The Recipe · No.847 · How to Fry an Egg

How to Fry an Egg, and Where to Source It

Medium-low heat and a lid are the secret to sunny-side-up. Gentle heat sets the white without turning the bottom to rubber or brown lace, and a lid for the last thirty seconds steams a film over the yolk so it's cooked-looking but still runny.

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Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep1 min
Cook4 min
Makes2 eggs
CuisineBasics
Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat Level Easy
A reasonable little indulgence.
Cook it with
Air fryer
Suits
VegetarianGluten-free
Contains  dairy · eggs
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.
Straight Answers
Can you make How to Fry an Egg in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.

Can you freeze How to Fry an Egg? — Not ideal

You can, but the crisp coating softens. Freeze the cooked pieces, then re-crisp them in a hot oven or air fryer — never the microwave.

Can you make How to Fry an Egg ahead of time? — Prep ahead

Best fried to order — the crunch fades if it sits. Do the breading or shaping ahead and cook it fresh when you serve.

Is How to Fry an Egg gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is How to Fry an Egg vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy and egg. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

Part One
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 2 eggs
Eggs
The fresher the egg, the tighter the white sits around the yolk. Deep-gold pasture yolks are best.
2
Source it →
Butter
Butter for flavor and gentle browning; oil if you want it crisper. A good butter.
1 tbsp
Source it →
One list, with a link to where to buy each one.
Part Two
The Method
  1. Melt butterMelt the butter in a nonstick pan over medium-low heat.
  2. Crack inCrack the eggs in and season with a little salt.
  3. Cook gentlyCook until the whites set; for over-easy, flip for ten seconds; for sunny-side-up, cover for thirty seconds to film the yolk.
  4. ServeSlide onto toast while the yolk's still runny.
Part Three
The Toolkit

Nonstick skillet · Fish spatula · Lid

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