Air Fryer Scotch Quail Eggs
Air Fryer Scotch Eggs are super easy when made in the air fryer! No need to mess with any oil, and making them with quail eggs turns them into a cute little party appetizer for breakfast or dinner! Add a quick side with some Instant Pot Red Cabbage.
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Where do Scotch eggs come from?
Believe it or not, the exact origins of Scotch eggs are hotly debated. One story has it the British department store Fortnum & Mason based in London invented them for wealthy patrons traveling to their country homes. A portable snack meant to be consumed on their journey.
Another story has it that British soldiers discovered them during their time in India. It is believed to be a Muglhai dish called nargisi kofta which were covered in ground lamb, deep fried, and served with a yogurt-based gravy.
Still other stories say they came from the British town of Whitby in Yorkshire, or Northern Africa to England by way of France. Either way they are delicious, and you can read more about their history at The Duke Perspective.
Prepare the eggs
You can use either 15 quail eggs which are have been hard boiled. You can find out how to do Instant Pot Quail Eggs in this post. Or you can use about a half a dozen regular chicken eggs, and you can find out how to hard boil those in this post.
Prepping the sausage mixture
In a small mixing bowl combine together the breakfast sausage, shredded apple, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and parsley. Serve this at a breakfast brunch with some Instant Pot Apple Cider!
Preparing and cooking the eggs
Cover each egg in sausage. Next do a triple breading by lightly coating with flour, egg, and seasoned breadcrumbs. I used an Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid for this recipe, but you can easily make it in any one you like.
Arrange in the air fryer allowing some space between each one. Cook at 375-degrees for 8 minutes. Turn and then cook an additional 8 minutes at the same temperature. I did not preheat my air fryer, and cooking time is the same for either quail or chicken eggs.
Serve immediately, or store for up to one week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. These scotch eggs in the air fryer can be made ahead and then reheated for a few minutes in the toaster oven, air fryer, or oven prior to serving. A great alternative for another great portable breakfast are egg bites!
Serve with mustard, Mississippi Comeback sauce, siracha mayo, spicy ketchup, or grape jelly.
If you enjoyed this you may also like Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Air Fryer Lamb Chops, or Air Fryer Salmon Patties!
Recipe
Air Fryer Scotch Quail Eggs
Ingredients
- 15 quail eggs hard boiled, may substitute with 6 chicken eggs
Sausage Ingredients
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 1 apple small, eating kind, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ tsp parsley
Breading Ingredients
- ⅓ cup flour
- 2 eggs well beaten
- ⅓ cup seasoned bread crumbs
Instructions
- Combine breakfast sausage, shredded apple, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and parsley. Cover each hard boiled egg with the sausage mixture.
- Coat lightly in flour, dip in egg, and then coat with seasoned bread crumbs.
- Cook in air fryer at 375-degrees for 8 minutes. I did not pre-heat my air fryer. Turn and cook an additional 8 minutes.
- Serve immediately with mustard, siracha mayo, or grape jelly. Or store in an airtight container for up to one week.
- This recipe can be made in advance and then reheated. To reheat simply put in a toaster oven, air fryer, or oven for a few minutes then serve.
