20+ ways to answer 'How do you want your eggs?' (2024)

You probably have been asked "How do you want your eggs?" sometime in your life, but did you know there were more than 20 ways to have them? Packed with protein, eggs are a powerhouse food enjoyed at breakfast, lunch and dinner and as a healthy snack.

We've compiled a list of the best ways to have eggs. If you are classic lover, you'll find sunny side up, hard boiled, and over easy. If you are looking to try new ways of enjoying your eggs, this list has that too.

1. Sunny side up

The sunny side up is a classic and one of the easiest to make. It's also known as the unflipped egg. Heat up an oiled skillet on low heat and crack the eggs straight in. Cook for 2 minutes or so and ensure the yolk is still runny before sliding right off!

2. Hard boiled eggs

Hard boiled eggs are quite versatile and taste great plain or with some sprinkles of salt. Did you know that older eggs are easier to peel than fresh ones? Place eggs in water, making sure the water covers all the eggs by 1 inch or so. Then bring to a a boil. Turn off the heat, cover, and have it rest for 10 to 12 minutes.

3. Soft boiled eggs

Soft boiled eggs feature a firm white outer layer and a silky, creamy yolk. Think of the yolk as a mixture between melted cheese and butter. Enjoy soft boiled eggs on top of salads or with toast in the mornings.

Soft boiled eggs require just 6 minutes for perfection. Add 1 inch of water to a pot and let boil. Then put in the egg, cover, and let steam for 6 minutes. When in doubt, refer to the chart below regarding cook times.

4. Scrambled eggs

The scrambled egg comes in many forms from the hard scramble to the soft scramble. If you prefer a more silky, fluffy consistency, add some whole milk (1 tablespoon to 4 eggs ratio) and make sure your pan is on medium-low. The key is to not have too much heat, so you don't cook the eggs too quickly.

5. Over hard egg

The over hard egg is one of the many ways of the flipped fried egg. While the sunny side up egg isn't flipped, the over hard egg is a flipped egg and features a yolk with the same consistency of a hard boiled egg. If one side takes 2 minutes to cook, to get over hard you'll want to cook the other flipped side for about the same amount of time.

6. Over easy eggs

The over easy egg is a flipped egg where the yolk is completely runny. This means once you flip it, you don't want to leave it on the heat for too long. The over medium egg is in between the over easy and over hard egg.

7. Poached eggs

You frequently see poached eggs on top of avocado toast or in an eggs benedict when its topped with Hollandaise sauce. Unlike the fried egg, poached eggs require no added oil or fat.

To poach an egg, crack egg into a bowl and put in a drop of vinegar. Bring a pan of 2 inches of water to barely a simmer. Stir to create a whirlpool, and gently tip the egg into the center. Cook for 3-4 minutes until white is set. Use a slotted spoon to dish out the poached egg.

8. Baked egg

Baked eggs can get very fancy with extra toppings and your favorite meats. If you are looking for a simple way to make baked eggs, crack eggs directly into a muffin tin. Add salt and pepper. Bake in oven at 350F for 17 minutes or so.

9. Basted egg

How do you get the perfect basted egg? Crack eggs into a heated pan. Pour in a teaspoon of water and cover the pan with the lid for about 45 seconds for over-medium eggs. The water cooks the eggs perfectly, and no flipping is required.

10. Spanish fried eggs

Spanish fried eggs are known for its extra crispy edges. The key to this frying method is to get your pan very hot with olive oil. Crack an egg into a cup. Once the oil is hot, gently slide the egg into the skillet. You should see the bubbling action happen immediately. Cook for 2 minutes or less.

11. Omelet

Omelets are a breakfast staple made with beaten eggs that are fried in butter or oil. They are easily customizable, so you can pack yours with meat toppings like sausage or bacon and veggies such as onions, mushrooms, and spinach.

12. Egg muffin

Egg muffins are a delicious way to start off your morning. Make these ahead of time in a muffin tin, and you've got yourself a grab-and-go breakfast for the entire week.

13. Steamed egg

Steamed eggs are made from beaten eggs that are then steamed. This style of eggs is more common in Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Steamed eggs are known for their silky, custard-like texture.

14. Deviled eggs

Generally served as an appetizer or snack, deviled eggs feature a hard-boiled egg that is cut in half and then stuffed. Typically the yolk is removed and mixed with mayonnaise and mustard to create a paste.

15. Coddled egg

Coddled eggs are eggs cooked in or out of the shell and lightly cooked in water that is just below boiling temperature. Poached eggs are a type of coddled egg.

16. Scotch eggs

Scotch eggs, a common British-style picnic food, are typically coated in breadcrumbs and then baked or fried. They usually feature a hard or soft boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat.

17. Oven boiled eggs

If you are looking to make a lot of eggs all at once, the oven is the device of choice. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place 1 egg in each muffin cup and bake for 30 minutes. Once done, take the eggs and dip in cold water until completely cooled.

18. Toad in a hole

Who doesn't love a fried egg inside bread? You can easily turn this recipe in a sandwich or make this with a single slice of bread. Experiment with different hole shapes. A heart-shaped hole is always a fun one for a loved one.

19. Marinated eggs

Marinated eggs, typically seen in ramen, have become increasingly popular. The best part with the marination process is that you can switch up the flavors. For instance, a ramen egg uses a combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin and water whereas a pickled egg uses vinegar, sugar, and salt.

20. Frittata

To make the perfect frittata, make sure you get your ratios right. A general rule of thumb: For every 6 eggs, use 1 cup of cheese, 1/4 cup of heavy cream, and 2 cups total of toppings (veggies and meats).

21. Grilled eggs

Next time you pull out the BBQ grill, be sure to try grilled eggs, the best alternative to hard boiled eggs when you are outside. In just 10 minutes, get ready to enjoy slightly smoky eggs with semi-soft yolks.

22. Cloud eggs

You've probably seen these cloud eggs on social media. Cloud eggs are eggs prepared with a technique causing the white part to puff up like a cloud. To make this, you'll need to separate the egg whites from the yolk, and whip the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Add some Parmesan cheese and move the whites mixture onto a baking sheet. Bake for 2 minutes, add the yolk, and then bake for another 3 minutes.

23. Cured egg

Salt-cured eggs, similar to hard cheese, can add complexity and depth to many dishes from pastas to meats to veggies.

24. Sous vide egg

What makes the perfect sous vide egg? Set whites and a rich, runny yolk. Your eggs will never taste the same again.