How to cook quail eggs for breakfast, over easy fried in a pan on the stove, in air fryer, hard boiled egg loaf in oven or in a microwave is here. How long to cook hard boiled or soft boiled so you can enjoy these small bites of protein any time of day.
How Long to Cook Quail Eggs
You are looking at 30 seconds in the microwave to about 3.5 minutes if boiling on the stove. Other methods are in between the two as far as cook time goes but overall very quick no matter which way you choose. Obviously in the shell takes longer than cracked as well so keep that in mind when deciding which way to go and how much time you have.
How to Cook Over Easy Quail Eggs
With this method you will need to crack (or cut in this case since their shell is so soft) them open before heating. As far as cooking over easy, medium or hard that doesn’t differ from chicken eggs really other than they don’t take as long. Use a pan and spatula, with a round cookie cutter if you don’t want them to spread a lot.
If kept in the shell with the yolks kept runny is essentially just spending less time submerged in boiling water and always immediately transferred to an ice bath to stop the cooking. Alternatively we share how you can make Soft Boiled Slow Cooker Eggs too which is great for brunch.
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How Long to Boil Quail Eggs from Cold Water
I would not suggest starting in cold water, rather it is more successful if you start from a medium consistent rolling boil over medium high heat. From there you should follow the 2-3-3.5 rule. What I mean by that is soft boiled takes 2 minutes, medium boiled is 3 minutes and hard boiled takes 3.5 minutes.
What is the best way to cook quail eggs?
How to Cook Quail Eggs in Air Fryer
If you have never tried Air Fryer Soft Boiled Eggs it is pretty interesting and surprisingly successful. As with the other methods you would cut the timing in half. I would not say this is the best way if I have to compare them all. In hot water on the stove or in a mug works better for an even cook to me.
Quail Eggs in Microwave
You can do this too friends!! We share How Long to Microwave Eggs in a Cup here. You can do this in the shell submerged in water for hard boiled or in a small ramekin without the shell. It will take half as long as chicken eggs because of their size. Longer for firm yolks, less for runny and soft. You get the idea. 😉
Can you cook quail eggs in a pressure cooker?
Of course, this works pretty actually. I have done this for years with “regular” sizes where they steam to firm in their shell on a rack or basket. You can follow this Instant Pot quail eggs timing and see if this one is your favorite!
How to Crack Open Quail Eggs
- Tapping a Quail Egg Open – Gently tap the narrow end of the quail egg on a hard surface to create a small crack. Use your fingers to peel away the cracked shell carefully. Quail eggs have a tough inner membrane that you might need to break through. Once you have a small opening, gently pull apart the shell to widen the crack and release the egg into a bowl.
- Opening Quail Eggs with a Knife – Hold the egg firmly but gently in one hand. Use a sharp knife to lightly score the shell around the middle of the egg, applying gentle pressure to avoid crushing it. Once you have scored around the middle, gently twist and pull the two halves apart to open the egg. Pour the contents into a bowl.
- How to Open Quail Eggs with Scissors – Hold the egg with one hand and use a small pair of egg scissors (linked in recipe card) to cut the top (smaller-narrow end) of the shell off. Once the top is removed, gently pour the contents of the egg into a bowl.
Why do you need scissors to open quail eggs?
I say this is the most effective technique which is why I show pictures here. The scissors are created just for these, they aren’t regular every day or kitchen varieties. These aren’t like white or brown from other birds where they crack open. Softer, they need to be sliced in order to pour out the whites and yolk.
How many quail eggs to make one chicken egg?
Typically 3 = 1 “regular” egg from a chicken as far as the amount of whites and yolk. The weight is 50-60 grams vs. this smaller 9-10 grams size. As far as protein, calories and fat content they are somewhat similar though these little guys have more than twice the cholesterol than their larger counterpart.
Of course and how fun too!! You would follow your same recipe for hollandaise sauce and then right at the end cook quail eggs over easy in a pan since they only take a few minutes. You’ll want 3-4 of them per serving. Combine all the elements and enjoy.
They really are one bite size. When cooked over hard or poached you could just scoop each one up with a spoon and enjoy one at a time. Serve on top of a toasted English muffin or piece of toast too if you like. If hard boiled, peel and pop them in as a protein packed snack!
Absolutely, we will explain it below in detail but it is similar to chicken eggs just with less time. After cutting the top off and pouring it into a non stick skillet in just a few minutes it is perfectly cooked for breakfast.
What can you make with quail eggs?
- Try them with our Spam and Eggs Recipe for a breakfast for dinner option.
- Make teeny tiny oh “so cute” appetizers with these for Deep Fried Deviled Eggs!
- You could even make an Egg White Tortilla Wrap with these.
- Use the yolks after that to make our lemon curd recipe easy.
How to Cook Quail Eggs
Equipment
- 1 pan or pot if boiling
Ingredients
- 6 quail eggs
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil, or non stick cooking spray
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Quail eggs in a pan – Preheat a small skillet over medium heat. Grease with nonstick cooking spray. Using a pastry brush, brush vegetable oil onto the inside and bottom of a wide mouth mason jar ring. Place the ring into the pan. Use egg scissors to cut the smaller end off of the egg to pour into the ring, 3 will fit inside each one.
- Sunny Side up Quail Eggs: Add eggs to hot pan and cook 2-3 minutes. Remove the ring (it works well using a fork) and remove from pan with a spatula. Serve immediately. Over Easy Quail Eggs: Add eggs to hot pan and add 1 tablespoon water. Cover and heat for 1-2 minutes or until tops are done and center is soft. Serve immediately. Over Hard Quail Eggs: Add eggs to hot pan and add 1 tablespoon water. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes or until yolks are hard. Serve immediately.
- How long to boil quail eggs – Fill a pot halfway full of water and set over medium high heat until it reaches a continuous medium steady boil. Put eggs into metal slotted spoon and lower into water. Soft boiled quail eggs – 2 minutes, Medium boiled quail eggs – 3 minutes, Hard boiled quail eggs – 3.5 minutes.
- How to remove quail egg shells – When done boiling remove with slotted spoon and transfer into a bowl filled with ice and cold water. Allow to sit for 5 minutes. Gently tap the quail eggs on a hard surface to create cracks all over the shell. Roll egg between your hands to loosen the shell. Start peeling from the wider end where there is a small air pocket. Carefully remove shell and the thin membrane underneath. If the shell sticks, peel the egg under running water to help separate the shell from the egg.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Such a helpful tutorial! My kids would get such a kick out do this adorable mini eggs. thanks so much for this lovely, simple recipe!
Super nice! This was great for my brunch party!
I had quail eggs in the Philippines a few times, but I’ve never tried making them at home. Excited to make this recipe.