TikTok’s Viral Fried Eggs with Pesto and Crispy Chili

I love fried eggs. As someone who recently gave up scrambled eggs, a fried egg makes any breakfast better. But are you making them in the most delicious way possible? Two viral TikTok recipes are here to change the way you cook fried eggs, and you might not want to go back to the original. The secret to both of these recipes? They focus on adding delicious ingredients to the pan before you crack them open: pesto for a burst of garlic and fresh herbs and crunchy chili for a spicy kick. Plus, they don’t add any time to your morning routine. Let’s get to it with these viral TikTok fried eggs.

Everything About Fried Eggs That Went Viral on TikTok

TikTok has a knack for getting creative with classic dishes, and eggs are no exception. Two viral recipes have taken over the platform: Pesto Fried Eggs and Crispy Chili Eggs.

Pesto is a traditional Italian sauce made with fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Pesto gives the egg a rich, herbaceous flavor. Watch the TikTok video below to see the results:

Chili crisp is a spicy, crunchy condiment made with chili peppers, fried garlic, and fermented soybeans, offering a blend of heat, umami, and texture. Check out the process in this TikTok video below:

Tips for Making Perfect TikTok Fried Eggs

I found both recipes very easy with these helpful tips:

1. Use high quality ingredients

A quality pesto and chili crisp can make all the difference. Pesto will have a brighter, herby flavor, while a quality chili crisp will provide the perfect balance of spice and crunch.

2. Control the heat

When cooking with pesto or chili crisp, use medium-low heat to avoid burning the eggs. Both condiments contain oils that can easily burn and splatter, so cooking at a low temperature helps preserve their flavors and ensures the eggs cook evenly.

3. Preheat the pan

Make sure your nonstick pan is preheated before adding the pesto or chili crisp. This helps distribute the heat evenly and ensures the eggs cook without sticking to the pan.

4. Season lightly

Pesto and chili crisp are packed with flavor, so you don’t need to add a lot of extra seasoning. A light sprinkle of salt and pepper will do the trick.

Fried Eggs with Pesto Recipe

This simple recipe from Cooking with Ayeh takes five minutes to prepare. Add some chili flakes for a kick and serve it over toasted sourdough for an easy, gourmet breakfast.

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Add the pesto to a non-stick pan over medium heat. You won’t need to add any oil or butter as there is enough oil in the pesto.

2. Crack the eggs and cook them to your liking, whether scrambled, fried or fried.

3. Season with salt, pepper and a few chili flakes, if desired.

4. Serve with toasted bread.

Crispy Chili Fried Eggs Recipe

This 10-minute recipe from The Kitchn adds toasted sesame oil for a subtle, nutty flavor. Serve these eggs over a bowl of rice with soy sauce and scallions for a heartier meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. crispy chili

• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil

• 1 medium green onion

• 1 pinch kosher salt

• 2 big eggs

• Toasted bread or a bowl of hot rice, for serving, optional

• Furikake, for the filling

Directions:

• Total time: 10 minutes

• Yield: 1 serving

1. Heat chili crisp and toasted sesame oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until shimmering. Meanwhile, finely chop green onion.

2. Swirl the pan or use the back of a spoon to spread the mixture throughout the pan. Gently crack the eggs into the pan and season with a pinch of kosher salt.

3. Cook, without stirring, until the whites are set, the yolks are still runny, and the edges of the eggs are crispy, three to five minutes. Reduce the heat if necessary to prevent the eggs from burning.

4. Slide eggs onto a plate, toast, or bowl of warm rice. Pour remaining oil from pan over eggs. Garnish with furikake and green onions.

More ways to cook delicious eggs:

Chef’s Secret to the Best Fried Eggs Ever—It Only Takes 2 Minutes!

Chef Reveals Surprising Secret to Fluffy Scrambled Eggs — and It’s So Easy

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