If slightly gooey eggs are your jam, then these Jammy Eggs with Toasted Sesame Oil should be your next meal. Soft-boiled eggs are cooked for exactly 7 minutes, yielding a jam-like yolk that is the perfect consistency, then finished with toasted sesame oil, sesame seeds, and fresh herbs.
Team egg has many sides. Maybe you like them fried, or hard-boiled like in this egg salad. But if you have never tried a jammy egg, then you are missing out on texture heaven. Jammy eggs fall in between a true soft-boiled egg that has a runny yolk, and a hard-boiled egg, where the yolk is fully cooked.
Jammy eggs are sometimes known as "ramen eggs", because they often find their way on top of a delicious bowl of ramen. You may also know them as 7 minute eggs- which to me is the best name, because they take exactly 7 minutes to cook. Yep it's that easy to prepare!
You can top jammy eggs however you want. I wanted something that packed a flavor punch. Toasted sesame oil adds a nutty Asian flavor, and when topped with sesame seeds, builds yet another layer of texture that takes these eggs to the next level. Add some herbs for freshness, and wow-just wow!
So, do you have 7 minutes to spare? Then let's make jammy eggs!
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Ingredients
All you need are some eggs and a few condiments to make these jammy eggs with sesame oil.
- Eggs- I use large eggs. You can use any size. Just note your cooking time may be slightly more or less depending on the size of your eggs. Also, the freshness of your eggs might affect your total cooking time. This recipe was tested using commercial, store-bought white eggs.
- Sesame oil- Toasted or regular sesame oil is fine. You can easily find sesame oil in the Asian section of your supermarket. Toasted sesame oil adds a nice nutty flavor.
- Sesame seeds- Perfect for adding a little crunch, and it compliments the sesame oil. You can toast the seeds yourself, or you can buy toasted sesame seeds.
- Fresh herbs- Scallions or chives are perfect to add a mild onion flavor. Parsley or cilantro is great for adding freshness.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
See recipe card for quantities.
Equipment
Just grab a pot large enough to hold your eggs without crowding them. You will also need a bowl filled with ice water to place the eggs in after they finish boiling. Although not needed, a large slotted spoon or spider strainer to add and remove the eggs from the pot will come in handy.
Instructions
See below for how to make the easiest, jammiest 7-minute eggs.
Have ready 4 large eggs. Fill a 2-quart pot with water and bring to a boil.
Using a slotted spoon or strainer, gently lower the eggs into a pot of boiling water.
Set a timer for exactly 7 minutes while the eggs boil. Don't stray too far, you don't want to miss the timer!
After 7 minutes, immediately remove the eggs to an ice bath. Let stand for about 10 minutes for easier peeling.
Remember, these are 7-minute eggs, however, the size of your pot, your eggs, and even the type of cooktop you are using (gas vs. electric) may all affect cooking time slightly.
I used commercial, store-bought large eggs, and cooked them in a 2-quart saucepan on a gas stove, and they are indeed perfect at 7 minutes. Adjust your time as needed, adding slightly less or slightly more time. Do not exceed 8 minutes.
How to peel soft-boiled eggs
Older eggs tend to peel better because they are less acidic than fresh eggs, making the membrane less likely to adhere to its shell. So if you have older eggs, you can start with those.
For an easier release from its shell, leave the eggs in their ice bath for about 10 minutes, or peel them under gently running cold water.
Begin by tapping the egg gently on a hard surface, starting at the narrow end, and slowly and carefully peel it until all the shell is removed. Unless you are entering an egg peeling contest, I see no reason to stress if they are not smooth. You are here for the yolk, am I right?
Substitutions and variations
I just love the flavor of these 7-minute eggs, but they are just a canvas to create anything you want. If you want a similar flavor profile, try out some of the suggestions below.
- Sesame oil - Regular sesame oil can be used if you can't find toasted sesame oil. The only difference is that toasted sesame oil is made from toasted sesame seeds, so the oil is slightly nuttier in taste. But they can be used interchangeably here. You can also use another nut oil like walnut oil, or simply just use your favorite oil.
- Sesame seeds- You can skip the sesame seeds, but if you want to add some crunch, try chia seeds or finely chopped pine nuts.
- Herbs and spices- Play around with fresh herbs and spices. Try a little garlic or onion powder if you don't have fresh herbs. Everything bagel seasoning is another great option.
- Make it spicy! Just like my chili oil eggs, top these jammy eggs with a drizzle of chili crunch or chili oil.
How to serve jammy eggs
Go rogue and eat them with a spoon with some salt and pepper, or serve them alongside another main dish.
- Add them to chopped salads.
- Make a jammy egg toast with avocado.
- Add to soup, ramen or pasta.
- Make a breakfast bowl- Turn my whipped cottage cheese bowls savory by adding jammy eggs.
- Add them to my delicious breakfast grits.
- Swap out poached eggs for a jammy eggs benedict.
Storage
Jammy eggs (without the oil), can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best results, don't peel the eggs in advance, or they will dry out. To warm the eggs from the fridge, place the eggs (still in it's shell) in a bowl of warm water for about one minute before peeling.
Alternatively, you can peel the eggs, but leave them whole for up to 3 days in the fridge. You can reheat in warm water as described above.
Top tip
Set that timer! It's easy to get distracted in the kitchen, and you don't want to overcook your eggs. Also, have your ice bath ready to go, and try to add (and remove) all your eggs from the pot at once so they each have the same amount of cooking time.
FAQ
Soft-boiled eggs have a runny yolk, while jammy eggs are in between a soft boiled egg and a hard-boiled egg. The yolk has a creamy consistency, similar to jam. Hence, "jammy" eggs.
To get that perfect, spoonable consistency, jammy eggs should cook for 7 minutes.
📖Recipe
Jammy Eggs with Toasted Sesame Oil
Equipment
- medium pot
- slotted spoon or strainer
- medium-sized bowl
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tablespoon sesame oil, toasted or plain
- 2 tablespoon sesame seeds, *toasted or plain *see below for how to toast sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoon chopped scallions or chives
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- medium bowl filled with ice water
Instructions
- Fill a 2-quart pot with water and bring to a boil. Gently lower the eggs into the boiling water and immediately set a timer for exactly 7 minutes.4 large eggs
- After seven minutes, remove the eggs and quickly place them in a bowl filled with ice water. Let stand in the ice water for about 10 minutes.medium bowl filled with ice water
- After 10 minutes, remove the eggs and begin to peel each one, being careful not to break the egg.
- Slice each egg in half lengthwise. Lay them out on a platter, season with the sesame oil, sesame seeds, salt, and pepper, and garnish with chopped scallions or chives. Check for seasoning, adding more if needed. Serve immediately.2 tablespoon sesame oil, toasted or plain, 2 tablespoon sesame seeds, *toasted or plain, Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, 2 tablespoon chopped scallions or chives
Toasted Sesame Seeds
- In a small non-stick pan, spread the sesame seeds out in an even layer. Cook the sesame seeds over medium-heat until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Watch carefully so they don't burn. Set aside until ready to use.
AO
I made 3 jammy eggs this morning and they were truly delightful!! My only challenge (and PS Im extremely domestically challenged) was i didn’t run them under water as directed and struggled a little with peeling-But once I overcame that I put salt and pepper on them over a piece of Ezekiel bread! Such an easy recipe and so delicious!!!