Air Fryer Eggs Benedict: A Gourmet Brunch, Made Simple

Introduction: Reinventing a Brunch Classic with the Air Fryer

Eggs Benedict is the epitome of brunch luxury. With its layers of toasted English muffins, savory Canadian bacon, delicate poached eggs, and velvety hollandaise sauce, this dish has graced many upscale breakfast menus. Yet, it’s often considered too finicky or time-consuming for home cooks. But what if we told you that with a few clever hacks—and your trusty air fryer—you could make gourmet-quality Eggs Benedict in your own kitchen?

The air fryer has transformed modern cooking. From crispy fries to golden chicken, its versatility has turned it into a kitchen essential. But poached eggs in an air fryer? Absolutely. And with just a bit of creativity, you can recreate every component of a classic Eggs Benedict more easily than you might think—without compromising flavor, texture, or elegance.

In this article, we’ll explore how to make Air Fryer Eggs Benedict from scratch. From perfectly poached eggs to a buttery hollandaise and golden-toasted muffins, every element of the dish can be mastered with a little help from the air fryer and a few tips. Whether you’re cooking for guests, a special breakfast for two, or just treating yourself, this is the ultimate guide to making Eggs Benedict the easy way.

Let’s get cracking!

The Recipe: Air Fryer Eggs Benedict

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Poached Eggs (Air Fryer method)

4 large eggs
4 small ramekins or silicone muffin cups
Non-stick spray or a dab of butter
4 tbsp water (1 tbsp per ramekin)

For the English Muffins

2 English muffins, split in half (4 halves total)
Optional: Brush with a little butter

For the Canadian Bacon

4 slices Canadian bacon or thick-cut ham

For the Hollandaise Sauce

3 egg yolks
1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and hot
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Salt to taste

Garnishes (optional)

Chopped chives or parsley
Paprika
Freshly cracked black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Poach the Eggs in the Air Fryer

Yes, you can make poached eggs in an air fryer! Here’s how:

Prep the ramekins: Lightly spray each ramekin with non-stick spray or grease with butter. Add 1 tablespoon of water to each.
Crack the eggs: Carefully crack one egg into each ramekin.
Preheat your air fryer: Set it to 330°F (165°C) and allow it to preheat for 2 minutes.
Cook the eggs: Place ramekins in the air fryer basket. Cook at 330°F for 5 to 6 minutes, depending on your preferred doneness.
- For a soft, runny yolk: 5 minutes.
- For a slightly firmer yolk: 6 minutes.
Remove & rest: Gently lift the ramekins out. Let rest for 1 minute before using a spoon to loosen the eggs. Set aside.

Step 2: Toast the English Muffins

Place in air fryer: Lay the split muffins (cut side up) in the air fryer basket.
Air fry: Toast at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Optional: Brush with melted butter immediately after toasting for extra flavor.

Step 3: Heat the Canadian Bacon

Lay bacon in basket: Place slices of Canadian bacon in the air fryer. Avoid overlapping.
Cook: Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 3–4 minutes, until lightly browned and warmed through.
Keep warm: Place the bacon on a warm plate and cover loosely with foil until ready to assemble.

Step 4: Make the Hollandaise Sauce

You can make this with a blender or by hand.

Blender Method:

Add yolks and lemon juice: Combine egg yolks and lemon juice in a blender. Blend for 30 seconds on low speed.
Slowly add butter: With the blender running on low, slowly drizzle in the hot melted butter. The sauce should thicken and become glossy.
Season: Add a pinch of salt, cayenne pepper, or paprika. Blend briefly to incorporate.

Whisk Method (Stovetop):

Double boiler setup: In a heatproof bowl over barely simmering water (don’t let the bowl touch the water), whisk together the yolks and lemon juice.
Add butter gradually: Slowly drizzle in the hot melted butter while whisking continuously until the sauce thickens.
Season: Add salt and cayenne to taste.

Pro Tip: If the sauce gets too thick, add 1 tsp of warm water to thin it out.

Step 5: Assemble the Eggs Benedict

Time to bring it all together!

Base: Place toasted English muffin halves on plates.
Layer: Top each with one slice of Canadian bacon.
Eggs: Gently place a poached egg on each.
Sauce: Spoon over a generous amount of hollandaise sauce.
Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped chives, paprika, or cracked pepper if desired.

Optional Variations

1. Smoked Salmon Benedict

Replace the Canadian bacon with smoked salmon. Add capers and red onion for extra depth.

2. Vegetarian Benedict

Use sautéed spinach (Florentine style) or avocado slices in place of meat.

3. Spicy Benedict

Add a dash of hot sauce or sriracha to your hollandaise for a fiery twist.

4. Southern Style

Swap the muffin for a biscuit and use country ham or fried green tomatoes.

Tips for Success

Egg freshness: Use the freshest eggs possible for the best poached texture.
Timing is key: Make sure your hollandaise is ready before poaching your eggs to ensure nothing overcooks.
Warm plates: Serve on pre-warmed plates to keep everything hot until the first bite.
Make ahead: You can poach eggs ahead of time and place them in warm water before serving to reheat gently.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Approximate)

Calories: 370–420 kcal
Protein: 16g
Fat: 30g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 580mg

Note: Nutrition values vary based on exact ingredients and serving sizes.

Why Make Eggs Benedict in the Air Fryer?

Traditional Eggs Benedict can be intimidating because of all the moving parts—especially poaching eggs and keeping everything warm. The air fryer simplifies this dramatically:

Even, hands-off cooking: Poach eggs without boiling water. Toast muffins and cook bacon in one appliance.
Consistent results: The air fryer ensures even toasting and perfectly cooked meat.
Faster prep: Everything cooks quicker, and cleanup is easier.

For those juggling a busy morning or wanting an elegant meal without the fuss, this air fryer method is a game changer.

Conclusion: A Gourmet Brunch Made Effortless

Air Fryer Eggs Benedict offers everything you love about this iconic brunch dish—rich, velvety hollandaise, silky poached eggs, and savory meat on a toasted base—without the stress of traditional methods. With the air fryer doing much of the heavy lifting, it becomes possible to enjoy this restaurant-quality dish even on a weekday.

Whether you’re impressing weekend guests, celebrating a special morning, or just indulging in a solo brunch, this recipe proves that decadence and simplicity can coexist beautifully. And with optional twists like smoked salmon or avocado, the base recipe becomes a blank canvas for creative cooks.

So dust off your ramekins, get out your air fryer, and prepare to master a brunch classic the easy way.