Perfect Sunny-Side-Up Egg

Crispy edges, tender white, and a silky yolk: Cook up a classic diner-style egg in just five minutes.

The smell of bacon cooking in the morning puts me in heaven—but not just because I love bacon, but more because I’m thinking of the sunny-side-up egg I’ll pair with it! I love its taste, but as a bonus, the look of a sunny-side egg has as much to do with why I crave it: A perfect bright-yellow circle amid a bed of white just makes for a sunny morning. I appreciate eggs done any number of ways, but there’s something about sunny-side up that makes it the classic, the hero of diner breakfasts and deli specials across the country.

So what’s the secret to perfect sunny-side-up eggs? It’s the balance between a soft but chewy white with just a touch of crispness at the edges surrounding a pristinely yellow-orange yolk just warmed to a velvety, flowing texture. Timing and heat are everything, as well as the proper technique to make sure the yolk’s intact—a flawless yolk is what puts the sunny in sunny-side up. Think of breaking into the yolk as releasing breakfast’s perfect sauce, irresistible with toast, potatoes, and of course bacon! Here’s everything you need to know to get there.

Is A Sunny-Side-Up Egg Healthy?

A sunny-side-up egg is a nutrient-dense food that can totally be a part of a healthy eating plan. Eggs are a good source of high-quality protein, vitamins B12 and D, and minerals like selenium and choline. They also contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are considered heart-healthy, in addition to a small amount of omega-3 fatty acids. (Look for cartons of eggs marked “omega-3,” and you’ll get even more of this healthy fat.) And since the egg in this recipe is cooked in olive oil, it benefits from a small amount of additional monounsaturated fats. If you balk at pouring in a full tablespoon of oil, don’t worry—this amount ensures even cooking, and most of that oil will remain in the pan; eggs don’t absorb as much oil as many foods do. Up the healthiness of your breakfast by eating your egg with sides like whole-grain bread, fruit salad, or a lean bacon like Irish bacon or turkey bacon.

How To Keep Your Yolk Perfectly Sunny

Cooking a sunny-side-up egg is all about the yolk. Here are the simple strategies that will keep yours glorious every time.

Don’t skimp on the oil: This not only promotes even cooking of the white, but it prevents sticking, which can cause the yolk to break as the egg is removed from the pan.

A nonstick skillet can be your friend: Worried about eggs sticking to your cast-iron pan? Opt for a nonstick. Heavy cast-iron skillets hold heat better, helping to brown the whites’ edges, but if nonstick gives you more confidence, go with it.

Try to use a fresher egg: Fresh eggs have a thicker white, helping to keep the yolk centered when it hits the pan. And yolks tend to become fragile as the egg ages, making them more likely to break.

Crack your egg into a bowl first: It’s tempting to rap your egg against the side of the skillet and drop it in. Don’t, unless you’re very practiced. Cracking an egg on a narrow surface can force shell shards right into the yolk, breaking it before it reaches the pan. Rap the egg on a flat surface (like the counter) instead, drop it into a bowl, and then carefully slip it into your skillet.

Baste for firmer yolks. If it seems your yolk isn’t cooking fast enough, use a spoon to pour a bit of the extra oil in the pan over the yolk to speed the cooking. If that’s not practical, you can also cover the pan with a lid for a minute or two.

Serving Suggestions

You can’t beat serving the eggs straight up with bacon. Try FFF’s speedy and convenient Air-Fryer Bacon. Breakfast potatoes are another perfect partner; check out How To Make Breakfast Potatoes or this Hash Browns Recipe. You can also slip a sunny-side-up egg into a sandwich like the amazing English Muffin Breakfast Sandwich. Slide it on top of avocado toast, as in this irresistible Avocado Toast With An Egg. Or keep it super simple by toasting up a slice of your favorite bread and dipping it into the yolk for a few perfect morning bites!

Recipe