# 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.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/eggs-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook eggs

Times are for large eggs, straight from the fridge.

Eggs: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (Soft-boiled (runny)) | 6 min | in simmering water | Set white, runny yolk for dipping soldiers. Medium eggs: 5 minutes. |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (Jammy) | 7–8 min | in simmering water | Set white, jammy yolk; for salads and ramen. |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (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](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) (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](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) (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](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) (Hard-boiled) | 15–17 min | 130°C (265°F) | “Boiled” in their shells, then into cold water. 10–11 minutes for soft. |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) (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](https://feastflow.co.uk/microwave-cooking-times) (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.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/