One of my favorites as a kid was egg salad, made with the hard boiled eggs leftover from Easter. Nowadays, instead of going through an egg hunt, I skip right to the cooking so I can get to enjoying. This air fryer egg salad recipe helps me prepare the eggs so easily!
No more boiling water on the stove, just make your hard boiled eggs in your air fryer! It’s something I was really skeptical about at first, but now it’s one of my favorite methods. If you don’t have a stove or don’t want to dirty a pot, it’s also ideal.
Simply cook, cool, and peel your eggs, and then toss them in your favorite dressing, herbs, and spices to make creamy and delicious egg salad. I’ll give you my recipe of course, but you can tweak it any way you like to make it your own!
Egg salad is perfect as a sandwich filling on your favorite bread. However, you can also put it on a green salad, or use it to fill my Air Fryer Salami Cups for some low-carb, gluten free options.
Ingredients List
4 large eggs
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
½ tsp yellow mustard
1 Tbsp minced sweet onion (fresh)
¼ tsp salt (or to taste)
¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
¼ tsp dill (or chives)
¼ tsp paprika
For the Sandwich
4 slices hearty bread of choice
2 large leaves green leaf lettuce
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
Every serving is 2 eggs, so feel free to scale the recipe up or down depending how many servings you’d like to make
If you use a different size egg or your eggs are not chilled, cooking times will vary (and it naturally varies between air fryers anyway). I highly recommend making an extra “test egg” that you can check and ensure that it is cooked correctly, at least until you get used to making hard boiled eggs this way
All dressings and seasonings are adjustable to taste. You can also swap in different kinds of mustard, or mayo alternatives if preferred
Other great additions to egg salad include: curry powder, cooked crumbled bacon, diced celery, sweet relish, or for some heat, horseradish or sriracha
Step By Step Instructions
Place eggs directly into your air fryer’s basket or rack (use the insert or a trivet if you have one to help prevent the eggs from rolling around). Make sure to leave space between the eggs to promote even cooking
Cook on the air fry setting at 270°F (between 260°F and 280°F is fine depending on available settings) for 16 minutes. Note: if your air fryer doesn’t go that low, look at other setting options such as reheat or dehydrate. I have to set my air fryer to reheat to get this temperature option
While the eggs are cooking, fill a bowl with ice and water to create an ice bath. Then, remove the cooked eggs (use a tong or mitts as they are hot) and place them into the ice bath to cool for 5-7 minutes (until cool to the touch)
Peel the eggs. I tap the bigger end on the counter until it cracks, and then peel off the rest of the shell piece by piece using my fingers
Roughly chop the eggs into chunks. I try for around ½” cubes as a very loose estimate (you can also mash them if you prefer that consistency)
Combine the chopped eggs with the mayonnaise, mustard, and all the seasonings in a bowl and stir to combine (you can test for seasoning levels here as well)
To make an egg salad sandwich (optional) add a piece of lettuce to one slice of your bread. Add half of the egg salad mixture on top of the lettuce, then top with the other piece of bread. Enjoy!
What to Serve With Egg Salad Sandwiches
Cucumber salad
Pasta salad
Potato salad
Coleslaw
Green salad
Avocado salad
Corn salad
Grape salad
Fruit salad
Roasted potatoes
Stuffed tomatoes
Potato chips
French fries
Onion rings
Pickles
Tomato soup
There are lots of great sides to serve with your egg salad to complete your meal. If you aren’t enjoying a sandwich, you could also serve it with crudites or crackers for dipping!
Egg salad itself is typically served chilled, but you can use the air fryer to hard boil the eggs for egg salad.
Then simply peel, chop, and combine them into egg salad for an easy preparation method.
How Do I Hard Boil Eggs in the Air Fryer?
To hard boil eggs in the air fryer, place the eggs in the air fryer basket and cook them at 270°F (130°C) for 15-17 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the eggs to an ice bath to cool before peeling and chopping for the egg salad.
Note that times can vary between different air fryers, and based on the size and starting temperature of your eggs. Make an extra egg as a tester until you get used to the specifics of your particular appliance.
What Ingredients Do I Need to Make Air Fryer Egg Salad?
The basic ingredients for air fryer egg salad include hard boiled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper.
However, you can add any other ingredients you prefer, such as chopped celery, onions, or herbs to customize your mix.
Can I Customize the Flavor of Air Fryer Egg Salad?
Absolutely! Air fryer egg salad is highly customizable. You can add ingredients like diced pickles, relish, chopped herbs, or even a splash of hot sauce to tailor the flavor to your preferences.
If you want to add some meat, cooked crumbled bacon, ham, or Spam are all good options.
How Far in Advance Can I Make Air Fryer Egg Salad?
Air fryer egg salad can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
However, it’s best enjoyed fresh for optimal flavor and texture.
What Are Some Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Egg Salad?
Air fryer egg salad can be served in various ways, such as on bread for sandwiches, on a bed of lettuce for a salad, or as a topping for crackers or crostini.
It’s also delicious stuffed into a hollowed-out tomato or avocado, or used to fill a salami cup.
Is Air Fryer Egg Salad a Healthy Option?
Air fryer egg salad can be a nutritious option, especially if you use light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt as a healthier alternative to traditional mayonnaise.
Eggs are a good source of protein, and you can boost the nutritional value by adding vegetables and herbs.
Can I Make Air Fryer Egg Salad Without Mayo?
Yes, if you prefer not to use mayonnaise, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt or mashed avocado for a creamy texture in your air fryer egg salad.
Alternatively, you can simply season the chopped eggs with herbs and spices for a lighter option.
Recipe Pro Tips
If you would like to toast the bread for your sandwich, air fry it for about 4 minutes at 390°F, flipping halfway. You can butter it as well if you’d like!
It is normal for the egg shells to have brown dots when you remove them from the air fryer after cooking. It will wash off in the ice bath!
I use an 8-qt Ninja Dual Zone air fryer and my eggs are perfectly hard boiled after 16 minutes at 270°F (without preheating). As I noted earlier, times can vary between air fryers, so use this as a reference point while you refine for your specific air fryer
Storage and Serving Tips
Egg salad is best enjoyed fresh for flavor. However, you can store leftover in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
Alternative serving options (aside from a sandwich) include topping a salad, stuffing a hollowed out tomato, bell pepper, or avocado, eating with chips, crackers, or crudites like a dip, or filling salami cups for a Keto-friendly option
Making egg salad using eggs hard boiled in the air fryer is so easy that it’s now one of my favorite methods! They make the perfect blank canvas for creating your favorite egg salad blend.
Use it in a classic egg salad sandwich, or top a salad, tomato, avocado, salami cup, crackers, and more! As long as you keep watch over your ingredients, egg salad can be part of a gluten free, low carb, or Keto diet, and even vegetarian (as long as you eat eggs)!
This makes it an extremely versatile dish which can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner depending on the side dishes you pair it with!
Easy Air Fryer Egg Salad Recipe (Plus Sandwich Option)
Make egg salad even easier by hard boiling eggs in your air fryer! It’s a delicious, creamy option that’s great on sandwiches, salads, and more!
4sliceshearty bread of choice (or 2 croissants, split)
2largeleaves green lettuce
Instructions
Place eggs directly into your air fryer’s basket or rack (use the insert or a trivet if you have one to help prevent the eggs from rolling around). Make sure to leave space between the eggs to promote even cooking
4 large eggs
Cook on the air fry setting at 270°F (between 260°F and 280°F is fine depending on available settings) for 16 minutes. Note: if your air fryer doesn’t go that low, look at other setting options such as reheat or dehydrate. I have to set my air fryer to reheat to get this temperature option
While the eggs are cooking, fill a bowl with ice and water to create an ice bath. Then, remove the cooked eggs (use a tong or mitts as they are hot) and place them into the ice bath to cool for 5-7 minutes (until cool to the touch)
Peel the eggs. I tap the bigger end on the counter until it cracks, and then peel off the rest of the shell piece by piece using my fingers
Roughly chop the eggs into chunks. I try for around ½” cubes as a very loose estimate (you can also mash them if you prefer that consistency)
Combine the chopped eggs with the mayonnaise, mustard, and all the seasonings in a bowl and stir to combine (you can test for seasoning levels here as well)
To make an egg salad sandwich (optional) add a piece of lettuce to one slice of your bread. Add half of the egg salad mixture on top of the lettuce, then top with the other piece of bread. Enjoy!
4 slices hearty bread of choice, 2 large leaves green lettuce
Notes
Every serving is 2 eggs, so feel free to scale the recipe up or down depending how many servings you’d like to make
If you use a different size egg or your eggs are not chilled, cooking times will vary (and it naturally varies between air fryers anyway). I highly recommend making an extra “test egg” that you can check and ensure that it is cooked correctly, at least until you get used to making hard boiled eggs this way
All dressings and seasonings are adjustable to taste. You can also swap in different kinds of mustard, or mayo alternatives if preferred
Other great additions to egg salad include: curry powder, cooked crumbled bacon, diced celery, sweet relish, or for some heat, horseradish or sriracha
If you would like to toast the bread for your sandwich, air fry it for about 4 minutes at 390°F, flipping halfway. You can butter it as well for a golden brown crust
It is normal for the egg shells to have brown dots when you remove them from the air fryer after cooking. It will wash off in the ice bath!
I use an 8-qt Ninja Dual Zone air fryer and my eggs are perfectly hard boiled after 16 minutes at 270°F (without preheating). As I noted earlier, times can vary between air fryers, so use this as a reference point while you refine for your specific air fryer
Egg salad is best enjoyed fresh for flavor. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
Alternative serving options (aside from a sandwich) include topping a salad, stuffing a hollowed out tomato, bell pepper, or avocado, eating with chips, crackers, or crudités like a dip, or filling salami cups for a Keto-friendly option
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only. Nutrition includes egg salad only and does not account for any bread or other sandwich toppings
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
