Meringues in the Air Fryer
Meringue needs gentle, dry heat, and most air fryers run hotter and with a stronger fan than an oven. That makes them a bit tricky, but small meringues can work if the temperature is kept low. This airfryer meringue recipe gives 8 small nests or kisses that are crisp outside with a soft, marshmallow middle, ready in around 40 minutes.
- Temperature
- 100°C
- Total time
- 1:25hr
- Prep
- 15min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 120kcal
Why the air fryer works for meringues
Meringue is really just dried foam, so it needs low heat and a steady, dry environment. A standard airfryer meringue can work because the machine heats evenly and keeps a stable temperature, but you have to be careful: the fan is strong and the lowest setting is often higher than a cool oven. That is why small meringues, about 6 cm wide, are the most reliable option here.
Do not expect the large, pillowy pavlova you get from a conventional oven. A 4–6 litre basket only holds a few small meringues at a time, and the basket needs to have a temperature setting of 100 °C or lower. If your air fryer cannot go that low, the oven is the better choice. Meringues in air fryer baskets are best for nests, kisses and little treats.
How to make meringues in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Check your equipment Make sure the bowl and whisk are completely clean and grease-free, as any fat stops the whites from whipping. Cut a sheet of baking paper to fit the basket. Pierce a few holes in it, or make it small enough to leave the edges free, so air can still circulate.
- Whip the whites Whisk the egg whites with an electric whisk until they form soft peaks. Add the sugar one spoonful at a time, whisking for a full minute between additions, until the meringue is thick, glossy and stiff and you cannot feel any grains of sugar when rubbed between your fingers.
- Add the finishing touches Whisk in the vinegar and cornflour. Spoon or pipe 8 mounds, about 6 cm wide, onto the paper. For nests, press a hollow into the middle with the back of a spoon.
- Bake Preheat the air fryer to 100 °C for . Slide the paper into the basket and bake for in one batch of 4, or two batches if the basket is small. The meringues are ready when they lift from the paper cleanly and sound crisp when tapped underneath.
- Cool in the basket Switch the air fryer off and leave the meringues inside for with the basket slightly open. This prevents cracking. Fill with whipped cream and strawberries just before serving.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Meringues | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Meringue nests, 6 cmLeave to cool in the basket | 100 °C | 35–40 min |
| Mini meringue kisses, 3 cm | 90 °C | 25–30 min |
| Large meringue, 12 cmOnly in large machines | 100 °C | 50–60 min |
| Chocolate marble meringuesSwirl in 1 tbsp melted chocolate | 100 °C | 35–40 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Use room-temperature egg whites. They whip to a greater volume than cold ones. Separate the eggs carefully, as a speck of yolk will stop the foam forming.
- Add the sugar slowly. Rushing this step leaves sugar grains that weep syrup during baking. The mixture should feel smooth between your fingers before you pipe it.
- Do not open the basket often. Draughts and sudden changes in temperature make meringues crack, so check once after 30 minutes.
Serving
Fill the nests with whipped cream, lemon curd or yoghurt, and top them with strawberries, raspberries or passion fruit. Crush any broken meringues into a bowl with cream and fruit for a quick Eton mess. For a simple sweet table, serve them next to a warm lemon drizzle cake or a plate of cupcakes.
Storing and reheating
Unfilled meringues keep for up to 2 weeks in an airtight tin at room temperature. Do not refrigerate them, because they absorb moisture and turn sticky. If they soften, dry them in the air fryer at 90 °C for 5–8 minutes and let them cool again.
Variations
- Mini kisses: Pipe 3 cm swirls and bake for 25–30 minutes at 90–100 °C. Sandwich them with chocolate spread.
- Coloured meringues: Fold in 1–2 drops of gel food colouring at the end for pastel nests.
- Lemon meringue nests: Fill the cooled nests with lemon curd and a spoonful of whipped cream for a quick lemon meringue pudding.
Troubleshooting
- The meringues are brown or cracked
- The air fryer ran too hot. Use the lowest setting, 100 °C or even 90 °C, and cover the meringues with a loose tent of foil if they start to colour.
- The meringues are sticky or chewy
- They need longer at a low heat, or they were stored in a damp place. Dry them for an extra 10 minutes and cool them in the basket.
- The meringues blow around the basket
- The fan is strong and the mixture is light. Pipe them on the paper and hold the paper down with a small oven-safe weight, or use a snug tin or tray in the basket.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make meringues in an air fryer?
Yes, but only small ones, and only at a low temperature. The fan can dry or move the mixture, so bake small nests or kisses and keep the heat at 90–100 °C.
How long do meringues take in an air fryer?
About 35–40 minutes at 100 °C for 6 cm meringues. Mini kisses need 25–30 minutes.
Can you make meringue cookies in an air fryer?
Yes. Pipe small 3 cm meringue kisses and cook them for 25–30 minutes at 90–100 °C until they lift off the paper.
Why are my air fryer meringues chewy?
Usually the heat was too high on the outside, or they were not dried long enough. Lower the temperature and leave them to cool in the machine.
Is it safe to use raw egg whites?
Meringues baked this way are cooked, but if you are serving anyone vulnerable, you can use pasteurised egg white.
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