Eggs at breakfast time are practically a morning necessity for many home-cooks. They are a nutritious and easy way to start your day with protein, and hopefully flavor. In the search for the top five best ways to cook eggs, we considered the classics as well as some highly ranked methods that might be new to you.
The obvious question when consuming eggs is are they healthy or unhealthy? Although there is a wealth of documentation for both sides of this debate, the answer seems to be to consume them in moderation as part of a balanced diet. According to a recent study, eggs have long been a source of debate when it comes to health risks because of the amount of cholesterol they contain. Despite previous studies suggesting the opposite, new research now claims eggs do not appear to be linked to heart disease after all. The recent study by researchers at the University of Sydney found that eating up to a dozen eggs in a week doesn’t pose a more serious risk of cardiovascular disease in people with type-2 diabetes and pre-diabetes.
Plus, new, egg-citing research reports moderate egg consumption may provide a major boost to heart health. Scientists say eating up to one egg daily can increase the amount of heart-healthy metabolites in the blood, thus lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease. As synonymous with breakfast as orange juice, eggs are chock-full of essential nutrients. Despite that, they also contain a lot of cholesterol. Scientists have debated for decades whether eggs are more beneficial or harmful to heart health. For instance, in 2018, a study featuring about 500,000 Chinese adults concluded that daily egg consumption (roughly one per day) results in lower heart disease and stroke risk.
So go ahead, enjoy the egg as a great way to enhance a meal or even as the star at the center of the plate. Let’s have a look at the top five best ways to cook eggs according to our expert sources. Let us know your favorite recipes in the comments below!
The List: Best Ways to Cook Eggs, According to Experts
1. Scrambled
Scrambled eggs can be prepared countless ways and can produce varied results. It often comes down to preferred technique, depending on the desired texture and doneness. One unusual method for scrambling up creamy scrambled eggs is as follows: “Into 2 bowls, separate whites and yolks of 4 large eggs. Whisk whites, then yolks. To nonstick skillet with ½ tbsp melted butter, add whites. Cook 2−3 min. on medium, until set, stirring. Add yolks. Cook 1 min., until desired firmness, stirring. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper,” says Giant Savory.
A more traditional take on the method is as follows: “Beat the eggs with a whisk, usually 2 eggs per person. Season with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the eggs. When they begin to set, use a flat spatula to slowly scrape sections of eggs, creating folds. Remove from the heat just before they fully harden, cooking about 2 minutes total,” explains A Couple Cooks.
Soft-scrambled eggs are widely considered ‘internet famous’ in 2023. “This method of making eggs is the most viral in the United States right now, and it’s not hard to see why. With heavy hitters like the naughty soft-scrambled breakfast sandwiches from EggSlut leading the charge in the breakfast sandwich game and chefs like Gordon Ramsay advocating this as the best way to make eggs, it’s no wonder people are loving this top-notch way to prepare eggs. Regular scrambled eggs seem so inferior when you factor in the lush texture of the perfect soft scrambled egg. If there was one dish to perfect, it would be this one, ’cause you’ll impress anybody if you can pull off this time-honored and buzzworthy cooking method,'” adds Food Beast.
2. Sunny Side Up/Fried
The sunny or fried egg involves a skillet and butter or pan spray. After that it’s simply a matter of how long you let it cook, and whether or not you want to flip it. “Over Easy Frying an egg on both sides ensures the egg white is fully cooked. The yolk is still creamy, but more set than sunny side up. Pro tip: If you like your eggs over hard (cooked egg yolk) just cook a few minutes longer,” explains Hy-Vee.
As for the enduring popularity of fried eggs, “Fried eggs are an American classic. You can add home fries, breakfast meats and fresh fruit or pour them into a skillet with veggies and leftover rice for a quick fried-rice that cleans out the fridge,” says What’s For Dinner?
Regarding the steps to cook the perfect skillet egg: “Sunny side up eggs and fried eggs are technically different. Sunny side up eggs are fried in butter or oil, but never flipped during cooking, resulting in a visible ‘sunny’ yolk. Fried eggs can be cooked over easy (with a runny yolk), over medium (a slightly runny yolk), or over hard (fully cooked yolk) and are flipped half way through the cooking. This makes the yolk less visible at the end. Both methods use a skillet, take under 5 minutes to make, and produce similar outcomes, making this breakfast the perfect quick-fix weekday meal,” mentions Live Simply.
3. Frittata
Frittatas are an excellent option for home-cooks. They can be prepared ahead of time and popped into the oven. “A frittata is similar to an egg casserole or crust-less quiche. It’s made with whisked eggs that are baked with veggies, meat (sausage, ham, bacon), or cheese. Time-Saving Tip: Prep a frittata in advance, serving a few slices for breakfast on Sunday and enjoying the rest for an easy reheated breakfast on Monday or Tuesday. Bacon, Kale, Vegetable Frittata Recipe: My favorite frittata is made by sautéing bacon, potatoes, spinach or kale, onion, and bell pepper. While this mixture cooks, whisk 6 eggs, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary. Add the egg mixture directly to the skillet with the veggies and bacon, turn off the heat, and bake for 13-15 minutes. During the last few minutes, top with cheese,” writes Live Simply.
Frittatas are easy way to do weekly meal prep or to serve a crowd of hungry breakfast enthusiasts. “A frittata is a baked egg dish made in an oven-safe pan. Unlike a quiche, which has a separate crust, the frittata is held together by the crust formed while cooking on the heat of the baking dish. You can customize a frittata with whatever ingredients your heart desires — from ham to vegetables to hard cheese. When you’re making a frittata at home, you’ll need to use a lot of eggs. Our recipe for a spinach frittata uses upwards of 10 eggs and heavy cream for a ton of extra flavor and added layers of creaminess. Once you add your desired toppings to the pan, you’ll need to cook the frittata for upwards of 20 minutes. To test for doneness, take the frittata out and shake the pan. If the frittata jiggles, you’ll need to slide it back in the oven for a few extra minutes. Serve your frittata with a side of breakfast potatoes or for a quick dinner idea,” notes the Tasting Table.
With a little bit of preparation, or some tasty leftovers, a frittata can be prepared in just a few minutes. “Frittatas are one of the best ways to use leftovers and to use an entire carton of eggs. You’ll need a dozen eggs, heavy cream, 2 cups shredded cheese, cooked veggies and meat of your choice and a cast iron skillet. Preheat your oven to 400F, and mix together your eggs, the cream, salt and pepper. Then, stir in your cheese. Add your mix-ins to the bottom of your cast iron skillet and pour the egg mixture on top. Bake for 10-15 minutes, checking on the early side so your frittata does not overcook,” adds The Daily Meal.
4. Boiled
Learning to boil an egg is an essential technique for anyone that enjoys eating eggs. According to The Daily Meal, “Hard-boiled eggs are the base ingredient for deviled eggs and egg salad as well as a quick and easy breakfast that you can make ahead. To make perfect hard-boiled eggs, use older (i.e, not fresh from the hen) eggs, place them in a pot and cover them completely with cold water. Then, bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once the water comes to a rolling boil, turn the heat off, cover the pot and remove it from the heat. Allow the eggs to sit in the water until they are cooked; 9 minutes for medium-sized eggs and 12 minutes for large eggs. After that time period, transfer the eggs to an ice bath. It’s just that simple!”
Boiled eggs are one of the best ways to prepare eggs in advance. “Boiled eggs keep well in the fridge, making a great grab-and-go protein. Chopped and sprinkled on salad, they’ll liven up any lunch. And don’t forget classics like egg salad! Hard-boiled: Place eggs in a pot in a single layer, cover with cold water and heat on high. Once the water reaches a boil, cover the pot and remove from heat. Let the eggs stand in the water for 12 minutes, then eat right away or cool in bowl of ice water before storing for later. Soft-boiled: Follow the same instructions for hard-boiled, but only let the eggs stand in water for two minutes,” advises What’s For Dinner?
Here are the details on how to master this technique. “Hard boiled eggs are made with a well done, completely cooked yolk. Soft boiled eggs have a slightly runny yolk. Time-Saving Tip: This egg dish may be prepped in advance, as long as the yolk is mostly cooked, for a quick grab-and-go breakfast. Hard or Soft Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot Recipe: Cook the eggs on a trivet rack with 1 cup of water on high pressure for 4 minutes. Release the steam from the pot immeadiately and move the eggs to an ice bath (water and ice in a bowl)…Hard Boiled Eggs on the Stove-Top Recipe: Place the desired number of eggs in a pot. Pour water over the eggs, just until the eggs are covered. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and cover the pot with a lid. Bring the water and eggs to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat and allow the eggs to rest (with the lid on) for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, run the eggs under cool water and peel,” mentions Live Simply.
5. Omelet
Omelets are one method for cooking eggs that are most often associated with the American diner experience. Omelets are endlessly customizable and often quite personal. “If you asked five people how they make an omelet, you’d likely get five different answers. There are different techniques for Americans, British, and French. The omelet can be country- or diner-style. They’re filled or served plain. They all start with beaten eggs. Some cooks add a bit of water or cream to the whisked eggs. Then, the beaten eggs are poured into a buttered pan—some use a pan over low heat, some over high heat. Some methods move the eggs around the pan, creating curds, and the uncooked portions are cooked by lifting the edge of the omelet to allow the runny mixture to flow underneath. Once cooked to your preference, the omelet is either rolled or folded in half,” says Eat This, Not That!
Considered simple fare in a diner or fancy food at a brunch, “There’s a reason that you’ll always find an omelette station at a hotel breakfast bar: they’re endlessly customizable. This classic dish is great plain, of course, but the fillings are where you can get creative — like with this caramelized onion, mushroom, and avocado number. Tools Needed: Bowl, Whisk, Nonstick Fry Pan, Spatula. Technique: Whisk eggs in a large bowl — you can add water, lemon juice, and seasoning here, but it’s not necessary. Melt butter in a nonstick fry pan over medium-high heat. Add the beaten eggs to the pan and cook for 30 seconds. Then, lift the cooked eggs and tilt the pan so that the liquid egg flows underneath. Do this a few more times until the eggs are mostly set. Add your fillings, if any, and then fold the omelette,” writes Williams Sonoma.
As mentioned above, omelets fit the needs of the person eating them. Though they can seem complex due to the number of options involved they are deceptively simple when you consider the core ingredients. “You can add almost anything to an omelet, but at the end of the day, all you need is eggs, butter, a splash of milk or cream and seasoning. Start by cracking two eggs in a bowl along with 2 tablespoons of milk and whisking well with a fork. You’ll know your eggs are ready when you pull the fork up and a homogenous stream of egg runs off without any white streaks. Heat your nonstick skillet over medium-low heat and add 3 tablespoons of butter; you’ll know the pan is hot enough when small bubbles form. Add your eggs to the skillet and gently stir with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon so the eggs don’t stick to the bottom while being sure to scrape down the sides. Once the omelet is at your desired level of doneness, remove it from the heat, rest, season with salt and pepper, add your desired filling, roll and enjoy,” explains The Daily Meal.
You might also be interested in:
Sources
- The Daily Meal
- Live Simply
- Giant Food
- Williams Sonoma
- A Couple Cooks
- What’s For Dinner
- Eat This, Not That!
- Tasting Table
- Food Beast
- Hy-Vee
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.
I do not see my method in the list. For the best fried eggs, you need a small well-seasoned cast iron skillet with a lid (A non-stick skillet will work) and a one-minute timer. Don’t try to do a large batch. Just two or three eggs at a time.
You must memorize the actions, as there is no time to stop and read the directions after you start the procedure. The whole thing takes about 3 minutes, so have all the items ready.
1 – Put a tablespoon of butter in the pan, put the pan on the stove, then turn the burner on high.
2 – Break two fresh eggs carefully into a small bowl. If you want pretty eggs, be sure not to break the yokes. If the yokes break, you likely have old eggs. This is the time to smell the eggs to be sure they are still good.
3 – By this time, the butter should be coming up to temperature.
4 – As soon as the butter bubbles and begins to turn brown, gently slide the eggs from the bowl into the pan. If you have fresh eggs, this should be an easy step.
5 – As quickly as you can, take the lid, and pass it under the cold water spigot to catch about two tablespoons of water.
6 – Dump the water into the pan and cover the pan with the lid.
7 – Watch the timer for one minute. Do Not peak. You will release the steam.
8 – Prepare a plate to receive the eggs.
9 – At the end of the minute, remove the lid and slide the perfectly cooked eggs onto the plate. The steam will have cooked the whites thoroughly while leaving the yolk warm but runny.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. The bacon you put in the microwave at the start (set for 2 minutes per slice) should be ready, as are the slices of toast you dropped in the toaster, and the coffee should be ready in the Keurig.
Turn off all appliances, then enjoy your breakfast made in less than 6 minutes. (Not including clean-up time, of course.)