Frederic Melton
Fried eggs with cheese are a delicious and easy meal to make. There are several ways to cook this dish, but the most common method involves frying an egg on top of melted cheese. The cheese forms a crispy layer, adding a unique texture to the dish. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, or Colby Jack, and season the eggs with salt and pepper to taste. This simple dish can be served as a hearty breakfast, paired with sides like avocado, toast, or bacon, or even made into a sandwich.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pan | Non-stick skillet |
| Temperature | Medium-high heat |
| Oil | Butter |
| Cheese | Cheddar, Parmesan, Swiss, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, Mozzarella, Blue Cheese, Havarti, Beaufort, Romano, Gouda, Reggiano |
| Egg | Large |
| Toppings | Sour cream, avocado, salsa, green onions, chives, scallions, hot sauce, bacon, ham |
| Calories | 356 |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheese
When choosing the right cheese to cook an egg on, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want a cheese with a high melting point that will crisp up nicely. Halloumi is a great option as it has a very high melting point and will become crispy when fried. If you can't find halloumi, you can also try queso blanco, a Dominican cheese with a similar texture and taste.
If you're looking for a more traditional option, cheddar is always a good choice. It pairs well with eggs and can be shredded or grated to create a crispy layer. You can also mix in some blue cheese or mature cheddar for extra flavour. Other options include Swiss, Colby Jack, Parmesan, and pepper jack.
For a more unique flavour, you could try frying an egg on blue cheese or a mature cheddar. These cheeses have strong flavours that can really enhance the taste of the egg. Just be aware that stronger-flavoured cheeses may be too overpowering for some palates.
Finally, consider the texture of the cheese. You can use finely chopped, coarsely chopped, grated, or shredded cheese, but each will affect how the cheese cooks and how crispy it becomes. For example, shredded cheese will melt more quickly and evenly than larger chunks of cheese.
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Melting the cheese
The type of cheese used can vary depending on personal preference. Hard or semi-hard cheeses such as cheddar, Parmesan, pepper jack, Swiss, or Colby Jack are good options as they melt well and form a crispy crust. It is recommended to avoid Mexican blend cheeses as they may blacken before the egg is cooked. The cheese can be shredded, grated, chopped, or sliced. If using shredded cheese, create a "web" of cheese with some openings so that you can see the pan through it. This will ensure that the cheese gets crispy and crunchy.
Once the pan is hot, place the cheese in the pan and let it melt. The cheese will start to release its intrinsic oils, which will help to fry the eggs gently. Depending on the desired level of doneness for the egg, the cheese can be melted for anywhere between 1 to 3 minutes. If you want an over-easy egg, melt the cheese for closer to 3 minutes. For an over-hard egg, melt the cheese for about 1 minute.
While the cheese is melting, you can crack the egg and prepare any toppings or seasonings. Some people like to poke the yolks with a fork or the eggshell to mix the yolk with the egg whites. This is especially useful if you don't want a runny yolk. You can also season the egg with salt and pepper, or other seasonings like chives or scallions.
Once the cheese has melted to your desired level of crispiness, you can crack the egg directly on top of the melted cheese. Be careful not to break the yolk unless you want it mixed with the whites. Cover the pan if you want a more well-done center, or leave it uncovered for a sunny, runny yolk.
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Adding the egg
One way is to crack the egg directly onto the bed of melted cheese. This method is suitable for those who want a runny yolk. Cover the pan if you want a more well-done centre, or leave it uncovered for a sunny yolk. You can also poke the yolks with an eggshell or a fork to let them run into the whites.
If you prefer a firmer yolk, you can flip the egg and cook it on the second side until the cheese is golden brown and the yolk is firm. You can also cook the egg separately and place it on the fried cheese once it is cooked to your liking.
For a more well-done egg, crack the egg into a pan of melted butter and sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook for about two minutes on low heat.
If you are making an egg sandwich, you can add the cheese to the egg when it is almost done cooking and cover it until the cheese melts.
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Cooking the egg
To cook an egg on fried cheese, you will need to start by melting the cheese in a skillet pan. You can use shredded, grated, chopped, or sliced cheese. The cheese will need to melt for about 1 to 3 minutes. If you want an over-hard egg, melt the cheese for about a minute. If you want an over-easy egg, let the cheese melt for closer to 3 minutes.
Once the cheese is melted, crack an egg directly over the cheese. If you want a runny yolk, do not cover the pan. If you want a more well-done egg, cover the pan. Cook the egg for 3 to 5 minutes. If you want to cook the yolk further, flip the egg over and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
You can also poke the yolk with a fork or eggshell to let it run into the whites before flipping. If you want a very well-done egg, you can flip it a few times. If you want a crispy, crunchy cheese base, keep the flame on medium-high heat. You can also spoon hot oil or butter onto the egg white to help it cook.
If you are making multiple eggs, leave some space between the cheese webs so that the eggs do not run into each other.
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve fried eggs with cheese. You can serve them with a simple salad, steamed broccoli, or a piece of toast on the side. If you're looking for something more indulgent, try serving them on toasted English muffins with slices of avocado and fresh spinach, or with bacon or sausage for a heartier meal. For a more portable option, you can make egg and cheese sandwiches, or get creative with keto bread or cauliflower rice.
If you're making a fried egg with cheese, you can also experiment with different types of cheese to find your favourite combination. Cheddar, Swiss, Colby Jack, Parmesan, blue cheese, mozzarella, pepper jack, and Mexican blends are all popular options, but feel free to get creative and use whatever you have in your fridge! You can also add additional toppings like sour cream, avocado, salsa, green onions, chives, or even more cheese.
For a different take on the fried egg and cheese combination, try making egg muffin sandwiches by baking eggs with cheese and butter in a muffin tin. You can also add a slice of bacon for a savoury treat.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try making a fried egg and cheese sandwich with a twist by frying the egg directly on a bed of cheese in the pan. This creates a crunchy, crispy base for your sandwich that's sure to impress.
Finally, if you're serving a crowd or looking for a unique brunch option, try making cheesy fried egg nests by creating a web of shredded cheese in your pan and cracking an egg into the centre. This impressive-looking dish is sure to be a conversation starter at your next brunch gathering.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to use a non-stick skillet pan.
Harder cheeses such as cheddar, parmesan, pepper jack, havarti, and gouda are good options.
First, heat the pan to a medium-high heat. Then, sprinkle shredded cheese into the pan, creating a web shape with gaps. Crack an egg into the centre of the cheese web. Cover the pan for a cooked yolk, or leave uncovered for a runny yolk.
This depends on how runny you like your yolk. The cheese should be left to melt for 1-3 minutes. Then, the egg should be cooked for 3-5 minutes. If you want a runny yolk, tilt the pan and spoon hot oil or butter onto the egg white to speed up cooking.
