How to Fry an Egg
Easy steps for perfectly cooked eggs every time.
Frying an egg is can be a simple task if you have the right tools and proper timing. Just a few minutes on the stove top, and you’ll have the perfect ingredient for a hearty, delicious breakfast any day of the week.
1 Start with a hot non-stick skillet
Over medium-high heat, begin heating a small non-stick skillet which has been lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. The non-stick spray will help ensure that the egg doesn’t stick to the pan, and will also make it much easier to flip. You can also fry the egg in butter; however, make sure to pay special attention to the temperature of the pan. Butter is much more susceptible to burning at higher temperatures.
2 Add the raw egg(s)
Gently add a raw egg to the hot skillet. You’ll see that the egg whites will immediately go from clear to white in a matter of seconds. Give the egg about 60-90 seconds for the egg white around the yolk to cook. Once this portion of the egg begins to become white and firm, you can then flip the egg over to the other side.
3 Flip the Egg
Flip the egg by gently sliding a spatula under the base of the egg. Flip the egg gently to not break the yolk. If you’re cooking more than one egg, flip each egg one at a time.
Over-Easy Eggs: If you prefer an over-easy egg with a runny yolk, let the egg cook for just 30 seconds on its second side.
Over-Medium Eggs: If you prefer an over-medium egg with a semi-solid yolk, let the egg cook for 60 seconds on its second side.
Over-Hard Eggs: And if you prefer an over-hard egg with a firm yolk, let the egg cook for 90 seconds or more on its second side.
Once your egg has cooked for your preferred doneness, use the spatula to gently remove from the skillet and transfer directly to a plate.
4 Method 2: Add water to the skillet
This method is great if you enjoy over-easy or runny yolks, but have a hard time flipping the egg without the yolk breaking. For this easy fried egg method, you’ll start by simply adding the egg to the hot skillet. Let the egg whites firm up, about 60 seconds. As soon as the whites are firm, add about 1/2 cup of water into the hot skillet. The water will create steam that will cook the top portion of the egg, and will leave the center yolk perfectly “over-easy.”
5 Add a lid to the skillet
Immediately after adding the water to the skillet, add a lid to the top of the pan. This will help keep the seam inside the skillet, and will cook the top portion of the egg.
6 Remove the egg
Let the egg cook in the pan for about 60 seconds after adding the lid to the pan or until the egg whites are completely white and the yolk has a white film over the top. This will cook the egg to a near perfect “over-easy” firmness. Remove the egg from the pan right away to prevent it from overcooking. Transfer to a plate to eat right away.