Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs are fuss-free, quick, easy, and totally hands-free—no boiling water required. Plus, they are easy to peel and turn out perfect every time!
Looking for ways to use the hard boiled eggs? Turn them into spicy jalapeno deviled eggs!

Table of contents
Short video
Why boil eggs in the air fryer?
There are two main reasons I love making hard-boiled eggs in the air fryer!
First, it’s completely hands-free—no boiling water, no watching the stove. Just place the eggs in the air fryer, set the timer, and you’re done. It’s a total game changer for busy weekday mornings when you need a quick, healthy breakfast before rushing off to work or getting the kids ready for school.
Second, air fryer hard-boiled eggs are so much easier to peel. A popular theory is that the dry, circulating heat helps separate the shell from the membrane as the eggs cook. Just a quick dip in an ice bath afterward, and the shells slide right off—no struggle, no mess.
Best tips
- Play around with the time! Like in all air fryer recipes, air fryer models vary in power, so cooking times may differ. I used a 1700-watt Instant Vortex air fryer! Factor in basket size, egg size, number of eggs and temperature settings of your air fryer model which can affect results. Use this as a guide, but plan to experiment a little—start with 1–2 eggs to find your perfect timing!
- Use an ice water bath! It quickly cools the eggs to prevent overcooking and makes them much easier to peel.
- Leave some space: Try to leave some space between each egg and avoid overcrowding the basket.
- Choose eggs of a similar size. For best results, use large eggs (57g/2oz). If your eggs are slightly bigger or smaller, adjust cook time by plus or minus 2 minutes.
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Why does an ice bath make hard boiled eggs easier to peel?
The eggs that are immediately shocked in ice water come out smooth and full-shaped. Why? When eggs are hot, they haven’t fully firmed up inside. Cooling them quickly in an ice bath shrinks the air pocket and allows the egg to settle into place, which also helps the shell separate more easily.
If you let the eggs cool slowly, they set before the air pocket contracts—so instead of the egg filling that space, air gets drawn in through the shell, making it harder to peel.
Refer to Kenji Lopez's article on how to make perfect hard boiled eggs!
Frequently asked questions
Hard-boiled eggs can be refrigerated for up to one week, whether peeled or unpeeled.
Unpeeled eggs: Store in any container, sealed or unsealed.
Peeled eggs: Keep them in a sealed container. To prevent them from drying out, cover them with damp paper towels. Don’t cut them until you're ready to eat!
One common reason eggs are hard to peel is that they’re still too warm. Let them soak in an ice water bath for 10 to 15 minutes to cool completely. Also, keep in mind that very fresh eggs are harder to peel—slightly older eggs work best.
This will depend on the size of your air fryer. I can comfortably fit 6 to 8 eggs in mine. Just be sure to leave about an inch of space between each egg to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
More air fryer breakfast ideas
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Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 to 8 Eggs
Instructions
- Add eggs straight from the fridge to the fryer basket.
- Cook at 260°F for 14 to 18 minutes - 14 minutes for a buttery yolk and 18 minutes for a hard boiled egg. Please note, times may vary between air fryers.
- Remove the eggs from the air fryer basket, and plunge them into an ice bath for 5 to 10 minutes. Peel the eggs and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
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