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    The Heirloom Pantry » Recipe Index » Sides

    How to Cook Perfect Sunny Side Up Eggs

    Published: May 31, 2022 · Modified: Jan 11, 2023 by Kathleen Higashiyama · The following content may contain affiliate links. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.

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    Sunny side egg with salt and pepper on a plate with sourdough French toast and berries Pinterest pin.

    Sunny Side Up Eggs feature a golden runny yolk and lightly crisped egg white. The egg yolk spreads perfectly across rice, toast, or hash to make a delicious and filling breakfast.

    Sunny side egg with salt and pepper on a plate with sourdough French toast and berries.

    These super simple eggs are our go to when we need to quickly satisfy our egg craving. It takes just 2 minutes to whip them up and they go with so many dishes!

    Jump to:
    • Where to Get Your Eggs
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Perfect Sunny Side Up Eggs
    • How to Enjoy Sunny Side Up Eggs
    • FAQ
    • Other Ways to Prepare Eggs
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Egg Grades
    • Top tips
    • Did You Like This Recipe?
    • Perfect Sunny Side Up Eggs

    Where to Get Your Eggs

    We are strong proponents for pasture raised eggs. Pasture raised eggs are laid by hens who have access to pastures outdoors. As a result, the eggs are full of flavor and vitamins. This is reflected in the deep orange and red color of the egg yolks.

    Our favorite pasture-raised eggs are distributed by Vital Farms. Vital Farms works with carefully-selected farmers throughout the United States.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients to make sunny side up eggs, including pasture raised eggs, butter, salt, and pepper.
    • Butter - Butter adds a layer of fat that keeps the eggs from sticking to the pan and adds flavor.
    • Fresh Eggs - Eggs are an excellent source of protein. Pasture-raised eggs have a delicious flavor and contain more vitamins and omega-3 fats than cage-raised eggs.
    • Salt - Salt accentuates the delicious flavor of the eggs.
    • Freshly Ground Black Pepper - Pepper adds a spicy kick.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    How to Make Perfect Sunny Side Up Eggs

    Steps to make sunny side up eggs in a cast iron skillet.
    • Heat butter - Heat butter in cast iron skillet or frying pan over medium low heat.
    • Crack and season the egg - Once the butter is melted and slightly foamy, crack the egg onto skillet and sprinkle salt and pepper on top.
    • Cook egg - Cook for about 2 to 2½ minutes. Once the egg whites go from clear to white and edges start to crisp, use spatula to transfer egg to plate and enjoy.

    Pro tip: Cook only 1-2 eggs in a pan at one time to make it easy to remove the eggs with a spatula.

    How to Enjoy Sunny Side Up Eggs

    There are a ton of ways enjoy these 2 minute eggs. They are delicious over toast with fresh cracked pepper, Maldon Sea Salt Flakes, and avocado or over Breakfast Hash with Sweet Potatoes and Eggs. It's runny nature also makes it ideal for a breakfast rice bowl, or fried rice.

    FAQ

    Are sunny side up eggs good for you?

    Yes! Eggs are a rich source of protein, biotin, iron, vitamins, zinc, and magnesium. In order to make sure thee eggs maintain all of their nutrients, don't overcook them. The longer you cook your eggs, the more nutrients you lose. 

    What's the difference between over easy and sunny side up eggs?

    Over easy eggs are fried, flipped, then cooked briefly on the yolk side while sunny side up eggs are fried on only one side.

    Can I use olive oil instead of butter?

    Yes, olive oil will also work to cook the eggs. However, we use butter because it is tastier.

    Are sunny side up eggs popular outside of the United States?

    Yes, many countries enjoy sunny side up eggs, including the UK and Mexico. In the UK, the only kind of fried eggs they eat are sunny side up eggs and simply call them "fried eggs." In Mexico, sunny side up eggs are referred to Huevos Estrellados.

    Other Ways to Prepare Eggs

    While we like to make sunny side up eggs, we enjoy all types of eggs. Here are a few other ways to prepare eggs:

    • Soft Scrambled Eggs - Whenever we make scrambled eggs, we make them soft and fluffy. We love making a Soft Scramble with Burrata, Tomatoes, and Arugula.
    • Soft Boiled Jammy Eggs - Soft Boiled Jammy Eggs have a soft yolk with a spreadable jammy texture. Just boil eggs for 7 minutes, then enjoy them in a bowl of ramen, in an egg salad sandwich, on a salad, or on top of avocado toast topped with truffle salt.
    • Soft Boiled Runny Eggs -  If you want your eggs runny and perfect for going over rice, follow the steps for Soft Boiled Jammy Eggs, just boil the eggs for 5 minutes instead of 7. Our Bacon and Egg Breakfast Rice Bowl is an example of how to integrate this runny soft boiled egg into a delicious breakfast.
    • Hard Boiled Eggs - Hard Boiled Eggs are great for an egg salad sandwich if you prefer a firm yolk. In order to hard boil eggs, just boil the eggs for 10 minutes then cool them and peel the shell.
    • Over Easy Eggs - Over easy eggs are like sunny side up eggs, but are flipped over briefly to sear the top of the eggs. As a result, the yolk is still runny.
    • Over Medium Eggs - Over medium eggs are cooked a little longer than over easy eggs, until the yolk is a little less runny.
    • Over Hard Eggs - Over hard eggs have a completely cooked through yolk, similar to a hard boiled egg and are great for breakfast sandwiches.

    Equipment

    This gluten free egg recipe requires just a few kitchen essentials. In order to make this recipe, you will need a non-stick pan or standard skillet and a silicone baking spatula. If you use a standard skillet, we suggest seasoning it so it becomes a nonstick skillet and the eggs will flip more easily. To explore more kitchen items to make your kitchen complete, head to our Kitchen Essentials Shop.

    Storage

    You can refrigerate sunny side up eggs in an air tight container for up to 2 days. In order to reheat them, heat them in a covered pan over low heat. These ingredients do not stand up well to freezing.

    Egg Grades

    The USDA grades eggs AA, A, or B based on their interior quality and the condition of their shell. Grade AA eggs tend to be the most expensive while Grade A eggs are the most widely available. Given that AA and A are the highest quality eggs, they are best for cooking. Grade B eggs don't meet the same standards as Grade AA and A eggs and are usually used for frozen, liquid, or dried egg products.

    Top tips

    • Cook eggs low and slow to avoid over-cooking them.
    • If cooking multiple batches, allow the pan to cool for a couple of minutes between batches to avoid burning the butter and over-cooking the eggs.
    • Use fresh eggs for the best results! We highly recommend pasture-raised eggs for an extra delicious and nutritious yolk.
    • Figure out what you want to make with your over fried eggs before you start making them so your eggs are ready at the same time as your other food and you can enjoy everything hot and fresh.
    • If possible, use a non-stick pan to cook the eggs. This will ensure that the eggs come out easily once they are done cooking.

    Did You Like This Recipe?

    If you love these sunny side up eggs, please rate and comments below. You can also check out these other breakfast and brunch egg recipes:

    • Bacon and Egg Breakfast Rice Bowl
    • Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Tomatoes, and Arugula
    • Brioche French Toast with Berries
    • Breakfast Hash with Sweet Potatoes and Eggs
    • How to Make Perfect Fried Eggs (4 Types)
    Closeup of a sunny side up egg with Maldon salt and pepper.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Perfect Sunny Side Up Eggs

    Sunny Side Up Eggs feature a golden runny yolk and lightly crisped egg white. The egg yolk spreads perfectly across rice, toast, or hash to make a delicious and filling breakfast.
    Cook Time2 mins
    Total Time2 mins
    Course: Breakfast, Brunch
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 69kcal
    Author: Kathleen Higashiyama

    Equipment

    • 1 non-stick pan
    • 1 seasoned cast iron skillet optional
    • 1 spatula

    Ingredients 

    • 2 teaspoon butter
    • 1 egg
    • sea salt
    • freshly cracked pepper

    Instructions

    • Heat butter - Heat butter in cast iron skillet or pan over low-medium heat.
      2 teaspoon butter
    • Crack and season the egg - Once the butter is melted and slightly foamy, crack the egg onto skillet and sprinkle salt and pepper on top.
      1 egg, sea salt, freshly cracked pepper
    • Cook egg - Cook for about 2 to 2½ minutes. Once the egg whites go from clear to white and edges start to crisp, use spatula to transfer egg to plate and enjoy.

    Notes

    Storage
    Refrigerate sunny side up eggs in an air tight container for up to 2 days. In order to reheat them, heat in a covered pan over low heat, then flip them after 1 minute.
    Top Tips
    • Use fresh eggs for the best results.
    • Cook eggs low and slow to avoid over-cooking them.
    • Cook 1-2 eggs in a pan to make it easy to flip the eggs. 
    • If cooking multiple batches, allow the pan to cool for a couple of minutes between batches to avoid burning the butter and over-cooking the eggs.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 69kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 165mg | Sodium: 73mg | Potassium: 74mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 254IU | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keyword: buttered eggs, cooking sunny side up egg, eggs sunny side up, eggs sunny side up calories, how to cook sunny side up eggs, how to make a sunny side up, how to make perfect sunny side up eggs, how to make sunny side up eggs, sunny eggs, sunny side up, sunny side up egg, sunny side up egg recipe, sunny side up eggs, sunny side up vs over easy
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theheirloompantry or tag #theheirloompantry!

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    About the Author

    Kat Higashiyama and Alec Totto are recipe developers, food photographers, and the authors behind The Heirloom Pantry. Since 2017, they have shared recipes inspired by their Japanese and Italian heritage and California and Hawaii roots. They reside in San Jose with their two dogs, Peeps and Paisley. Read More…

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