You won’t believe how simple it is to make perfect hard boiled eggs in the air fryer in under 20 minutes. They’re a handy staple to keep on hand, and using the air fryer makes it easy to keep your fridge stocked. Enjoy these eggs sliced on salads, in sandwiches, in pasta or potato salads, or as a quick grab-and-go snack.
Why You’ll Love This Method
- No need to heat a pot of water on the stove.
- No waiting for water to boil.
- Eggs are consistently easy to peel.
- Great for Easter eggs, egg salad sandwiches, potato salad, weekly meal prep, or snacking.
Ingredients
- Large eggs – I prefer pasture-raised eggs for richer yolks. If you use medium eggs, reduce the cook time by a couple of minutes because they’re smaller.
Instructions
Arrange eggs in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the tray so air can circulate around each egg.
Preheat or set the air fryer to 250°F (about 120°C). Cook the eggs for 18 minutes for fully set yolks. When the time is up, immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
Peel the eggs gently under running water to help the shell slip away. Slice and season with salt and pepper or try everything bagel seasoning for a twist. Serve and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Don’t skip the ice bath. If you don’t have ice, use very cold water. Rapid cooling stops carryover cooking and helps the egg white pull away from the shell, making peeling easier.
- Peel under running water. Cracking the shell all the way around and peeling with the side of your thumb while the egg is under water helps the shell come off in larger pieces.
- Air fryer models vary. Cooking time can change depending on brand and model. Many people find 18 minutes at 250°F works well, but test with one or two eggs first to dial in the exact time for your unit.
- Cook a full batch. You can prepare up to a dozen eggs at once as long as they remain in a single layer with about an inch of space between them so air circulates evenly.
FAQ
Plan on 15–18 minutes as a starting point. Time varies by air fryer, so test and adjust for your model.
250°F is a reliable temperature for evenly cooked hard boiled eggs.
Set the air fryer to 250°F, place eggs in a single layer in the basket or on the tray, cook 15–18 minutes, then immediately chill in an ice bath and peel under running water.
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Make-ahead: These air fryer hard boiled eggs are ideal for prepping in advance. Keep them in the refrigerator for quick breakfasts, salads, sandwiches, or deviled eggs.
- Storage: Store peeled or unpeeled hard boiled eggs in the fridge for up to 10 days. Keep them covered or in a sealed container for best quality.
Recipe Details
Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 6 eggs
- Method: Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
Instructions
- Heat the air fryer to 250°F.
- Place eggs in a single layer in the basket or on the tray.
- Air fry for 18 minutes.
- Transfer eggs to an ice bath to cool immediately.
- Gently peel under cold running water, using the side of your thumb to ease the shell away from the white.
- Slice, season with salt and pepper, and enjoy.
Notes
- Ice bath matters: Quickly cooling eggs stops the cooking and helps the shell separate from the egg white for easier peeling.
- Peeling tip: Crack the shell around the egg and peel under running water; the shell will typically come away more smoothly.
- Adjust for your air fryer: Models differ, so you may need to tweak time slightly. Start with 18 minutes and adjust based on results.
- Batch cooking: You can cook up to a dozen eggs if they sit in a single layer with space for air to circulate.