While there are plenty of different ways to whip up some eggs, this fried egg recipe might be my favorite way. I love how the whites form slightly golden, lacy edges and the bright yellow yolk stays runny — it’s perfect for dipping toast or crunchy potatoes.
Making good eggs is a skill every home cook should have up their sleeve. It’s so simple once you get the hang of it and it’s an easy way to get a healthy meal on the table.
If you haven’t tried making fried eggs yet, or you’re looking to perfect your technique, check out the tips and tricks in this recipe to get the perfectly cooked fried egg every time.
Common Questions about Fried Eggs
What are the 4 types of fried eggs?
The 4 types of fried eggs are sunny side, over easy, over medium, and over hard.
Are fried eggs healthy?
Eggs are a healthy addition to a meal and provide lots of protein, vitamins, and nutrients.
How to tell if eggs are fresh
We have a habit of stocking up on eggs and then forgetting about them because they are out in the garage fridge.
While eggs will keep (if refrigerated properly) for up to 6 weeks beyond the date on the package – I always like to do this nifty little test if I know they have been in there for a while. The date isn’t always accurate.
When eggs go bad – they create an air bubble inside the shell. So if you place an egg in a few inches of water – watch what it does.
- If it stays at the bottom – it is good.
- If it sort of hovers halfway between the bottom and the top of the water – it’s on the way to going bad and should be used immediately.
- NOW – if the egg floats – that means the air bubble has formed and the egg is no longer safe to eat and should be tossed out.
How long should I fry an egg?
It should only take 4 minutes or less to fry an egg.
Tips For The Best Fried Eggs
- Allow the eggs to come to room temperature (about 20 minutes) before cracking and frying.
- Keep the heat on low to avoid having the oil get too hot. You’ll know if the heat is too high if the oil starts to spit.
- Add a lid on top of the pan to expedite the cooking process.
- Use the freshest eggs from your local grocery store or farmers market for the best flavor.
Pan Size
- 5-inch pan: 1 egg
- 8-inch pan: 1 to 2 eggs
- 10-inch pan: 2 to 3 eggs
- 12-inch pan: 3 to 4 eggs
Choosing the right frying oil
Eggs have a delicate flavor so you want to be sure to choose a cooking oil with a neutral flavor. I prefer vegetable oil but you can use canola, too.
Some people also swear by olive oil while others prefer to use butter, coconut oil, or avocado oil. You choose the one that you prefer!
How to properly crack an egg open
If you crack the egg on a flat surface before adding it to the pan you can minimize the likelihood of getting shell pieces in the pan. You can also crack the eggs into a small bowl or large measuring cup first to ensure you can easily retrieve any eggshell pieces.
How long to fry an egg
The perfect fried egg takes between 2 to 4 minutes to fry. While you don’t need to do much with the egg while it’s in the pan, it’s important to stay close by to keep an eye on the eggs so that they can be removed from the pan as soon as they’re finished cooking.
Ingredients
Only a few simple ingredients are needed for this easy morning staple.
- Vegetable oil (or canola oil)
- Large or medium eggs
- Salt
- Black pepper
Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need
Make sure to choose the right size skillet to get the perfect eggs.
- Skillet (preferably a cast iron skillet but you can also use a stainless steel pan or nonstick pan)
- Spatula
How to Make Fried Eggs
Fried eggs are fairly easy to make — just be sure to watch them closely they’re not overdone.
- Heat the oil in the pan before adding the eggs.
- After lowering the heat, add the egg to the hot oil in the frying pan.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper on top.
- Let the egg cook until the egg white becomes firm and form somewhat crispy edges. The egg yolk should still be runny.
- Transfer egg to a plate and serve.
What to Serve With Fried Eggs
The list of foods you can serve fried eggs with is nearly endless, but here are a few ideas.
- Starches – Serve these eggs with a piece of toast for dipping or alongside hash browns.
- Meat – Breakfast meats always go well with eggs. Try sausage, bacon, ham, or your favorite plant-based alternative.
- Soup – Add a runny-yolked egg to a bowl of soup for some extra protein. The yolk will mix with the broth and make it creamy.
- Shrimp and grits – Whether it’s brunch or dinnertime, an egg adds some extra pizzazz to this dish.
- Biscuits and gravy – This hearty dish is even better with an egg added to it.
- Hamburgers – A fried egg with its runny, creamy yolk is a perfect topping on a juicy hamburger.
- Avocado toast – Place the fried egg right on top of your avocado toast.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
There are tons of reasons to make these delicious eggs!
- Healthy – Eggs are full of protein and essential nutrients. They’re also ideal for those trying to live a keto or low-carb lifestyle.
- Versatile – While eggs are a breakfast mainstay, they’re great any time of the day. Breakfast for dinner is a perfect way to get a meal on the table on busy weeknights.
- Quick – You can’t find too many other healthy foods that can be a hot meal as quickly as eggs can.
- Easy – Not only are the eggs themselves easy to make but there’s also very little cleanup involved, too.
Variations and Add-ins
Eggs are a perfect, simple canvas for you to get creative with.
- Spices – Sprinkle any of your favorite spices on top from spicy cayenne pepper and Old Bay to everything seasoning or garlic powder.
- Sauce – Drizzle all sorts of sauces over top of the egg. Hot sauce, ranchero sauce, and hollandaise are all good options.
- Cheese – Sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack over top.
- Firmness – If you prefer a less runny yolk, cook the egg longer for hard yolks.
- Bacon fat – If you’ve already fried up some crispy bacon to go with your eggs you can use bacon grease in place of the oil.
If you love this easy fried egg recipe, you’re going to love these other egg recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
Other Egg Recipes
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Fried Eggs
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil depending on size of pan (can also use canola oil)
- 2 eggs fresh if available
Instructions
- Set the eggs out on the counter and allow them to come to room temperature for about 20 minutes.
- In a cast iron pan over medium-high heat, add the oil and allow it to heat.
- Turn heat down to low.
- Crack the eggs into the heated skillet, season with kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper. Cook the eggs for 2-4 minutes or until the white is firm and the yolk is still runny.
- Remove the eggs from the pan and serve immediately.
Equipment
- skillet
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Dani says
You didn’t mention basted eggs ~
Best using bacon grease
2 to 4 Tablespoons Bacon grease or Oil (butter can also be used)
1 or 2 Eggs
Salt & Pepper
Heat grease or oil
Add eggs and season to taste
Use a spatula or large spoon to gently splash oil over the egg, cooking the top of the egg white and yolk until the yolk is set to your desired doneness
You can also steam baste eggs by adding a small amount of water to the pan once the white is done, cover pan and continue cooking until egg yolk is set to your desired doneness.
Gina Kleinworth says
Well- that’s a whole different post that I will probably get to at a later time. But I appreciate your sharing your method for making them.