Eggs cooking times
How long to cook eggs: 6 min boiled, 3–4 min poached, 2–3 min pan-fried and 15–17 min in an air fryer at 130°C. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.
How long to cook eggs
Times are for large eggs, straight from the fridge.
| Method | Time | Heat | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boil Soft-boiled (runny) | 6 min | in simmering water | Set white, runny yolk for dipping soldiers. Medium eggs: 5 minutes. |
| Boil Jammy | 7–8 min | in simmering water | Set white, jammy yolk; for salads and ramen. |
| Boil Hard-boiled | 9–10 min | in simmering water | Firm yolk. Cool in cold water before peeling. |
| Poach | 3–4 min | in barely simmering water | Use the freshest eggs; crack into a cup and slide in. Drain on kitchen paper. |
| Pan-fry Fried | 2–3 min | over a medium heat | Fried in oil or butter, basting the white; cover with a lid for a set top. |
| Pan-fry Scrambled | 2–4 min | over a low heat | Scrambled: stir gently in butter and take off the heat while still a little wet. |
| Air fryer Hard-boiled | 15–17 min | 130°C (265°F) | “Boiled” in their shells, then into cold water. 10–11 minutes for soft. |
| Oven Baked | 12–15 min | 180°C (160°C fan), 350°F, gas 4 | Baked eggs in a buttered dish or on a tray bake, until the whites set. |
| Microwave Scrambled | 1–2 min | on full power | Scrambled: beat with milk, cook in 30-second bursts, stirring between. Never microwave an egg in its shell. |
Before you start
For boiled eggs, lower them into water that’s already boiling, then turn it down to a simmer. Eggs at room temperature cook about a minute faster.
How to tell it’s done
Soft-boiled: set white, runny yolk. Jammy: just-set, fudgy yolk. Hard-boiled: firm yolk all the way through; plunge into cold water to stop a grey ring forming.
Questions
How long to boil eggs?
Soft-boiled (runny): 6 min in simmering water. Set white, runny yolk for dipping soldiers. Medium eggs: 5 minutes. Jammy: 7–8 min in simmering water. Set white, jammy yolk; for salads and ramen. Hard-boiled: 9–10 min in simmering water. Firm yolk. Cool in cold water before peeling.
How long to poach eggs?
3–4 min in barely simmering water. Use the freshest eggs; crack into a cup and slide in. Drain on kitchen paper.
How long to pan-fry eggs?
Fried: 2–3 min over a medium heat. Fried in oil or butter, basting the white; cover with a lid for a set top. Scrambled: 2–4 min over a low heat. Scrambled: stir gently in butter and take off the heat while still a little wet.
How long to cook eggs in an air fryer?
Hard-boiled: 15–17 min at 130°C (265°F). “Boiled” in their shells, then into cold water. 10–11 minutes for soft.
How long to cook eggs in the oven?
Baked: 12–15 min at 180°C (160°C fan), 350°F, gas 4. Baked eggs in a buttered dish or on a tray bake, until the whites set.
How long to microwave eggs?
Scrambled: 1–2 min on full power. Scrambled: beat with milk, cook in 30-second bursts, stirring between. Never microwave an egg in its shell.
Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and the size of what you’re cooking all vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer before serving. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance, last checked 11 November 2026.