Tam To’s Air-Fryer Elote Eggs Recipe

Introduction

Tam To’s Air-Fryer Elote Eggs bring a bold Mexican street food-inspired twist to hard-boiled eggs. These flavorful, spice-coated eggs are quick to make and perfect as a snack or appetizer that bursts with smoky, tangy, and savory notes.

Ingredients

• 9 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fish sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice
• 50 milliliters water
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Optional: Fresh cilantro leaves, lime wedges, grated Parmesan, scallion oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place eggs in a single layer in a large saucepan and add enough cold water to cover by about 1 inch. Cover and bring to a boil quickly, then remove from heat and let stand for 15 minutes for large eggs (adjust time to 18 minutes for extra-large or 12 minutes for medium eggs).
2. Step 2: Rinse eggs under cold water and transfer to an ice water bath until fully cooled. Drain and peel the eggs carefully. Using a sharp knife, make four vertical slits around each egg, about 1/4 inch deep.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, and water. Add the peeled eggs and let them marinate for 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, mix chili powder, paprika, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt; set aside.
5. Step 5: Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Arrange the marinated eggs in the basket and cook for 7 minutes. Remove and toss the eggs with the prepared spice blend, then return to the air fryer and cook for an additional 7 minutes.
6. Step 6: Remove the eggs from the air fryer and transfer to a serving dish. Let them cool slightly before garnishing with fresh cilantro leaves, lime wedges, grated Parmesan, or scallion oil as desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a sharper tang, add extra lime juice to the marinade or garnish.
• Use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika for a deeper smoky flavor.
• Try swapping oyster sauce for hoisin sauce for a slightly sweeter note.
• If you prefer spicier eggs, increase the chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mix.
• The vertical slits allow the marinade and spices to infuse the eggs—be careful not to cut too deeply to keep the eggs intact.

Storage

Store the cooked and spiced eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat briefly in the air fryer at 300°F for 2–3 minutes to revive their crispiness, or enjoy them cold as a tasty snack.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a regular oven instead of an air fryer?

Yes, you can bake the eggs at 300°F (150°C) on a baking sheet for about 10-12 minutes after tossing with the spice blend. Keep an eye to avoid overcooking.

What if I don’t have fish sauce?

You can omit the fish sauce or substitute with a small amount of soy sauce mixed with a pinch of anchovy paste for similar umami flavor.

Tam To’s Air-Fryer Elote Eggs Recipe

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Tam To’s Air-Fryer Elote Eggs is a flavorful and creative twist on traditional boiled eggs, marinated in a tangy, umami-rich sauce and then air-fried with a vibrant blend of Mexican-inspired spices that echo the flavors of elote, Mexican street corn. These eggs offer a smoky, spicy, and citrusy bite, perfect as a snack, appetizer, or party dish, garnished with fresh cilantro, lime, Parmesan, and scallion oil for added depth and freshness.

• Author: nova
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Total Time: 34 minutes
• Yield: 9 eggs (serves 3-4 as appetizer) 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican-inspired fusion

Ingredients

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Eggs and Marinade

• 9 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1–1/2 teaspoons fish sauce
• 1–1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 1–1/2 teaspoons lime juice
• 50 milliliters water

Spice Blend

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional Garnishes

• Fresh cilantro leaves
• Lime wedges
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Scallion oil

Instructions

1. Boil the eggs: Place the eggs in a single layer in a large saucepan and cover with cold water by about 1 inch. Cover the saucepan and bring the water to a boil quickly over medium-high heat. Once boiling, remove the pan from heat and let the eggs stand in the hot water for 15 minutes for large eggs to cook through perfectly.
2. Cool and slit the eggs: After the resting time, rinse the eggs under cold water and then transfer them to an ice bath until completely cooled; drain thoroughly. Carefully peel the eggs. Using a sharp knife, make four vertical slits around each egg, cutting about 1/4 inch deep to allow the marinade to absorb flavors.
3. Marinate the eggs: In a large bowl, whisk together oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, and water to create the tangy marinade. Place the peeled eggs in the marinade and let them soak for 10 minutes to absorb the umami and citrus notes.
4. Prepare spice blend: While eggs are marinating, mix chili powder, paprika, dried oregano, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a small bowl, setting this flavorful spice mix aside for later use.
5. Cook eggs in air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Place the marinated eggs in the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes to slightly dry out and firm the egg exterior.
6. Apply the spice blend and finish cooking: Remove the eggs and gently toss them with the prepared spice blend until evenly coated. Return the eggs to the air fryer and cook for an additional 7 minutes to toast the spices and develop the smoky, spicy elote flavor.
7. Serve and garnish: Carefully remove the eggs from the air fryer basket and transfer to a serving dish. Let them cool slightly. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves, lime wedges, grated Parmesan, and drizzle with scallion oil as desired for an extra burst of flavor and freshness before serving.

Notes

• Use large eggs for optimal cooking time; adjust if using different egg sizes (medium or extra-large).
• The vertical slits on the eggs allow the marinade and spices to penetrate deeply for maximum flavor.
• Be gentle when tossing eggs with the spice blend to avoid breaking the eggs.
• Scallion oil can be made by gently heating oil with chopped scallions until fragrant or purchased pre-made to drizzle over eggs.
• These eggs can be served warm or at room temperature and make a great snack or appetizer.

Keywords: Air-Fryer eggs, Elote eggs, Mexican street corn eggs, spicy eggs, marinated eggs, appetizer, snack, Tam To recipe