How to fry eggs
Pan-fry eggs over low heat for about 2 min, then 10 sec–1 1/2 min after flipping, until the whites are set and the yolk is done the way you want it. Treat the time as a starting point. Eggs: cook until the yolk and white are firm.
- Heat
- Low heat
- Method
- Pan fry
- Starting time
- 2 min, then 10 sec–1 1/2 min after flippingby style: over-easy 10–15 sec after flip; over-hard 1 1/2 min + 30 sec
- Done when
- the whites are set and the yolk is done the way you want it
- Safe internal temp
- Yolk and white firm
Numbers from James Beard Foundation: Fried Eggs · safe temperature from the FoodSafety.gov chart. Celsius values are rounded.
Getting it right
- Warm a nonstick skillet over low heat for 1 minute, add butter or your cooking fat, swirl and warm 1 minute more.
- Crack the eggs into a small bowl first, check for shell, then pour them slowly into the pan.
- Leave them undisturbed for about 2 minutes, until the whites set.
- Flip and cook to the yolk you want: 10 to 15 seconds for over-easy, longer for medium or hard.
Lacy-edge fried eggs