How Long to Cook Sunny-Side-Up Eggs

Some recipes have us feeling like they shouldn’t pose any challenges, but this isn’t always the case. For sunny-side-up eggs, many things can go wrong, like the yolk breaking before it cooks or the white spilling too far that it cracks. Of course, this shouldn’t discourage you, as you can still prepare this delightful breakfast menu with the right guide. And once you’ve mastered how to time sunny-side-up eggs on any cooking method, it’ll become one of the many recipes to add to the easy list.

 

Eggs Nutrition Facts

Choosing the Eggs

This may sound ludicrous but let’s explore this point for a moment. Have you ever noticed how some egg white spread too thin when cracked while others retain a certain diameter? That’s because there’s a distinct difference in their conditions, so if you want to make a perfect sunny-side-up egg recipe, start with choosing the right eggs.

Fresh eggs laid within a week are best for sunny-side-up recipes, as the white’s protein bonds are still strong. But this condition weakens the longer the egg sits after laying, which explains why older eggs produce runny whites. If you’re not sure about how to choose fresh eggs, consider pasteurized brands, as these offer high-quality options for such specialized recipes.

Choosing the Oil

You’ll be drying the eggs, so choose the medium that bests suits you. The general verdict is vegetable oil, but you can also use coconut, peanut, or olive oil. Butter is also another tasty option and renders a creamy flavor to the egg. And if you’re feeling adventurous, cook the sunny-side-up eggs in bacon grease!

But whichever you decide, ensure that the medium is cooked to maximum heat (the butter should be bubbly, and the oil should shimmer). The egg will cook too fast for the yolk to run off the white at such a temperature.

Prepping the Egg

The daredevils swear that cooking sunny-side-up eggs is as easy as cracking the egg directly onto the pan as the oil or fat melts. But first-timers who try this may wind up with scrambled eggs instead, so it helps to use a container to keep it in shape before cooking.

A small bowl works to hold each egg, and you can carefully pour it onto the hot pan when it’s time. You can also use an egg mold, a cookie cutter, a custard cup, mini pie pans, a ramekin, or Silpat with an egg ring. But ensure to oil any container in which you’re cooking the egg, or the white will stick to its wall.

Seasoning Tips

Sunny-side-up eggs work best with a pinch of black pepper and salt, and you can substitute these ingredients with suitable alternatives. But ensure that the seasoning is done after the white and yolk are considerably firm. Another suggestion is to sprinkle the season on the white just before it solidifies, so it holds flavor, but the yolk should only be tampered with after they’ve firmed a bit. Also, only use powdered seasoning if you’ll add it as the egg cooks, while other types can be sprinkled after doneness.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by CARLIE | New York Foodie (@carlieeeeats)

Cooking Time

You can time sunny-side-up eggs based on how it’s cooked, and the most common options are found below;

On the Stove- Cook the butter or oil over medium-low heat in a non-stick pan until it turns bubbly or shimmers respectively. Then, crack the egg into a small bowl or custard cup and carefully pour it into the pan, so the yolk isn’t disturbed. Cook for about one to two minutes, then season as desired and slide the sunny-side-up eggs off the skillet into a plate.

In the Oven- Coat a cast iron pan with oil, butter, or grease and place it in a 40F oven. Let it grow hot, then crack the egg into a bowl and transfer it to the pan. You can also use a Silpat and egg ring or an egg mold and crack the egg inside the ring instead. Let the sunny-side-up eggs bake for five minutes, then transfer to a plate.

In an Air Fryer– Coat a mini pie pan (or oven-safe ramekin) with cooking spray, and crack an egg into it. Cook the egg in the air fryer at 375F for three to five minutes, or until the yolk is solid and the white is firm. Then, transfer the sunny-side-up egg to a plate, season as desired, and serve.

Print