Perfectly cooked Sunny Side Up Eggs with those super runny yolks? They speak for themselves. There just isn't anything quite like this classic breakfast staple and yet they are so easy to make. We are going to walk you through getting the egg whites set without losing any of that gooey, golden goodness of the yolk.
Obviously, these sunny little guys are perfect for breakfast or brunch all on their own, but they are also ideal for egg sandwiches. This technique is foolproof and super quick, making it the perfect thing to have in your home-chef repertoire. Company decided to spend the night? You've got breakfast covered!
WHAT IS A SUNNY SIDE UP EGG?
There is not much of a difference between fried eggs and Sunny Side Up Eggs. The thing is, Sunny Side Up indicates the whites are completely set but the yolks are runny. Oftentimes, this means the egg doesn't get flipped. So, technically, a Sunny Side Up Egg is just a fried egg with firm whites and a runny yolk that never gets flipped in the pan.
Over-easy eggs have very similar features to Sunny Side Up Eggs (firm whites, runny yolks), however, over-easy eggs are flipped in the pan and cooked for about 30 seconds before serving.
THE BEST PAN FOR COOKING EGGS
If you've ever cracked into an egg, you know egg whites are sticky. This is why it's best to use a non-stick pan or a well-seasoned cast iron skillet when cooking eggs. We definitely prefer nonstick skillets over cast iron, but both of these frying pan options are far superior when compared to stainless steel pans. Speaking of eggs, check out all of our egg recipes!
HOW TO MAKE SUNNY SIDE UP EGGS
Add olive oil to an 8-inch, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Don't crank up the heat. You need the heat to remain right around medium for the eggs to set all the way through without the yolks starting to cook on the bottom.
Heat the oil, and when it comes to temperature, gently crack 1 to 2 eggs into the pan. If your egg hits the pan and you hear a hissing and sizzling, your heat is too high and you should reduce it slightly.
Allow the eggs to cook for about 1 minute, without moving or jostling the egg yolks whatsoever. As soon as you see the egg whites have become opaque on the bottom, use a small spoonful of hot oil from the pan to baste any uncooked egg whites, taking care to avoid pouring oil over the yolk.
Place a tight-fitting lid over the pan and allow to cook for about 1-2 minutes more, depending on how tender or firm you like your egg whites. Remove the lid and season with salt and pepper.
To remove the eggs from the pan, carefully slide a thin (preferably silicone) spatula underneath the cooked Sunny Side Up Eggs, and transfer them to a plate.
IS OIL OR BUTTER BETTER FOR FRYING EGGS?
We prefer to use oil over butter for making Sunny Side Up Eggs and here's why: butter burns quickly and releases milk solids as it gets hot. Oil is much easier to work with, heats evenly, and spreads quickly. The downside to oil is the lack of flavor.
If those little bits of brown milk solids attached to your egg whites are a beautiful thing to you and you're willing to watch the butter to ensure it doesn't burn before the egg hits the pan, by all means, go with butter.
FUN WAYS TO ENJOY SUNNY SIDE UP EGGS
There are so many ways you can serve Sunny Side Up Eggs. Having this simple know-how up your sleeve can really come in handy when it comes to preparing breakfasts, lunches, and even dinners! Let's talk about some options.
For breakfast and brunch we have some seriously savory possibilities. Serve your eggs alongside biscuits and gravy, ham steak, or on top of cheese grits.
For a Sunny Side Up lunch, we recommend serving your eggs over a springy spinach salad or as part of a vegetable hash. One bowl meals for the win!
Last, but certainly not least, if you're looking to incorporate Sunny Side Up Eggs into your dinner menu, try adding them to burgers (or more specifically, cheeseburgers!) for some extra flavor and added protein.
6 MORE EGG RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
- Baked Eggs
- Starbucks Egg Bites
- Steak and Eggs
- Tex-Mex Migas
- Breakfast Tacos
- Scrambled Eggs with Cheese
Sunny Side Up Eggs
Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 2 large eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place a small, nonstick skillet over medium heat and allow it to come to temperature. Add the olive oil and allow to heat through.
- Crack the eggs one at a time into a small bowl and gently pour them into the pan.
- Allow the eggs to sit, undisturbed, for about 1 minute, until the white turns opaque on the bottom.
- Use a small spoon to baste any uncooked egg whites (likely surrounding the yolk) with hot oil from the pan and cover the pan with a lid. Cook for about 1-2 minutes more.
- Once the whites are done to your liking, remove the lid, carefully slide a thin spatula underneath the eggs and transfer to a plate. Season with salt and pepper, serve, and enjoy!
Nutrition
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