Fried Eggs Recipe: The Spanish Perfect Runny Yolk 2026

Few things are as satisfying as a perfectly fried egg. In Spain, a fried egg is judged by its puntilla, the lacy, crispy golden edge that forms when the egg hits hot olive oil, and by its yolk, which should stay completely liquid so you can dip bread into it. This recipe walks you through how to fry an egg so it comes out just right every time.

It is a dish that takes barely ten minutes and calls for just three ingredients. The real secret lies in the quality of the eggs and the temperature of the oil. With a little attention, you can master the technique and enjoy a simple, delicious plate at any time of day.

Ingredients for Fried Eggs

This recipe makes 1 serving of fried eggs.

• 1 egg
• Olive oil for frying
• Salt

How to Make Fried Eggs Step by Step

1. Crack the Egg into a Bowl

First, crack the egg. Tap the shell against a hard surface, then open the egg into a bowl. Although you can crack it directly into the pan, using a bowl makes it easier to slide the egg into the pan and helps you avoid any mishaps.

2. Heat the Olive Oil

Add enough olive oil to the pan to cover the entire bottom. Place the pan over medium-high heat and watch the oil so it gets hot without smoking. You can tell the oil is hot enough because it looks noticeably thinner and small bubbles begin to form at the bottom. Also, when you hold your hand about a hand's width above the pan, you should feel the heat. When the oil is hot but not smoking, add the egg and let it fry.

3. Fry the Egg and Serve

After about 30 seconds, when the edge of the egg is almost formed but the top is still transparent, tilt the pan slightly so the egg moves toward the edge and let the hot oil run over the surface of the egg without reaching the yolk. This cooks the top of the egg. When the entire top of the egg, except the yolk, is white, remove the egg from the pan with a spatula, letting any excess oil drain off. Place the egg on a plate, sprinkle a little salt over the yolk, and serve immediately.

Tips for the Best Fried Eggs

Choose Fresh, Free-Range Eggs

One of the most important aspects for success is choosing good eggs. It is best to always opt for eggs from free-range hens, which will have a delicious flavor, and the fresher they are, the better, since fresh eggs tend to spread less in the pan.

Use Hot Oil but Below Smoking Point

The type of oil for frying depends on availability, customs, and personal taste. We like to use a good olive oil for frying eggs. In any case, whatever oil you choose, the most important thing is that it is hot enough when you add the eggs, but always below its smoking point to avoid burning.

Adjust the Number of Eggs and Pan Size

Typically, you will cook one or two fried eggs per person, depending on whether it is a main dish or part of another recipe. Just follow the steps described below to fry as many eggs as you need. Keep in mind that the more eggs you fry, the larger the pan you will need. Also, when frying more than one egg at a time, remove them from the pan in the same order you added them so they all come out with the same doneness.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to in My Own Kitchen

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a rotation that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

Some nights I want something luxuriously rich, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a truly indulgent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I'm after something fruity and soothing, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

For mornings that call for something easy and for lighter plates, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever I need a gluten-free staple for the pantry, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.

When tapas and Mediterranean cooking are calling, I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion feels a bit more special.

Hearty midday meals and comforting suppers? These are the ones I'm always recommending: this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually lead me to this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crackly Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine for a quick appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting and putting together drinks alongside a full menu, I'll often serve dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To bring the whole table together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for Your Family

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the greatest dishes boil down to three things: straightforward methods, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

Every recipe gathered here is one I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more celebratory for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually make the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For cozier, more filling meals, I frequently point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes with roots in other countries, such as the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it cuts down on time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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