The air fryer is a surprisingly good breakfast helper: no tawa to watch, no oil splatter, and it frees up the stove for chai. Here are Indian and everyday breakfast ideas with exact settings.
At a glance
| Breakfast | Setting | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hard-boiled eggs (no water) | 140 °C | 15–17 min |
| Egg-in-a-hole toast | 180 °C | 6–8 min |
| Masala omelette bites (in a tin) | 160 °C | 10–12 min |
| Aloo paratha re-crisp | 180 °C | 3–4 min |
| Besan chilla rolls with paneer | 180 °C | 6–8 min |
| Poha-veg cutlets | 180 °C | 12–14 min |
| Bread upma croutons | 180 °C | 5–6 min |
| Muffins (make ahead) | 160 °C | 12–15 min |
1. Hard-boiled eggs without boiling
Place eggs (in shell) in the basket and air fry at 140 °C (285 °F) for 15–17 minutes: 15 for slightly soft yolks, 17 for firm. Transfer immediately to cold water for 5 minutes, then peel.
2. Masala omelette bites
- Whisk 3 eggs with chopped onion, tomato, green chilli, coriander, salt and a pinch of turmeric.
- Pour into greased silicone moulds or a small greased tin.
- Air fry at 160 °C (320 °F) for 10–12 minutes until set in the centre.
Using silicone? See silicone moulds in the air fryer.
3. Egg-in-a-hole toast
Butter a slice of bread, press out a hole, crack in an egg and air fry on parchment at 180 °C for 6–8 minutes.
4. Paneer-stuffed besan chilla rolls
A high-protein vegetarian breakfast. Method in paneer high-protein snacks.
5. Poha-veg cutlets
Use our veg cutlet method, replacing some potato with soaked poha. It binds well and keeps the cutlets light. Make a batch on Sunday, freeze, and air fry from frozen on weekdays.
6. Re-crisp parathas and leftovers
Last night’s aloo paratha, thepla or samosa comes back crisp at 180 °C in 3–4 minutes. Brush parathas with a drop of ghee first.
7. Make-ahead muffins
Bake a batch of air fryer muffins on the weekend for grab-and-go breakfasts.
Breakfast tips
- Prep the night before: chop onions and chillies, mix batter, shape cutlets.
- Use parchment for eggs and toast to save on washing up.
- Pack tiffins straight from the air fryer: cutlets and omelette bites travel well.
Frequently asked questions
Can you boil eggs in an air fryer?
Yes, without water: 140 °C for 15–17 minutes, then into cold water.
What Indian breakfast can I make in an air fryer?
Poha cutlets, besan chilla rolls, masala omelette bites, re-crisped parathas, and bread upma croutons all work well.
More: lunch recipes · 5-minute recipes · Indian recipes