Four Ways to Fry Eggs
Four Ways to Fry Eggs is a medium American recipe that serves 2. 200 calories per serving. Recipe by J. Kenji López-Alt on YouTube.
Prep: 6 min | Cook: 13 min | Total: 29 min
Cost: $20.85 total, $10.43 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (cut into small pieces, for grandma‑style steam fried eggs)
- 2 tablespoons Water (for steaming the eggs in the butter pan)
- 8 large Eggs (room temperature, divided into four pairs (2 per method))
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (extra‑virgin preferred for crispy fried eggs)
- 1/4 cup Heavy Cream (35‑40% fat, for cream‑fried eggs)
- 1 tablespoon Chili Crisp (e.g., Katti Katti) (spicy oil with garlic and Sichuan pepper, for chili‑oil eggs)
- 2 tablespoons Plain Yogurt (to serve under chili‑oil eggs)
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Chives (finely chopped, garnish for all eggs)
- to taste Kosher Salt (season at the end of each method)
- to taste Freshly Ground Black Pepper (season at the end of each method)
Instructions
Grandma‑Style Steam Fried Eggs
Add 2 Tbsp butter to a non‑stick skillet over medium‑low heat. Let it melt just until it sizzles—do not let it brown.
Time: PT30S
Temperature: Medium‑low
Grandma‑Style Steam Fried Eggs
Crack 2 eggs directly into the pan, spacing them apart. Cook for about 45 seconds until the whites begin to set.
Time: PT45S
Temperature: Medium‑low
Grandma‑Style Steam Fried Eggs
Add 2 Tbsp water to the pan, then immediately cover with the lid. Let steam for 1 minute; the tops will set while the bottoms stay buttery.
Time: PT1M
Temperature: Medium‑low
Grandma‑Style Steam Fried Eggs
Remove lid, season with a pinch of salt, pepper, and sprinkle chopped chives. Slide eggs onto a plate.
Time: PT30S
Crispy Olive‑Oil Fried Eggs
Wipe the skillet clean, then add 2 Tbsp extra‑virgin olive oil. Heat over medium‑high until the oil shimmers (≈250°F).
Time: PT30S
Temperature: Medium‑high
Crispy Olive‑Oil Fried Eggs
Tilt the pan away from you and gently pour 2 eggs in a thin stream. Let the whites set, then spoon hot oil over the tops for 30 seconds.
Time: PT1M30S
Temperature: Medium‑high
Crispy Olive‑Oil Fried Eggs
Season with salt, pepper, and chives. Transfer to a plate.
Time: PT30S
Heavy‑Cream Fried Eggs
Wipe the skillet, add 1/4 cup heavy cream, and heat over medium until it begins to bubble and thicken (≈300°F).
Time: PT30S
Temperature: Medium
Heavy‑Cream Fried Eggs
Crack 2 eggs directly into the hot cream. Let cook undisturbed for 1 minute, then gently tilt the pan to coat the tops with the reduced cream.
Time: PT1M30S
Temperature: Medium
Heavy‑Cream Fried Eggs
When the whites are set and the edges are deep caramel, season with salt, pepper, and chives. Slide onto a plate.
Time: PT30S
Chili‑Oil Fried Eggs
Wipe the skillet, add 1 Tbsp chili crisp (oil part only). Heat over medium‑high until the oil becomes fluid (≈250°F).
Time: PT30S
Temperature: Medium‑high
Chili‑Oil Fried Eggs
Tilt pan away, pour 2 eggs in a thin stream. Cook until whites set, then spoon hot chili oil over the tops for 1 minute.
Time: PT1M30S
Temperature: Medium‑high
Chili‑Oil Fried Eggs
Place a dollop of plain yogurt on a serving plate, slide the eggs on top, and sprinkle with the reserved crunchy chili‑crisp bits, salt, pepper, and chives.
Time: PT30S
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 200
- Protein
- 12 g
- Carbohydrates
- 2 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Fiber
- 0 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian, Gluten‑Free
Allergens: Eggs, Dairy
Last updated: April 18, 2026








