How to Fry an Egg

Here’s exactly how to fry an egg! Come learn the secrets to cooking up the perfect fried eggs, four different ways.

Want to make the perfect fried egg? Cooking eggs is a skill that many home cooks have never mastered. But you’re in luck! All you need are a few quick pointers and you’ll be making diner-style fried eggs like a pro. There are 4 ways to fry an egg: sunny side up, over easy, over medium, and over hard. (Honestly, we didn’t know the exact differences until recently!) Here we’ll show you how to cook each one of them to perfection. Ready to fry?

The eggs and pan you need

There are a few things that will set you up for success when making the perfect fried eggs. Here’s what to know:

• Fresh eggs are best. Fresh eggs make the best looking fried eggs. Why? The whites of eggs that have been in the fridge for a while tend to spread when they hit the pan. This is okay flavor wise, but can look a little funky. Don’t worry: you can push the whites back to the center with a spatula. But for best results, use fresh eggs.
• Use a non-stick or cast iron skillet. These pans are the best when it comes to cooking eggs. While you can still cook in an aluminum pan, non-stick is preferable.

Tips before you start

Want to get cooking? Before you start, here are a few more quick ideas about making the perfect fried eggs:

• Lower heat is better. Keep in mind: eggs are delicate and easy to over cook! So air on the side of lower and slower (low or medium low heat).
• Butter is best, but you can use oil too. Butter is best for frying eggs: it has the best feel in the pan and the ideal savory flavor. You can also use oil: but olive oil can lend a slightly bitter flavor.

The best spatula to use? Try a fish spatula for a cast iron pan, or a nylon spatula for a non-stick pan.

How to fry an egg (4 ways)

Ready to start frying? Let’s go. Here’s what you need to know about how to fry an egg…perfectly:

• Heat the butter: Heat ½ tablespoon butter over medium low heat.
• Add the eggs: Add 1 or 2 eggs and sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt and a few grinds black pepper. 
• Cook: Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the whites are firm but the yolk is still runny. Don’t flip them!
• Finish cooking: Pick the type of eggs you’d like to cook:
  • Sunny side up: You’re done! Serve immediately.
  • Over easy eggs: Flip and cook 20 to 30 seconds on the other side. The yolk should still be runny.
  • Over medium eggs: Flip and cook 1 more minute; the yolk should be partially set. You can press gently with your finger to assess doneness.
  • Over hard eggs: Flip and cook 2 more minutes until the yolk is fully set. After 1 minute, press gently with a spatula to make sure the yolk is broken.

And that’s it: how to fry an egg! It’s simple: but it does require a little finesse and knowing the definitions above. Use this as a look-up table any time you need to cook an egg!

What to serve with fried eggs

Once you’ve got your fried eggs, how to serve them? Here are a few ways to accessorize them and make a full meal:

• Toast: Make a few pieces of crunchy bread…or avocado toast.
• Egg sandwich: Throw it on bread with smoky mayo and it’s divine as a Fried Egg Sandwich.
• Hash browns: Nothing’s better with an egg than crispy potatoes. Try Homemade Hash Browns, Oven Hash Browns or Sweet Potato Hash Browns.
• Breakfast potatoes: Try these cozy Pan Fried Potatoes.
• Savory oatmeal: Place it atop Savory Oatmeal for a satisfying bowl.

Other ways to eat eggs? There are so many. Head to How to Cook Eggs and our favorite Egg Recipes for Any Meal or Top 10 Egg Recipes for Breakfast.

This fried egg recipe is…

Vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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