How to Fry an Egg Perfectly Every Time: A Complete Guide

Mastering the art of frying an egg is a kitchen essential, whether you’re aiming for crispy fried edges or a soft, runny yolk. From sunny-side-up to over-easy, over-medium, and over-hard, this complete guide will show you how to fry an egg perfectly, no matter what pan you’re using. Whether you’re cooking up a classic sunny-side-up egg or looking for a crispy fried eggs recipe, with just a frying pan, a little oil or butter, and some quality eggs, you can elevate your breakfast, lunch, or dinner with ease.

The Perfect Fried Egg: A Childhood Staple

One of the first things I learned as a child was how to fry an egg sunny-side-up. An overcooked egg with chewy whites and burnt edges ruins any breakfast—it’s a disaster! A perfectly fried egg, cooked in butter or oil, with soft whites and a runny yolk, is pure simplicity. It’s the foundation of a great meal, whether you’re having it on avocado toast or alongside a hearty breakfast spread.

The Perfect Fried Egg

It’s easy work when you get the hang of things! What do I find to be a perfectly fried egg? An egg, sunny-side up, cooked in butter or enough oil with no chewy whites or burnt edges. Depending on my mood, maybe cooked in some bacon fat and topped with a little black pepper, which is one of the best combinations for great eggs.

Learning to fry eggs perfectly is essential, especially if you like to eat them regularly. They’re very simple to prepare. Just be sure to keep an eye on the egg when you’re frying it because it does cook rather quickly!

What You Need for Perfect Fried Eggs

Ingredients for Fried Eggs:

• Fresh Eggs: The fresher, the better. While we’re talking about chicken eggs here, this method works just as well with duck or even quail eggs. Avoid older eggs that have been sitting in the fridge for too long.

• Butter or Oil (or a fat of your choice): Unsalted butter is my go-to, but you can also use your preferred cooking oil, bacon grease, or even something luxurious like goose or duck fat (which makes for amazing crispy roasted potatoes).

Choosing the Right Fat for Frying Eggs

The type of fat you use can significantly impact the flavor and texture of your fried egg. Butter will give you a luscious, soft-edged egg, while oils like olive oil can create a crispy edge. My grandmother often uses a combination of ghee and oil, resulting in the most indulgent eggs—rich and flavorful with perfectly set whites and a runny yolk.

How Long Should You Fry an Egg?

Fry a classic sunny-side-up egg for about 2 to 3 minutes, just until the white fully sets. If you prefer your eggs cooked differently, you can adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Should You Flip a Fried Egg?

Flipping an egg is only necessary if you’re going for an over-easy, over-medium, or over-hard egg. Each of these variations requires a slightly different technique to achieve the perfect consistency.

Understanding Egg Doneness: Sunny-Side Up to Over-Hard

• Sunny-Side Up: The egg is cooked on one side until the white is set, which results in a soft and runny yolk.
• Over-Easy: The egg is flipped, and the yolk remains runny with a thin layer of cooked white covering it.
• Over-Medium: The egg is flipped and cooked until the yolk is partially set—firm but still slightly runny in the center.
• Over-Hard: The egg is flipped and cooked until both the white and yolk are completely set, and the yolk is not runny at all.

The Best Pan for Frying Eggs

For ease and reliability, choose a non-stick skillet when frying eggs.​ A non-stick skillet allows you to use less fat, making it ideal for a quick, easy cleanup. However, if you’re after crispy edges, a cast-iron or carbon steel skillet will do the job beautifully. You will need to use a bit more oil, though.

Avoid using stainless steel pans as eggs tend to stick to them. A stainless steel pan can be more headache than necessary. Though if you must, you may need to shallow-fry your egg using the same method as a cast-iron skillet.

TL;DR: The Best Pans for Frying Eggs

• Non-Stick Skillet: Ideal for minimal oil use and easy cleanup.
• Cast-Iron or Carbon Steel: Perfect for crispy edges with more oil.
• Avoid Stainless Steel: Eggs tend to stick, requiring more oil and finesse.

Choosing the Right Non-Stick Skillet

When it comes to non-stick skillets, go for something well-made and durable. Non-stick pans have a limited lifespan, so choose one that’s affordable yet reliable. Always go for a size that fits your burner for even heat distribution. An 8-inch to 10-inch skillet is usually perfect.

I’m currently enjoying my Sardel non-stick skillet, which is both dishwasher-safe and durable. However, there are plenty of great options out there. You don’t have to spend a lot. The Farberware non-stick skillet is a favorite in many restaurants, and the Rachael Ray skillet also works well.

How to Fry an Egg Sunny-Side Up

To fry an egg sunny-side-up:

1. Heat the Pan: Start by heating your non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
2. Add Butter or Oil: Once the pan is hot, add butter or oil.
3. Crack the Egg: Crack an egg into a small bowl to check for any shell fragments, then gently slide it into the skillet.
4. Cover and Cook: Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the egg white fully sets and the yolk remains runny.
5. Season and Serve: Remove the egg from the pan, season with salt and pepper, and enjoy!

Frying Eggs in Cast-Iron or Carbon Steel

If you love crispy eggs that only cast-iron or carbon steel can deliver, here’s how I do it. When I’m craving that extra crisp, I reach for my Iwachu cast-iron skillet from Japan. This versatile pan consistently gives me the perfect crispy-edged egg, whether it’s sunny-side up or something more. My 100-year-old, well-seasoned cast iron skillet works wonders too, but I always find myself coming back to my Japanese cast-iron—it’s just unbeatable.

1. Heat the Oil: Heat about 1/8-inch of oil in the skillet over medium-low heat until it’s hot and shimmering.
2. Crack the Egg: Crack an egg into a small bowl, then gently slide it into the hot oil.
3. Spoon the Hot Fat: Tilt the skillet slightly and spoon the hot oil over the egg, cooking the whites while keeping the yolk runny.
4. Cook to Desired Doneness: For over-easy, over-medium, or over-hard eggs, continue spooning the hot oil over the egg until it reaches your preferred level of doneness.
5. Season and Serve: Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and enjoy!

How to Make Eggs Over-Easy

1. Cook the Egg: Start by cooking the egg sunny-side-up until the white fully sets and the yolk remains runny.
2. Flip the Egg: Once the egg white is set and the yolk has a thin, lightly cooked layer, carefully flip the egg over.
3. Cook for 20 Seconds: Let the egg cook for about 20 seconds more, just enough to set the top layer of the egg without fully cooking the yolk.
4. Remove and Serve: Remove the egg from the pan and serve immediately, ensuring the yolk is still runny inside.

How to Make Eggs Over-Medium

1. Cook the Egg: Start by cooking the egg sunny-side-up until the white is set and the yolk has a thin layer of cooked white on top.
2. Flip the Egg: Carefully flip the egg over, being gentle to avoid breaking the yolk.
3. Cook for 35 Seconds: Cook the egg for about 35 seconds more. The egg white should be fully set. The yolk should be slightly firm but still a bit runny in the center.
4. Remove and Serve: Remove the egg from the pan and serve, enjoying the balance of a slightly set yolk with a tender white.

Perfecting Eggs Over-Hard

1. Cook the Egg: Start by cooking the egg sunny-side-up until the white fully sets and the yolk develops a thin cooked layer.
2. Flip the Egg: Carefully flip the egg over, ensuring the yolk stays intact.
3. Cook for 1-2 Minutes: Continue cooking the egg for 1 to 2 minutes more, until the yolk is fully cooked through and firm.
4. Remove and Serve: Remove the egg from the pan and serve. The yolk should be completely set, with no runniness at all.

How to Cook Crispy Fried Eggs (Kai Dao or Huevos Fritos Con Puntilla)

Crispy fried eggs, known as kai dao in Thai cuisine and huevos fritos con puntilla in Spanish cuisine, are a delicious way to elevate your egg game. To make these, you’ll have to fry eggs in a generous amount of oil. This will create golden, crispy edges and a soft, runny yolk.

To make crispy fried eggs:

1. Heat the Oil: Use enough oil to almost shallow fry the egg. Heat the oil until it’s shimmering.
2. Crack the Egg: Carefully crack an egg into the hot oil.
3. Fry Until Crispy: Cook the egg until the edges are crispy and golden, spooning hot oil over the top to cook the white.
4. Serve: Serve immediately, ideally with fresh bread, on a toasted bagel, parathas, or scallion pancakes.

Tips for Frying Eggs Perfectly

• Use Fresh Eggs: Fresher eggs hold their shape better and cook more evenly.
• Choose the Right Fat: Experiment with different fats like butter, ghee, or oil to find your favorite flavor and texture.
• Watch the Heat: Too high, and your eggs will burn; too low, and they won’t cook evenly. Medium-low heat is your friend.

Frying eggs perfectly is a simple skill that pays off in countless ways, whether you’re making breakfast, lunch, or dinner. With the right pan, fat, and technique, you can master everything from sunny-side-up to crispy fried eggs. So grab your favorite skillet, crack a few eggs, and enjoy the perfect fried egg every time.

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