Air Fryer Scotch Eggs

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs
• 1 pound (450g) ground pork sausage (or a mix of ground pork and ground beef)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a bit of heat)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• Cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Boil the Eggs:
   1. Place 6 large eggs in a saucepan and cover them with cold water.
   2. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 6-7 minutes for a soft to medium yolk or 10 minutes for a fully hard yolk.
   3. Transfer the eggs to an ice bath to cool completely, then peel the eggs.
2. Prepare the Sausage Mixture:
   1. In a bowl, combine the ground pork sausage with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix until well combined.
3. Assemble the Scotch Eggs:
   1. Divide the sausage mixture into 6 equal portions.
   2. Flatten each portion into a thin patty in your hand.
   3. Place a boiled egg in the center of each patty, then carefully wrap the sausage around the egg, sealing it completely.
4. Bread the Scotch Eggs:
   1. Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
   2. Roll each sausage-covered egg in the flour, shaking off any excess.
   3. Dip the floured egg into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s completely coated.
   4. Roll the egg in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
5. Air Fry the Scotch Eggs:
   1. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
   2. Lightly spray the Scotch eggs with cooking spray to help them crisp up.
   3. Place the Scotch eggs in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch each other (you may need to cook them in batches).
   4. Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, turning them halfway through, until the sausage is cooked through and the outside is golden brown and crispy.
6. Serve:
   1. Let the Scotch eggs cool for a few minutes before serving.
   2. Serve them warm or at room temperature, whole or halved, with your favorite dipping sauce or mustard on the side.

Tips:

• For a twist, you can use different types of sausage, like spicy Italian sausage or breakfast sausage.
• If you prefer a lower-carb version, you can skip the flour and breadcrumbs and simply wrap the eggs in sausage.
• Keep an eye on the Scotch eggs while air frying to ensure they don’t overcook and become too dry.