Of all the snacks and meals that people chuck into their air fryers, food experts are telling everyone to steer clear from this morning staple
Air fryers are common in households across the UK(Image: E+/Getty Images)
Whipping up breakfast can often seem like a chore, but air fryers have revolutionised the process, making it simpler and healthier. These versatile gadgets can also help cut down on your energy bills.
In November, chef Sam Stern demonstrated how to perfect a boiled egg using an air fryer, claiming the result is “exactly the same” as traditionally boiled eggs. The eggs are cooked in their shells for approximately eight-and-a-half minutes in the air fryer, then plunged into a bowl of ice water.
After cooling for two minutes, they’re ready to be peeled, revealing a soft, runny yolk. While this method may save time and effort during breakfast prep, some argue that traditional methods are superior for cooking eggs.
CPD Online College experts cautioned that while it is safe to cook eggs in an air fryer, the taste and texture might not be to everyone’s liking.
The humble egg must not be cooked in an air fryer(Image: Getty Images)
They noted: “Although it is safe to cook eggs in an air fryer, the taste and texture may not be desirable. For example, boiled eggs may become chewy and rubbery when cooked in an air fryer.”
BBC Good Food connoisseurs concurred, suggesting that hard-boiled eggs can turn out rubbery in texture, with other methods yielding better results.
However, if you’re keen to give air fryer eggs a go, they recommend cooking a medium-sized egg straight from the fridge at 125°C for 10 minutes for a palatable outcome.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sam Stern (@sam_stern)
Cooking eggs in the air fryer left poor Millie Fender from tech magazine T3 with more than just a messy kitchen – she couldn’t shift the pong afterwards.
She shared her ordeal, saying: “The main downside to this technique is the smell, because three attempts later, there were no amount of scented candles that could get rid of the sulphuric scent from my kitchen.”
And it wasn’t just the aroma clinging on for dear life, as Millie revealed: “At one point, my partner even emerged from his office to complain about the egg smell, and looked mildly horrified at the number of partially-peeled failed attempts sitting on our kitchen counter.”