Sundays sizzle with free electricity as Brits’ fry-ups evolve

Sunday Saver offers free electricity to power the ultimate Sunday brunch

• Almost half the nation (49%) say a fry-up is their favourite breakfast dish, with 56% saying Sunday is the best day to enjoy it
• Eggs (74%), bacon (67%) and sausages (64%) remain the staples, but chips (27%), cheese (23%) and avocado (17%) top the list of extras the nation are adding
• Black pudding sees the biggest generational divide with a third of Boomers (34%) including it on their fry-up, in contrast to 13% of Gen Z
• Gen Z are leading the charge with experimentation as controversial additions include kimchi (11%), pesto (9%) and leftover curry (8%)
• With 50% of the nation using three or more appliances to cook their fry-up, EDF customers can enjoy up to 16 hours of free electricity on Sundays through Sunday Saver – perfect for powering the ultimate brunch

Sunday has officially been crowned the nation’s favourite day for a fry-up, but new research reveals the humble dish is becoming more diverse and experimental than ever before.

The poll of 2,000 adults, conducted by EDF*, reveals two in five (40%) Brits agree that cooking a fry-up is a Sunday morning staple in their home. The classic fry-up is changing though, as 44% say the ingredients they use have evolved.

With kettles boiling, toasters popping and pans bubbling, EDF’s ‘Sunday Saver’ is perfect to power this weekend ritual, as customers can earn up to 16 hours of free electricity on Sundays by shifting their usage away from weekday peak hours (4pm-7pm).^[i]

Built for slowing down, 60% of respondents agreed they spend longer eating breakfast on a Sunday than a typical weekday. Three in five (61%) admit they’re more indulgent with what they eat on a Sunday, with certain dishes like the fry-up (52%), pancakes (32%) and pastries (26%) feeling more ‘allowed’. For more than a third of Brits (36%), Sunday roasts and fry-ups were even eaten on the same day.

Evolving ingredients

While eggs (74%), bacon (67%) and sausages (64%) still form the backbone of a classic fry-up, 19% admit to adding unexpected extras, transforming the full English into a fridge clear out free-for-all. 

Overall, chips (27%) top the chosen added extras, closely followed by cheese (15% cheddar and 8% haloumi), avocado (17%) and smoked salmon (13%). Regional differences come to light as over a third (36%) of Londoners have added avocado to their fry-up, compared to one in ten of those living in Yorkshire (9%), Scotland (10%) or Northern Ireland (10%). Some are even adding Yorkshire puddings (7%) as they can’t wait until the traditional Sunday roast is served.

Black pudding sees the biggest generational divide with a third of boomers (34%) including it on their fry-up, in contrast to 13% of Gen Z. Gen Zs do lead the charge with experimental new additions as kimchi (11%), pesto (9%) and leftover curry (8%) make appearances on their Sunday brunch plates.

When it comes to sauces and condiments, ketchup (42%) and brown sauce (30%) remain the favourites, however a surprising number of Brits admit to spicing things up with chilli sauce (11%) or curry sauce (9%). A dollop of salad cream also makes an appearance for one in ten Brits (9%), rising to 20% for those who live in London.

A nation split over beans and eggs

Baked beans are one of the biggest breakfast battlegrounds, with more than a third (35%) loving it when the bean juice trickles across other foods on their plate. While this is the worst nightmare for one in five (18%) who insist that beans must go in a separate bowl.

Eggs are just as divisive. Scrambled eggs may be a popular fry-up choice, enjoyed by one in four (24%) Brits, but the fried egg still reigns supreme for the majority (55%). While 71% of those who opt for a fried egg prefer a runny yolk, others insist on a flip or fully cooked (27%) - proving that when it comes to the perfect fry-up, the nation is divided. 

A full-scale cooking operation

Preparing a Sunday fry-up is no small task, with the dish involving at least three appliances running at once for 50% of respondents. The toaster (47%), hob (44%) and the airfryer (35%) were the most used appliances, closely followed by the grill (34%), which took preference over the oven (30%) and the microwave (25%).

The Sunday fry-up remains a shared ritual in many households, with 37% preparing their fry-up for family or partner, highlighting how Sunday breakfast is as much about bringing people together as it is about good food. 

Philippe Commaret, Managing Director of Customers at EDF, said: “Sunday mornings are made for slowing down and enjoying the rituals we love, and for many households that starts with a proper fry-up. Our research shows that while the classics still matter, people are increasingly putting their own spin on the full English, often using several appliances at once. 

With free electricity on Sundays, it is a chance to fill your plate and enjoy those moments without worrying about the cost of the electricity you’re using. By reducing peak usage by just 5%, customers can get 4 hours of free electricity on Sundays showing that small changes really can make a difference. Whether it’s fried Camembert or a full Sunday fry-up, everything tastes even better when it’s cooked for free - and that makes it eggs-tra special!”

Jimmy Doherty, TV presenter and farmer, said: “I’m working with EDF on their Sunday Saver as Sunday has officially been crowned the nation’s favourite day for a fry-up… and honestly, I completely get why! I’ve been making fry-ups for as long as I can remember and I love seeing how creative people are getting with them now. For me, a proper Sunday fry-up is the perfect fuel before a full-on day at the farm.”

Sunday Saver customers have already earned over 21.7 million kWh of free electricity (18.6 million hours), with over £5.7 million being credited onto Brits’ bills. For more information and to register interest in March’s Sunday Saver to earn free electricity, visit the website by Sunday 1^st March.^[ii]

TOP 10 ADDITIONS TO A FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST

1. Chips (27%)
2. Avocado (17%)
3. Cheddar (15%)
4. Smoked salmon (13%)
5. Haloumi (8%)
6. Haggis (8%)
7. Yorkshire pudding (7%)
8. Chorizo (7%)
9. Pesto (5%)
10. Kimchi (5%)

TOP 10 CONDIMENTS & SAUCES

1. Ketchup (42%)
2. Brown sauce (30%)
3. BBQ sauce (14%)
4. Mayonnaise (13%)
5. Chilli sauce (11%)
6. English mustard (10%)
7. Salad cream (9%)
8. Garlic mayo (7%)
9. Curry (7%)
10. Hot honey (5%)

Frequently Asked Questions: 

How can customers shift their energy usage?

Some ways customers can shift their electricity usage away from peak times during the week include: 

• Put the dishwasher on at night or breakfast time instead
• Avoid using the washing machine and tumble dryer
• Unplug devices and chargers and use battery power instead
• Put aside gaming consoles and try something new as a family
• Batch cook at the weekend to save energy and time – just reheat during the week
• Charge electric car outside of peak times  

How much free electricity can customers earn? 

Customers can earn up to 16 hours of free electricity each week. A 5% reduction in peak consumption would earn four hours of free electricity, a 20% reduction earns eight hours, 35% earns twelve hours and, for the super savers, using 50% less earns 16 hours of free electricity on a Sunday.

*Research among a nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults, conducted by 3Gem in February 2026.

^[i]Customers can register interest in March’s Sunday Saver at edfenergy.com/sundaysaver by 1st March, 11.59pm to earn up to 16 hours of free electricity on Sundays. For details, eligibility and T&Cs visit edfenergy.com/sundaysaver. Open to existing EDF customers only.

^[ii]Based on Sunday Saver data from Sept – December 2024, March – Jun 2025 and September 2025 - Feb 2026 and free electricity days on 25th December 2024, 14th February 2025, 12th July 2025, 10th August 2025 and 25th December 2025. 18,630,080 free hours × £0.2914 per kWh (average kWh cost) * 1.05 (VAT) = (roughly) £5,700,000.