Scotch eggs — egg wrapped in sausage and a crisp crumb — are usually deep fried, but the air fryer crisps the coating with far less oil. The trick is timing the egg. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: How long do scotch eggs take in an air fryer?
A: Air fry scotch eggs at 190°C (375°F) for 12–15 minutes, turning, until the coating is golden and the sausage cooked through.
Q: Soft or set centre?
A: For a soft yolk, soft-boil the eggs first (6 minutes); for set, hard-boil them.
The method
Boil and peel the eggs to your liking, wrap each in seasoned sausagemeat, then coat in flour, beaten egg and breadcrumbs. The sausage is what needs to cook through, so keep to the time and check it's no longer pink. A light oil spray helps the crumb turn golden.
The recipe
Air Fryer Scotch Eggs
Ingredients
- 4 eggs, boiled & peeled
- 400g sausagemeat
- 40g flour, 1 egg, 80g breadcrumbs
- Salt & pepper
Method
- Wrap each egg in sausagemeat.
- Coat in flour, egg and breadcrumbs.
- Spray with oil; air fry at 190°C for 12–15 min.
- Turn until golden and cooked through.
Tips
- Soft-boil (6 min) for a runny yolk; hard-boil for set.
- Wrap evenly so the sausage cooks through.
- Spray with oil for a golden crumb.
Frequently asked questions
How long do scotch eggs take in an air fryer?
About 12–15 minutes at 190°C, turning, until the coating is golden and the sausagemeat is cooked through with no pink remaining.
How do you get a runny yolk in a scotch egg?
Soft-boil the eggs for about 6 minutes and cool them before wrapping, so the brief air fryer time doesn't overcook the yolk.
Are air fryer scotch eggs healthier?
They use far less oil than deep frying, so they're lighter, though sausagemeat still makes them a treat rather than an everyday food.