Fried egg

A fried egg is a cooked egg, typically a chicken egg, prepared by frying it in a pan with oil or butter. The egg is cracked open and the contents (the yolk and the white) are placed into the hot pan.

There are several variations of fried eggs, generally categorized by how the egg is cooked and how the yolk remains. Common styles include:

• Sunny-side up: The egg is fried with the yolk facing upwards and is not flipped. The yolk is runny and the white is cooked but often still translucent.
• Over easy: The egg is fried on both sides, but the yolk remains runny.
• Over medium: The egg is fried on both sides and the yolk is partially cooked, becoming thicker and less runny than over easy.
• Over hard: The egg is fried on both sides until the yolk is completely cooked and firm.

Other variations include basting the egg with hot fat or water during cooking, which can help to cook the white more thoroughly without overcooking the yolk. Fried eggs are a common breakfast food and can be served on their own, with toast, bacon, sausage, or other accompaniments. They are also frequently used as a topping for other dishes, such as burgers, sandwiches, and salads.