Fried-Boiled Eggs

By Gavin CrispDec 23, 2023Jump to Recipe

Experience Egyptian Cuisine 101 with this indulgent take on the classic hard-boiled egg, fried in butter and turning into a delicious holiday snack.

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First, the pyramids; now… this.

We have many reasons to pay homage to Egyptian culture; today, let’s focus on Egyptian cuisine. Fried Boiled Eggs, or as they are known in their home country as beid meza’lil or beid mezaghlil, are a decent introduction. We’re going to take a staple of the North American diet—eggs—and we’re going to boil them, then we’re going to fry them in butter, and then we’re going to enjoy perhaps the most indulgent version of the egg we’ve ever had.

It’s appropriate, actually, that we’re making these now, as beid mezaghlil are a holiday tradition at both Christmas and Easter in many Egyptian households. So, before you reach for that candy cane or glass of eggnog, perhaps you’d prefer to eat like an Egyptian.

Are Fried Boiled Eggs Healthy?

Eggs and butter in general are healthy but should definitely be eaten in moderation. Fried boiled eggs are suitable for low-carb, keto, and gluten-free diets, and, if the butter is replaced with ghee, is also suitable for paleo and Whole30 regimens. But, as I said, Fried Boiled Eggs are an indulgent treat, so be sure not to overdo it.

How Should I Hard-Boil My Eggs?

Hard-boiled eggs can be prepared in several ways. While most would turn to a pot of boiling water, “new” methods like steaming them or doing them in an air fryer are gaining popularity. Both are hassle-free, require little time and equipment, and make peeling the eggs a cinch. I’ve included links to recipes that go over the process in detail.

INGREDIENTS

6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
1 tbsp butter

INSTRUCTIONS

Melt

Melt the butter in a heavy-based or cast-iron skillet over MED-HIGH heat.

Fry

Add the peeled, boiled eggs to the pan with the hot butter and fry on all sides until they are golden brown.

Sprinkle

Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove from the pan.

DEVOUR!

Tips & Tricks to Making Perfect Fried Boiled Eggs

Boil the eggs sufficiently. The yolk needs to be hard so err on the side of overdoing them.
After removal from the pan, place the eggs on a paper towel to remove the excess grease.
Frying should take about 3 minutes a side.
Dry the eggs before you fry them to cut down on splattering when you add them to the pan.
The surface of the pan should be covered in melted butter to ensure the egg is evenly fried and doesn’t stick.

FAQs

can i use soft-boiled eggs?

You can experiment with soft-boiled eggs, though I wouldn’t *ahem* put all my eggs in one basket (sorry). Soft-boiled eggs are more delicate and may turn into a yolky mess. If appearances aren’t an issue then give them a go.

can i use oil instead of butter?

I think it tastes better in butter but that’s not to say you can’t use oil. Just be sure to use one with a high smoke point like vegetable or olive oil to prevent burning.

can i cut them in half before frying?

Of course! In fact, many people do when they are going to serve the eggs as appetizers to make them more visually appealing and bite-sized.

which toppings should i add?

I keep it simple with salt and pepper, but you can do dill, paprika, parsley, chives, cilantro, garlic powder, cayenne, onion powder, cumin, turmeric, sesame seeds, grated Parmesan… there is a LOT to choose from.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve these eggs for breakfast or as a topping on a salad, which means you have a number of options to serve alongside them. Other breakfast dishes include Low-Carb Keto Oatmeal, Blueberry Gluten-Free Greek Yogurt Waffles, and Air-Fryer Turkey Bacon. For salads, you can either serve them alongside my Mediterranean Low-Carb Broccoli Salad or even replace the eggs in this Asian Niçoise Salad.

How To Prep and Store Your Fried-Boiled Eggs

To prep the fried boiled eggs, boil the eggs and de-shell them within 24 hours before frying them. To store your leftovers, let the eggs cool completely then put them store them in the fridge where they should keep for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing them unless you like rubbery eggs. Gently reheat them in a pan or the microwave on LOW.

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