Eggs are a great source of protein and other nutrients. You can use them to make a variety of dishes, from breakfast to dinner. One thing about eggs is that they do not need butter or oil to cook them.
Everyone knows that eggs are delicious, versatile, and provide a really healthy breakfast food option. But, many people cook their eggs with butter or oil, which can add extra calories and fat to your diet. If you want to get in the habit of cooking healthier breakfasts, then this article is for you! In this article, we will show you 6 methods for cooking eggs without butter: boiling, microwaving, steaming, poaching in water or broth, baking in the oven, and using an air fryer!
Table of Contents
Methods to cook eggs without butter or oil
1. Boiled eggs:
– Fill a pot with cold water and bring it to a boil.
– Carefully lower the eggs into the boiling water using an egg poacher or slotted spoon, making sure not to crack them. Cover the pot and allow eggs to cook for about eight minutes. (Longer if you want firmer yolks.)
- Soft boiled eggs: Carefully lower eggs into boiling water and cook for about three minutes. (Perfect if you want a runny egg yolk!)
- Medium boiled eggs: Both the white and the yolk will be set after five minutes if you prefer your eggs a little firmer.
- Hard-boiled eggs: Carefully lower eggs into boiling water and cook for 7-9 minutes.
– Remove from heat, drain off hot water and peel while eggs are still warm; put in an ice bath for two minutes before serving for desired texture.
Note: Boiled eggs can be peeled when they’re cool, too, but some people find this makes their whites rubbery. The best way is to wait until your boiled egg has reached room temperature before peeling it naturally by hand.
2. Microwave:
– For boiled, place a few eggs at a time in an egg poacher or microwave-safe bowl. Cover the eggs with plastic wrap, making sure to leave one corner open so that steam can escape. Cook for about three minutes on medium power until they have set (or longer if you want firmer yolks). Remove from oven and peel while eggs are still warm; put in an ice bath for two minutes before serving.
-To prepare scrambled eggs in the microwave, fill a large glass casserole dish with water and add salt, vinegar, or lemon juice if you like. Crack one egg at a time into a small microwave-safe bowl and whisk thoroughly before adding it to the casserole dish. Place the casserole dish in the microwave oven, uncovered, for 2 to 3 minutes on high power (750 Watts) until you get a fluffy texture (no longer liquid).
– For omelets, crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk them until they are frothy. Pour or spoon the egg mixture onto an oven-safe dish (Microwave safe) that has been greased with cooking oil spray. Use a spatula to spread the eggs evenly in a circular shape; then place it on high power for about two to three minutes.
– To cook sunny-side-up eggs, place a couple of eggs in an egg poacher or microwave-safe dish and cover them with plastic wrap. Cook on high power until they are set but not overcooked; about one minute, depending on the wattage.
3. Steamer:
Steaming is a great way to cook eggs and a method I use a lot. But for some reason, it’s not that common. Steaming your eggs means they are not in direct contact with the boiling water, so you get a much creamier yolk that tastes delicious.
– Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Place the eggs inside a steaming basket above the boiling water (making sure not to let any running water touch your eggs). Cover and cook for about six minutes on medium heat until they have set but are still a little runny. Remove from oven and peel while eggs are still warm; put in an ice bath for two minutes before serving if you prefer your eggs firmer.
Note: (For the most flavorsome eggs, use organic if you can!)
4. Poached Eggs:
Poaching eggs is a much gentler, slower process and leaves the yolk less firm than hard-boiling does. The best way to poach an egg is in either water or broth; you can do this by sprinkling some vinegar into the pot before adding your eggs.
– Fill a pot with cold water and bring it to a boil. Carefully lower the eggs into the boiling water using an egg poacher or slotted spoon, making sure not to crack them. Cover the pot and allow eggs to cook for about four minutes; then remove from heat, drain off hot water and peel while eggs are still warm; put in an ice bath for two minutes before serving if you prefer your eggs firmer.
5. Oven Baked Eggs:
– Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat together the eggs and milk in a bowl until combined well (but don’t overbeat). Heat an ovenproof skillet or pan on medium heat, add some butter or oil to coat it lightly. Pour in egg mixture, tilting the pan so that you cover as much surface area of the pan with liquid as possible.
Cook for about four minutes at this point before transferring them into your oven; cook for another three minutes while keeping an eye out for when it is ready by using a toothpick test – if there are still white stringy bits stuck onto either side of the skewer then they’re not quite done yet! Serve hot from the skillet.
-There are a couple of other ways to bake eggs without butter – with baking paper or without baking paper. If you want no mess while cooking your eggs in the oven, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and preheat it for at least 15 minutes. Crack your egg into an oven-proof bowl, whisk thoroughly and place on the pan (make sure not to forget this part). Cook until done – about 12-15 minutes, depending on how many you are making! If you prefer cooking without paper, then make sure to use a nonstick dish or one that has been sprayed with some oil so your egg doesn’t stick.
6. Air Fryer:
This is a straightforward way of cooking eggs, and there’s no grease from frying. You can soft boil, hard boil, fry, or scramble your eggs in an air fryer. Just be sure to keep the temperature low.
Air fryer scrambled eggs:
– Heat the air fryer to 350 degrees F. Break eggs into a bowl, beat them, and add salt and pepper before whisking in some milk. Add a little butter or oil to coat the bottom of your air fryer pan and pour in egg mixture, tilting the pan so that you cover as much surface area of the pan with liquid as possible—Cook for about 4 minutes.
7. (Bonus Method) Use a Non-stick Pan for Fried Eggs
If you’re not interested in any of the above techniques because you still want your eggs fried sunny side up on a pan, use a good quality non-stick pan on low heat. We have reviewed the best pans for this job for you in this article. Best Non-Stick Pan Without Teflon 2021: Reviews + Buying Guide.
Benefits of Cooking Eggs Without Butter:
There are many benefits of cooking eggs without butter; here are just six reasons why its better:
-Healthier option than using butter or oil as an ingredient when making scrambled omelets or other dishes because this adds extra calories and fat.
– It’s better for your heart and cholesterol levels.
-Reduces risk of diabetes because butter is high in sugar and can cause spikes in blood glucose levels; eggs are a great source of protein but contain very little sugar, so they don’t affect insulin or blood glucose as much.
-Easy to incorporate into a diet that avoids processed foods, such as paleo diets which do not include dairy products, grains, or legumes.
-Same nutritional value as cooking with oil or butter
-Eggs provide nutrients including omega fatty acids, vitamin A (in the yolk), D (when eaten raw), and B vitamins like riboflavin – all essential for good health!
Conclusion
So, what kind of eggs do you like? Scrambled or fried? We’ve provided some great methods to cook eggs without butter that we hope will help inspire your next meal. If there are any other tips and tricks for cooking eggs without butter that you know about, please share them in the comments section below!
Looking for more great advice? Please check out our other articles, like how to make espresso with a French Press and how to freeze chicken salad.
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