How to Make Perfect Jammy Eggs—and Our Favorite Ways to Eat Them

A perfectly cooked egg is a fundamental comfort food, and essential and endlessly useful for any home cook to know how to prepare. Whether fried in a skillet, folded into a soft scramble, baked in a quiche, or poached for a Benedict, eggs elevate even the simplest meal. A jammy egg is a perfect example. If you're not familiar with this egg preparation, we're here for you. Find out how to make jammy eggs and the best ways to enhance and enjoy them. With their softly set whites and rich, custard-like centers, they are a delicious addition to all kinds of dishes from ramen bowls to salads to soup. They're so simple and so good—and you'll want to make them on the regular.

What Is a Jammy Egg?

Somewhere between a soft-boiled and a hard-boiled egg, the jammy egg is defined by its texture— the yolk is no longer runny, but not yet firm and chalky like a hard-cooked egg. Instead, it reaches a golden, almost molten stage that is spreadable and melts in your mouth. The whites are tender but fully set, and the yolk is soft, thick, and slightly gooey—like jam. A jammy egg is perfect for adding a touch of luxury to everyday dishes.

How to Make a Perfectly Jammy Egg

Luckily, it's simple to make a perfectly jammy egg, and the tools required are nothing out of the ordinary:

• A small or medium saucepan
• A slotted spoon 
• A bowl of ice water (ice bath)

The most important factor for perfecting a jammy egg is timing. Barbara Rich, lead chef-instructor of Culinary Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education’s New York City campus, offers these tips for best results:

1. Carefully place the eggs into a pot of boiling water. Set a timer for 7 minutes.
2. Remove the eggs from the pot and immediately place them into an ice bath. 
3. After a few minutes, remove the egg and gently crack its shell on a flat surface. 
4. Place the egg back into the ice bath for an additional five minutes. Then peel and use. 

Seasoning a Jammy Egg 

Jammy eggs are perfect on their own for a high-protein breakfast or snack. And to make them an even better version of themselves, sometimes, the simplest touches—fleur de sel, cracked pepper, or a drizzle of olive oil—are all you need. But don’t hesitate to explore with other seasonings and spices . A sprinkle of furikake, a drizzle of chili crisp, or even a bit of za’atar can transform your jammy egg into something truly unique.

10 Ways to Use a Jammy Egg 

Jammy eggs can elevate just about any dish. They're good for soups (like ramen) and salads (like salad Lyonnaise) when you want the yolk to enrich the product, says Rich. A hard-boiled egg, on the other hand, she says, is useful when you want the flavor and texture of a cooked egg. Beyond adding them to a bowl of ramen, try a jammy egg in these other delicious applications: 

Gnocchi: Similar to ramen bowls, adding jammy eggs to a simple gnocchi or pasta dish brings protein, and the yolk enhances the saucy ingredients—or creates a saucy situation.

Avocado toast: Place two jammy egg halves on smashed avocado toast with chili flakes, sesame seeds, a squeeze of lemon, and so much more.

Ricotta and egg toast: Spread ricotta on toast, add sliced jammy eggs, drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with black pepper.

Nicoise salad: Swap the traditional hard-boiled eggs for jammy ones in this famed French salad, as they add a creamy contrast to crisp greens, tuna, and olives.

Grain bowl: Add a jammy egg to a bowl of any hearty grain, such as farro, for a healthy and filling lunch or dinner.

Tomato soup: Garnish a bowl of homemade tomato soup with a sliced jammy egg and a swirl of pesto!

Spiced yogurt bowl: Spoon some labneh or yogurt into a shallow bowl, top with za’atar, olive oil, and a jammy egg.

Pickle plate: A jammy egg rounds out a snack plate with pickles, cheeses, nuts, and olives.

Savory oatmeal: To make a sweet breakfast classic savory, top your oatmeal with jammy eggs, scallions, soy sauce, and sesame oil. You can also try our Parmesan oats, swapping the fried egg for a jammy one.