Cooking eggs in olive oil gives better results! The fried eggs have perfectly crisp edges, and scrambled eggs have a silky smooth texture. Plus, you’ll also get the health benefits of olive oil. So, it’s a win-win for your taste buds, and the rest of your body too!
Cooking Eggs in Olive Oil
A few months ago, in my post olive oil 101, we mentioned health benefits of olive oil. Be sure to check out those facts, because there are plenty of reasons for you to want to use oil instead of butter!
When Colavita came to the Cotter Crunch studio, Elana (the Colavita Creative Director) taught us about cooking eggs in olive oil. Many people believe that olive oil isn’t great for high heat cooking. That, my friends, is simply not true.
The fact is, olive oil has a very high smoke point! We fried eggs in extra virgin olive oil and made scrambled eggs in EVOO too. Let me tell you, we were instantly hooked! I also took a few tips from Bon Appetit.
The results are amazing! Crispy fried eggs and soft buttery scrambled eggs.
What is a Smoke Point?
The temperature of cooking fat (butter, oil, lard, etc.) when it begins to smoke is known as the “smoke point”.
The higher the smoke point, the better that fat is for frying. Plus, higher smoke point oils are lower in saturated fat than lower smoke point oils. As a result, they are healthier for your heart!
EVOO is a very high smoke point oil, making it perfect to use for pan frying. When it is at its most refined, you can even use it for deep frying!
For inquiring minds, here’s a handy chart on the smoke point of cooking oils.
Tips for Cooking Eggs
I have two helpful tips to help you make the perfect, fluffy scrambled eggs, as well as how to fry eggs in olive oil.
- Be sure to preheat your pan AND the oil completely. Otherwise, the eggs will take too long to cook. As a result, the oil will soak into the eggs rather than cooking them. Be sure to wait until the oil is smoking before you add the eggs to the pan.
- Don’t over cook the eggs. Although the cooking time may be short, if the oil is smoking, it is definitely hot enough to cook the eggs quickly. Leaving them in longer will either make them greasy, and/or they will burn.
How to Fry Eggs in Olive Oil
When you fry eggs, it’s important to use a large pan, with a flat bottom and flat sides. Also, be sure it has a lid; you’ll need it to prevent oil splatter. I use a 12-inch skillet.
Not only will this give the eggs room to move around in, but it also allows you to cook more than one or two eggs at a time.
- Preheat the skillet over medium heat. After a minute or two, the oil will begin to shimmer. That is JUST before it begins to smoke. Add the egg to the pan when the oil is hot and shimmering, but NOT smoking.
- Crack one egg into a ramekin or small bowl. When the oil begins to shimmer, it’s time to add the egg. Slip it in from the side of the pan and then cover the pan to prevent the oil from splattering.
- Fry the egg for 30 to 60 seconds. Then, remove the cover and use a slotted spoon to remove the egg from the pan.
Pro Tip: If you want to cook more than one egg at a time, use additional ramekins, cracking one egg into each. Or, after you slip in the first egg, quickly crack another into the ramekin and then add it to the pan. Repeat until all eggs are in the pan.
How to Scramble Eggs in Olive Oil
- Place skillet over medium heat. After 1-2 minutes, add olive oil and continue heating until oil begins to shimmer.
- Meanwhile, use a fork to scramble eggs in a small bowl.
- Pour egg mixture into the pan. Be sure that oil is shimmering, but NOT smoking. Adjust the heat if you need to.
- Using a non-stick spatula, push the eggs from the middle to the sides, cooking for a total of 1 minute.
- Remove pan from heat and place scrambled eggs on a warm plate. If they appear slightly undercooked it is okay; they will continue to cook on the plate.
More of Our Favorite
Ways to Use Eggs
Scrambled or Fried Eggs in Olive Oil
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Cooking eggs in olive oil is a heart healthy way to prepare them. In this post, we’ll teach you how to make fried eggs in oil or scrambled!
Ingredients
Fried Eggs in Olive Oil
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 large eggs
- Fine grain kosher or sea salt
Olive Oil Scrambled Eggs
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 6 eggs
- ½ teaspoon fine grain kosher or sea salt
Instructions
Olive Oil Fried Eggs
- Place large skillet over medium heat. After 1-2 minutes, add olive oil and continue heating until oil begins to shimmer.
- Meanwhile, crack an egg into a small bowl. When oil begins to shimmer, slip egg into pan from the side; cover pan to prevent oil from splattering.
- Cook for 30-60 seconds then use a slotted spoon to remove egg onto a plate a or serving dish rest. Season to taste.
Olive Oil Scrambled Eggs
- Place skillet over medium heat. After 1-2 minutes, add olive oil and continue heating until oil begins to shimmer.
- Meanwhile, use a fork to scramble eggs in small bowl, then season with salt.
- Pour eggs into the pan of shimmering oil.
- Using a non-stick spatula, push the eggs from the middle of the pan, out to the sides, then back again. Cook for a total of 1 to 2 minutes, depending on a how soft you like your scrambled eggs.
- Remove pan from heat and place scrambled eggs on a warm plate or bowl.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fried egg
- Calories: 132
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 71 mg
- Fat: 11.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 6.3 g
- Cholesterol: 186 mg
Butter has NOTHING on the flavor of olive oil. I’ll never fry eggs in butter again!
I agree! And I love you more for it. 🙂 xxoo
I came here for heart healthy oils for cookingeggs- I do not approve of smoking oil.
Hi Gwen, I understand your concerns. Actually, olive oil is very heart healthy. When you cook eggs in olive oil, it is shimmering, but not smoking. We hope this helps!
I like all dishes that use eggs, but don’t like them when the yolk is still raw or undercooked, but this recipe I like, thanks 🙂
You’re welcome! Glad you like it!
This is really helpful! Thank you for the tips!
You’re welcome, Toni!
Wow!!! I may never fry my eggs in butter again! These were the best eggs I have ever made, hands down!
WooHoo!! Glad to hear that!
I never use EVOO for eggs and now I need to start!
Yes, you will love it!
I always make my eggs in EVOO, they taste amazing! You’ve inspired me to make some right now!
Yes, I agree Lauren! yaayy, enjoy!