Who doesn’t like eggs? They’re rich in protein, and they taste great. There is more than one way to cook an egg, but we all know that frying is hands down the best way to enjoy these protein-packed ingredients.
Let’s go a step further today and learn how to fry an egg without oil. The process may require a little bit of creativity and compromise, but we promise it’ll be worth it!
Can You Make Fried Eggs Without Oil?
Do you need oil to cook eggs? Can you make eggs without butter? Totally! Even though the eggs won’t be as tasty as when you fry them with oil or butter, it is possible to make fried egg no oil.
When cooking eggs without oil, the eggs are healthier as the unnecessary calories in oil are reduced. Nonetheless, you may experience egg stacking as there is no pan-lubricant unless you have a phenomenal non-stick pan.
How To Fry An Egg Without Oil With 2 Best Ways
Use Non-Stick Frying Pan
How to make sunny side up eggs without oil? The most common way to fry egg without oil is to use a non-stick frying pan. Most people have PTFE or ceramic pans, or you can also use an enameled cast iron as long as it’s non-stick cookware.
Step 1: Preheat the pan on medium heat but don’t let it get too hot as your egg will be more likely to stick. Now you know how to make eggs not stick to pan.
Step 2: Once the pan is hot enough, crack and add in your egg. Cover the pan with a lid so the heat is circulated evenly.
Step 3: Allow the egg to cook to your liking, preferably a couple of minutes before they stick to your pan. If you cook them for longer than 5 minutes, you’re likely to end up with dry fried eggs.
Step 4: You can now enjoy your beautifully-cooked, oil-free egg.
If you wonder how to fry egg with water, here is the secret.
In step 1, you should add about half an inch of water to the pan, which is also how to keep eggs from sticking to pan. If you want the egg to cook a little faster, go ahead and place a lid on top of the pan. The steam from the boiling water will cook your eggs faster, and that’s how to fry an egg in water.
Use Microwave
If you don’t happen to have a non-stick pan, a microwave also works when you want to cook eggs without butter or oil. Nonetheless, using a microwave will make the egg lose its crispiness; if you’re okay with that, let’s have a look at the steps right below.
Step 1: Crack an egg in a microwave-safe plate or bowl.
Step 2: Put the plate in the microwave and allow the egg to cook for approximately 45-50 seconds or until they’re done how you like them.
Step 3: Add in a pinch of salt and pepper with some slices of tomatoes on the side (optional) and enjoy! That’s how to cook eggs without butter or oil!
Healthier Alternatives To Cook Eggs
Instead of frying, there are other alternatives to cook your eggs to enjoy their deliciousness.
Soft-Boiled Eggs
It’s very simple to make soft-boiled eggs. Within just a few minutes, you can have yourself some jammy eggs that are filling and yummy!
First, add water to a pot; make sure there’s enough water to cover the eggs by about an inch. Turn on the heat and wait for it to boil. Once the water is boiling (but not too bubbly), use a skimmer to gently place the eggs in the pot, then bring the heat down to low.
Now you wait about 6-8 minutes, depending on how runny you want the yolk to be.
- 6 minutes: You will have liquidy yolk and soft white.
- 6 ½ minutes: The yolk will be soft and jammy. It will sit great on toast or on a salad.
- 8 minutes: The egg is firm enough to hold on its own, but the yolk will still be soft.
Once the eggs are cooked to your preference, remove them from the pot and immediately place them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and maintain the perfect texture. It is also said that eggs soaked in cold water are easier to peel.
After peeling them, you can serve them as a standalone dish or prepare them as an ingredient for a soft-boiled egg recipe.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
The process of making hard-boiled eggs is almost the same as making soft-boiled ones, except for the time difference. For hard-boiled recipe, you’d want to leave the eggs cooked a little longer, more specifically:
- 10 minutes: The eggs cooked are in the early stage of hard-boiling, with a smidge of softness in the middle.
- 12 minutes: You have hard-boiled eggs with a lighter yolk.
- 14 minutes: Can’t ask for a better traditional hard-boiled egg with a firm white and the lightest yolk. Cooking your eggs any longer than 14 minutes results in overcooked eggs.
You can start peeling the eggs after giving them an ice bath. Hard-boiled eggs are great to eat right away, or you can make pickled eggs with them! Pickled eggs are great snacks with a tangy and mildly acidic taste. Learn how to make pickled eggs here!
Poached Eggs
Poach eggs are a beautiful thing. The whites are firm enough to form a little egg package, whereas the yolk is oozy and golden. Some would say poached eggs are hard to make. True that, but with the right techniques, you can cook perfect poached eggs right at home!
To start, bring a pot of water down to a gentle boil. In the meantime, crack an egg into a saucer or a small cup.
Next, use a spoon to stir the boiling water in a circular motion. Then, gently add the egg (preferably fresh) to the pot. The swirling water helps the egg white to wrap around the yolk perfectly.
Cook for about 2 ½ to 3 minutes, then use a slotted spoon to remove the egg from the pot.
Deviled Egg
To make classic deviled eggs, you will need some hard-boiled eggs first.
Slice the eggs in halves, lengthwise, then remove the yolks to a bowl. Add mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper to the bowl, then mix everything together until smooth. Next, use a spoon to scoop the yolk mixture back into the egg whites. Sprinkle some paprika on top (optional), and enjoy!
Scrambled Eggs
Start by beating the freshest eggs you can find with some milk or water; in the end, you should get an even yellow color with no translucent spots.
Next, preheat your pan over medium heat, and add in some olive oil or butter. If you want to make scrambled eggs without oil, you can skip the oil. Then, pour in the egg mixture and allow it to cook for a few seconds. Then, use a spatula and pull the cooked edges toward the center.
Let the mixture sit for another few seconds, then continue to move the spatula around the edges. Repeat until the eggs are mostly set, yet you can still see a little liquid remains.
Use Healthier Oil
Instead of using regular cooking oils, you can use healthier oils to fry eggs. Recommendations include olive oil, coconut oil, or hazelnut oil. Since hazelnut oil isn’t always around, you can opt for hazelnut oil substitutes.
FAQs
Can You Make A Fried Egg With Butter?
Totally! Butter is always a favorite of many people as it gives the eggs a nice and creamy finish. This ingredient also releases fewer harmful compounds when heated, which is considerably healthier than using oil.
Can You Make Omelette Without Oil?
To make an omelet, you never need oil, to begin with. It is butter that works the magic.
Is Fried Egg Without Oil Healthy?
Yes! Fried eggs without oil are a healthier version of regular fried recipes, even though the taste isn’t as good, and there won’t be any crunchiness.
Conclusion
Eggs are a powerhouse of protein, yet they’re low in calories. Now that you know how to fry an egg without oil, fried eggs can now be included in your diet plan.
Nutrition specialists state that there is no clear evidence proving daily consumption of eggs is harmful to your heart. Besides, there are also ways to cook eggs to their deliciousness, so you don’t get bored with just one way of cooking.
