There are few things that the team at Bruncher.com love more than going out for a traditional English Breakfast. The combination of eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, hash-brown, mushrooms and black pudding (or whatever you like!) is a real treat when enjoying breakfast or brunch in a hotel, café or restaurant. It tastes even better knowing that you don't have to do the washing up afterwards. 

But we also enjoy cooking all or part of the ‘full English’ at home, and this got us thinking about how to cook the perfect eggs.

A recent survey of over 1,000 adults in the UK asked, “What is your favourite way of eating eggs?”  

The top answer was fried eggs, with 27%. Next came scrambled eggs, with 22%, then poached eggs with 15%.

In the first of a series of articles we look at how to cook the perfect fried eggs for your next traditional English breakfast. There are more ways than you might imagine, so read on and impress your friends by offering to cook their eggs ‘sunny side up’, ‘over easy’ or ‘Spanish-style’.

Getting your fried eggs just right is essential to achieving breakfast perfection. Here’s a step-by-step guide to mastering this art.

full english breakfast

Ingredients You'll Need

  • Fresh eggs (preferably free-range for richer flavour and colour)
  • A knob of unsalted butter or a tablespoon of cooking oil (groundnut, vegetable or olive oil)
  • A pinch of salt
  • Optional: Freshly cracked black pepper or chili flakes for garnish

Equipment

  • A non-stick frying pan
  • A spatula
  • A small bowl or ramekin for cracking eggs

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Choose Your Fat Start by deciding whether to use butter or oil. Butter adds a rich, creamy flavour, while oil gives a crispier edge to the egg whites. Groundnut oil has a mild, nutty flavour that doesn’t overpower the food being cooked. Olive oil ranges in flavour from neutral (refined olive oil) to rich and fruity (extra virgin olive oil). Be careful of the smoke point of the fat you choose – see below for more details.
  2. Prepare the Pan Place your non-stick pan on the stove and set the heat to low-to-medium. Add your chosen fat, allowing it to melt or heat gently. If using butter, be careful not to let it brown too much, as this can affect the flavour of the eggs.
  3. Crack the Eggs To avoid any shell mishaps, crack each egg into a small bowl or ramekin before adding it to the pan. This step also allows you to ensure the yolk remains intact.
  4. Cook the Eggs Carefully slide the egg from the bowl into the heated pan. Repeat with additional eggs, spacing them out so they don’t merge. Cook slowly to achieve tender whites and perfectly runny yolks. This typically takes 3–4 minutes.
  5. Control the Heat Maintaining a low-to-medium heat is crucial. High heat can cause the whites to bubble and brown too quickly, leaving them rubbery. If you notice any bubbling, reduce the heat. Be aware of the smoke point of the fat or oil you are using. Groundnut oil has a high smoke point, whereas extra virgin olive oil is much lower.
  6. Cover the Pan (Optional) For evenly cooked whites and soft yolks, you can cover the pan with a lid. The trapped steam will gently cook the top of the eggs, avoiding the need to flip them.
  7. Season to Taste Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the eggs just before serving. Add black pepper or chili flakes for extra flavour if desired.

Tips for Perfection

  • Freshness Matters: Fresher eggs have firmer whites and more vibrant yolks, making them ideal for frying.
  • Don’t Crowd the Pan: Too many eggs at once can lower the pan’s temperature, leading to uneven cooking.
  • Adjust for Preferences: If you like your yolks more set, extend the cooking time slightly or gently baste the yolks with the hot butter or oil from the pan.
  • Experiment with seasonings or toppings like salt, pepper, herbs, chili flakes, or grated cheese to enhance flavours.

Troubleshooting

  • Runny Whites: If the whites remain uncooked while the yolk is ready, briefly cover the pan to help them set.
  • Stuck Eggs: Ensure your pan is well-oiled or buttered, and use a good-quality non-stick skillet to prevent sticking.

undefined

Variations

There are several techniques that yield different textures and flavours. Here are the common ways to fry eggs:

1. Sunny Side Up

  • The egg is fried on one side only, without flipping.
  • The yolk remains runny, while the whites are set.
  • Cooking is done at low to medium heat to avoid browning the edges.
  • Optional: Cover the pan briefly to help set the whites.

2. Over Easy

  • The egg is fried on one side until the whites are mostly set.
  • It's then flipped gently and cooked briefly on the other side, keeping the yolk runny.

3. Over Medium

  • Similar to over easy, but the yolk is cooked slightly longer, resulting in a partially runny yolk.

4. Over Hard

  • The egg is fried on both sides until the yolk is fully cooked and firm.

5. Basted

  • The egg is fried on one side, and hot butter or oil is spooned over the top to cook the whites and lightly warm the yolk.
  • Alternatively, a small amount of water is added to the pan, which is then covered to steam the egg.

6. Scrambled-Fried Hybrid

  • Eggs are cracked into the pan and lightly stirred to create partially mixed whites and yolks.
  • The result is a marbled pattern with both textures.

7. Deep-Fried Egg

  • An egg is cracked into hot oil (usually 350°F/175°C).
  • The whites puff up and become crispy, while the yolk can remain runny or set depending on frying time.

8. Spanish-Style Fried Egg

  • Similar to deep frying, but often done in olive oil with spooning oil over the top for even cooking.
  • The edges are crispy, while the yolk stays runny.

9. Sheet Pan Fried Egg

  • Eggs are cracked onto a preheated, oiled baking sheet and baked in the oven.
  • This method is excellent for cooking multiple eggs at once.

10. Crispy-Edged Egg

  • The egg is fried in a very hot pan with a generous amount of oil or butter, creating crispy, browned edges while leaving the yolk runny.

Each method offers a unique texture and taste, so try experimenting to find your favourite style!

Check our local guides to find the best places for breakfasts and brunches near you.

Find the perfect brunch

Start your search now ›