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Bacon/ Breakfast 'n' Brunch/ Egg

The Perfect Fried Egg on Toast

April 19, 2022 (Last Updated: June 11, 2022) by Chris Collins

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…

close up shot of egg and bacon on toast on wooden board garnished with chives

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).

2 step by step photos showing how to pan fry bacon

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).

4 step by step photos showing how to fry an egg

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).

2 step by step photos showing how to pan fry bread

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).

4 step by step photos showing how to make fried egg on toast

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!?

fried egg on toast on wooden board with chilli jam and fried eggs blurred in background

How to make Fried Egg on Toast (Full Recipe & Video)

close up shot of egg and bacon on toast on wooden board garnished with chives

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!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Servings (click & slide): 2
Course: Breakfast / Brunch
Cuisine: Universal
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Calories per serving: 401kcal
Cost per serving: £3 / $4

Equipment:

  • Non-Stick Pan
  • Tongs
  • Bread Knife
  • Sharp Knife & Chopping Board or Scissors (for chives)
  • Spoon (for basting eggs)

Ingredients (check list):

  • 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!

Quick 1 min demo!

Notes:

a) Chilli Jam - This is a key ingredient as it balances out the saltiness of the bacon and richness of the butter/egg yolk, by adding sweetness and a touch of spice. You'll find chilli jam in almost all supermarkets/grocery stores or even farmer's markets. The one I use here is from Sainsbury's.
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.

Your Private Notes:

Nutrition:

Nutrition Facts
The Perfect Fried Egg on Toast
Amount Per Serving
Calories 401 Calories from Fat 245
% Daily Value*
Fat 27.22g42%
Saturated Fat 2.72g14%
Trans Fat 0.022g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.236g
Monounsaturated Fat 2.295g
Cholesterol 167mg56%
Sodium 427mg18%
Potassium 370mg11%
Carbohydrates 24.45g8%
Fiber 0.8g3%
Sugar 11.45g13%
Protein 14.03g28%
Vitamin A 341IU7%
Vitamin C 2.3mg3%
Calcium 62mg6%
Iron 1.86mg10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Looking for more?You'll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook 'Comfy'

For another bacon and egg recipe check out my Ultimate Egg and Bacon Sandwich!

For more similar recipes check out these beauties:

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5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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2 Comments

  • Reply
    Jason
    November 4, 2022 at 8:10 pm

    5 stars
    I must say I was slightly apprehensive about the chilli jam but it totally works. Will try your avocado egg toast next.

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      November 5, 2022 at 12:21 pm

      Thanks Jason – hope the avocado egg toast goes down well 🙂 C.

    5 KNOCKOUT

    DINNERS

    YOU'LL NEVER STOP MAKING!

    A FREE EMAIL SERIES, FROM ONE FOODIE TO ANOTHER