Work in batches if your air fryer isn’t big enough to fit all the eggs with ample room.
• Don’t Skip the Ice Water Bath: Soaking your hard boiled eggs in ice water after cooking them is an important step, as it makes the eggs a whole lot easier to peel.
• Peel From the Bottom Up: It’s easiest to start peeling your eggs from the bottom and work your way up. Be sure to crack and peel them gently so the shells come off nice and clean.
• Avoid Using Farm Fresh Eggs: We find that grocery store (aged) eggs are usually much easier to peel after being boiled. Fresh eggs from backyard chickens or eggs that you purchase from farms and farmer’s markets are usually more alkaline, so the shells tend to stick to the eggs.

Variations:

• Experiment with different seasonings such as paprika, chili flakes, or garlic powder for a flavor twist. Or switch things up with ranch seasoning, za’atar, or taco seasoning for unique flavor profiles.
• Try adding a splash of vinegar to the water bath for easier peeling.
• For a spicy kick, sprinkle the eggs with crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper before serving.

Ways to Use Hard Boiled Eggs

There are plenty of different ways to serve hard boiled eggs besides with a little salt and pepper. Eat them for breakfast or any time you need a healthy, protein-packed snack – particularly after a run or a high-intensity workout. Here are a few fun ideas:

• Make Egg Salad: My easy Avocado Egg Salad is an excellent lunch or snack option that’s sure to satisfy!
• Turn Them Into Deviled Eggs: Transform basic hard boiled eggs into an ultra special treat by making Deviled Eggs. This recipe includes a dozen delicious variations, if you’re feeling creative!
• As a Topping: Hard boiled eggs are a great addition to salads or Avocado Toast. Slice them up and put them on whatever you’d like!
• In a Sandwich: Add sliced hard boiled eggs to your sandwiches for a protein-packed twist.
• Healthy breakfast: Serve as a complete breakfast with my air fryer bacon.

More serving suggestions:

• Add them to salads, sandwiches, or wraps for a nutritious boost.
• Serve sliced on a platter with a variety of dipping sauces for a simple appetizer.
• Serve sliced hard-boiled eggs on a charcuterie board with an assortment of cheeses, crackers, and fruits for an elegant appetizer.
• Incorporate chopped hard-boiled eggs into your favorite pasta salad recipe for added protein and texture.

Storage and Freezer Instructions:

How to Store:

• Refrigeration: Hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. Once they’ve completely cooled, hard boiled eggs should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you know you’re going to store some, peel them as you go rather than peeling all of the eggs at once. Keep them in a sealed container to maintain freshness. They will last for up to 1 week in the fridge. Perfect for meal prep!
• Freezer: While hard-boiled eggs can be frozen, it’s not recommended as the texture may change once thawed. But if you don’t mind the texture difference, it’s recommended to freeze them without the shell. Place the peeled eggs in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for long-term storage. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before using.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What size Eggs to use for Air Fryer Eggs: In this case, the size of the egg matters. We used large eggs when we were testing the timing for these methods, so it’s important that you also use large eggs to ensure the same results.

• Do you use fresh or aged eggs for hard boiling? We typically purchase our eggs from the local grocery store so that means they are at least a few weeks old. We find that grocery store (aged eggs) are usually much easier to peel when making air fryer eggs. Fresh eggs from backyard chickens or eggs that you purchase from farms and farmer’s markets are usually more alkaline so the shells tend to stick more to the eggs making them tougher to peel

• Can I use an egg carton instead of a muffin pan to hold the eggs in the air fryer? Yes, you can place the eggs directly in the egg carton and then place the carton in the air fryer basket.
• Can I add vinegar to the water bath for easier peeling? Yes, adding a splash of vinegar to the ice water bath can help loosen the eggshells, making them easier to peel.
• Can I reuse the ice bath water for multiple batches of eggs? It’s best to use fresh ice water for each batch of eggs to ensure they cool down quickly and maintain their texture.
• Can I use room temperature eggs instead of cold ones? While cold eggs are recommended for even cooking, room temperature eggs can be used with slightly adjusted cooking times.
• How do I know when the eggs are done? Follow the suggested cooking times based on your desired doneness, but you can also perform a quick test by gently shaking the eggs. If they feel solid, they’re likely done.

More Air Fryer Recipes to Try

Looking for more healthy air fryer recipes? Be sure to read our guide for How to Use An Air Fryer and try the recipes below: