In this comprehensive guide, we’re going to explore the delicious world of deep fried eggs. From the history of deep fried eggs to sharing tips for perfecting this appetising dish, we’ve got you covered. This article from Frymax, the UK’s leading deep frying oil supplier, contains a deep fried egg recipe that is not only mouth-watering but also aimed at helping you secure another unique and delectable recipe to impress your guests with. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, the following step-by-step instructions and detailed information will make your deep fried egg journey a delightful and egg-joyable one.
Best Deep Fried Egg Recipe
Why is this the best deep fried egg recipe to try? It’s a culinary masterpiece that seamlessly combines the comforting familiarity of fried eggs with an innovative twist that transforms them into crispy delights.
Our method results in eggs with a perfectly runny yolk and an irresistibly crunchy exterior, offering a delightful contrast with texture and taste. The seasoning, including optional paprika, adds an extra layer of flavour that elevates this dish to a whole new level.
Whether you’re a food enthusiast looking to impress or simply craving some gourmet eggs, this recipe promises to be a game-changer in your culinary adventures.
A Short History of Deep Fried Eggs
Deep-fried eggs are a memorable breakfast dish that is easy to make, where soft-boiled eggs are breaded and fried with a savoury bacon breadcrumb coating to produce a delicious crispy coating.
Deep fried eggs, while appearing as a contemporary culinary creation, have their roots in diverse global cuisines, most notably in Indonesian dishes like balado telur tahu, where deep fried eggs are combined with chillies and tofu. It’s also a big part of Filipino street food called tokneneng, where a duck or chicken egg is encased in a dyed-orange batter before deep-frying.
Over time, this innovative dish made its way to various parts of the new world, each region adding its unique twists. One example of this is the Scotch egg, invented by London’s Fortnum & Mason department store in 1738, where a hard-boiled egg is enveloped in sausage meat and bread crumbs before being deep-fried – the perfect treat for travellers on their journey.
In the United Kingdom, deep fried eggs have become a cherished dish, often served alongside other traditional British breakfast items.
It’s Best to Use Soft Boiled Eggs
Eggs that are soft-boiled are cooked long enough to set the ‘white’, but they have a warm, runny yolk. To make deep-fried eggs you want to start with ones that are soft-boiled because they will continue to cook as you fry them later on. Here’s how to soft-boil eggs perfectly every time:
- Using your stove, bring a pan of water to a boil. You will need enough water to fully cover the eggs once you place them in the water. Using a clean pin or egg pricker, pierce the blunt end of the egg. This is where the air pocket is – if you don’t pierce it, your eggs will break and run while boiling.
- Once boiling, lower the heat to maintain a simmer, place in the eggs (up to four at a time works well) and cook the eggs for three to four minutes.
Tip: Another way to cook eggs is in an Instant Pot – it works every time and the eggs are easier to peel!
Once they’re cooked, transfer them to a bowl with water and ice to cool them down. This will take about 10 to 15 minutes.
To peel the eggs, there’s usually one side of the egg that peels easier, so gently tap the egg to break the shell and start with that side first. For the harder-to-remove part of the shell, use a spoon to loosen the shell from the white and the boiled egg should pop right out.
Tips for Making Deep Fried Eggs
While many recipes offer basic guidelines for deep fried eggs, there are some crucial tips that often get overlooked. Here are some insights to ensure your deep fried eggs turn out perfectly every time:
- Temperature control: Maintain a consistent oil temperature of around 175°C. Fluctuating temperatures can result in unevenly cooked eggs, so try to avoid that.
- Oil smoke point: Always use an oil with a high smoke point when deep frying, like sustainable palm oil – which is one of the best oils for deep frying. Oils with a low smoke point will start burning when you deep fry, which is a serious fire hazard as well as turning your food bitter and even carcinogenic!
- Use a deep pot or deep fryer: Due to the high temperature needed for deep frying and the risk of splatters, it is very important to use a deep pot, pan or deep fryer. Whatever you are using, it must never be more than half-filled with the oil. You can get more deep fryer safety tips here.
- Egg freshness: Use fresh eggs for the best results. Older eggs can lead to a runny egg white, affecting the coating. Here’s how to check if your eggs are fresh! Simply fill a bowl with water and gently place the eggs in it. Fresh eggs will sink and lie flat on the bottom, while older eggs will stand upright or float, indicating they are less fresh and should be used with caution or discarded.
- Double coating: The double coating in flour and egg ensures a thicker, crunchier crust. Don’t skip this step!
- Resting time: After coating, allow the eggs to rest for a few minutes. This helps the coating adhere better during frying.
- Dipping sauces: Experiment with various dipping sauces like sriracha mayo or aioli for added flavour and variety.
Ingredients
You will need the following items for our deep fried egg recipe:
- 4x Fresh eggs
- Deep frying oil (palm oil is the very best option for deep frying)
- All-purpose flour
- Breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper
- Paprika (optional, for extra flavour)
- Dipping sauce of your choice (e.g., sriracha mayo, ketchup, or aioli)
- A few strips of bacon, pre-cooked, chopped.
Serves
This deep fried egg recipe serves 2 – but quantities can be easily adjusted to cater for more.
Prep Time
- Preparation: 15 minutes
- Cooking: 5-10 minutes
- Total Time: 20-25 minutes
Nutritional Information
-Sugar: 2g
-Calcium: 80mg
-Calories: 209ps
-Carbohydrates: 27g
-Cholesterol: 165mg
-Fat: 6g
-Fibre: 2g
-Iron: 3mg
-Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
-Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
-Potassium: 138mg
-Protein: 11g
-Saturated Fat: 2g
-Sodium: 493mg
-Vitamin A: 296IU
-Vitamin C: 1mg
Method
- Fry the bacon until crispy and leave it to cool.
- Boil eggs in a small pot of water for about 3 to 4 minutes until they reach the soft boil stage.
- Remove eggs and place them in a bowl of ice water.
- Let the eggs completely cool in the ice water which should take about 10 or 15 minutes.
- When cooled, peel the eggs by gently tapping them (Remember, there will be one side of the egg that is easier to peel).
- Heat around 2 cups of sustainable palm oil in a small saucepan until it is at 190 °C. Do not use an oil with a low smoke point – this is dangerous and will impact the flavour and nutrition of the food!
- While that heats, place the flour, the remaining egg, and the breadcrumbs in 3 separate bowls.
- Chop the precooked bacon into small pieces and add to the breadcrumb bowl.
- Coat each soft-boiled egg in the flour, then coat with the egg. Then roll the egg in the breadcrumb-bacon mixture, trying to get as much of it to stick and coat as possible.
- Re-dredge the egg in the yolk and roll it again in the breadcrumbs-bacon mix.
- Place 1 egg at a time in the hot palm oil and turn the egg after about 10 to 20 seconds to brown on all sides. Then, transfer the egg to a paper towel and continue with the rest of the eggs.
- Serve while warm and enjoy!
Tip: Once you’ve finished frying, leave your oil to cool down completely. Follow this advice on how to reuse your frying oil, recycle it, or dispose of it depending on its condition.
See more deep-fried food recipes here.
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