Air Fryer Bacon and Egg Cups
A rasher wrapped round a whole egg, baked in a ramekin until just set.
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Before You Start
A whole breakfast in one small dish, and the air fryer sets the white while leaving the yolk runny far more reliably than an oven does. Cook the bacon halfway first, otherwise the egg is done long before the fat has rendered.
Instructions
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Preheat the air fryer to 190°C / 375°F for 3 minutes. Lay the bacon rashers flat in the basket and cook for 4 minutes, until softened and partly rendered but still floppy.
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Butter four small ramekins. Curl one warm rasher around the inside wall of each, fat side up, so it forms a ring.
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Crack an egg into each ramekin, keeping the yolk whole. Season with pepper only; the bacon brings the salt.
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Scatter the cheddar around the edge of each egg, avoiding the yolk so it stays visible and runny.
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Drop the temperature to 160°C / 320°F and cook for 7 to 9 minutes. Check at 7: the white should be opaque and the yolk still wobbling.
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Let them sit for a minute, then run a knife round the edge and lift out. Scatter over the chives and eat straight away.
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♨️ Air fryer notes
- Cook at 160°C / 320°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
💡 Cook's tips
- Fan ovens and air fryers blast the top first, so the yolk can look raw while the white underneath is done. Judge by the white, not the shine on the yolk.
- Cold eggs straight from the fridge take an extra minute. Take them out while the bacon cooks.
🔀 Make it your own
- Line the ramekin with a slice of bread instead of bacon for a toast cup.
- Add a spoon of wilted spinach or chopped tomato under the egg.
📦 Storing & reheating
Best eaten immediately, since a reheated runny yolk sets hard. If you must, cook them fully firm and reheat at 160°C for 3 minutes.
❓ Frequently asked
What temperature for eggs in an air fryer?
160°C / 320°F is right for a runny yolk over 7 to 9 minutes. Higher than that and the white toughens before the yolk warms through.
Can I cook these without ramekins?
Yes, use a silicone muffin tray that fits your basket. Avoid loose foil cases, since the fan can lift them into the element.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
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Kit that makes this foolproof
A few inexpensive bits that get you crispier results with less mess.
A roomy air fryer
A larger basket means fewer batches and crispier results.
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Perforated liners
Less sticking and mess, without blocking the airflow.
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Silicone tongs
Turn and lift without scratching the non-stick basket.
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