Deep Frying Hard-Boiled Eggs: Is It Possible?

Deep-frying eggs is a popular culinary trend that involves coating soft-boiled eggs in a savoury bacon breadcrumb layer and frying them to create a crispy exterior. This innovative dish has roots in Indonesian and Filipino cuisines and has become a beloved breakfast option in the UK. While deep-fried eggs are typically prepared in a pot or pan, some may wonder if it is possible to achieve similar results using a deep fryer.

Deep fryers utilise high temperatures and hot air circulation to cook food, similar to deep-frying but with less oil. This method is effective for cooking various foods, from roasted potatoes to tortilla chips. However, when it comes to eggs, the high temperatures and pressure can cause the eggshell to buckle or crack, resulting in an unappetising outcome.

While deep fryers may not be ideal for cooking whole eggs, they can be used to create delicious soft-boiled or hard-boiled eggs with a crispy coating by following specific recipes and techniques.

Deep-fried eggs are a special breakfast dish

To make deep-fried eggs, start by soft-boiling the eggs. Bring a pan of water to a boil and use a pin or egg pricker to pierce the blunt end of the egg, which is where the air pocket is. This step is crucial to prevent the eggs from breaking and running while boiling. Lower the heat to a simmer, carefully place the eggs in the water, and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes.

Once the eggs are soft-boiled, transfer them to a bowl of ice water to cool them down. This step will take around 10 to 15 minutes. When the eggs are cooled, gently tap and peel the shell, starting from the side that comes off more easily. Use a spoon to loosen the shell from the white if needed.

Now, it's time to bread the eggs for deep frying. Set up a dredging station with three separate bowls containing flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs. For an extra savoury kick, you can add chopped precooked bacon to the breadcrumbs. Dredge each egg in the flour, coat it with the beaten egg, and then generously coat it with the bacon breadcrumbs. Repeat the process for a double breading, ensuring a thicker and crunchier crust.

Heat a small saucepan with your preferred frying oil, such as sustainable palm oil or vegetable oil, to around 190°C. Carefully place one egg at a time into the hot oil and fry for about 10 to 20 seconds, turning them to achieve a golden brown colour on all sides. Remove the eggs from the oil and drain them on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.

Deep-fried eggs are best served warm. You can enjoy them as they are or get creative with various dipping sauces like sriracha mayo, aioli, or ketchup. This unique breakfast dish offers a delightful contrast of textures and flavours, with a crispy exterior and a runny yolk.

If you're looking for a fun and innovative twist on the classic fried egg, deep-fried eggs are definitely worth trying. They make for a memorable and indulgent breakfast or brunch option that is sure to satisfy your taste buds and impress your family and friends.

Soft-boiled eggs are cooked for 3-4 minutes

There are two techniques to achieve the perfect soft-boiled egg. The first involves placing the eggs in already boiling water, reducing the heat to a simmer, and cooking for 3-4 minutes. The second technique starts with the eggs in a pot, which you then fill with cold water. Bring this to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 1 minute.

If your eggs are straight from the fridge, you will need to cook them for longer: 5-7 minutes for the first technique, and 3-5 minutes for the second.

To ensure the eggs don't continue to cook, transfer them to an ice bath after cooking. This will also make them easier to peel.

The eggs need to be truly hard-boiled

It is not recommended to put an uncracked egg into a deep fryer. The egg will likely crack from the expansion of air inside, and the egg will cook in an unappetizing way.

However, if you are seeking truly hard-boiled eggs, there are a few methods to consider. Firstly, you can opt for a soft-boiled egg, which is cooked just enough to set the egg whites but retains a runny yolk. This method is often used as a precursor to deep frying, as the eggs will continue to cook when fried. To soft-boil an egg, bring a pan of water to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer, and cook the eggs for 3-4 minutes.

If you desire a truly hard-boiled egg, you can achieve this using an air fryer or a traditional boiling method. For the air fryer method, preheat your air fryer to 250°F (121°C) to 275°F (135°C). Place the eggs into the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each egg. For a hard-boiled consistency, cook the eggs for 14-15 minutes.

Alternatively, you can use the traditional boiling method. Bring a pan of water to a boil, ensuring there is enough water to cover the eggs completely. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook the eggs for 12 minutes. This method ensures that the egg yolks are fully cooked.

Regardless of the method you choose, it is important to allow the eggs to cool before peeling. Submerging the cooked eggs in an ice bath for about 10-15 minutes helps stop the cooking process and makes peeling easier.

In summary, while it is not advisable to put an uncracked egg into a deep fryer, you can achieve hard-boiled eggs using other methods, such as an air fryer or traditional boiling. Just remember to adjust the cooking time according to your preferred level of doneness and allow the eggs to cool before peeling.

Use a deep pot or deep fryer

Using a deep pot or deep fryer is a safe option when deep-frying eggs. The high temperatures and risk of splattering hot oil demand the use of a deep pot, pan, or deep fryer to avoid injury. It is crucial to never fill the container with oil by more than half.

Deep-fried eggs are a unique breakfast dish that is surprisingly simple to prepare. They are typically made by coating soft-boiled eggs in a savoury bacon breadcrumb mixture and frying them to create a crispy exterior. This method results in a runny yolk and a crunchy coating, providing a delightful contrast in texture and taste.

To make deep-fried eggs, start by soft-boiling the eggs. Bring a pot of water to a boil, ensuring there is enough water to cover the eggs completely. Use a pin or egg pricker to pierce the blunt end of the egg, where the air pocket is located. This step is essential to prevent the eggs from breaking during boiling. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and carefully place the eggs in the water for three to four minutes.

After boiling, immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to cool them down. This step will take around 10 to 15 minutes. To peel the eggs, gently tap the shell to break it and start peeling from the side that comes off more easily. If needed, use a spoon to help separate the shell from the white.

Now, prepare the coating. Place flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs in three separate bowls. Finely chop some pre-cooked bacon and mix it with the breadcrumbs. Dredge each egg in the flour, then coat it with the beaten egg, and finally, roll it in the bacon breadcrumb mixture. Repeat this process to create a double coating, which ensures a thicker and crunchier crust.

Heat up two cups of vegetable or sustainable palm oil in a small saucepan to around 190°C. It is important to use an oil with a high smoke point, such as palm oil, to avoid burning and creating a fire hazard. Carefully place the coated eggs into the hot oil, frying them for about 10 to 20 seconds on each side until they are golden brown. Remove the eggs from the oil and place them on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.

Serve the deep-fried eggs warm, and enjoy the delicious combination of a crispy exterior and a soft, runny yolk.

Older eggs can lead to a runny egg white

When preparing deep-fried eggs, it's important to use fresh eggs to achieve the desired results. While older eggs can still be consumed and retain their taste, their whites tend to become runny over time. This is due to the increasing age of the egg, influenced by factors such as high storage temperatures and low humidity levels.

The quality of an egg deteriorates as it ages, and this degradation is accelerated by high storage temperatures and low humidity. The older an egg is, the more likely its white will be runny. This is why older eggs are often used as a substitute for fresh eggs when making dishes that require a softer egg white consistency, such as soft-boiled eggs.

Additionally, the conditions in which chickens are kept can also impact the quality of their eggs. For instance, high ammonia levels in the coop or high temperatures during the summer can contribute to runny egg whites. While these factors may not be as detrimental as those experienced in factory farms, they still influence the egg's overall quality.

To test the freshness of an egg, a simple water test can be performed. Place the egg in a bowl of water, and if it sinks and lies flat on the bottom, it is fresh. Older eggs will stand upright or float, indicating that they are less fresh and may have runnier whites.

When preparing deep-fried eggs, it is crucial to use fresh eggs with firm whites. This ensures that the breading adheres properly and creates a delicious crispy coating. Using older eggs with runny whites can affect the coating process and the overall presentation and taste of the dish.

Frequently asked questions