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How To Cook Quail Eggs – The Ultimate Guide

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Quick Answer

To cook quail eggs, follow these steps:

  1. Boil water in a pot.
  2. Gently add quail eggs and cook for 2-3.5 minutes for soft or hard-boiled eggs.
  3. Remove and place in ice-cold water to stop cooking.
  4. Peel and serve as desired.

Read on for more detail

Quail eggs are back and more popular than ever! We all remember how people used to rave about quail eggs, but then just as fast as the trend popped up, it disappeared. Luckily for everyone, it is back!

So, what’s the best way to cook quail eggs? The best methods you can use include boiling them and pan-frying them. You can use quail eggs in virtually all of the same ways you use chicken eggs, but of course, because they are much smaller you will need a lot more of them.

In this information-packed article, we will discuss exactly what quail eggs are and the many nutritional benefits they carry.

Then, we will explore the best ways to boil and pan-fry them. We have even included some fantastic ideas for serving these eggs and other interesting ways to use them!

What Are Quail Eggs?

Just like chicken eggs come from chickens, quail eggs come from quails. And, if you aren’t sure which birds these are, you will instantly recognize them when you see them.

Quails are a species of medium-sized birds that are often brown in color with white-speckled feathers.

These eggs are used in pretty much the same way as chicken eggs are. They even almost taste the same! However, what makes them so incredibly special is that they are much smaller in size and have quite a beautiful shell.

This makes it very expensive in parts of the world where these birds aren’t used to produce commercially-laid eggs. A quail egg is considered to be a delicacy in many cuisines, especially North American and Asian countries. 

Characteristics Of Quail Eggs

A quail egg varies in size, but on average they are about 35mm in length and 27mm in diameter. That’s about 1.4-inches in length and 1-inch in diameter.

Naturally, their size has a few influences on how these eggs are prepared, cooked, and even used! For example, you won’t be using these eggs to bake a cake because it would likely be too expensive and you would need a ton!

Then, these eggs have a beautiful deep brown-beige shell with dark brown speckles. You also do get quail eggs that have varying shades, but those eggs would be even more expensive than the common type.

These eggs also have a slightly thicker shell than chicken eggs. This is due to the extra layer of color that the shell has.

When broken open, quail eggs also have white albumen and yellow egg yolk. But naturally, these are much smaller as compared to a regular chicken egg. Each egg can vary between 6-16 grams each, averaging around 10 grams.

Nutrition Of Quail Eggs

Because quail eggs are about one-fifth the size of a chicken egg, they will contain fewer nutrients. These eggs only contain 14 calories and are exceptionally rich in vitamin B12, iron, selenium, riboflavin, and choline.

Unfortunately, they aren’t that high in protein like chicken eggs are. But, another plus is that they contain only 1 gram of fat and no fiber or carbs.

Dangers Of Quail Eggs

Unfortunately, while these eggs are incredibly cute and nutritious, there are some precautions you have to take before buying and consuming them. 

Most quail eggs are unpasteurized, which means that they didn’t undergo any heat treatment to kill harmful bacteria. It makes it especially hazardous for pregnant women and people with a compromised immune system. 

The best solution for this is to almost overcook the quail eggs before eating them. The albumen (egg white) shouldn’t be runny at all, and neither should the yolk!

Furthermore, quail eggs will still cause an allergic reaction to people with chicken egg allergies. You could even have a quail egg allergy even if you aren’t allergic or intolerant to chicken eggs!

Using Quail Eggs

So, now that all of the formalities are over, let’s get to the fun part – cooking with quail eggs! If you aren’t already sold on using these eggs, let us just tell you, they are incredibly versatile and just as useful as chicken eggs.

Sure, there are some limitations for when you can use them, but it still doesn’t make it impossible.

For instance, if you want to bake a soufflé using quail eggs, go for it! It might be more expensive because of the quantity you would need, but if you want to give it a try, go right ahead!

Now, the biggest trick when it comes to cooking quail eggs is to crack them properly and cook them properly.

But first, let us just say that it is always best to try and find pasteurized quail eggs so that you don’t have to overcook them. It will make them so much more versatile and delicious!

Cracking Quail Eggs

As we have mentioned above, the shell of a quail egg is much thicker than a chicken eggs’ shell. So, it is more difficult to crack these.

Especially because they are very small and still delicate. You could accidentally end up crushing the entire egg!

Paring Knife Method

The best way to crack quail eggs is to cut them open. You can use a sharp (preferably serrated) paring knife and basically saw the shell.

Make sure to turn the shell as you go the cut through it right around the egg. This will make the top pop off without breaking the egg yolk or making a massive mess.

This technique is great if you need to separate the egg whites and yolks. Or, if you simply want a perfect fried mini-egg. 

Egg Cracker

The second technique you can use to crack these eggs is by using an egg cracker. This tiny tool helps crack eggs without the shell crumbling in. They can be used for lots of different egg sizes, including quail eggs.

The quail egg cracker that we use is this cutting scissor. It is designed with one end having a piercing tip to gently slice through the shell while the other side holds the egg. They are easy to use and very effective.

Old-School Cracking

And yes, while this technique doesn’t even always work for chicken eggs, it is still an option. You can gently crack the egg on a sharp edge like the side of a bowl or use a thin blade.

Then, gently separate the two shell halves and pour the whole egg into a bowl. This technique works just fine if you want to make scrambled eggs and is arguably the quickest technique to use.

Cooking Quail Eggs

There are many ways you can cook quail eggs. And, especially if they have been pasteurized which makes them safe to eat, you can even cook them to various degrees. For example, you can make soft-boiled or hard-boiled quail eggs.

So, let’s have a look at the many ways you can cook quail eggs and exactly how to do so!

How To Boil Quail Eggs

Boiling quail eggs is incredibly easy and possibly the most popular way people prepare them.

First, bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Then, add the quail eggs inside, making sure to gently place them so they don’t crack.

Allow the eggs to cook for 2 to 3 ½ minutes, depending on how done you want them to be. For soft-boiled eggs, you can cook the eggs for 2 minutes.

And, for hard-boiled quail eggs, you can leave them for 3 minutes 30 seconds.

Once your eggs are done boiling, remove them from the boiling water with a slotted spoon. Directly place them inside ice-cold water (with ice cubes) to stop them from cooking. Once you can touch them, gently crack and peel them completely.

Tips For Boiling Eggs

  • It is much easier to peel hard-boiled eggs under cold running water. The water runs underneath the shell, essentially loosening it from the egg. You can also use a small teaspoon and run it around the inside of the egg to separate the egg and shell from each other.
  • The longer you boil the egg the more it will be cooked. This is why you must place the eggs in ice water after removing them from the boiling water. You will instantly stop them cooking and have them exactly how you like them.
  • Larger eggs will take slightly longer to cook as well. So, when working out the exact cooking times, our times work best for eggs that weigh 10 grams.

Using Boiled Quail Eggs

There are quite a few uses for boiled eggs. Naturally, you can serve them as is in salads or as part of a delicious filling breakfast.

However, there are also some other interesting ways you can use these eggs. First, you can use them to make deviled eggs.

To make these, simply remove the boiled egg yolk and mix it with some tomato sauce or mayonnaise. Then, place the creamy filling pack into the boiled egg white and serve.

Then, you can also make Kwek-Kwek, a traditional Filipino street food. These are hard-boiled quail eggs that have been coated in a type of tempura batter before being deep-fried. This gives you a deliciously soft and crispy treat.

You can also use boiled eggs to make a dipping sauce, creamy spread for toasted slices of bread, or as a skewered spiced snack. These eggs are even sometimes used to make sushi!

How To Fry Quail Eggs

When it comes to frying these cute eggs, there are also a few ways you can do this. The first is by traditionally pan-frying the eggs, but the second way is to shallow-fry it in oil.

Pan-Fried Eggs

To pan-fry these eggs, first preheat some oil or butter in a non-stick pan. Then, crack the quail egg using one of the methods we have mentioned above. Gently add the egg to the pan and allow it to fry on low medium heat.

Slowly allow the egg to cook until it has reached the right consistency that you want. You also don’t have to flip the eggs at all. And remember, it is best to completely cook unpasteurized eggs to prevent any bacteria from affecting you.

Using a thin spatula (we’d recommend this one), lift the eggs and serve them where you want.

Shallow-Fried Quail Eggs

When making shallow-fried eggs, you are essentially making them super crispy. Fill the pan with a bit of oil, deep enough to cover half of the egg. This will only be about a millimeter or two, seeing as quail eggs are already so small.

Then, crack the egg directly into the oil and wait for it to fry to perfection. They will come out exactly like regular pan-fried eggs, but a lot more crispy.

Remove these eggs from the hot oil and drain them on a piece of kitchen towel.

Tips For Frying Quail Eggs

  • We always prefer using non-stick pans for frying eggs. They won’t ever stick, unlike stainless steel or aluminum pans. This is especially important because these eggs are so small and hard to handle.
  • When using a spatula, there are only about two options that work great for these small eggs. The first is a thin stainless steel spatula. This will gently lift the tiny egg without any hassle. The second is a rubber or silicone spatula. They are very gentle and won’t break the egg. So, a thin rubber spatula is the best overall choice.

How To Cook Quail Eggs For Breakfast

There are many ways you can cook and serve quail eggs for breakfast. And, because they are so nutritious, they make a healthy addition.

First, you can make a classic breakfast with a couple of boiled or pan-fried quail eggs. The healthier choice is boiled eggs as they don’t contain any fat other than what the egg contains.

To substitute a chicken egg for a quail egg, you can use between 3-5 depending on the size of the eggs.

Other classic breakfast egg options are soufflés, omelets, and frittatas. Sure, you will need a lot more quail eggs, but it’s definitely worth it!

Now, you can also make a delicious egg and mayo toasted sandwich, open-faced sandwich, or slice of toast. You can also serve this creamy mix on muffins, scones, or croissants.

For an uber-healthy breakfast, you can make a breakfast salad with bacon and quail eggs. Again, we prefer using soft-boiled eggs, but you can also add some fried eggs.

Furthermore, you can incorporate these eggs into breakfast items such as muffins or scones. Substitute the regular chicken eggs with quail eggs to get all of their benefits instead.

We also absolutely love making a breakfast skillet with these eggs. Make sure to include some chorizo, mushrooms, and spinach.

And finally, you can make baked eggs. Add some raw eggs into pre-cooked bell pepper halves, tomatoes, or even sweet potato shells. There are a ton of wonderful ideas!

Related Questions

Now that we’ve gone over how to cook quail eggs, let’s take a look at a few related questions on the subject!

How do you substitute chicken eggs with quail eggs?

It depends on how you will be using the eggs. If you are simply making boiled or fried eggs (to serve as-is) then you can use 3-5 quail eggs for every large chicken egg.

But, if you are baking with quail eggs, we recommend weighing out the eggs. One large chicken egg weighs about 2 ounces (57 grams), so use the same amount of quail eggs.

How much do quail eggs cost?

This depends entirely on where exactly you are. In countries like Brazil, quail eggs are a staple ingredient and very affordable, even in large quantities.

In the U.S. you can expect to pay around 6 dollars for a dozen quail eggs.

Are quail eggs healthier than chicken eggs?

In comparison, quail eggs are definitely healthier than chicken eggs (if you compare the same amount of each). Quail eggs contain a lot more vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin C and iron.

They also contain more amino acids which provide your body with a ton of benefits.

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