How To Fry An Egg

This post was last updated on June 24, 2014 to include a video.

Being able to perfectly fry an egg is an invaluable skill in the kitchen.

Whether you like it sunny side up, over-medium or cooked all the way through -- you can add that special touch to a simple salad or have the perfect eggs and toast for breakfast.

I like my fried eggs over-medium -- when the yolk is still mostly runny. Dustin likes his eggs exactly over easy. If his yolk isn't completely runny, he gets grumpy.

To make perfectly fried eggs, all you need is: a skillet (non-stick, preferably), oil (butter or olive oil, for example) and a spatula. I also provide my preferred seasonings with this how-to.

Follow these super easy steps for how to fry an egg to perfection.

1. Heat your skillet.

Choose a skillet that will easily fit how many eggs you're making without crowding the eggs. I recommend using a non-stick skillet. If you're using a stainless steel or cast iron skillet, just be sure to use enough oil. Heat skillet over medium-high heat until hot.

2. Add the oil.

Once the skillet is hot, add the oil of your choice. I use either unsalted butter or olive oil. I have been using olive oil recently merely because I'm trying to avoid dairy products with my current diet, but I'd have to say butter is my preferred oil when frying an egg.

Butter adds a richness to the eggs, while olive oil adds a cleaner flavor. Other oil options include bacon fat, vegetable oil, margarine or even duck fat. Add about 1-2 tsp.oil per each egg you will be frying.

3. Allow the oil to get hot in the skillet.

Wait for the oil to reach a hot enough temperature that it coats the skillet when swirled around. The goal is to entirely coat the skillet with a thin layer of oil.

4. Crack the egg.

It's usually recommended that you crack each egg into a separate bowl prior to putting it into the skillet. The reasoning is that, should the egg have something wrong with it or a piece of shell sneak through, it is easier to fix.

Either way you choose, first (and slowly) drop the egg into the skillet, whites first, followed by the yolk. The skillet should be hot enough that the whites turn from translucent to white almost immediately and keep the yolk centered.

5. Fry the Egg.

After dropping the eggs into the skillet, just let them sit. Fried eggs don't require very much fussing.  They are ready to be flipped when the whites are set (no longer jiggly) and the outer edges are just starting to curl up.

6. Season the Egg.

I use a very light sprinkling of kosher salt, ground black pepper and Herbes De Provence over the egg while it's cooking on the first side.

It's not necessary to season both sides. If you don't have Herbes De Provence, a simple combination of dried basil, rosemary, thyme and oregano will suffice. Be careful not to over-season the egg, as a little spice will go a long way with eggs.

How do you like your eggs?

• Sunny Side Up:  when the egg is cooked only on one side, the yolk is liquid and the egg white is a bit runny.  To do this, follow steps 1-6 above.  If the edges start to curl before the whites in the center are fully cooked, cover the pan with a lid for a minute or two, like I do with this recipe. Don't flip the egg. Once egg whites are cooked, remove from pan and serve.
• Over Easy: when the egg is cooked on both sides, the yolk is runny and the egg white is fully cooked.  To do this, follow steps 1-6 above.  Once egg whites are set, flip the egg over using a smooth spatula.  Try to be as delicate -- yet swift -- as possible so as not to damage the egg yolk.  Once egg is flipped, immediately turn off heat to the pan and allow egg to cook for 45-60 more seconds before removing from the pan.

• Over Medium: when the egg is cooked on both sides, the yolk is of medium consistency and the egg white is thoroughly cooked.  To do this, follow steps 1-6 above.  Once egg whites are set, flip the egg over using a smooth spatula.  Once egg is flipped, leave over heat for 1 minute before removing from the pan.
• Over Well: when the egg is cooked on both sides until the yolk has solidified.  To do this, follow steps 1-6 above.  Once egg whites are set, flip the egg over using a smooth spatula.  Once egg is flipped, leave over heat for 2 minutes before removing from the pan.
• Over Hard: cooked well on both sides with a broken yolk.  To do this, follow steps 1-6 above.  Once egg whites are set, break yolk and then flip the egg over using a smooth spatula.  Once egg is flipped, leave over heat for 2 minutes before removing from the pan.