There are mornings when you don’t want anything dainty or delicate. You want something that feels hearty, comforting, slightly indulgent, and—if we’re being honest—a bit cheeky. That’s exactly where the “Healthy Fry Up” comes in, a name that always earns a smirk in my kitchen. It’s my tongue-in-cheek nod to the idea of a wholesome breakfast, even though the only truly healthy element is the crisp little salad perched politely on the side of the plate. Still, the moment that golden egg settles gently over smoky bacon and thickly sliced ham, all is forgiven. It’s food that knows what it is—simple, satisfying, and unapologetically delicious.
This healthy fry up came about one morning when I wanted the comfort of a fry up without drifting completely into post-breakfast sluggishness. I didn’t want heavy sausages or piles of fried potatoes, but I did want the familiar flavours that make a fry up so irresistible. The solution? A soft fried egg, a couple of rashers of smoked back bacon, thick ham slices warmed until the edges darken just a little, and one perfect slice of toast underneath to catch all those precious juices. It’s the sort of breakfast that feels luxurious while still being entirely manageable.
The bacon is the real star here. Smoked back bacon is one of those ingredients that can turn an ordinary morning into a memorable one. As it cooks, the kitchen fills with the sort of aroma that makes people wander in, hair tousled, asking, “Is that for me?” It’s proper comfort cooking, the kind that needs nothing more than gentle heat and a sensible pan. Once the bacon reaches that ideal point—crisp around the edges, still tender in the middle—it’s ready for its moment under a light drizzle of maple syrup. The combination sounds bold, but trust me, it works. Maple syrup has a way of bringing out the sweetness in the ham while softening the smokiness of the bacon. It’s not sticky or heavy—just a small shimmer of sweetness that ties everything together. I know a heading of healthy fry up with maple syrup doesn’t make sense but it is so good.
Underneath it all sits the toast, quietly doing some heavy lifting. A good slice of bread makes all the difference here. You want it toasted just enough so that it has crunch but still retains a bit of softness in the centre. That way, when the egg is gently placed on top and the yolk begins its slow, golden ooze, the bread is ready to absorb every bit of it. It’s the sort of thing that makes you stop mid-bite, nod to yourself and think, “Yes, this is exactly what I needed.”
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the egg, too. A soft fried egg with a runny yolk transforms this plate from a simple assembly of breakfast favourites into something far more satisfying. The way the yolk spills over the bacon, ham, and toast creates a natural sauce that brings everything together. It’s rustic, uncomplicated, and absolutely spot-on.
And then, of course, we have the salad—the part that makes this “healthy” by my very generous definition. It’s hardly the star of the show, but it does provide a lovely contrast. A handful of crisp leaves, maybe a few cherry tomatoes split open, and perhaps a little dressing that leans more on lemon than oil. It freshens the plate and adds a splash of colour, making the whole dish feel a touch more balanced, even if it’s mostly there to make you feel better about that second rasher of bacon.
What I love most about this Healthy Fry Up is its versatility. It works beautifully as a weekend brunch, served slowly and savoured with the windows open. But it’s equally wonderful as a late breakfast after a night out, when you want something restorative but not overly complicated. It hits that sweet spot between comfort and practicality, giving you the familiar flavours you crave without leaving you weighed down.
A healthy fry up doesn’t need fancy techniques or complicated steps. It relies on good ingredients, a bit of heat, and a relaxed approach—exactly how a home-cooked breakfast should be. So next time you want something that feels indulgent yet still mildly respectable, give the Healthy Fry Up a go. It may not earn you a gold star from a nutritionist, but your taste buds will absolutely thank you.
Healthy Fry Up
Ingredients
- 6 rashers smoked back bacon
- 4 slices cooked ham thick
- 2 large eggs
- 2 slices bread your favourite loaf for toast
- 2 tbsp maple syrup to taste
- 1 handful mixed salad leaves
- 6 medium cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 tsp vinaigrette light
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- oil butter for frying
Instructions
- Place the salad leaves and cherry tomatoes onto two plates.1 handful mixed salad leaves, 6 medium cherry tomatoes
- Dress lightly with lemon juice or vinaigrette and set aside.1 tsp vinaigrette
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat.
- Add the smoked back bacon and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until the edges turn crisp but the centre remains tender. Remove and set aside.6 rashers smoked back bacon
- In the same pan, add the thick slices of ham. Cook for 1–2 minutes on each side just until lightly coloured and warmed through.4 slices cooked ham
- Place the ham with the bacon to keep warm.
- While the ham warms, toast your bread to your preferred level of crispness. Place each slice on a plate ready to hold the bacon, ham, and egg.2 slices bread
- Add a small amount of oil or butter to the pan if needed.oil
- Crack in the eggs and fry gently for 2–3 minutes until the whites are set and the yolks are still soft.2 large eggs
- Season with a little salt and pepper.salt, pepper
- Lay the bacon and ham over the toast. Drizzle lightly with maple syrup.2 tbsp maple syrup
- Carefully place the soft fried egg on top and serve the healthy fry up with the salad on the side.
Notes
Quality matters: Good bacon and a sturdy loaf of bread make a noticeable difference. Customise lightly: Add grilled mushrooms or a few baked beans if you’d like to bulk up the plate without losing the “healthy” humour. Timing trick: Cook the bacon first, toast the bread while the ham is heating, and fry the eggs last—everything will stay warm without rushing.
27 comments
Nice flavours, though I would have liked the toast a bit crunchier.
Good breakfast but I felt the salad could have used a stronger dressing.
A delicious twist on a classic fry up—simple, hearty, and full of flavour.
The bacon and egg combination was spot on, just what I needed this morning.
A surprisingly elegant take on a fry up, and the presentation was lovely.
I love the name but most importantly the fry up. It actually works with the salad.
Really tasty brunch, though I wish the portion had been a little bigger.
I enjoyed it, but I think the ham slices could have been a bit thicker.
Very flavourful, and the soft fried egg was cooked perfectly.
Really enjoyable, especially the warm ham—simple but very satisfying.
Loved how the maple syrup tied everything together, definitely making this again.
Loved the mix of textures, especially the crispy bacon with the soft egg.
Great balance of smoky, sweet and savoury—my new favourite breakfast.
Fresh salad really brightened the plate and made it feel less heavy.
Simple ingredients but the result was fantastic and comforting.
Great comfort food with just enough freshness from the salad.
A lovely morning treat.
The maple syrup with the bacon was a genius touch, would definitely make again.
Good dish overall but the maple syrup was slightly too sweet for me.
The egg was perfect and the toast soaked up the flavours beautifully.
An easy dish to whip up, though I prefer slightly crispier ham.
Tasty and filling, though I’d add another rasher of bacon next time.
The perfect weekend brunch, rich but not overwhelming.
Brilliant breakfast idea, though I wish there had been more toast.
Absolutely delicious and surprisingly light for a fry up, I loved every bite.
Very easy to make and perfect after a night out, just as promised.
The balance of the meal was excellent and it left me feeling satisfied.