Sunny Side Up Eggs

Sunny side-up eggs are a breakfast classic that anyone can make at home. My easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and simple tips are perfect for beginners looking to expand their cooking skills.

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Sunny side up eggs may be the most intimidating of all the fried egg recipes. But I have a trick up my sleeve. So get your avocado toast ready because here we come!

Jump to:

• 🧾What You Need
• ⏲️How to Make Sunny Side Up Eggs
• 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
• 🌡️Storing Leftovers
• More Egg-cellent Recipes
• 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
• 📖 Recipe Card
• ⭐Reviews

🧾What You Need

The best eggs for fried eggs are the freshest ones possible. Older eggs can be used for scrambled eggs where the egg yolk doesn't need to be defined. 

What grade eggs for sunny side up eggs?

Choose Grade AA large eggs for all fried egg recipes. Grade A works well for baking or scrambled eggs, where the yolk definition is less critical.  

I always look for pasture-raised eggs. Orangic if they aren't going to make the bank. 

Should You Use Oil, Butter, or Bacon Grease?

The best choice for this type of fried egg is butter.  As you heat the butter it will brown slightly giving the eggs a richer nutty flavor.  

In addition to adding more flavor than oil, it provides a lovely texture for the egg whites. 

However, if you prefer an extra crispy white try olive oil or avocado oil. For a dairy-free and vegan option, try unsalted vegan butter. 

I generally do not cook sunny side up eggs in bacon grease. It tends to run too hot and gets the bottoms crispier than I like. 

What Type of Pan for Sunny Side Up Eggs

The secret to keeping your eggs from sticking is to use the right pan.  I prefer to use a nonstick skillet because it makes flipping eggs a snap. Also, cleanup is simpler. 

When using a nonstick pan be sure to use a rubber or plastic spatula to prevent scratching.  A thin spatula will make flipping easier than a thick one. 

Unlike my other fried egg recipes, I don't recommend stainless steel pans or even a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. For newbies in the kitchen, a non-stick pan is the way to go. 

⏲️How to Make Sunny Side Up Eggs

Melt the Butter

Warming the butter in a cold pan over medium heat is the first step. Use lots of butter to keep things from sticking. When the melted butter is just beginning to foam, the pan is ready.

Unlike with other types of fried eggs you don't want the butter to brown. 

Gently Add the Eggs

I prefer to break the eggs into a small bowl and add them one at a time. If I break an egg yolk, it is usually because I cracked it on the side of the pan.

Then cover the pan with a glass lid. 

The bottoms of the eggs will fry while the tops will steam. After 1 to 2 minutes remove the lid.  The edges of the egg should look slightly dry, the whites set, and finally, the yolk should be bright yellow and glossy.

Voila! You just made your first sunny side-up egg. 

Gently remove the egg from the pan to your plate. 

And honestly, if you break the yolk just flip it over and turn them into over-hard eggs. 

🥗What to Serve with Sunny Side Up Eggs

Clearly toast, bacon, hash browns, a stack of blueberry pancakes- the breakfast works essentially.

But sunny side up eggs can be used on rice bowls, in place of poached eggs on raman, or served over roasted vegetables.

But I like to turn my bean and cheese tacos into breakfast food by serving them sunny-side-up eggs and a little homemade salsa and avocado cream. Crispy tacos are perfect for dipping into that perfectly runny yolk. 

You can also try topping your eggs with harissa or a little basil pesto.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Use fresh eggs to get the most defined yolk.
• Thoroughly heat your pan and melt your butter. A hot pan will keep the egg whites together the prevent the eggs from running together.
• But don't overheat the pan. medium heat is as high as you can go. 
• If you are using oil or grease you can test for a hot pan by flicking a TINY amount of water and seeing if it sizzles.  
• To avoid breaking the yolk, crack the eggs into a small dish and then slide them into the pan.
• If you are using salted butter skip salting the eggs. 

🌡️Storing Leftovers

Sunny side up eggs are best eaten right away. but you can store the cooked eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume them within 2-3 days. 

You can reheat fried on the stovetop in a skillet with a little butter. The yolks will cook fully. 

More Egg-cellent Recipes

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my eggs are fresh?

The first way to tell if your eggs are fresh is by the expiration date on the carton. You can also do the water test.

Fill a glass with water. Place the egg in the water, if the egg sinks it is fresh.

If it stands on one end it is a few weeks old and if it floats they are no longer safe to eat. 

What is the difference between sunny-side up and over-easy eggs?

While both types of eggs have runny yolks, the over-easy eggs are gently flipped without breaking the yolks. The egg whites are cooked more over easy eggs and the edges will be crispier. 

Are runny yolks safe to eat?

Eggs do run the risk of carrying food-borne illnesses like Salmonella. Cooking the eggs all the way through is the only way to ensure it is eliminated.

It is recommended that young children, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems should avoid soft yolk eggs.

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