Four Easy Ways to Fry an Egg

A fried egg is perfect for a quick breakfast, but you can enjoy them with any meal. You can serve fried eggs on top of a big juicy steak, over Mexican rice, and even over a meatloaf. They can enhance pretty much any meal. Try a fried egg on a double cheeseburger. I dare you! Your tastebuds will thank you!

Four Ways to Fry an Egg

1. Sunny-side-up
2. Over-easy
3. Over-medium
4. Over-hard

What's The Difference?

The difference between the four ways to fry eggs is the amount of doneness, cook time, and how many times you flip the egg. The sunny-side-up egg doesn't get flipped, but the others do.

If you want a runny yolk, you will like sunny-side-up. If you want your egg to be not as liquidy but don't want a hard egg, you will enjoy an over-easy egg. If you fancy a semi-cooked yolk, you'll want an over-medium fried egg. If you prefer a hard-fried egg where the yolk is not liquid at all, you'll want an over-hard fried egg.

How Long to Fry An Egg

Frying time depends on your personal preference. The longer the egg is in the skillet, the more firm the yolk. Fry sunny-side-up eggs for 3 minutes. Fry over-easy eggs for 3 minutes, flip, and then fry for 30 seconds more. Fry over-medium eggs for 3 minutes. Then flip and fry for another minute. Fry over-hard eggs for 3 minutes. Then flip and fry for another 2-3 minutes.

Equipment

When frying eggs, a nonstick skillet, ceramic skillet, or a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet works best. You will also need a spatula to flip and remove the eggs and plates for serving.

Oil

There are plenty of oils you can use when frying eggs. Butter gives eggs a nice added buttery flavor. Bacon grease, well, it's bacon grease, and who doesn't want bacon-flavored eggs? Olive oil will add a little flavor in addition to giving your eggs a nice crunchy edge. You can use vegetable oil or spray oil, but butter or bacon grease are better options.

Temperature

Medium heat is ideal for frying an egg. The skillet should be hot enough that the egg starts to bubble or fry as soon as it touches the skillet. If the skillet is too hot, the bottom of the egg will fry too fast while the top remains raw. If the skillet is too cool, the egg will take longer to cook. You will end up with a rubbery egg with a chalky yolk.

Prep

Before frying the eggs, make sure they are fresh. Check the expiration date on the egg carton. Then crack each egg in a bowl, one at a time, and examine it. Notice the color and smell. Discard any that smell or look strange.

How to Fry Eggs Sunny-Side-Up

1. In a nonstick skillet set to medium heat, add oil and swirl it around the skillet to coat the bottom.
2. Crack the egg in a bowl, and examine it, making sure there are no broken shells mixed in.
3. Once the skillet is hot, add an egg.
4. Fry for about three minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

How to Fry Eggs Over-Easy

1. Follow directions 1-4 for sunny-side-up eggs.
2. Then flip and fry for about 30 seconds.
3. Season and then serve.

How to Fry Eggs Over-Medium

1. Follow directions 1-4 for sunny-side-up eggs.
2. Flip and fry for another minute or until the whites are set.
3. Season and serve.

How to Fry Eggs Over-Hard

1. Follow directions 1-4 for sunny-side-up eggs.
2. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the yolk is no longer soft or runny.
3. Season and serve.

Takeaway

There's so much you do with a fried egg. After you have learned this cooking skill, the possibilities are endless. They liven up any meal. Try a fried egg with pasta dishes, soups, meats, chili, and even pizza.