One of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen, eggs can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
There are many different ways to cook eggs, most of which are quick and easy.
Here are seven different ways to make eggs – from hard-boiled to sunny side up!
Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled eggs are a popular breakfast food.
This dish has many variations, including cheese-scrambled eggs, stir-fried scrambled eggs with vegetables, and pepper-scrambled egg topped with cream and served on toast.
Scrambled eggs are quick to make; this is especially useful if you need to feed a group of people in the morning.
Scrambled eggs are made by beating eggs and sometimes milk together.
They are then cooked in a pan over medium-low heat until the eggs are fluffy and fully cooked. Scrambled eggs can also be cooked in a microwave.
Serve on toast or crumpets.
Poached Eggs
Poached eggs are another breakfast food.
They are cooked by submerging eggs into simmering water, then removing them when the egg white has fully set, and the yolk is still soft (about 3 minutes).
Season with salt and pepper before serving small poached eggs on toasted bread or English muffin halves
There are a variety of recipes that include poached eggs; popular ones are shakshuka and eggs benedict.
Fried Eggs
Fried eggs are also a popular breakfast choice, especially with a full English breakfast.
Fried eggs are made by cracking the egg into a frying pan with melted butter or oil.
Fried eggs are cooked to varying degrees, depending on how runny or hard you like your yolk.
The three most common styles are;
Sunny-Side Up
Sunny-side up fried eggs are cooked until the white is fully set, but the yolk remains runny. This style of fried egg is not flipped.
This results in yellow yolk surrounded by an unbroken white – hence the name sunny side up.
Over Easy
Over easy fried eggs are cooked the same way as sunny side up eggs, but they are flipped over so that the yolk is cooked some more. The yolk is still runny.
Once the white is fully set, flip the egg using a spatula and leave it to cook for a further 30 seconds.
Over Medium
Flip and cook the other side for a further minute. This will result in a medium consistency of the yolk.
Over Hard
Again, flip the egg once the white has set and cooked for even longer, at least 90 seconds, until the yolk is hard.
Soft Boiled Eggs
Boiling is one of the most popular ways to prepare an egg. When done correctly, boiled eggs should be easy to peel – but not too easy.
Soft boiled eggs are a traditional breakfast food in many parts of the world. They are cooked by putting them into simmering water for about 3 minutes (until the egg white is fully set).
To serve soft-boiled eggs, remove them from the hot water and put them under cold running water. This will prevent the egg from cooking further and help it cool down quickly so you can peel them without burning yourself.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are commonly used in different recipes, such as egg-salad sandwiches, devilled eggs and egg mayonnaise.
Hard boiling an egg is simple – just put the egg(s) in a pot of water and bring it to a boil on high heat. Put a lid on the pan and remove it from the heat. Leave it for between 9 to 12 minutes, depending on how ‘hard’ you want it.
To peel hard-boiled eggs easily, you can roll them between your hands or crack open the shell with a spoon.
You can also make soft or hard boiled eggs in an air fryer, check out our step by step guide here.
Omelettes
Omelettes are a classic meal – they are quick to make, and you can add almost any kind of ingredient to them.
To cook an omelette, mix the eggs with salt and pepper in a bowl or jug. Whisk them for about 1 minute until frothy.
Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Pour the eggs into the hot pan, cook until the base is set, and add your fillings. Use a spatula to gently fold one edge of the omelette over the filling (this will prevent it from breaking)—Cook for about 2 minutes more.
Baked Eggs
Baked eggs are a delicious and filling breakfast or daytime snack.
They have the advantage of being healthy and easy to make – crack an egg into a buttered ramekin dish, add cheese if desired or your chosen filling and then bake for about 10 minutes until cooked through. You can top your baked egg with hot sauce or sprinkle with your favourite seasoning.