Learn how to make sunny side up eggs and achieve firm egg whites and a soft, runny yolk with my failproof method and simple steps.
In my opinion, sunny side up eggs are one of the most fun ways to prepare eggs. They’re impressive in appearance but are quick, easy, and pretty failproof to make. My method adds rich flavor and ensures a perfect finished result so you can start your morning off on the right foot.
Ingredients and Notes
See the recipe card below for the complete ingredients list and instructions.
- Butter – I prefer to cook eggs with butter instead of olive oil or avocado oil for a richer flavor.
- Eggs – For the best taste and presentation, make sure to use fresh eggs. To test your eggs, gently place them in a bowl of water. If they sink, you’ll know they’re fresh. Older eggs float and are best used for hard boiled eggs.
- Salt and Pepper – Add more or less to taste.
How to Make Sunny Side Up Eggs
Nick’s Tips for Success
- Use fresh eggs. To test your eggs, gently place them in a bowl of water. If they sink, you’ll know they’re fresh. Older eggs sink to the bottom and are best used for hard boiled eggs.
- Avoid high heat. Cooking eggs at too high a temperature will cause the bottoms to burn before the whites are set. Therefore, I don’t recommend cooking over a heat source warmer than medium-high.
- Try not to overcrowd the pan. If cooking more than one egg at a time, make sure to leave a little space between each egg. Work in batches if this isn’t possible. If the whites touch, they’re likely to run together, and the eggs won’t hold their shape.
- Use a skillet with a lid. Once the eggs are beginning to set, cover the pan and continue to cook. This helps keep the yolks runny while allowing the whites to cook through. If you can, use a glass lid so you can keep an eye on your eggs.
Serving Suggestions
My favorite way to serve sunny side up eggs is on a plate with chili oil or chili crisp and browned butter foam around the whites. Be careful not to accidentally touch the yolks while plating.
They’re also great served over toast, burgers, polenta, or savory oatmeal bowls. Or, you can enjoy them as part of a breakfast over sautéed mushrooms or asparagus alongside bacon, pancakes, or waffles.
Sunny Side Up Eggs Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Small Nonstick Skillet with a Lid
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon (14 gram) butter
- 1 large egg*
- kosher salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, and add the butter, allowing it to melt.1 tablespoon butter
- Once the butter is lightly sizzling, crack the egg into the skillet, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for one to two minutes, or until the edges of the egg begin to lightly brown and the whites begin to set.1 large egg*, kosher salt to taste, black pepper to taste
- Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for another one to two minutes, or until the white is fully set, but the yolk is still runny.
- Remove the pan from the heat and transfer to a plate to serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!Frequently Asked Questions
Sunny side up eggs are cooked only on one side, which results in fully cooked whites and a runny yolk. Fried eggs, on the other hand, are flipped and can be cooked over easy, over medium, or over hard, resulting in different degrees of doneness for the yolk.
I prefer to use butter because it adds a rich flavor and helps achieve softer eggs. However, oil is a great option if you prefer a more neutral flavor and slightly crispier edges.
Perfect sunny side up eggs are done cooking when the whites are fully set and no longer transparent, and the yolks are still runny.
Great recipe! I had this for breakfast and it turned out perfect. The chili crisp was such a great add on. So glad I made this.
one of the best i’ve ever cooked. LET HIM COOOOKKKKK
Great way to cook eggs, delicious recipe I always used oil but butter is way better.
Thanks Nick.
Great , thanks nick