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Learn how to fry an egg perfectly! Though frying an egg is easy, there are a few tips and tricks you can do to make sure you end up with an over easy, over medium, or over hard fried egg.
Perfect Fried Eggs
There is nothing better than a perfect fried egg. Whether you have eggs as a dish on their own, on a breakfast sandwich or in an egg in a basket, there is just nothing better! This is an easy step-by-step on how to fry an egg.
What You’ll learn
You will learn how to fry an egg in butter and oil.
What pan you use, matters! We will tell you our favorite pan to use.
If you like a runny yolk verses a hard yolk, we’ll teach you how to fry an egg just how you like it.
What Pan + Material is Best?
There are so many different options for pans out there for frying eggs. Our favorite pan is a nonstick skillet. No matter what fat or oil you use, the egg tends to come out, no problem!
Whatever pan you do use, be sure not to overcrowd your eggs in the skillet. Always remember to use a larger skillet for when you are frying multiple eggs at a time.
Pans You Can Use to Fry an Egg
Non-stick– a non-stick pan is your best bet for frying an egg. We love that it makes an easy recipe even easier.
Cast Iron– a cast iron skillet will work because it gets hot fast and retains heat. However, be sure you have enough oil or butter and check the edges of your egg frequently to make sure they aren’t sticking to the pan.
Stainless Steel– if you only have a stainless steel pan you can still use it. Just be very diligent when frying the eggs because stainless steel can heat inconsistency and have some very hot spots.
Try it!
Always Pan
The Always Pan is our favorite pan for sauteing, steaming, frying, and simmering. It’s a nonstick pan that we highly recommend.
Butter vs. Oil
There are two kinds of people in this world. Butter people and oil people. Which one you use all depends on your preference.
Butter- using butter will leave you with a nutty flavored egg and when cooked over medium-high will leave you with a fried egg with minimal browning for a over easy or over medium egg.
Oil- if you use avocado oil or olive oil you will be left with a bubbly egg white that has those burn, crispy edges that some people adore in a fried egg.
Over Easy, Over Medium, or Over Hard
There are a few different ways you can order a fried egg. Some people love a runny yolk, some a jammy yolk, and then there are those people who can’t stand any jiggle to their yolk at all.
How your yolk turns out depends on how long you fry your egg and if you do the flip or not.
For over easy or sunny- side up eggs– Cook the eggs over medium heat until the egg white is just cooked (about 2-3 minutes) and your egg yolk is just set but still jiggly. Remove from heat and enjoy.
For over medium eggs. Cook the eggs over medium heat until the egg white is cooked and there is no sign of any raw egg white. Cook until the yolk is set and only jiggly in the center of the yolk (3-4 minutes).
For over hard eggs. Cook the eggs over medium heat until the egg white and egg yolk are completely cooked (4-5 minutes). To ensure the egg is completely cooked, flip the egg over and cook the egg for an additional 20-30 seconds.
Different Ways to Make Eggs
Do you love eggs as much as we do? Make any of these egg recipes when you’re craving a protein packed egg-y meal.
Simple Instructions: How to Fry an Egg
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add oil or butter.
- When the oil is fragrant or the butter is melted, crack the egg (or eggs) into the pan.
- Fry the egg based on how you would like you yolk cooked.
- Serve your eggs on their own, with toast, or on a breakfast sandwich.
Pro Tips for Frying Eggs
Use fresh eggs. Eggs are always better fresh, be sure to check the date on your eggs before frying them.
Be patient. It is easy to want to rush the process of frying an egg, but the more patient you are the better your egg will turn out.
Check the edges. As your egg is frying, use a spatula to gently pull up on edges of the egg white to be sure the egg white isn’t sticking to the pan.
Don’t forget to season. Always sprinkle some salt and pepper on your fried eggs. It elevates all the flavors in your dish.
FAQ
How to fry an egg for an egg sandwich?
You fry you eggs for a sandwich the same way as you would if you were eating them alone. If you are looking for a less messy fried egg we suggest frying your egg over hard so you don’t have yolk dripping all over the place.
How to fry an egg without oil?
If you want to fry an egg without oil be sure you use a non-stick pan. Crack the egg into the pan and then add a bit of water (1-2 tablespoons) to the skillet and cover the pan with a lid. Let the egg cook to your desired yolk.
Can you fry an egg in the oven?
Yes, you can fry an egg in the oven. Wipe a baking sheet with oil and crack a few eggs onto the baking sheet. Bake the egg for 15-20 minutes at 350ºF until the eggs reach your desired yolk.
What to serve with fried eggs?
We are the kind of people that eat eggs for breakfast, lunch, and quick dinners. You can serve your fried eggs with toast and a side of bacon or sausage or in a breakfast sandwich with cheese.
If you want to add fried eggs to the menu for lunch or dinner we love making steak and eggs or serving a fried egg over rice in a rice bowl.
Storage
You can store eggs in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days!
To reheat: Reheat eggs on low in the microwave to be sure you don’t over cook them.
How to Fry an Egg
Learn how to make over easy eggs, over medium eggs, and over hard eggs in this little tutorial on how to fry an egg.
Prep: 2 minutesCook: 5 minutesTotal: 7 minutes
Fat 21 Carbs 1 Protein 13
Yield 2 1x
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or oil
Instructions
- Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat (8-inch or 10–inch work best). Add butter.
- When the butter has melted, crack the eggs into the pan. Try not to overcrowd the pan with more than 2 eggs.
- Cook the eggs over medium heat until the egg is cooked to your liking.
- For over easy eggs, cook the eggs over medium heat until the egg white is just cooked (about 2-3 minutes) and your egg yolk is just set but still jiggly. Remove from heat and enjoy. For over medium eggs. Cook the eggs over medium heat until the egg white is cooked and there is no sign of any raw egg white. Cook until the yolk is set and only jiggly in the center of the yolk (3-4 minutes). For over hard eggs. Cook the eggs over medium heat until the egg white and egg yolk are completely cooked (4-5 minutes). To ensure the egg is completely cooked, flip the egg over and cook the egg for an additional 20-30 seconds.
- Remove the eggs from the pan and enjoy with salt and pepper.
Tips & Notes
- What pan you use matters, we recommend using a non-stick skillet and still using butter. You want a pan that has a slippery surface so the eggs are easy to move and flip. We do not recommend using a cast iron skillet.
- Try not to overcrowd your eggs in the skillet. For more eggs, use a larger skillet.
- We use butter as the fat to cook the eggs in so we end up with consistently cooked whites. If you like crispier edges on your egg whites, use olive oil .
- This recipe is written for a sunny side up fried egg. Feel free to flip the egg, no matter how you like your eggs. The longer you cook the egg after flipping the harder your yolk will be.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1/2 Calories: 245 Sugar: 0 Sodium: 144 Fat: 21 Carbohydrates: 1 Fiber: 0 Protein: 13 Cholesterol: 403
Author: Linley HansonCategory: EggsMethod: Stove TopCuisine: American
Keywords: How to Fry an Egg
About Linley Richter
Linley is a 5′ nothing spitball of positive energy who joined Team Fit Foodie in the Spring of 2014. Linley has worked on the digital side of small businesses and nonprofits since 2011, where she specialized in social media community management. Lin has a passion for food and an incredible palate. She is FFF’s chief recipe developer, so you can thank her for these incredible recipes!
