Can babies eat fries eggs? Yes! Here's how to cook the perfect fried egg for baby led weaning and finger food babies that is just the right texture - not too crispy and not underdone.
This post has been written and medically reviewed by Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist).
Fried Eggs for Baby
Most people feed their babies scrambled eggs as a first food, and maybe venture to boiled eggs or omelets. But most probably don't offer fried eggs because they may be a little more confusing. But I'm here to clear up any confusion! After all, who doesn't love a fried egg? Babies CAN eat fried eggs, they just have to be cooked properly - no crispy, crackly edges and no slimy centers. It's super simple, and I'll show you how. Even though they are a little bit older now, my kids still love fried eggs this way.
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Ingredients
- Eggs
- Butter or oil for the skillet (I prefer real butter.)
Step By Step Instructions
For the full printable recipe, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Heat a small skillet (nonstick or well seasoned cast iron work best for fried eggs) over medium-low heat. Once heated, add the butter or oil and swirl to coat the bottom. If the butter browns, the skillet is too hot.
- Crack the egg into the skillet. Cover with a lid or heat-proof plate and cook for about 1 minute. The bottom should not get browned or crispy.
- Uncover the skillet and carefully slip the egg with a spatula. Cook an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the yolk is set or mostly set. Avoid over-cooking - you don't want a chalky yolk.
- Slide the egg out of the pan onto a cutting board (or baby's plate) and cut into strips the width of your finger. Make sure it is cooled before serving to baby!
Tips for the Perfect Fried Egg
- Don't get your skillet too hot. You want a low to medium-low heat to make sure the yolk cooks enough before the bottom gets too crispy. Make sure it's preheated before you add the butter or the egg. If the butter browns when you add it to the skillet, it's too hot.
- Covering the skillet helps the egg cook evenly and more quickly before the bottom becomes crispy. If you don't have a lid that fits your skillet (or is slightly larger), a paper plate or other heat-proof plate can be used to cover the skillet.
- To speed up cooking, you can puncture the yolk - this also allows you to see when it is fully cooked.
- Keep a careful watch on things. Fried eggs can go from perfectly cooked to rubbery and chalky quickly!
Storage and Reheating
If you have leftover egg, you can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Fried eggs don't reheat well, so I recommend offering it cold from the refrigerator - it will feel good on teething babies' gums!
How To Serve Fried Egg To Babies 6 Months and Up
For baby led weaning babies and babies in the finger food stage 6 months and up who have not developed a pincer grasp, cut egg into strips the width of 1-2 adult fingers. For babies with a pincer grasp, which usually develops around 9 months, you can cut the egg into small bite size pieces about the size of your fingernail. (Offer with a food high in vitamin C for better iron absorption!)
FAQ
Yes! Eggs are some of the most nutrient-dense foods you can offer to new eaters. Eggs are a great source of highly bioavailable protein, as well as several essential nutrients like B vitamins (B12, biotin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid), choline, vitamin D, selenium and iodine, which are all important nutrients for supporting baby's growth and development.
Yes. Eggs are one of the top 9 most common food allergens. Research shows that introducing allergens like eggs early and often to babies can help reduce the risk of developing a food allergy.
Read more about introducing allergens to babies.
Most people will tell you no. As you probably know, undercooked eggs carry the (very small) risk of foodborne illness caused by bacteria such as Salmonella. To completely eliminate the risk, the best bet is to fully cook the yolk before giving to babies under 1 year old. However, if the yolk is slightly runny I wouldn't worry about it. Here's why: Pasteurization of eggs (the process of heating to kill bacteria) occurs from 138-154°F / 60-68°C held for 2-5 minutes. So eggs cooked this temperature and higher for anywhere from 2-5 minutes - which you will be doing - should reach the proper temperature. But as always, use your best judgement!
Perfect Fried Egg for Baby Led Weaning
Can babies eat fries eggs? Yes! Here's how to cook the perfect fried egg for baby led weaning and finger food babies that is just the right texture - not too crispy and not underdone.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 egg 1x
- Category: breakfast
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: baby/toddler
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- butter or oil for the skillet
Instructions
- Heat a small nonstick skillet or well seasoned cast iron skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add the butter or oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the skillet.
- Carefully crack the egg into the skillet. Cover and cook for 1 minute.
- Flip the egg with a spatula, re-cover and cook an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the yolk is just set.
- Slide the egg from the pan and cut into strips the width of 1-2 adult fingers.
Notes
- Careful not to get the skillet too hot. You want low to medium-low heat to avoid getting the egg crispy before it fully cooks. If it's too hot, remove it from the heat for a bit.
- Covering the skillet helps the egg to fully cook before the bottom gets browned or crispy. If you don't have a lid that fits your skillet or is slightly larger, a paper plate or other heat-proof plate can be used to cover it.
- Avoid over-cooking the egg - you don't want a chalky yolk!
- You can puncture the yolk to help it cook faster. This also allows you to see when it's fully cooked.
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