A simple 'how to guide' to fry the perfect egg.
Cooking the perfect fried egg is an art form that every home cook should master. Whether you prefer a runny yolk or a fully cooked one, achieving that ideal balance of a crispy bottom and tender whites can elevate your breakfast or brunch experience to new heights. In this guide, we'll take you through the steps to fry the perfect egg, sharing valuable tips and techniques along the way.
You’ll need
- A medium to large non-stick pan
- A spatula or egg slide
Ingredients
- Fresh eggs
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cooking spray, butter or oil
Instructions
- Heat pan over a medium-high heat depending on your stove (you may need to experiment the first few times to get the right temperature). Add oil or butter and swirl to coat the pan.
- Break each egg by tapping it on a flat surface. Pull the shell apart over the pan and let the egg gently drop into the pan.
- Let the eggs cook until the white is set and there’s no clear layer around the yolk – this will take about 3-4 minutes. Leave the eggs to settle - they’ll turn out better if they’re left alone. For sunny side up eggs, Use the spatula to lift the eggs on to a plate and season if desired.
- For over easy eggs, carry on to Step 5.
- Using your spatula, jiggle it gently under the egg to flip the egg over. You don’t need to get the spatula all the way under, but make sure it’s under the yolk before you flip. Allow to cook for about another minute for over-easy, 2 minutes for over medium and so on. Flip once more and serve immediately.
Whether you're a fan of sunny-side-up, over-easy, or well-done, mastering the art of frying the perfect egg is a skill that will never go out of style.
The Four Basic Styles of Fried Eggs
Sunny side up: The egg is fried with the yolk up and is not flipped.
Over easy: The egg is flipped and the yolk is still runny.
Over medium: The egg is flipped and the yolk is only slightly runny.
Over well: The egg is flipped and the yolk is cooked hard.
Want to learn more ways to cook an egg? Read our guide to cooking boiled eggs, poached eggs or scrambled eggs.
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