Egg ring uses

If you’ve ever wanted to fry a perfectly round egg, you need an egg ring. Made either of stainless steel or silicone, egg rings are designed to make uniform, round eggs with ease. Because of the material, they don’t typically require the use of heavy oils to work.

Egg rings are small — usually around 3 inches in diameter — and many of them have a short handle that makes lifting and maneuvering them convenient.

If you’ve never used an egg ring before but are excited to give it a shot, here’s everything you need to know.

How to cook eggs with an egg ring

An egg ring can be used to cook eggs in a variety of methods, including poached and sunny-side up. For best results, you’ll need the following things.

Nonstick frying pan with large surface area or a griddle

Stainless steel egg rings or silicone egg rings

Flat spatula

Fried eggs

For simple fried eggs, start by turning on the stove burner to medium-low heat. Add a tablespoon of butter to the center of the frying pan or skillet and let it heat up.

While that’s happening, lightly grease the egg rings. You can either use spray cooking oil or a paper towel with a dollop of butter on it. Make sure to fully grease the inner and outer sides of the egg rings before placing them in the pan.

Now, crack one egg into each egg ring. For an easier method, crack the eggs into small glass bowls. Then, simply pour the eggs into the egg rings one at a time. Try to do so quickly to prevent uneven cooking times.

Let the eggs cook until they reach the desired doneness. For sunny side up eggs, it should take about 4 minutes. They’re done when the whites of the eggs have just set, and the yolk is still slightly runny.

Use a pair of tongs to remove the egg rings, starting with the first one since it will have cooked the longest. Then, use a spatula to take the eggs out of the pan. Serve and enjoy.

Egg patties

Egg patties are a popular option for breakfast sandwiches.

As with fried eggs, start by lightly greasing the egg rings and heating the frying pan on low or medium heat.

In a bowl, beat a single egg until well combined. If you usually add seasoning, milk or water to your scrambled eggs, do so at this point. Repeat this step for any other eggs.

Next, pour the individual egg mixture into an egg ring. Let it cook for 7-8 minutes. Once it’s done, remove the egg ring and the egg from the pan. Place the egg on a breakfast sandwich with any other ingredients you prefer (sausage, cheese, etc.), and serve.

Make round eggs without an egg ring

In the past, people would use anything from mason jar lids to small cans to make their eggs perfectly round, but these methods often led to scratched pans, eggs that stuck to the pan and rusted tools.

If you don’t have an egg ring, the next best thing is a medium- to high-sided biscuit or cookie cutter. It should have a flat bottom that can trap the egg whites and prevent them from escaping while they fry.

Keep in mind that any metal option can still scratch the pan, so avoid moving the tool around. Use a biscuit or cookie cutter with a handle to make it easier to pick up and set down in the pan. Always use tongs or an oven mitt when handling it to avoid getting burned.

For an edible option, slice a bell pepper or onion into a singular, thick ring. Set it in a well-oiled frying pan and let it heat up for a minute or so. Then, add the egg. Depending on the structure of the vegetable, you could end up with a round (or mostly round) egg this way. Plus, there’s the bonus of getting to eat the vegetable as well.

Other ways to use egg rings

Although they’re designed for eggs, larger egg rings can also be used for a number of fried foods, including:

Mini omelets

Hamburger (or turkey burger) patties

Mini pancakes

Experiment with different things until you find what works best for you.

Silicone vs. metal egg rings

Egg rings are usually made of metal, but there are high-quality silicone options as well. Here are the main advantages and drawbacks of each.

Metal egg rings: Eggs fried in metal usually cook more evenly than they do in silicone rings. Plus, since metal rings are heavier, they can prevent the egg whites from spreading into the pan and losing their round shape. However, metal egg rings need to be greased to prevent the eggs from sticking to them while cooking.

Silicone egg rings: Silicone doesn’t require pre-greasing because the eggs don’t stick to it nearly as much. The downside with silicone rings is that they aren’t as hefty as metal rings, so the egg whites could spread beyond their confines.

Both types of egg rings usually cost around $10 for a set.

Tips on using egg rings

Here are some final tips on using egg rings.

If you want to flip an egg while cooking it in an egg ring, remove the ring from the pan about halfway through. Then, carefully flip the egg so it can cook on the other side. This may cause the egg to lose its round shape a little, so keep that in mind.

Wash and dry egg rings by hand to keep them from rusting. If the egg ring is dishwasher-safe, use a mildly abrasive cloth to preclean it. Never use abrasive material on egg rings with nonstick coating.

Use a pre-seasoned frying pan for better flavor.

Let the egg ring warm in the pan for 30-60 seconds before adding the egg to help it set upon contact.

Use connected egg rings to cook multiple eggs at once.

Angela Watson is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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