Fried eggs are the perfect breakfast, great for lunch in a sandwich, and a yummy burger topping!
For all of the ways to prepare an egg, fried eggs are a favorite (along with poached). Below I share my favorite tips (and cook times) for the perfect fried egg every time!
Perfect Fried Egg
Everyone knows that eggs are a superfood and loaded with essential nutrients. Two eggs will fill you up, have lots of protein, and clock in at only 150 calories!
Eggs can be fried a few different ways:
- SUNNY SIDE UP (as in the photo below left): Sunny side up eggs are eggs that are fried in a pan on one side. They have a bright yellow yolk and can be cooked to soft, medium or hard yolks. I like to turn up the heat just slightly to get a nice crisp on the edges.
- OVER EASY (or medium): This is like a sunny side up egg that has been flipped over and cooked on both sides.
- BASTED (photo below right): Basted is a fried eggs cooked on one side but once added to the pan, a couple tablespoons of water is added and this allows the eggs to steam. You can tell an egg has been basted as the yolks will be white on top.
Best Frying Pan for Eggs
I prefer a small non-stick pan about 6” to 8” around depending on how many eggs I am cooking.
How To Fry an Egg
- Melt butter over medium-high heat (or oil if you’d prefer).
- Crack an egg into a small bowl and add it to the pan. Repeat with remaining eggs.
- Cook until whites are set but the yolks are still soft, about 4 minutes (per printable recipe below). If you’d like the eggs more set, cook a minute or two more.
- For Over Easy eggs, flip the eggs over once the whites are set and cook an additional 30 seconds.
- Slide eggs onto a plate or lift them out carefully with a rubber spatula taking care not to break them.
- Season with salt & pepper, serve immediately.
Ways to Eat a Fried Egg
There are hundreds of ways to eat fried eggs because their flavor is so mild, they go with pretty much everything!
- Serve them on toast, or in a breakfast sandwich. Nothing tastes better on a chilly morning than a fried egg on top of homemade grits. Add a side of eggs to our fried chicken and waffles recipe for a fun Sunday brunch!
- For lunch, try a fried egg sandwich with tomatoes and onions, or add a fried egg to a juicy hamburger with cheese and salsa! With so many different ways to make eggs, we bet you won’t go a day without them! However, if the egg yolks do break while they are cooking, simply give them a stir, add some milk or cream and make them into scrambled eggs!
Fave Ways to Cook Eggs
What is your favorite way to serve fried eggs? Let us know below!
Fried Eggs
This fried egg recipe is so easy to make, and results in perfect eggs every time!
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Melt butter in a 10″ non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
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Crack an egg into a small bowl. Gently slide the egg into the skillet. Repeat with the second egg and cook 4 minutes or until the whites are set and the yolk is soft and yellow.
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Transfer eggs from the pan to a plate immediately so they don’t overcook.
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Season with salt & pepper to taste.
For Basted Eggs, once the eggs are in the pan, allow them to cook 2 minutes or until the whites begin to set. Add 2-3 tablespoons water and cover with a lid. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes.
For firmer yolks, add 1-2 minutes more.
Calories: 226, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 357mg, Sodium: 225mg, Potassium: 125mg, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 825IU, Calcium: 53mg, Iron: 2mg
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Keyword Best Fried Eggs, Fried Eggs, how to make Fried Eggs, Perfect Fried Egg
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American