How to Make Perfect Sunny-Side-Up Eggs
Learn how to make perfect sunny-side-up eggs without flipping, every single time! Sunny-side-up eggs have firm whites with a golden, runny yolk that are quick and easy to make for breakfast.
What could be more classic for breakfast than over-easy, over-hard, over-medium eggs? Sunny-side-up fried eggs, of course!
This is one of our favorite ways to make eggs because it's not only super quick and easy but also delivers a picture-perfect egg with firm whites and a lusciously runny yolk.
Ingredients & Equipment
- large eggs: For the best flavor and quality, look for pasture-raised eggs. The next best option is cage-free eggs.
- butter: Butter is the best fat for frying eggs because it gives the eggs an unbeatable richness. If you don't have any butter on hand, other cooking fats like avocado oil, olive oil, lard, or bacon grease can be used instead.
- salt and black pepper: A sprinkle of salt and pepper is all you need - simple, flavorful, and perfect every time.
- optional: Fresh chopped herbs such as chives or parsley, cracked red pepper, or hot sauce.
- skillet: Use a cast iron skillet, non-stick pan, or stainless steel pan to make fried eggs.
- spatula: A thin rubber or stainless steel spatula is best for frying eggs because it separates and lifts the egg from the pan more easily than a thick spatula.
Pro Tips
Preheat the pan: Heat the pan on medium-low and add butter, letting it melt for about 2 minutes before adding the egg.
Crack the egg into a bowl: To reduce the risk of breaking the yolk, crack the egg into a bowl to make it easier to slide into the pan. You can also check for small pieces of shell that you will want to remove before cooking the egg.
Use the right spatula: Use a thin, wide rubber or stainless steel spatula to slide under the egg making sure to get completely under the yolk before lifting up.
Cook over medium low heat: Cook the eggs over medium low heat to prevent the bottoms from burning while ensuring the whites set properly.
Cover the pan: Covering the pan with a lid helps the eggs cook more evenly by gently steaming the tops without flipping.
Use fresh eggs: Fresh eggs have sturdy protein in their whites helping them hold their shape better while cooking compared to older eggs.
How to Make Perfect Sunny Side Up Eggs
Step 1: Melt the butter
In a non-stick skillet or cast iron pan, melt the butter over medium-low to medium heat for about 2 minutes.
Medium-low heat is typically around 2.5-3 on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the lowest setting and 10 is the highest.
Step 2: Gently add the egg
Crack the egg into a bowl. Make sure there are no pieces of eggshell and then carefully transfer it to the hot pan.
Step 3: Cook the egg
Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the whites are fully set.
Step 4: Serve
Gently slide the spatula under the egg whites all the way around, before sliding it under the yolk to help separate the egg from the pan and reduce the chances of the yolk breaking.
Lift it from the pan and carefully place it on a plate to serve. Season the egg with salt and pepper.
What to serve with perfect sunny-side up eggs
Serving perfect sunny-side-up eggs is all about adding those cozy touches to make breakfast wholesome.
You can't go wrong with them on top of buttery sourdough toast and a side of sizzling maple turkey sausage or crispy bacon for a classic breakfast spread.
If you're feeling a bit more indulgent, they're the perfect partner for a stack of fluffy French toast, sourdough pancakes, and waffles.
We enjoy them over avocado toast and even rice bowls.
FAQs
A sunny-side-up egg is only fried on one side without flipping it in the pan. It has firm, set whites and a golden, runny yolk.
The egg whites should be fully opaque in the skillet. It takes about 2-3 minutes over medium heat in a nonstick skillet.
The key is to cook them over medium to medium-low heat so the eggs do not burn.
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Perfect Sunny Side Up Eggs
INGREDIENTS
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon butter
- salt and pepper (to taste)
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a nonstick or cast iron pan, melt the butter over medium-low heat for about 2 minutes.
- Crack the egg in a bowl and carefully transfer it to the pan. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the whites are fully set.
- Gently slide the spatula under the egg whites all the way around, before sliding it under the yolk to help separate the egg from the pan and reduce the chances of the yolk breaking. Lift it from the pan, and carefully place it on a plate to serve. Season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition
The trick is in using enough butter or oil and keeping the heat at low to medium-low. This way, the egg cooks evenly without burning the bottom.
No, you're not supposed to flip sunny side up eggs. They’re meant to cook just on one side, leaving the yolk exposed and runny. If you flip them, they become "over-easy" eggs.
A simple trick is to cover the pan with a lid while cooking. This traps the heat and gently steams the top of the egg, helping the whites set without flipping, while keeping the yolk perfectly runny.
Best way to make eggs!
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