Eggs are one of the ancient foods humans have been eating for thousands of years. It is believed that chickens were first domesticated in Southeast Asia before 7500 BCE for their eggs. They are great for providing energy, copious amounts of protein, and various vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, B vitamins, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamin D. And now, many of us don’t go without an egg or two during breakfast—whether it’s for the nutritional value or purely out of habit.

So if eggs are such a staple of the human diet and have been around for roughly ten thousand years, why are we still struggling to decide amongst scrambled, fried, or sunny-side-up every morning? You may have found the perfect way to boil an egg, but it’s about time we give eggs a true makeover. Because let’s be honest, no one cares how nutritious something is if it’s not delicious.

Don’t let your breakfast be another boring dilemma. Here are the most exciting ways to cook eggs!

1. Deep-Fried Egg

Fried eggs might be the most common way to cook eggs, but maybe it’s time to take it a step further and deep-fry them. This is perfect if you’ve just cooked up strips of bacon with a lot of fat on them, or if you’re just feeling something deep-fried. Pour about half an inch of oil in a small pan over medium heat. Make sure the oil is relatively calm before you crack an egg into the pan. Let it fry for about two minutes before scooping out.

2. Baked Egg

My favourite way to make eggs in a pan is cracking one inside the crust of a slice of bread, also known as egg-in-a-basket. But there’s also a better method if you’re craving the aroma of a freshly baked bread or if you’re preparing for a large crowd. Take some dinner rolls, cut off the top of the bread to scoop out the inside. Crack an egg inside and bake for up to 25 minutes at 350F. And if you’re not in the mood for bread, try emptying out half a pepper or an avocado!

3. Tea Leaf Egg

Tea eggs are a traditional Chinese way of preparing eggs, and they’re made by boiling them in a spiced tea mix and steeping them overnight. For the spiced tea mix, you will need 2 tablespoons of black tea leaves, 2 pods star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 tablespoon tangerine zest, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and some salt. Boil the eggs on low heat for about 20 minutes. Drain them and let them cool. Lightly crack the eggshells without removing them. Place them back in a saucepan with the spiced tea mixture and three cups of water. Bring to a boil, simmer for a few hours, and let steep overnight. Wake up to the most delicious and aromatic pot of boiled eggs.

4. Deep-Fried Panko-Crusted Poached Egg

Maybe you have some oil left from your deep-fried egg mission, and you’re looking for another way to experiment with eggs. Make a poached egg and cover it with breadcrumbs. Pop them into the frying pan with oil over medium heat, and let them fry until golden brown. It’s the perfect compromise between poached and deep-fried—it’s both!

5. Shakshuka

Shakshuka is an unforgettable dish. If you’re fan of a rich, spicy, and saucy dish, this is your ultimate egg recipe. It’s made using a flavourful tomato-red pepper base with eggs poached right into the sauce loaded with sautéed onions, spices, and jalapenos. Serve it with your favourite bread, hummus, and herbs on the side. This is an extensive breakfast meal, but it’s much easier than you think. We’ve got the perfect step-by-step instructions to this filling, breakfast comfort food.

Did we miss any of your favourite and exciting ways to make an egg? Eggs are a significant part of the human diet, and it’s time we gave them more attention. Don’t ever let your breakfast decision boil down to the boring scrambled-or-fried-egg dilemma again. Share with us your favourite way to make eggs!