Perfect Fried Egg

Perfect Fried Egg is a easy American recipe that serves 2. 190 calories per serving. Recipe by Epicurious on YouTube.

Prep: 2 min | Cook: 5 min | Total: 12 min

Cost: $1.02 total, $0.51 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 pieces Large Egg (room temperature)
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (softened, cut into pieces)
  • 1 pinch Salt (to taste)
  • 1 pinch Black Pepper (freshly ground, to taste)

Instructions

  1. Gather Ingredients and Tools

    Lay out the eggs, butter, salt, pepper, skillet, spatula and a plate so you don’t have to run around while cooking.

    Time: PT1M

  2. Preheat Skillet

    Place the non‑stick skillet over medium‑high heat.

    Time: PT1M

    Temperature: medium‑high heat

  3. Melt Initial Butter

    Add 1 teaspoon of butter to the pan and let it melt until it sizzles and starts to pop.

    Time: PT30S

  4. Crack Eggs and Season

    Crack the eggs on the countertop (to avoid shell fragments) and slide them into the pan. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.

    Time: PT1M

  5. Add Butter for Basting

    Drop a generous knob (about 1 tablespoon) of butter into the pan around the eggs.

    Time: PT30S

  6. Baste and Cook Whites

    Tilt the pan slightly and use a spoon to baste the melted butter over the egg whites, avoiding the yolk. Cook until the whites are set and the edges turn golden‑brown.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: medium heat

  7. Finish Cooking

    Lower the heat just a touch and let the egg finish cooking for another 30 seconds – the whites should be fully set while the yolk stays runny.

    Time: PT30S

    Temperature: low‑medium heat

  8. Plate and Serve

    Slide the egg onto a warm plate, letting any excess butter drain off. Serve immediately with toasted bread to dip into the yolk.

    Time: PT30S

Nutrition Facts

Calories
190
Protein
6 g
Carbohydrates
1 g
Fat
16 g
Fiber
0 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian, Gluten‑Free

Allergens: Eggs, Dairy

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Instead of Large Egg: Free-range egg, Organic egg
  • Instead of Unsalted Butter: Margarine, Clarified butter (ghee)
  • Instead of Salt: Kosher salt, Sea salt
  • Instead of Black Pepper: White pepper, Paprika

Equipment Needed

  • Non‑stick Skillet
  • Spatula
  • Plate
  • Butter Knife (optional)

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

  • Melt butter until it sizzles but does not brown
  • Baste the whites without breaking the yolk
  • Control heat to keep the yolk runny

Chef Tips from the Video

  • Use fresh, high‑quality butter for the best flavor.
  • Season the egg just after it hits the pan so the salt doesn’t draw out moisture.
  • A non‑stick skillet gives the most consistent crispy edges.

Troubleshooting

Yolk is overcooked and solid.

Reduce the heat after the whites set and finish cooking for no more than 30 seconds.

Whites are still runny.

Cover the pan loosely with a lid for 20‑30 seconds or lower the heat and continue basting.

Butter burns and turns brown.

Remove the pan from heat briefly, let the butter cool, then continue basting.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store cooked eggs in an airtight container for up to 1 day; reheat gently.

Freezer: Not recommended – texture changes.

Room temperature: Best served immediately; do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Make-Ahead Tips

  • Pre‑heat the skillet while you’re gathering ingredients.
  • Measure out butter in advance so you can add it quickly.

Last updated: September 6, 2026

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Perfect Fried Egg

Recipe by Epicurious

Learn how to make a perfectly fried egg with salty, buttery, crispy edges and a runny yolk. This step‑by‑step guide from Chef Frank Proto of Epicurious shows you how to control temperature, use plenty of butter, and baste the whites for ultimate flavor and texture.

EasyAmericanServes 2

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Source Video
2m
Prep
3m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
15m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$1.02
Total cost
$0.51
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • • Melt butter until it sizzles but does not brown
  • • Baste the whites without breaking the yolk
  • • Control heat to keep the yolk runny

Safety Warnings

  • • Butter can splatter – keep face away from the pan.
  • • Handle the hot skillet with oven mitts to avoid burns.