Poached eggs will be 'perfect' in just 8 minutes if cooked with this appliance

A with a runny centre and smooth whites can be difficult to achieve. Most people end up with a stringy mess or broken eggs when attempting it the classic way of .

Thankfully, there's a simple hack that can make it all easier, and it only takes eight minutes. Instagram cleaning and cooking hack account has gone viral with an unexpected method for cooking poached eggs using nothing more than an air fryer and a few basic kitchen items.

"Air Fryer Poached Eggs. Why? Why Not?" she wrote in the caption, anticipating scepticism. "I know I'm going to get comments saying, 'Why would you use an air fryer when you could just use a pan?' But hear me out... Not everyone has a hob!"

The method is simple and ideal for those with limited kitchen appliances such as students, those in small flats, or anyone just keen to skip the stovetop drama. All you need are heatproof ramekins, a little oil, water, and an egg or two.

To try it yourself, lightly oil the bottom of each ramekin, fill it three-quarters full with cold tap water, crack in your egg, and add a splash of white vinegar (optional, but it helps keep the egg white intact). Pop the ramekins in your air fryer and cook at 190°C for 8 minutes.

She advised checking after 8 minutes, as timing can vary slightly depending on the size of the egg or how many you're cooking. Once ready, simply lift the egg out with a slotted spoon.

For serving inspiration, @sisterpledgecleans enjoyed hers on mashed avocado toast with cracked black pepper, sea salt, and a dash of chilli flakes.

Air fryers have become a go-to appliance for everything from roast potatoes to desserts, and this latest hack adds to their growing list of unexpected uses.

Whether you're low on cookware or just love a clean, mess-free method, this poached egg trick could be your new breakfast game-changer.