Do eggs need to be at room temperature before cooking?

A question we get a lot is “do eggs need to be at room temperature if you want to scramble them?” Although not required, room temperature eggs are typically preferred for scrambling.

What temperature is best for scrambling eggs?

Different scrambled egg recipes will recommend that you use either cold or room temperature eggs; either option is fine to use! In general, room temperature eggs do not hold their shape as well as cold eggs, which makes them easier to beat together. The result is a more uniform mix, which is generally why some scrambled egg recipes will recommend that you use room temperature eggs instead of cold eggs.

No matter if you cook your eggs from cold or room temperature, it is important to cook your eggs to the proper internal temperature. To learn how to make the perfect scrambled eggs, read this guide.

What happens if eggs aren't room temperature?

What happens to your dish if your eggs aren’t room temperature depends on the recipe you are making. In most cases, using the wrong temperature egg will not ruin the dish, but there is a chance that it may affect the final result. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Difficulty in mixing

It may be more challenging to combine ingredients properly if you're using cold eggs in a recipe that calls for beating them, such as when making scrambled eggs or baked goods. As a result, the dish's overall quality may suffer and its texture may become less uniform.

Uneven cooking

Cold eggs can affect the cooking process, particularly in recipes where eggs are the main ingredient. If you're cooking eggs straight from the fridge, they may take longer to cook. Cooking with cold eggs may also result in an uneven cook as the outside of the eggs may cook faster than the inside.

Baking

The temperature of the eggs can affect the texture of baked goods by determining how the ingredients bind together. This is because when cold eggs are added to a batter, the fats may harden or thicken, which may cause the batter to be lumpy or uneven.

To avoid these issues, many recipes call for eggs to be at room temperature before using them.

How do you get eggs to room temperature

We recommend placing the eggs (in their shells) in a bowl of warm water for 4 or 5 minutes before using them. This is a great way to get eggs to room temperature quickly and safely, while limiting the amount of time raw eggs spend outside of the fridge.

How long does it take for eggs to sit out at room temperature?

You can also bring eggs to room temperature by removing them from the refrigerator and letting them sit on the counter for 20 to 30 minutes. Because raw eggs should not spend more than a couple of hours outside of the fridge, we do not recommend leaving eggs out overnight on the kitchen counter.

FAQ

When should I use room temperature eggs?

Baking recipes sometimes require eggs to be at room temperature if the whites are to be beaten to make meringue or if the eggs will be creamed together with fat and sugar to form a cake batter.

Although whites and yolks separate from each other more easily when the eggs are cold, egg whites will beat to a greater volume and be fluffier when they are at room temperature. The protein in the whites is more elastic or stretchy when it's warmer; this means it can expand more, and in a shorter amount of time.

An egg at room temperature will stay emulsified when blended with fat and sugar more readily than a cold egg. A good emulsion in the batter produces a cake that rises properly and has a moist, even texture.

What is the best way to store eggs at home?

In Canada, eggs are washed before being sold to the public during the grading process. As a result, they should be refrigerated. Each egg has a protective outer layer called the "bloom" that naturally stops bacteria from passing through the porous shell and it keeps it fresh for a while without refrigeration. Since all eggs in Canada must be graded to  Canadian health standards and practices, eggs are washed so that they're clean and safe for you to take home. This means that the protective bloom gets washed away and the egg needs to be refrigerated.

Should farm fresh eggs be refrigerated?

Because farm fresh eggs are typically washed and graded before being sold to the public, they should be refrigerated.

Is it safe to cook eggs straight from the fridge?

Yes, it is safe to cook eggs straight from the fridge. In fact, many people prefer to cook eggs that are cold as they are faster to prepare, tend to hold their shape better and are less likely to overcook.

Some recipes may call for eggs to be at room temperature before cooking, especially if you are whipping or beating the eggs, as they will blend more easily and create a more uniform texture. If the recipe you are using calls for room temperature eggs, always be mindful to limit the amount of time eggs spend unrefrigerated.