Eggs are the perfect breakfast food: full of protein and good fats, can be cooked in dozens of ways, and they’re quick and easy to make. Learn how to cook eggs with these simple methods and step-by-step recipes.
Whether you make eggs scrambled, cooked in buttery toast, baked in a casserole or frittata, or hard boiled, use this list of 15 different ways to cook eggs to keep breakfast easy, healthy, and fun!
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Eggs are Budget-Friendly and a Nutritional Powerhouse
Many of us are feeling the rising cost of groceries. We’re looking for ways to eat real, nutrient-dense food and be consciousness about what we’re spending.
Eggs are one of the best foods you can learn how to cook and incorporate into your daily diet to stretch your dollar without sacrificing nutrition.
One egg contains 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of healthy fat. These macronutrients keep you satiated and full. No empty calories that will leave you hungry within minutes!
With a dozen eggs, you can make a few different breakfasts, lunches, or dinners and feed a family nutrient-dense meals in a variety of ways.
There are over 16 different egg styles (or cooking techniques) so the possibilities are endless.
What are the Basic Ways to Cook an Egg?
Before we talk about different ways to cook and eat eggs for breakfast (recipes to make), let’s cover the basic ways or techniques used to cook an egg.
There are 10 ways to cook an egg. The 15 recipes we’ll talk about in a minute all use one of these cooking techniques.
- Sunny Side Up: A cracked egg is cooked in a skillet, in butter or oil. The egg white is cooked but the yolk is runny. The yolk appears as a “sun” –>hence the name.
- Over Easy: A cracked egg is cooked in a skillet, in butter or oil. The egg is flipped once while cooking. The yolk is runny.
- Over Medium: A cracked egg is cooked in a skillet, in butter or oil. The egg is flipped once while cooking. The yolk is slightly runny, like a custard or jam consistency.
- Over Hard: A cracked egg is cooked in a skillet, in butter or oil. The egg is flipped once while cooking. The yolk is completely firm and cooked.
- Scrambled: 2 or more cracked eggs are whisked in a bowl before cooking, then cooked in butter or oil, until fluffy and in the shape of large “curds.”
- Hard Boiled: The entire egg, still in the shell, is cooked in water and “boiled” until the egg white and yolk are firm and cooked. The egg is peeled after cooking.
- Soft Boiled: The entire egg, still in the shell, is cooked in water and “boiled” until the egg white is cooked and the yolk is jammy and slightly runny.
- Poached: The egg is removed from the shell and cracked directly into simmered water (sometimes with a splash of vinegar), for about 5 minutes. The egg white is cooked, appearing like a soft pillow, with a runny yolk inside.
- Shirred: Eggs baked in a small bowl, in the oven, with cream or milk and breadcrumbs.
- Baked: There are many different ways to bake an egg(s), from a casserole to frittata to a muffin tin.
eggs for breakfast
Cheat Sheet
15 Different Ways to Cook and Eat Eggs
The following 15 recipes are simple, easy to make, and healthy. They’re all made with real ingredients and, of course, eggs are the star of the show!
You won’t find recipes like eggs benedict or quiche on this list. Those recipes have their time and place, but for this list we’re keeping the recipes simple enough to make any day of the week.
1. Sunny Side Up or Fried Eggs
Sunny side up eggs and fried eggs are technically different.
Sunny side up eggs are fried in butter or oil, but never flipped during cooking, resulting in a visible “sunny” yolk.
Fried eggs can be cooked over easy (with a runny yolk), over medium (a slightly runny yolk), or over hard (fully cooked yolk) and are flipped half way through the cooking. This makes the yolk less visible at the end.
Both methods use a skillet, take under 5 minutes to make, and produce similar outcomes, making this breakfast the perfect quick-fix weekday meal.
Sunny Side Up Eggs Recipe: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add an egg or multiple eggs. Cook for 1-2 minutes, add 1 tablespoon water and cover the skillet. Cook for 2-4 minutes to the desired yolk doneness: shorter for an over easy egg (runny yolk), longer for an over hard egg (well done yolk).
Fried Eggs Recipe: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Crack one or multiple eggs in the skillet and cook for 3 minutes, uncovered. Flip the egg(s) and cook for 30 seconds for over easy (runny yolk), 1 minute for over medium (slightly runny), and 2-3 minutes for over hard (fully cooked yolk).
2. Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled eggs are my go-to breakfast. They’re easy and ready in 5 minutes. Serve as-is or make breakfast burritos or a scrambled egg sandwich.
They can be enjoyed alone, topped with shredded cheese, or paired with oven-baked bacon, sourdough toast, a healthy yogurt bowl, seasonal fruit, an avocado, or homemade pancakes from the freezer.
Scrambled Egg Recipe: The key to making really good scrambled eggs is low heat and plenty of butter or ghee! Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. In a bowl, vigorously whisk 2 eggs. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add eggs to the melted butter, let set for a few seconds, then use a silicone spatula to bring the eggs up and over (see the technique here). Once the eggs are glossy and fluffy, remove from heat and serve.
3. Eggs in a Hole or Eggs in a Basket
There are over 66 different names for this breakfast dish. Here’s what makes this recipe so famous and good: A fried egg is cooked inside a slice of buttery toast. It’s perfection and so simple.
Eggs in a Basket Recipe: Cut a hole in the center of 2 slices of bread. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add bread and cook on each side for 1 minute. Crack an egg into each hole and cook, covered, for 2 minutes. Flip the bread and egg and cook for 30 seconds, uncovered, for an over easy yolk or up to 1 minute for a well done yolk. Cut with a fork and knife to eat.
4. Hard or Soft Boiled Eggs
Hard boiled eggs are made with a well done, completely cooked yolk. Soft boiled eggs have a slightly runny yolk.
Time-Saving Tip: This egg dish may be prepped in advance, as long as the yolk is mostly cooked, for a quick grab-and-go breakfast.
Hard or Soft Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot Recipe: Cook the eggs on a trivet rack with 1 cup of water on high pressure for 4 minutes. Release the steam from the pot immeadiately and move the eggs to an ice bath (water and ice in a bowl). See my full instructions and video tutorial for Instant Pot Hardboiled Eggs.
Hard Boiled Eggs on the Stove-Top Recipe: Place the desired number of eggs in a pot. Pour water over the eggs, just until the eggs are covered. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and cover the pot with a lid. Bring the water and eggs to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat and allow the eggs to rest (with the lid on) for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, run the eggs under cool water and peel.
5. Sheet Pan Egg and Potato Hash
Cook eggs, bacon, and potatoes on one sheet pan. This meal does require more time to prepare, since you need to bake the potatoes and then add the eggs. It’s a great dish to make on a slow morning or for dinner.
Sheet Pan Egg and Potato Hash Recipe: Chop 1 1/2 lbs of yukon gold potatoes, bell pepper, and white onion. Toss with with salt and pepper. Add chopped bacon. Bake for 425F for 40-45 minutes. Make 4-6 wells in the center of the potatoes, crack an egg into each well. Reduce heat to 400F and return the sheet pan to the oven. Cook for 7-10 minutes.
6. Classic Omelet (or Omelette)
The classic omelet is a great way to make eggs and pack in some extras like veggies, cheese, or ham and bacon.
Easy Cheese Omelette Recipe: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Whisk 2 eggs in a bowl. Add the eggs to the butter, let set, then push the edges toward the center and swirl the pan. Add cheese, tomatoes, and herbs (or your favorite veggies). Fold the eggs, in half, over the filling and cook until done.
7. Make-Ahead Omelet Cups
If you want to prep eggs in advance, omelet cups are an easy way to do this! Eggs, bacon, veggies, and cheese are baked in a muffin tin.
Store the omelet cups for up to 4-5 days and enjoy at room temperature or reheat in the microwave or oven.
Make-Ahead Omelet Cups Recipe: In a skillet, cook bacon, green onions, bell pepper, and spinach. In a bowl, whisk 9 eggs, milk, cheese, salt, and pepper. Spoon 1 tablespoon filling into each muffin tin and add the egg mixture over the top. Bake for 20 minutes until set.
Another favorite recipe variation to make in the spring is made with asparagus, bacon, and leeks.
8. Egg Casserole
Make this recipe in advance and enjoy the egg bake all week for breakfast or lunch. Store the casserole squares in an air-tight container, in the fridge, for up to 4-5 days. Reheat the squares in the microwave or oven.
This is also a great breakfast to make for a family brunch or holiday celebration.
Egg Casserole Recipe: Cook 1 lb ground sausage with 1 cup diced potatoes, spinach, and green onions. In a bowl, whisk 6 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon fresh herbs, and salt and pepper. Add the sausage mixture to a casserole dish, followed by the egg mixture. Bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes.
9. Frittata
A frittata is similar to an egg casserole or crust-less quiche. It’s made with whisked eggs that are baked with veggies, meat (sausage, ham, bacon), or cheese.
Time-Saving Tip: Prep a frittata in advance, serving a few slices for breakfast on Sunday and enjoying the rest for an easy reheated breakfast on Monday or Tuesday.
Bacon, Kale, Vegetable Frittata Recipe: My favorite frittata is made by sautéing bacon, potatoes, spinach or kale, onion, and bell pepper. While this mixture cooks, whisk 6 eggs, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary. Add the egg mixture directly to the skillet with the veggies and bacon, turn off the heat, and bake for 13-15 minutes. During the last few minutes, top with cheese.
10. Baked Ham and Cheese Egg Cups
Ham and cheese egg cups are another variation of baked eggs. This recipe may be prepped in advance for an easy weekday breakfast or lunch meal.
Ham and Cheese Egg Cups Recipe: Grease a muffin tin, add shredded cheese over the top of the ham, and then crack an egg into each ham cup. Bake at 400F for 12-15 minutes.
11. Breakfast Burritos
Fill a tortilla with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, cheese, salsa, and/or any veggies. Then wrap it up and enjoy!
Time-Saving Tip: Breakfast burritos may be prepped in advance and stored in the freezer for a grab-and-reheat breakfast to go! Learn more about prepping eggs in advance.
Freezer Breakfast Burrito Recipe: In a skillet, cook ground sausage, onion, and bell pepper. In another skillet, make a large batch of scrambled eggs. Divide the filling and eggs evenly between 12 large tortillas. Roll up and freeze.
Sheet Pan Breakfast Burrito Recipe: Roast up veggies (potatoes, mushrooms, onion, and bell pepper) with bacon. Scramble eggs in a skillet. Add the filling and scrambled eggs between 4 large tortillas, then add cilantro, salsa, and avocado slices.
12. Egg Tacos
Tacos are a quick variation of breakfast burritos. Scramble eggs, add to a 6-inch flour or corn tortilla and top with your favorites: salsa, cheese, avocado slices, and/or cilantro.
13. Egg Sandwich
Toast sourdough bread slices or a brioche hamburger bun, top with scrambled eggs, shredded cheese, avocado, arugula, and/or bacon or a sausage patty.
Or make an open-faced breakfast sandwich: toast a slice of sourdough bread and add mashed avocado, arugula, and a scrambled egg or sunny side egg. I also love to add radish slices and sprouts.
14. Breakfast Bowl
An egg breakfast bowl is the perfect way to use leftover roasted potatoes from a previous night’s dinner for breakfast.
Add warmed up roasted potatoes to a bowl, then top with fluffy scrambled eggs and shredded cheese, bacon slices or cooked ground sausage, arugula or spinach, or salsa.
The base of a breakfast bowl is always some sort of hearty and cooked veggie(s), like roasted potatoes, and then scrambled eggs or a sunny side up egg on top. From there, add whatever toppings you’d like and eat with a fork.
15. French Toast
French toast is more of an egg dish than anything else as the base is made with eggs, milk, and spices. The whisked eggs create the classic golden crust on the bread slices as they cook in butter or ghee.
French Toast Recipe: Crack 4 eggs into a shallow bowl with 2/3 cup milk, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and 2 Tablespoons honey or maple syrup. Add slices of sourdough bread to the mixture and then cook in a skillet with butter, flipping once. Serve warm.
18 Recipes: Different Ways to Cook Eggs
Ingredients
- eggs
Instructions
- Sunny Side Up Eggs Recipe: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add an egg or multiple eggs. Cook for 1-2 minutes, add 1 tablespoon water and cover the skillet. Cook for 2-4 minutes to the desired yolk doneness: shorter for an over easy egg (runny yolk), longer for an over hard egg (well done yolk). See the step-by-step full recipe here.
- Fried Eggs Recipe: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Crack one or multiple eggs in the skillet and cook for 3 minutes, uncovered. Flip the egg(s) and cook for 30 seconds for over easy (runny yolk), 1 minute for over medium (slightly runny), and 2-3 minutes for over hard (fully cooked yolk).
- Scrambled Egg Recipe: The key to making really good scrambled eggs is low heat and plenty of butter or ghee! Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. In a bowl, vigorously whisk 2 eggs. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add eggs to the melted butter, let set for a few seconds, then use a silicone spatula to bring the eggs up and over (see the technique here). Once the eggs are glossy and fluffy, remove from heat and serve.
- Eggs in a Basket Recipe: Cut a hole in the center of 2 slices of bread. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add bread and cook on each side for 1 minute. Crack an egg into each hole and cook, covered, for 2 minutes. Flip the bread and egg and cook for 30 seconds, uncovered, for an over easy yolk or up to 1 minute for a well done yolk. Cut with a fork and knife to eat. See the step-by-step full recipe here.
- Hard or Soft Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot Recipe: Cook the eggs on a trivet rack with 1 cup of water on high pressure for 4 minutes. Release the steam from the pot immeadiately and move the eggs to an ice bath (water and ice in a bowl). See the step-by-step full recipe here.
- Hard Boiled Eggs on the Stove-Top Recipe: Place the desired number of eggs in a pot. Pour water over the eggs, just until the eggs are covered. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and cover the pot with a lid. Bring the water and eggs to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat and allow the eggs to rest (with the lid on) for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, run the eggs under cool water and peel.
- Sheet Pan Egg and Potato Hash Recipe: Chop 1 1/2 lbs of yukon gold potatoes, bell pepper, and white onion. Toss with with salt and pepper. Add chopped bacon. Bake for 425F for 40-45 minutes. Make 4-6 wells in the center of the potatoes, crack an egg into each well. Reduce heat to 400F and return the sheet pan to the oven. Cook for 7-10 minutes. See the step-by-step full recipe here.
- Classic Omelet Recipe: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Whisk 2 eggs in a bowl. Add the eggs to the butter, let set, then push the edges toward the center and swirl the pan. Add cheese, tomatoes, and herbs (or your favorite veggies). Fold the eggs, in half, over the filling and cook until done. See the step-by-step full recipe and video here.
- Omelet Cups Recipe: In a skillet, cook bacon, green onions, bell pepper, and spinach. In a bowl, whisk 9 eggs, milk, cheese, salt, and pepper. Spoon 1 tablespoon filling into each muffin tin and add the egg mixture over the top. Bake for 20 minutes until set. See the step-by-step full recipe here.
- Egg Casserole Recipe: Cook 1 lb ground sausage with 1 cup diced potatoes, spinach, and green onions. In a bowl, whisk 6 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon fresh herbs, and salt and pepper. Add the sausage mixture to a casserole dish, followed by the egg mixture. Bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes. See the step-by-step full recipe here.
- Bacon, Kale, Vegetable Frittata Recipe: My favorite frittata is made by sautéing bacon, potatoes, spinach or kale, onion, and bell pepper. While this mixture cooks, whisk 6 eggs, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary. Add the egg mixture directly to the skillet with the veggies and bacon, turn off the heat, and bake for 13-15 minutes. During the last few minutes, top with cheese. See the step-by-step full recipe here.
- Ham and Cheese Egg Cups Recipe: Grease a muffin tin, add shredded cheese over the top of the ham, and then crack an egg into each ham cup. Bake at 400F for 12-15 minutes.
- Freezer Breakfast Burrito Recipe: In a skillet, cook ground sausage, onion, and bell pepper. In another skillet, make a large batch of scrambled eggs. Divide the filling and eggs evenly between 12 large tortillas. Roll up and freeze. See the step-by-step full recipe here.
- Sheet Pan Breakfast Burrito Recipe: Roast up veggies (potatoes, mushrooms, onion, and bell pepper) with bacon. Scramble eggs in a skillet. Add the filling and scrambled eggs between 4 large tortillas, then add cilantro, salsa, and avocado slices. See the step-by-step full recipe here.
- Egg Taco Recipe: Scramble eggs, add to a 6-inch flour or corn tortilla and top with your favorites: salsa, cheese, avocado slices, and/or cilantro.
- Breakfast Sandwich Recipe: Toast sourdough bread slices or a brioche hamburger bun, top with scrambled eggs, shredded cheese, avocado, arugula, and/or bacon or a sausage patty. OR make an open-faced breakfast sandwich: toast a slice of sourdough bread and add mashed avocado, arugula, and a scrambled egg or sunny side egg. I also love to add radish slices and sprouts.
- Egg Breakfast Bowl Recipe: The base of a breakfast bowl is always some sort of hearty and cooked veggie(s), like roasted potatoes, and then scrambled eggs or a sunny side up egg on top. From there, add whatever toppings you’d like (salsa, shredded cheese, green onions, etc.) and eat with a fork
- French Toast Recipe: Crack 4 eggs into a shallow bowl and whisk with 2/3 cup milk, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons honey. Add slices of sourdough bread to the mixture and then cook in a skillet with butter, flipping once. Serve warm. See step-by-step recipe.
Notes
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What to Serve With Eggs
Eggs are one of the most versatile ingredients (with over 16 different egg styles). And eggs pair well with many different side dishes.
If you want to serve something alongside one of the egg recipes above, whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, here are a few side dish ideas:
- Healthy Yogurt Bowls: Serve alongside a bowl of yogurt sweetened with fruit, honey, and granola.
- Sautéed Greens: Saute’ leafy greens in a skillet and serve alongside your favorite eggs.
- Roasted Potatoes: Roast up potatoes in the oven. A great option to prep in advance and reheat for breakfast.
- Hash: Another great prep-ahead and reheat side dish.
- Avocado Slices: Add avocado slices to the side of any egg dish. I like to sprinkle avocado slices with lemon juice and salt before serving.
- Banana Bread: A classic you can make in advance to serve with breakfast. My favorite recipes: almond flour banana bread, sourdough muffins, and einkorn banana muffins.
- Cheese: Serve your favorite eggs alongside slices of cheddar or parmesan cheese.
- Arugula Salad: Arugula has a spicy bite. Toss a handful of arugula with lemon juice and olive oil, then sprinkle with salt. Serve on the side of any egg dish.
- Bacon: Serve your favorite eggs alongside a few slices of bacon for extra protein and healthy fat. Prep bacon in advance and reheat for a quick breakfast side. I use the oven method.
- Sausage: Another great prep-ahead option you can reheat in the moment. You can even make your own sausage.
- Fruit: Serve alongside seasonal fruit: grapefruit, berries, cantaloupe, etc.
- Toast: There’s nothing like a slice of sourdough toast and eggs. Top a slice of toast with butter, mashed avocado, or peanut butter and banana and serve alongside your favorite egg dish.
- Overnight Oats: An easy breakfast packed with protein, fiber, and complex carbs. Make a few jars of oats on the weekend and enjoy cold with your favorite egg dish. I love chocolate peanut butter overnight oats and vanilla overnight oats.
- Tropical Mango Pineapple Smoothie: Smoothies pair perfectly with egg dishes, and this tropical-inspired smoothie is one of my favorites.
Scrambled eggs, breakfast sandwiches, and eggs in a basket are my favorite breakfast meals! I’d love to hear what you love.