Is it safe to reheat fried eggs?

Yes, if you follow the steps. Fried eggs can be reheated, but there is a chance that their texture can change during the reheating process. That also makes them dry and rubbery in texture. The yolk of the fried eggs can become cracked, which can be a problem if you want it to remain runny. 

That is what differentiates fried eggs from boiled eggs. If you wish to reheat your fried eggs for later, follow any of the methods below to ensure their texture and taste remain the same as the first time.

Oven

Always cover your tray when reheating eggs in the oven. Use a heat-safe plate so that the eggs can retain moisture and prevent them from getting rubbery. An oven helps you maintain the quality of eggs and accommodates more eggs than the rest (Healthline.com). 

Open warm sandwich with ham, cheese, lettuce and fried egg served for breakfast
  1. Take a medium-sized baking pan and line it with aluminum foil. 
  2. Coat the pan with a cooking spray, to prevent the fried eggs from sticking to the baking pan as they heat up.
  3. Place your fried eggs onto the baking pan, keeping them away from easy ones, so they will not stick to one another.
  4. To help retain the moisture of the fried eggs, cover the pan top with a sheet of aluminum foil. That helps maintain the moisture of the fried eggs so that their texture does not change or become rubbery and dry.
  5. Bake the eggs at medium heat for around 10-15 minutes, until they have been warm.
  6. Expect your eggs to warm after 10-15 minutes, because you are not cooking them but warming them up. Check on them in 5-minute intervals to check that they are warming.

Microwave

Using a microwave to reheat fried eggs allows you to reheat the eggs even when they are still frozen. There is no need to defrost. Take a microwave-safe plate or bowl. It has to accommodate the fried eggs without squishing them or overlapping them and place them inside the microwave.

The microwave is a quick way to reheat your fried egg, but be cautious using this method. The texture of fried eggs can change if microwaved incorrectly. Be careful and use oven mitts to remove the egg from the microwave to avoid burning yourself.

  1. Take a damp paper towel, and cover each fried egg with it so that the eggs will not turn dry or rubbery while subjected to the high temperatures of the microwave. Double-check the fried eggs in intervals of 30 seconds, to be sure that they are cooking. They should not overcook.
  2. Make sure that you are not overheating the fried eggs, especially if you want to keep the yolk runny.
  3. Place the fried eggs onto a plate and serve.
See also  Can you reheat a fried egg?
eggs-sunny-side-up

Stove

Using the stove to heat fried eggs is more simple than other methods. The process is likely to change the texture of the fried eggs. It does not only change texture, but the chances are high that the flavor can change. 

Reheating fried eggs makes their nutritional content drop. Even though reheating eggs causes changes to their nutritional makeup, it does not mean the process is unsafe. The only difference to keep in mind is that the texture is likely to change.

 It is best to heat by refrying with some butter or oil. That method will get everything warmed up quickly. Do not overcook since the eggs are already fried.

  1. Heat a small amount of butter or oil into a cooking skillet on light to medium heat. The heat depends on your preference.
  2. After the cooking skillet has warmed, place the fried eggs onto the now heated skillet.
  3. Allow the eggs to warm up for around 2-5 minutes before removing them from the pan. Do not flip the fried eggs, as if you are cooking them for the first time. That may cause the egg yolk to break.  Cover the top of the pan with a lid, which will help to warm up the top of the eggs.
  4. After a few minutes, remove the fried eggs from the pan, transfer them onto a plate, and enjoy.

Storage 

Transfer cooked eggs into a shallow container or dish and allow them to cool. Cool hot food before you refrigerate or freeze it because putting foods that are still hot or warm in storage with cooled or frozen foods can bring the storage temperature up (Highspeedtraining.co.uk). When cool, store them in your refrigerator at any temperature below 40°F. Consume them within three or four days to minimize the risk of illness by cooking them until their internal temperature reaches 165°F.

See also  Can you reheat a boiled egg?

Refrigerate or freeze them depending on the time you intend to store them. No matter the method you are going to follow, the results are still the same when it comes to reheating. Divide the eggs into a plastic food wrap and transfer all of the wrapped eggs together in a Ziploc bag or airtight container. 

Store in your fridge for up to five days or in your freezer for four months. If you freeze your eggs, do not worry about defrosting them. Eggs hold extra moisture, so take them directly from the fridge or freezer for reheating.

Safe Temperatures 

The internal temperature should be 160°F.

FAQs

Is reheating eggs toxic?

Reheating eggs does not make them toxic, but you should be mindful of the temperature. The internal temperature has to reach 160°F. When cool, transfer into a shallow container and refrigerate them instantly.

What are the effects of reheating eggs?

The reheating process affects the flavor, nutritional content, and texture. Expect this if you plan on reheating your eggs. Reheating eggs can cause the texture of the eggs to change, causing the eggs to become rubbery and even dry. It happens when you do not follow the procedure.

Are eggs healthy?

Eggs are healthy as long as you do not overeat them. They are high in cholesterol. Eggs are low in calories and carbohydrates and high in protein, helping you with an increase in metabolism.  Do not get addicted to eggs to the extent that they are part of every meal, especially if you are prone to high cholesterol or heart disease. If you are under a weight loss program, you can sack on eggs.

How do you tell if a cooked egg is spoiled?

Check the smell. Before you reheat fried eggs, check if they have gone stale for your safety. The sign of a stale egg is its smell. If the egg is stale, it will have a different stench from its usual smell.

Leave a Comment