Is there anything better than a fried egg for breakfast? The nutritious amber-colored yolk, the ever so crisp egg white. A perfectly fried egg is sensationally satisfying. 

The thing about fried eggs is, they require just a little fat to fry correctly. It's the fat in the pan that keeps the egg from sticking to the surface as it heats. But the type of fat you use to fry your egg does more than just protect the surface of the egg while it cooks. It can also impact everything from taste, to appearance to possible health benefits. 

While everyone has their own preferred method for frying eggs, in the great fried egg debate, the ultimate question comes down to: should you be frying your eggs in butter or oil?  

Let’s get crackin’!

Frying Eggs in Butter

The best thing about frying eggs in butter is the taste. Because butter is higher in fat than oil, your eggs will naturally take on that rich butter flavor as they crisp in the pan. It’s similar to the way some chefs add a pad of butter to their scrambled eggs as they cook. 

There aren’t many health benefits to frying eggs in butter, but you’re not adding butter to the pan for the health benefits, you’re adding it for the extra flavor!

Frying Eggs in Oil

The biggest benefit to frying your sunny-side up or over-easy eggs in oil is the way the egg white gets wonderfully crispy when fried in oil. Coating the skillet with oil can also give a slightly nutty or almost fruity flavor to your eggs, depending on the type of oil you use.

If you add a tablespoon of olive oil or avocado oil to the pan, you may also be adding some extra health benefits to your eggs. Both of these oils are considered “healthy fats” which may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Olive oil is also considered an antioxidant that may help fight inflammation.

Whether you fry your eggs in a dash of oil or a little butter, you will always want to use free-range Happy Eggs for the tastiest results!