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Learning how to cook eggs is one of the best recipes you can learn! We’ll cover 10 different ways to cook eggs (including how to poach an egg!), how to cook eggs perfectly, how long do you cook an egg-from scrambled eggs, to hard boiled, to over easy, to instant pot eggs and more that will answer all your, “What are the different ways to cook eggs?” questions!
What are the different ways to cook eggs?
Different ways to cook eggs include:
- Scrambled eggs (including scrambled eggs in the microwave)
- Eggs hard boiled
- Eggs in microwave
- Eggs sunny side up
- Eggs easy over
- Eggs over medium
- Eggs over hard
- Eggs poached
- Eggs in the oven
- Eggs in instant pot
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HOW TO COOK EGGS 10 WAYS
1. How To Make Scrambled Eggs
Most people probably have a good idea of how to cook eggs scrambled.
But, the trick is, learning how to make fluffy scrambled eggs!
This is an easy, healthy scrambled eggs recipe for two, but it can easily be doubled (or tripled) for more people. Just be sure to use a larger pan!
Best Scrambled Eggs Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Large Eggs
- 1 Tablespoon Milk (or water)
- Salt & Pepper (to taste)
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Spray medium skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Heat skillet on medium-low to medium.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper for around 60 seconds until mixed well.
- Pour egg mixture directly into heated pan.
- Using a spatula, start pulling the eggs from the edge into the middle, allowing the liquid egg to flow to the outer edge. Continue this process, constantly pulling the cooked outside into the middle of the skillet.
- When most of the eggs are cooked in the middle, stir the eggs together to finish cooking. Don't let them get brown! You want them just cooked, but not overcooked.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Nutrition information is estimated. Changes to the recipe and use of different brands may cause changes to the nutritional information to vary slightly from the ones provided here.
How to make scrambled eggs with cheese
If you want to make scrambled eggs with cheese (because, duh), just add the shredded cheese in after step 5 when the scrambled eggs are cooked. Fold and allow cheese to just melt before removing from heat and serving.
How to make scrambled eggs without milk
If you have dietary restrictions, you can make scrambled eggs without milk by substituting water. They won’t taste as rich (in my opinion), but it works just as well for cooking.
2. How To Make Hard Boiled Eggs
Hard boiled eggs are boiled eggs where the yolk is fully cooked and firmer.
However, the trick is to get them cooked just right and not overcook (or undercook) the eggs!
Here’s how to make hard boiled eggs:
- To cook eggs hard boiled, place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan or pot.
- Add water until it just covers the eggs by about 1-2 inches.
- Heat water to on high to a full rolling boil.
- Turn off heat, cover eggs, and let sit for 9-12 minutes for hard boiled eggs. For a firm, but creamier hard boiled yolk center, let the eggs sit for 7-8 minutes.
- Strain the water and then add cold water to the pot (or transfer eggs to an ice bath using a slotted spoon). The cold water/ice bath will help the eggs peel easier. Let sit for 3-5 minutes.
- Peel eggs and serve immediately, use in your favorite egg recipe, or store in airtight container (unpeeled) for up to 5 days.
How long to cook eggs hard boiled
Hard boiled eggs mean different things to different people.
“Hard boiled” to some people mean a completely firm yolk, while for others it may mean a creamy yolk. You’ll have to play around with cooking eggs for your specific stoptop, but here’s a general guide for the hard boiled eggs perfect center:
- Hard boiled eggs with a creamy yolk center: Cook 7-8 minutes
- Hard boiled eggs with a firm and creamy yolk center: Cook 8-9 minutes
- Hard boiled eggs with a very firm yolk center: Cook 9-12 minutes
Easy peel hard boiled eggs
Don’t miss the cold bath part at the end! This is not only stops the eggs from cooking, but it makes the peeling process so much easier.
Soft boiled eggs time
Why we’re here, we should probably also talk about how to cook soft boiled eggs.
Soft boiled eggs are boiled eggs with a soft yolk center.
Follow the recipe for hard boiled eggs (above) and then use the cooking guide below.
Here’s a guide on how to cook soft boiled eggs:
- Soft boiled eggs with a runny center: Cook 4 minutes
- Soft boiled eggs with a firm, but like custard: Cook for 6 minutes
3. How To Cook Eggs In Microwave
Did you know that you can cook eggs in the microwave — even hard boiled eggs in the shell!
The best way to cook them in the microwave is to use a special microwave egg cooker.
You can get a cooker for boiling eggs, poached eggs, eggs for sandwiches, and even omelets.
Scrambled eggs in the microwave
You can scramble eggs in the microwave, but just know that the texture is a little different than when they are cooked on the stove.
The eggs will puff up a little while they’re cooking in the microwave.
How to Scramble Eggs in a Microwave:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Heat on high for 45 seconds.
- Remove and stir.
- Heat for another 30 seconds or until your eggs reach the desired consistency.
- Serve immediately.
4. How To Make Eggs Sunny Side Up
Sunny side up eggs are eggs that are fried on just one side.
How to Make Sunny Side Up Eggs:
- Melt butter or oil in a single serve egg pan or a non-stick, sunny side up egg pan until hot.
- Crack eggs into heated butter or oil.
- Reduce heat to low.
- Cook 4-5 minutes, or just until white of the egg is set.
- Carefully slide out of pan without breaking the yolk.
Do you flip sunny side up eggs?
Sunny side up eggs are not flipped. They are fried on one side just until the egg white is set. The yolk is still runny.
How do you eat eggs sunny side up?
The fun part of sunny side up eggs is also the tricky part: the runny yolk!
The best way to eat them is to use something like toast, pancakes, grits, or a biscuit to soak up the yolk.
Sorry.
It really is the best way!
Is it OK to eat eggs sunny side up?
You may be wondering are runny eggs OK to eat? (Is it safe?)
According to the American Egg Board, an internal temperature of 160 degrees F will kill bacteria.
If the white is firm and the yolk has started to thicken, then the temperature should be between 165-170 degrees. However, always use your best judgment.
PS?
Sunny side up eggs are not the same as over easy eggs.
(READ ON!)
5. How To Make Eggs Easy Over
Sunny side up eggs are different from eggs over easy, but they are similar in they both have a “runny” yolk.
Sunny side up eggs are not flipped, whereas over easy eggs are flipped once.
To cook over easy eggs, you definitely need to use a non-stick pan.
How to cook over easy eggs:
- Heat one tablespoon of butter in a non-stick pan over low heat.
- Carefully crack one egg on the edge furthest from you.
- Tilt the pan toward the egg (away from you) to keep the egg white from spreading too much in the pan. (Use a silicone spatula to push the white back if needed, but be careful not to break the yolk!)
- Set the pan back down and allow the egg whites to cook until they are white and no longer clear.
- Run the spatula around the edges of the white to make sure that they egg isn’t sticking.
- Tilt the pan and lightly slide the spatula under the egg. In one smooth motion, flip the egg onto the other side taking care to not break the yolk.
- Cook for 10 seconds on that side. Slide egg onto plate and serve immediately.
6. How To Make Eggs Over Medium
Eggs over medium means that the egg yolk is partially cook and not as runny as the yolks in over easy and sunny side up.
The steps for over-medium is exactly the same, except you cook it longer to make the yolk a little harder.
How to cook eggs over medium:
- Heat one tablespoon of butter in a non-stick pan over low heat.
- Carefully crack one egg on the edge furthest from you.
- Tilt the pan toward the egg (away from you) to keep the egg white from spreading too much in the pan. (Use a silicone spatula to push the white back if needed, but be careful not to break the yolk!)
- Set the pan back down and allow the egg whites to cook until they are white and no longer clear, about 3 minutes.
- Run the spatula around the edges of the white to make sure that they egg isn’t sticking.
- Tilt the pan and lightly slide the spatula under the egg. In one smooth motion, flip the egg onto the other side taking care to not break the yolk.
- Cook for 1 more minute on that side. Slide egg onto plate and serve immediately.
7. How To Make Eggs Over Hard
Eggs over hard, or a fried eggs recipe, means that you fry the egg until the yolk is completely set just like in a hard boiled egg.
The steps for a hard fried egg is exactly the as over easy and over medium, except you cook it longer to make the yolk completely hard and there is no runny yolk left.
How to cook fried eggs over hard:
- Heat one tablespoon of butter in a non-stick pan over low heat.
- Carefully crack one egg on the edge furthest from you.
- Tilt the pan toward the egg (away from you) to keep the egg white from spreading too much in the pan. (Use a silicone spatula to push the white back if needed, but be careful not to break the yolk!)
- Set the pan back down and allow the egg whites to cook until they are white and no longer clear, about 3 minutes.
- Run the spatula around the edges of the white to make sure that they egg isn’t sticking.
- Tilt the pan and lightly slide the spatula under the egg. In one smooth motion, flip the egg onto the other side taking care to not break the yolk.
- Cook for 4-5 more minutes on that side until yolk is completely set and firm. Slide egg onto plate and serve immediately.
8. How To Poach An Egg
First, what is a poached egg?
A poached egg is cracked and then simmered in water instead of fried in oil or butter.
When poached, the white forms a soft covering on the outside and the yolk is runny on the inside.
How To Cook Eggs Poached
- In a large saucepan, heat 2-3 inches of water to a gentle simmer.
- Break egg into a saucer (without breaking the yolk) and then gently slide egg into water from the saucer.
- Cook 3-5 minutes, or until whites are completely set and yolks have thickened, but are not hard.
- Gently lift eggs from water with a slotted spoon and serve immediately.
How To Poach An Egg In The Microwave
You can also poach an egg in the microwave.
- Place 1/2 cup of water in a microwave safe bowl or ramekin.
- Gently crack egg into the water, taking care not to break the yolk.
- Completely cover the bowl with a microwave safe plate or saucer.
- Microwave on high for 1 minute, or until the white is opaque and the yolk is set but still running.
- Remove egg with a slotted spoon and serve immediately.
9. Baking Eggs In The Oven
Did you know that baking eggs in the oven is a thing?
I kinda freaked out a little when I found this out — especially since it is so helpful when you are making breakfast for a big group of people!
Check this out:
How To Cook Eggs In The Oven
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray a non-stick muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- Crack one egg into each muffin section. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Bake eggs for 13-18 minutes, until egg whites are opaque and yolks reach the desired consistency. Cook shorter time for eggs closer to sunny side up and longer if you don’t want runny yolks.
10. How To Cook Eggs In Instant Pot
You can even make Instant Pot soft boiled eggs or hard boiled eggs.
- Use 1 cup of water in a 6 quart pot (1 1/2 cups for 8 quart).
- Place eggs in an egg rack.
- Seal pressure cooker pot.
- Set cook time for 3 minutes for soft boiled eggs.
- Using tongs, carefully (HOT!) remove egg rack and immediately place eggs into an ice bath to prevent further cooking.
- Allow to remain in ice bath for 3 minutes or until eggs are cool enough to peel.
Children’s Books on Eggs
If you want to do an egg recipe pairing with children’s books, we recommend some of these great reads:
