The Perfect Fried Egg on Toast
Here I’ll share with you some simple tips and tricks to making the perfect fried egg on toast!
Egg on toast comes in many a formation, but arguably none more delicious than the classic fried egg on toast. A simple dish it may be, there are certainly some simple ways to turn it up a few notches. Follow me…
Egg and Bacon on Toast
Oh, come on. Is it even legal to have fried egg and toast without bacon?! All jokes aside, the bacon actually plays an important role in this recipe.
Low ‘n’ Slow
By frying the bacon low and slow, you’ll render down all the fat. Doing this will not only leave you with gorgeously crispy bacon, but the excess fat in the pan is what you’ll use to fry the eggs and bread (more on this in just a sec).
What kind of Bacon to use?
In the UK you’re looking for streaky bacon (which I guess in the US is regular bacon). This tends to have more fat than back bacon, and the more fat the better for this recipe. Plus, streaky bacon is typically skinnier than back bacon, meaning you still get all the flavour, but without it overshadowing the fried egg, which realistically is the star of the show.
Process shots: add bacon to pan (photo 1), fry over low-medium until crisp with the fat rendered (photo 2).
The Perfect Fried Egg
Admittedly fried eggs are tricky to mess up, but there are a few tips to help you get the perfect fried egg.
Tips for the perfect fried egg
- Start with bacon – As discussed, the best fried eggs are cooked in bacon fat 😋
- Fresh Egg – I find the fresher the egg, the more compact it is. Older eggs usually go thin and spill across the pan.
- Room Temp – Not a deal-breaker, I just find eggs that are room temp tend to cook a little more evenly.
- Temp – Increase the heat from low-medium for the bacon to around a medium. Make sure the pan is hot before you crack the egg, just so the instant heat helps keep the egg compact.
- Close to pan – Try and crack the egg close to the pan. Too high and you risk the yolk breaking upon impact.
- Baste in Butter – Basting the eggs in butter will not only ensure they cook evenly, but will also wrap them in gorgeous bacon/buttery goodness.
Do I have to make the eggs sunny-side-up?
I do recommend it, just because runny egg yolk is life. But you could have them over easy, medium or hard if you’d prefer. I’ve added a section on that in the recipe card.
Process shots: remove bacon and increase heat (photo 1), crack in eggs (photo 2), add butter (photo 3), baste egg whites (photo 4).
Once the eggs are cooked, remove them from the pan and leave all the butter and bacon grease behind. That stuff is now officially liquid gold. From there, you can toast the bread in the pan to soak up all that goodness.
What kind of Bread to use?
I usually go for a loaf of Artisan style bread. Sourdough also works nicely too. I don’t recommend soft sandwich bread for this recipe; invest in a good quality loaf to create the best edible platform for your egg 🙂
Process shots: add bread to pan (photo 1), toast both sides (photo 2).
Fried Egg on Toast
Alrighty, bacon, egg and toast are all done and dusted, just two more ingredients to discuss:
- Chilli Jam – This balances out the saltiness of the bacon and richness of the butter/egg yolk with a hit of sweetness and a gentle kick of spice. You’ll find it in most stores, or most definitely a Farmer’s market!
- Chives – These add a final hit of flavour and a pop of colour.
Process shots: spread toast with chilli jam (photo 1), add bacon (photo 2), add egg (photo 3), season then sprinkle with chives (photo 4).
Serving Fried Egg on Toast
I usually whip this up for Brunch on the weekend. It’s perfect as it is, but if you wanted to take things up a notch you could serve with Hash Browns or Breakfast Potatoes!
Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this fried egg on toast shall we!?
How to make Fried Egg on Toast (Full Recipe & Video)
The Perfect Fried Egg on Toast
Equipment
- Non-Stick Pan
- Tongs
- Bread Knife
- Sharp Knife & Chopping Board or Scissors (for chives)
- Spoon (for basting eggs)
Ingredients
- 2 medium slices of Artisan Bread (or bread of choice)
- 4 slices of Streaky Bacon
- 2 fresh Eggs, at room temp
- 2 tbsp Chilli Jam (see notes)
- 1/2 tbsp Butter
- 2 tsp finely diced Fresh Chives
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add bacon to a non-stick pan over low-medium heat. Fry until the fat has rendered down and the bacon is crisp. Remove from pan, leaving the fat behind. Increase heat to medium.
- Carefully crack the eggs into the pan, making sure you crack them nice and close to the pan. Add in the butter and begin basting the egg whites. This adds a buttery flavour, but more importantly, this will help cook the tops of the eggs (just don’t baste the yolks).
- Once the egg whites are opaque, remove the eggs from the pan then add the bread. Toast both sides in the leftover fat, then remove.
- Spread the toast with chilli jam then top with bacon and fried egg. Finish with a good pinch of salt & pepper and fresh chives. Enjoy!
Notes
b) Do I have to have a runny yolk? – Nope, you don’t have to make sunny side up eggs, you could make them over easy instead. It’s the same process up until the egg whites are NEARLY cooked. Once they’re all nearly cooked (a little ring of uncooked white around the yolk) flip them over and cook for 30 seconds or so. For over medium or hard just flip the eggs sooner and cook longer on the flipped side (until the yolk is to your preference).
c) Bread – I usually grab a loaf of Artisan style bread from the bakery section at the supermarket. Sourdough also works nicely. I wouldn’t recommend soft sandwich bread for this recipe; invest in a good quality loaf to create the best edible platform for your egg 🙂
d) Calories – whole recipe divided by 2.
Nutrition
For another bacon and egg recipe check out my Ultimate Egg and Bacon Sandwich!
For more similar recipes check out these beauties:
Delicious Toast Recipes
- Smashed Avocado on Toast
- Avocado Cream Cheese Toast
- Creamy Mushrooms on Toast
- Tomato Avocado Toast
- Avocado Egg Toast
If you loved this Egg on Toast Recipe then be sure to pin it for later! Already made them or got a question? Give me a shout in the comments below and pick up your free ecookbook along the way!
The post The Perfect Fried Egg on Toast appeared first on Don’t Go Bacon My Heart.