HOW TO COOK THE PERFECT SUNNY SIDE UP EGGS IN CAST IRON
Discover the best way to cook cast iron eggs that are sunny side up, with crispy edges and perfect yolks. Learn how to prevent eggs from sticking to your cast iron skillet, making your cast iron skillet breakfast the best way to start your day.
Eggs are an incredibly versatile staple in any kitchen, and cooking them in a cast iron skillet is easier than you might think. With our foolproof tips, you'll master the art (and science!) of cooking sunny-side-up eggs in cast iron.
As engineers and product designers, we had to find the answer to this burning question: What's the best way to cook cast iron eggs, sunny-side-up style?
PREHEAT YOUR CAST IRON SKILLET FOR PERFECT EGGS
The key to preventing eggs from sticking in cast iron is preheating the skillet to the right temperature. Here's how to do it based on your skillet's finish:
Soft-finish skillet, for nerds:
Heat your cast iron skillet over high heat until it reaches a temperature of 395°F (200°C). It takes approximately 4 minutes to get a skillet from cold to this temperature.
No thermometer? Go old-school:
Flick or sprinkle a few drops of water into your hot cast iron skillet. If it dances and bounces when it hits the surface, you're at the right temperature. If it quickly fizzles and evaporates, you are too hot. If it doesn’t do anything, wait for it to heat up and try again.
USE OIL OR BUTTER
To ensure your eggs don't stick to cast iron, apply oil or butter to your pan. We recommend two methods:
Butter: drop a generous piece of butter and use a heat safe spatula to spread around while it melts. Swerve your skillet around to make sure that the entire cooking area is covered with butter. Do not let the butter burn. Call us butter-biased, but we think this gives you the tastiest result.
Oil: apply a thin film of cooking oil to the cooking surface with a lint-free paper towel (avoid pooling oil).
ADDING THE EGGS TO YOUR CAST IRON SKILLET
No matter how much of an expert you claim to be at cracking eggs, please do not crack eggs on the edge of a cast iron skillet. Eventually, one day you will be distracted and famished, and egg will run through the inside and outside of your skillet. Nothing that can’t be fixed, but that’s no way to start your day.
We suggest cracking the egg into a shallow dish, cup or container first. For next-level sunny-side-up mastery, add the egg whites to the skillet first, followed by the yolk on top. This will prevent the yolk from coming into direct contact with the skillet, which is more prone to sticking due to its composition.
Place the egg in the skillet's center, and ensure the skillet is on an appropriately sized stove burner. Put a lid on, making sure it's tightly sealed.
Lower the burner temperature to low heat. Don't worry, the cast iron retains heat well. Cook the egg for 2 minutes for a well-cooked egg, adjusting the time for desired yolk doneness.
EXTRA TIPS FOR COOKING SUNNY SIDE UP EGGS IN CAST IRON
- Ensure your stove is level before starting.
- Allow the eggs to reach room temperature before cooking, as cold foods tend to stick to hot surfaces.
- Crack eggs on a flat, hard surface to prevent shell splintering or pieces falling into the egg.
- Avoid moving the eggs once in the skillet. Only move them once a crust forms and the egg starts to detach from the surface.